The blokes concerned with MAN v FAT Soccer at West Palm Seaside in Florida would possibly solely be coming towards the tip of their first season, however they’re all in on the MAN v FAT expertise.
They’ve already shifted over 150lbs within the first 9 weeks of being on this system and have fashioned a powerful group underneath the tutelage of their coach Leah Mraz.
One of many gamers main the way in which is John Gerken, whose laborious work has seen him lose 23lbs on the time of writing this text.
58-year-old John advised us: “I began enjoying soccer a bit of later than most, on the age of 10. That first season I performed goalkeeper, and in some way I ended up there for the remainder of my profession! At 6’4”, who would have thought I’d be a very good goalkeeper! That stated, I’ve at all times thought-about myself a disgruntled ahead!
“I performed goalkeeper in school and was a four-year starter. After school, round 1995, I met a bunch of Brits in Miami and performed with them for about eight years. They launched me to Manchester United, and I’ve been a fan ever since.
“I began teaching after I was 25 years previous and have coached gamers from age 4 all the way in which as much as the school stage – and every thing in between. Teaching has at all times introduced me an incredible quantity of enjoyment. I really like giving again to the sport that has given me a lot.”
John – who has two kids (Jack, 21 and Leah, 19) – had discovered himself struggling together with his weight and handed 350lbs earlier than discovering MAN v FAT.
Nevertheless, the mix of soccer and group has been an important consider him rediscovering his sporting mojo and he’s all set to construct on his early successes on this system.
He added: “I obtained married in 2002 and moved to Pennsylvania. I divorced in 2018 and my weight was one of many points that contributed to that. I’ve struggled with melancholy at instances all through my life, and when issues aren’t going effectively, I are typically a stress eater.
“At my heaviest a number of years in the past, I weighed 355 kilos. I wasn’t exercising, I wasn’t socially lively, and I had misplaced a number of my confidence. However by all of that, I nonetheless had soccer. Soccer has at all times been the love of my life, but at that time I didn’t really feel like I may play anymore due to my weight and my age.
“Then at some point I noticed an advert on Instagram for MAN v FAT. I instantly thought, this league is for me, and I signed up instantly. It’s the most effective selections I’ve made in a very long time.
“I’ve at all times had a tough time making new mates, however the league has launched me to individuals similar to me – individuals who perceive the journey and might relate to what I’m going by. I’m making mates, and we even meet up outdoors of the weekly periods simply to play and spend time collectively.”
For anybody who has adopted MAN v FAT’s story for some time, the peer to see accountability and camaraderie is essential to this system’s success and John has discovered that to be actually vital for his personal buy-in to what takes place every week.
“One of many issues I really like most about MANvFAT is the accountability,” he continued. “Prior to now, I struggled to carry myself accountable for my weight—not for myself, not for my spouse, not even for my youngsters or household. However now I discover myself making higher selections due to my teammates – guys I had by no means met earlier than becoming a member of the league. I don’t wish to allow them to down.
“I’m additionally a aggressive individual by nature. The construction of the league, and the way in which your off-the-field weight reduction helps your crew on the sphere, suits my persona completely.
“So yeah – I really like the league and every thing it stands for!”
Wish to be a part of John in motion?
You possibly can join the West Palm Seaside league on our MAN v FAT Soccer web site. There are new leagues being added all the time, so have a look round!