In this episode of Big Fellas Weight Loss for Men, Mark sits down with Shakeel, who has lost an incredible nine and a half stone after starting at 27 stone.

But this isn’t just about the weight.

Shakeel shares how becoming a better father — especially to children with additional challenges — became the driving force behind his transformation. He talks about the moment he realised something had to change, and how that shift in mindset gave him the push he needed to take responsibility for his health.

The conversation explores self-worth, accountability, and the mental barriers that often hold men back. Shakeel also opens up about learning to enjoy movement, the unexpected encouragement he received while out running, and why finding purpose makes change sustainable.

This episode is a reminder that weight loss isn’t always about looking different — sometimes it’s about showing up differently for the people who matter most.

1. A strong “why” can be more powerful than any diet plan.
2. Weight loss becomes sustainable when it’s tied to purpose, not just appearance.
3. Self-acceptance and emotional awareness are crucial for long-term change.
4. Encouragement — even from strangers — can fuel belief and momentum.
5. Finding exercise you actually enjoy makes consistency far easier.
6. Real transformation starts with taking ownership and recognising your own worth.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Man v Fat — a weight loss programme built specifically for men.

Man v Fat focuses on sustainable weight loss, accountability, and support, whether that’s through their leagues, online programmes, or community.

Head over to www.manvfat.org and use the promo code BIGFELLAS to sign up for just £1 instead of £10.

In this episode of Big Fellas Weight Loss for Men, Darren and Mark sit down with Adam Boyd, who has lost an incredible 150lbs, but this isn’t just a story about the scales.

Adam opens up about the mental health battles that ran alongside his weight gain, including anxiety, addiction, and the coping mechanisms he built from a young age. He talks honestly about how childhood experiences shaped his relationship with food, and why real, lasting change meant doing far more than just dieting.

This is a powerful conversation about resilience, self-awareness, and the uncomfortable but necessary work of dealing with what’s going on in your head — not just what’s on your plate.

Adam’s journey is proof that dramatic weight loss is possible. But more importantly, it shows that healing, growth, and long-term change come from facing the emotional drivers behind the habits.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the same cycle, this episode will hit home.

1. Significant weight loss doesn’t automatically fix underlying emotional struggles.
2. Childhood experiences can shape adult habits around food, addiction, and self-worth.
3. Anxiety and addiction often sit beneath long-term weight gain.
4. Sustainable weight loss requires mental and emotional work, not just a calorie deficit.
5. The right support network can make the difference between giving up and pushing forward.
6. Real transformation is as much psychological as it is physical.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Man v Fat — a weight loss programme built specifically for men.

Man v Fat focuses on sustainable weight loss, accountability, and support, whether that’s through their leagues, online programmes, or community.

Head over to www.manvfat.org and use the promo code BIGFELLAS to sign up for just £1 instead of £10.

Ever had a “good” week… then absolutely undone it by Sunday night?

In this episode of Big Fellas, we’re chatting about what we call the silent saboteurs — the sneaky little habits that quietly wreck your weight loss without you even realising.

Because let’s be honest… most of us don’t struggle because we’re lazy or unmotivated. We struggle because of the stuff we’ve normalised.

We get into:

• 🍔 The weekend blowout – why five solid days can get wiped out by two “ah go on then” days
• 🍺 Using alcohol as a reward (and how it’s probably costing you more than you think)
• 🍽️ Portion sizes – especially if you grew up being told to “clear your plate”
• 😩 Emotional eating disguised as hunger
• 💥 The “it moment” – that split second where one bad choice turns into a full-on spiral

This episode is all about awareness. Not guilt. Not shame. Just calling out the habits that might be quietly holding you back.

Because once you spot them, you can sort them.

And remember — one bad meal, one bad day, even one bad weekend doesn’t undo everything. Consistency wins. Always.

This episode is brought to you by MAN v FAT Football.

If you’re a bloke looking to lose weight and fancy doing it alongside other lads in the same boat, MAN v FAT combines football with weight loss support — and it works.

Use the code BIGFELLAS when you sign up, and you can join for just £1.

👉 Sign up here: www.manvfat.org

Get involved. Get moving. And we’ll see you on the pitch.