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.

In this episode of Big Fellas Weight Loss for Men, Darren and Mark dive into some powerful conversations taken from the Facebook group Men and Their Emotions — a space where men are opening up about what they’re really dealing with beneath the surface.

The discussion covers food addiction, emotional eating, past trauma, and the crossover between food, alcohol, and substance use. Darren and Mark talk honestly about why these issues are rarely “just about food”, and how unaddressed emotional pain often drives the behaviours many men feel stuck with.

They also challenge the stigma around men talking about their emotions, especially when it comes to food addiction, which is often brushed off or minimised compared to drugs or alcohol. This episode is about creating space for real conversations, taking responsibility without shame, and understanding that lasting change starts with what’s going on in your head — not just what’s on your plate.

1. Many men use food as a coping mechanism for stress, trauma, and unresolved emotional pain.
2. Food addiction can be just as damaging as alcohol or drug addiction, even if it’s not treated the same way socially.
3. Ignoring emotional struggles often leads to physical health problems over time.
4. Isolation makes addiction harder to deal with — opening up is a crucial first step.
5. Support, honesty, and self-awareness are key to breaking long-term destructive patterns.
6. You don’t fix deep issues with surface-level solutions — the mindset matters as much as the meal plan.

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 insightful and thought-provoking episode of Big Fellas, Darren and Mark are joined by Sam Gibson to unpack one of the most misunderstood aspects of weight loss — emotional eating.

Together, they explore why overeating so often has little to do with hunger and everything to do with how we cope with stress, loneliness, boredom, and emotional discomfort. Sam explains how food can become a form of self-soothing, filling emotional gaps rather than physical ones, and why simply “having more willpower” rarely works.

The conversation dives into identifying personal triggers, recognising behavioural patterns, and understanding how each person’s relationship with food is unique. Rather than focusing on restriction, this episode encourages listeners to look deeper — at fulfilment, connection, and purpose — as the real foundations of long-term change.

This episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical insight for anyone who feels stuck in cycles of overeating and wants a healthier, more balanced relationship with food.

Key Takeaways:

1. Emotional eating is driven by feelings, not physical hunger.
2. Overeating often acts as a coping mechanism for deeper emotional issues.
3. Identifying personal triggers is essential to breaking the cycle.
4. Everyone’s relationship with food is different and needs a tailored approach.
5. Long-term change comes from addressing fulfilment, connection, and purpose — not restriction alone.

You can find Sam's book on Amazon here: https://amzn.eu/d/cQdmXwu

🎯 Sponsored by Man v Fat

If emotional eating is holding you back, community and accountability can make a huge difference. Join Man v Fat and surround yourself with support on your journey.

👉 https://manvfatfootball.org/

In this practical and motivating episode of Big Fellas, Darren and Mark are joined by Harrison Burgess, an online personal trainer who brings a refreshingly realistic approach to weight loss and fitness.

Harrison shares his own powerful transformation story, explaining how he lost 30 kilos and why that lived experience now shapes the way he coaches others. Together, they explore what actually works when it comes to long-term results — focusing on sustainable habits rather than extreme diets or all-or-nothing training plans.

The conversation breaks down the importance of balancing training, nutrition, and mindset, highlighting why small, incremental changes are often far more effective than drastic overhauls. From building a calorie deficit without misery to adopting the identity of someone who trains consistently, this episode is packed with advice men can apply immediately.

This is an essential listen for anyone who wants a grounded, achievable path to better health — one built on patience, consistency, and realistic expectations.

Key Takeaways:

1. Sustainable weight loss comes from gradual lifestyle changes, not extremes.
2. Harrison lost 30 kilos and uses his personal experience to coach effectively.
3. Progress requires patience, consistency, and realistic expectations.
4. Nutrition matters just as much as training, especially maintaining a calorie deficit.
5. Small habit changes are often the most powerful starting point.
6. Adopting the mindset and identity of a “consistent gym-goer” supports long-term success.

You can check out Harrisons Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/harrison__burgess/

🎯 Sponsored by Man v Fat

Looking for structure, accountability, and a supportive environment to put these habits into action? Join Man v Fat and take control of your health.

👉 https://manvfatfootball.org/

In this inspiring episode of Big Fellas, Darren and Mark are joined by Holston, who shares his incredible journey of losing an astonishing 150 pounds and completely transforming his life.

Holston opens up about the realities of living with obesity and the moment he decided enough was enough. His story isn’t just about weight loss — it’s about changing his mindset, rebuilding daily habits, and rediscovering joy through an active lifestyle. From calorie counting to spending more time being active with his children, Holston explains how simple, consistent changes helped him reclaim both his health and his confidence.

The conversation highlights the importance of sustainability, family motivation, and finding reasons beyond the scales to keep going. Holston’s journey is a powerful reminder that weight loss isn’t just about what you lose — it’s about everything you gain along the way.

Key Takeaways:

• Holston lost 150 pounds through consistency and lifestyle change.
• Calorie tracking played a key role in helping him regain control.
• Being active with his children became a major source of motivation.
• Weight loss brought improvements in confidence, energy, and overall happiness.
• Long-term success comes from mindset shifts, not short-term fixes.
• A healthier life creates more freedom, connection, and enjoyment.

🎯 Sponsored by Man v Fat

If you’re ready to start your own journey with support and accountability, join Man v Fat and surround yourself with men working toward the same goal.

👉 https://manvfatfootball.org/

In this episode of Big Fellas, Darren and Mark break down the newly published food pyramid from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and what it really means for everyday weight loss and health.

They compare the modern pyramid to the original version from the 1970s, exploring how decades of nutritional research — and major shifts in how we eat — have shaped today’s updated guidance. The conversation highlights a clear move away from refined carbohydrates and ultra-processed foods, towards whole, minimally processed meals built around protein, healthy fats, vegetables, and fruit.

Darren and Mark also discuss why no government guideline should be followed blindly. Instead, they encourage listeners to use the new pyramid as a framework, not a rulebook — one that supports better decision-making, hydration, and long-term consistency rather than short-term dieting.

This episode is about understanding the bigger picture of nutrition, learning from past mistakes, and taking personal responsibility for what goes on your plate.

Key Takeaways:

1. The new food pyramid prioritises whole, minimally processed foods.
2. Refined carbohydrates and sugary foods are significantly reduced compared to the 1970s model.
3. The inverted design reflects a shift toward protein and healthy fats.
4. Dietary advice has evolved alongside major changes in food availability and lifestyles.
5. Government guidelines are tools, not guarantees — personal responsibility still matters most.
6. Hydration and food quality play a major role in long-term health and weight loss.

🎯 Sponsored by Man v Fat

Looking for structure, accountability, and a supportive environment to put healthy habits into practice? Join Man v Fat and take control of your health.

👉 https://manvfatfootball.org/