With our Superb Losers sport on the horizon, we’re spending the times main as much as kick off assembly the lads who’ll be pulling on the shirts on this yr’s sport at Walsall FC. We journey to St Helens for the primary time, to talk to Beck Phillips!
Inform us extra about your preliminary causes for becoming a member of MAN v FAT
I initially went to the physician due to nervousness and some different points. That was round November 2023. Throughout that appointment, I used to be informed I had excessive ldl cholesterol and would want to go on medicine. That was the primary time in my life I’d been informed I wanted to take a tablet for one thing long-term, and it actually hit me. I keep in mind asking the physician, “Is that this eternally, or can I truly do one thing about it?” The reply was easy — drop some weight, get fitter, get more healthy. That was the wake-up name.
After one last Christmas blowout, I began my weight reduction journey in January 2024. I started at 23 stone and managed to lose round two stone within the first few months alone, getting down to only over 21 stone by March.
Round that point, I noticed an advert for MAN v FAT. I’d seen it pop up on Fb earlier than, however this time it felt completely different. I’d already began making progress, and alongside the burden loss, I used to be additionally working by my nervousness. I realised I didn’t simply have to drop some weight — I wanted construction, accountability, and one thing that might assist my psychological well being too.
So I took the plunge and signed up. I anticipated there to be a little bit of a ready listing, which might have given me time to course of the choice — however I acquired assigned to a crew virtually immediately. I joined the Orange crew, Foodinese, simply as the brand new season was beginning. If I’m sincere, I missed my first session due to nervousness. I discovered excuses to not go. However the lads within the WhatsApp group have been good and actually welcoming, and that gave me the push to show up the next week.
From April 2024 onwards, it’s simply grown from there. Since becoming a member of MAN v FAT, I’ve misplaced over 50 kilograms, on high of the 2 stone I’d already dropped earlier than becoming a member of. I’ve moved out of the overweight BMI class and formally grow to be a BMI Boss — one thing that when felt utterly out of attain. Once I look again at outdated pictures now, it’s truthfully surreal.
Generally I barely recognise myself. It’s such an odd feeling seeing that model of me and remembering how I felt on the time in comparison with now. However as wild as that’s, I’m positively happier for it — not simply due to how I look, however due to how I really feel everyday. And now I’m right here, invited to the Superb Losers Recreation. It’s been some journey.
When you may return in time and discuss to the model of you initially of your weight reduction efforts, what would you inform them concerning the adjustments you’ve skilled?
That’s a tricky one. I believe the very first thing I’d inform him is to be affected person — particularly with the scales. There are going to be weeks the place you do every part proper and the burden doesn’t transfer. There’ll be plateaus. There’ll even be small beneficial properties. And it’ll really feel irritating. However I’d inform him to not panic. The physique is a bizarre factor. Water weight can fluctuate massively — from strolling extra, from a couple of sweets, from salt, from stress. A tiny acquire doesn’t imply you’ve failed. It simply means you’re human. When you hold doing the work within the background, the fireplace continues to be burning, even when the scales don’t present it that week.
I’d additionally inform him that it genuinely does get simpler. At the beginning, every part seems like effort — monitoring meals, planning exercises, turning up. However over time, it turns into a part of who you might be. Now, my weeks are constructed round coaching. I don’t actually debate whether or not I’m going to train — it’s simply what I do. It’s muscle reminiscence. That shift in mindset has most likely been one of many largest adjustments.
Mentally, I’d inform him that this journey will strengthen him in methods he doesn’t anticipate. I’d already began engaged on my nervousness and psychological well being earlier than tackling the bodily facet, particularly after shedding my dad. However combining the 2 — remedy and health — has been highly effective. I really feel extra steady, extra assured, and extra answerable for my life than I did again then.
I’d most likely additionally inform him to start out working sooner. The primary time I attempted, I lasted 5 minutes and needed to hobble residence, which put me off for some time. However after I lastly dedicated to it correctly — utilizing Sofa to 5K and simply sticking with it — it grew to become an enormous a part of my journey. The primary six months have been laborious, however pushing by that modified every part. Now I’m coaching for a half marathon, which might’ve sounded ridiculous to the outdated me.
And eventually, I’d inform him to cease being so laborious on himself. Even that first 100g acquire felt huge on the time. However within the grand scheme of what I’ve achieved — shedding over 50kg, turning into a BMI Boss, remodeling my well being — it was nothing. If I may sum it up, I’d say this: belief the method, hold turning up, and perceive that the adjustments go approach past the quantity on the scales. You’re not simply dropping pounds — you’re constructing a very completely different model of your self.
Who would you prefer to thank for his or her assist in your progress?
It’s truthfully a really lengthy listing. Firstly, I’ve to thank my first crew — the Orange crew, Foodinese. They have been my introduction to MAN v FAT and to this entire facet of my health journey. For these first three seasons, my captain, vice-captain, and the remainder of the crew have been instrumental in constructing my confidence and giving me momentum. They helped me settle in after I was nonetheless battling nervousness about simply turning up.
Then I’ve to thank my second crew — VFL Wolfsburg, the Inexperienced crew, Season 12 champions at MAN v FAT St Helens. I’ve been lucky sufficient to function vice-captain there, and the numbers we put up have been phenomenal. Season 11 was after I hit my 25% body weight loss milestone. Season 12 is the place issues actually accelerated — that’s after I reached 30% after which 35%. And in Season 13, I grew to become a BMI Boss. That development didn’t occur by chance. We ignited one thing in one another as a crew, and that shared momentum pushed me to ranges I hadn’t thought attainable.
An enormous thanks as effectively to the coaches and assistant coaches at MAN v FAT St Helens, and everybody concerned within the 11-a-side video games. The 11s have grow to be one in all my largest motivators. Plenty of my power and health coaching now’s centred round enhancing my soccer. I won’t be capable of prepare talent the identical approach I prepare legs or chest, however bodily getting higher for soccer pushes me each week. I additionally wish to thank everybody concerned within the wider group — from the Monday night time periods to the friendlies, to organising the 24-hour sport. These occasions create one thing larger than simply weight reduction. They create function.
Outdoors of MAN v FAT, I owe an enormous quantity to my household. My spouse, my son, my mum, my buddies and colleagues — they’ve all supported me by this. My spouse and son particularly have been extremely affected person, significantly just lately after I haven’t stopped speaking about protein. My six-year-old now asks how a lot protein is in his meals, which I’m selecting to take as a optimistic!
However genuinely, they’ve allowed me the time and house to put money into myself, and meaning every part. I additionally wish to acknowledge my therapist, my hypnotherapist, and my physio. The work I did on my psychological well being and my physique earlier than and through this journey laid the inspiration for every part that adopted. Getting stronger bodily wouldn’t have occurred in the identical approach with out first doing that inside and bodily work.
And eventually — as unusual as it’d sound — I’ve to thank myself. My therapist would most likely give me a slap on the wrist if I didn’t. As a lot as I’ve had unimaginable help round me, I’m the one who acquired up every single day, caught to the plan, turned up after I didn’t really feel prefer it, and saved going by the robust weeks. That consistency is one thing I’m genuinely happy with. So actually, thanks to everybody who’s been a part of this — in massive methods or small. This journey may be mine, nevertheless it’s positively not been accomplished alone.
Oh – and Roboburton, if you already know, you already know!
What are your future hopes round your well being and wellbeing?
Wanting forward, I’ve nonetheless acquired loads of targets I wish to smash. First off, I’d prefer to lose one other 3–4 kg and hold refining my physique composition — significantly engaged on the free pores and skin that comes with such a giant transformation. Past the numbers, I wish to hold constructing power and endurance, so I can tackle larger challenges, like working a full marathon. That’s been on my radar for some time, and I’m lastly able to decide to it.
After all, soccer continues to be an enormous motivator for me, so scoring extra bloody targets on the pitch is unquestionably excessive on the listing! However past efficiency, it’s about feeling good day-to-day — having vitality, staying in line with my coaching, and sustaining the psychological and bodily habits that have gotten me this far. Finally, my hope is to maintain pushing myself, hold enhancing, and benefit from the journey alongside the best way — celebrating milestones, massive and small, and ensuring I proceed to be more healthy, stronger, and happier than ever.
How a lot are you trying ahead to the sport in Might?
Truthfully, I’m so excited for the Superb Losers Recreation. Once I hit a few of my larger milestones, I spoke to the coaches and it gave the impression of I might need certified for the sport. From that time, it grew to become a little bit of a ready sport — simply being affected person, figuring out my time would come. MAN v FAT St Helens is such an ideal membership with heaps of people that’ve earned the suitable to play, so I knew nothing was assured, however I actually hoped it might occur this yr.
I’ve needed to be a part of this sport for a very long time, particularly after listening to the tales of others who’ve performed. When the invitation arrived, it was such a surreal second. My spouse needed to learn it to me initially as a result of I panicked with pleasure, and after I realised it was official, I couldn’t cease smiling.
I’m actually trying ahead to seeing the lads who’ve been on related journeys, sharing our “struggle tales,” and simply having fun with the occasion collectively. My focus now’s staying as match and powerful as I can — no extra accidents — so I can provide my finest on the day. This seems like a once-in-a-lifetime second — one thing I’ll keep in mind as one in all my all-time achievements. I wish to make the membership proud, take pleasure in each second on the pitch, and take in being a part of such an unimaginable day with everybody concerned. I truthfully can’t wait.
