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 12 months’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 advised I had excessive ldl cholesterol and would want to go on treatment. That was the primary time in my life I’d been advised I wanted to take a capsule for one thing long-term, and it actually hit me. I bear in mind asking the physician, “Is that this eternally, or can I really do one thing about it?” The reply was easy — shed some pounds, 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 by myself, 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 means of my nervousness. I realised I didn’t simply have to shed some pounds — I wanted construction, accountability, and one thing that will 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 record, which might have given me time to course of the choice — however I received assigned to a crew virtually right away. I joined the Orange crew, Foodinese, simply as the brand new season was beginning. If I’m trustworthy, I missed my first session due to nervousness. I discovered excuses to not go. However the lads within the WhatsApp group had 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 prime 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 change into a BMI Boss — one thing that after felt utterly out of attain. Once I look again at previous images now, it’s truthfully surreal.
Typically 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 undoubtedly 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.
Should you may return in time and speak to the model of you at first of your weight reduction efforts, what would you inform them in regards to the modifications you’ve skilled?
That’s a troublesome one. I feel 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 thing proper and the burden doesn’t transfer. There’ll be plateaus. There’ll even be small features. And it’ll really feel irritating. However I’d inform him to not panic. The physique is a extraordinary factor. Water weight can fluctuate massively — from strolling extra, from just a few sweets, from salt, from stress. A tiny achieve doesn’t imply you’ve failed. It simply means you’re human. Should you preserve doing the work within the background, the hearth 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. Firstly, every thing seems like effort — monitoring meals, planning exercises, turning up. However over time, it turns into a part of who you’re. 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 greatest modifications.
Mentally, I’d inform him that this journey will strengthen him in methods he doesn’t count on. I’d already began engaged on my nervousness and psychological well being earlier than tackling the bodily facet, particularly after dropping my dad. However combining the 2 — remedy and health — has been highly effective. I really feel extra steady, extra assured, and extra in charge of my life than I did again then.
I’d most likely additionally inform him to start out operating sooner. The primary time I attempted, I lasted 5 minutes and needed to hobble house, which put me off for some time. However once 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 had been laborious, however pushing by means of that modified every thing. Now I’m coaching for a half marathon, which might’ve sounded ridiculous to the previous me.
And at last, I’d inform him to cease being so laborious on himself. Even that first 100g achieve felt large on the time. However within the grand scheme of what I’ve achieved — dropping over 50kg, turning into a BMI Boss, reworking my well being — it was nothing. If I may sum it up, I’d say this: belief the method, preserve turning up, and perceive that the modifications go approach past the quantity on the scales. You’re not simply shedding weight — 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 record. At the start, I’ve to thank my first crew — the Orange crew, Foodinese. They had 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 had been instrumental in constructing my confidence and giving me momentum. They helped me settle in once 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 had been phenomenal. Season 11 was once I hit my 25% body weight loss milestone. Season 12 is the place issues actually accelerated — that’s once I reached 30% after which 35%. And in Season 13, I grew to become a BMI Boss. That development didn’t occur accidentally. We ignited one thing in one another as a crew, and that shared momentum pushed me to ranges I hadn’t thought potential.
A giant thanks as properly 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 change into one in all my greatest motivators. Plenty of my energy and health coaching now could be centred round bettering my soccer. I may not have the ability to practice talent the identical approach I practice legs or chest, however bodily getting higher for soccer pushes me each week. I additionally need to thank everybody concerned within the wider group — from the Monday night time classes 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 mates and colleagues — they’ve all supported me by means of this. My spouse and son particularly have been extremely affected person, notably lately once 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 constructive!
However genuinely, they’ve allowed me the time and house to spend money on myself, and which means every thing. I additionally need 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 muse for every thing that adopted. Getting stronger bodily wouldn’t have occurred in the identical approach with out first doing that inside and bodily work.
And at last — 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 received up each day, caught to the plan, turned up once I didn’t really feel prefer it, and saved going by means of the powerful weeks. That consistency is one thing I’m genuinely happy with. So actually, thanks to everybody who’s been a part of this — in huge methods or small. This journey may be mine, but it surely’s undoubtedly not been executed 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 received loads of targets I need to smash. First off, I’d prefer to lose one other 3–4 kg and preserve refining my physique composition — notably engaged on the unfastened pores and skin that comes with such a giant transformation. Past the numbers, I need to preserve constructing energy and endurance, so I can tackle larger challenges, like operating a full marathon. That’s been on my radar for some time, and I’m lastly able to decide to it.
In fact, soccer continues to be an enormous motivator for me, so scoring extra bloody targets on the pitch is certainly excessive on the record! However past efficiency, it’s about feeling good day-to-day — having vitality, staying per my coaching, and sustaining the psychological and bodily habits that have gotten me this far. Finally, my hope is to maintain pushing myself, preserve bettering, and benefit from the journey alongside the best way — celebrating milestones, huge 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 Could?
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 may 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 a fantastic membership with heaps of people that’ve earned the precise to play, so I knew nothing was assured, however I actually hoped it could occur this 12 months.
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 once 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 “warfare tales,” and simply having fun with the occasion collectively. My focus now could be staying as match and powerful as I can — no extra accidents — so I may give my finest on the day. This seems like a once-in-a-lifetime second — one thing I’ll bear in mind as one in all my all-time achievements. I need 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.
