MAN v FAT member Kieran Reynolds has been main the way in which in terms of speaking about his lived expertise with autism, dyspraxia and dyslexia.
Kieran, who has simply celebrated his first 12 months as a member with MAN v FAT Sutton, was lately invited to current in entrance of a bunch at Sutton Psychological Well being Basis, the place he additionally volunteers.
He spoke about his lived experiences and likewise how MAN v FAT has supported his well being and wellbeing over the previous twelve months.
We caught up along with his coach Nicola Stearn and with Kieran himself to search out out extra.
KIERAN’S ANSWERS
How has MAN v FAT supported you to attain your weight reduction and wellbeing targets?
My weight is one thing I had been acutely aware about for a very long time. Earlier makes an attempt to reduce weight had principally been unsuccessful, partly as a result of I’d attempt to be good. I’d then lose motivation after I was struggling and find yourself going again to dangerous habits. I’ve all the time been captivated with soccer and having the ability to mix weight much less with one in all my particular pursuits made an enormous distinction. I additionally discovered it very useful to fulfill others who’re happening the identical weight reduction journey and we’re capable of assist one another.
A part of my motivation for becoming a member of to enhance my psychological well being and meet new folks. Once I signed up for MAN v FAT in Could 2025, my psychological well being was in dangerous place. I used to be discovering it troublesome to encourage myself to fulfill new folks and take a look at new issues.
Attending our classes on a Friday night time has allowed me to fulfill so many individuals in a structured setting which has been extraordinarily useful. I used to be unable to play between October and March attributable to sickness and surgical procedure however I’d come down on a Friday night time after I was nicely sufficient so I may proceed to be a part of the membership and this was extraordinarily useful throughout my restoration.
How supportive have Nicola and the remainder of the neighborhood been in serving to you along with your extra wants?
Once I first joined MAN v FAT, I used to be unsure what to anticipate. When Nicola contacted me after I signed up, I informed her that I used to be Autistic, Dyslexic and Dyspraxic. She reassured me that I’d be welcome and supported. She additionally supplied clear steering of what to anticipate. Nicola and her assistant coaches Adam and Tom have been extremely supportive since I joined and have all the time been keen to speak and focus on something with me when wanted.
My first captain, Owen, additionally did rather a lot to assist me settle in and launched me to others on the membership. He additionally inspired me to attend social occasions outdoors of our common Friday classes and made positive I used to be welcome.
I will probably be first to confess that I’m not a very good footballer. Dyspraxia impacts my coordination and motor expertise. My childhood goals of emulating my childhood soccer hero Alan Shearer had been brief lived! Regardless of this, everybody has been extraordinarily understanding and I’ve by no means felt undesirable.
How a lot has the load loss meant to you and the way has it improved your bodily and psychological well being?
I handed my 15% milestone in December, simply over six months after becoming a member of. Once I attended my first session final Could, I used to be struggling to maneuver across the pitch and was not capable of final very lengthy earlier than going off. Since then I’ve develop into much more cellular and I’m beginning to develop into extra assured about my physique.
I used to be extraordinarily self acutely aware about my weight earlier than I joined and I’m now ready to have a look at pictures of myself with out cringing. I now have a wholesome blood strain which had not been the case for years. I nonetheless have ambitions to lose extra weight however I really feel so a lot better already and this has undoubtedly had a optimistic impression on each my bodily and psychological well being.
NICOLA’S ANSWERS
How have you ever and your neighborhood supported Kieran to make sure he’s sorted appropriately within the membership?
Now we have supported Kieran by creating an setting the place he feels secure, understood, and included. As a membership, we’ve taken time to study his particular person wants, preferences, and any triggers that will trigger him discomfort or nervousness. This has allowed us to adapt our strategy – for instance, by giving clear directions, sustaining constant routines, and offering additional time when wanted.
Inside the membership, we’ve inspired consciousness and understanding in order that different members are supportive and inclusive, serving to Kieran really feel like a valued a part of the group.
Total, my fundamental focus as coach has been on making certain he is not only accommodated, however genuinely included and capable of get pleasure from his time on the membership. And I want to assume his psychological well being that was poor when he joined the membership, has improved considerably and now we have been capable of assist with that. And his weight reduction has been unimaginable, most lately hitting his 15%.
What experiences of supporting autism did you will have previous to assembly Kieran and the way has this developed by working with him?
Previous to assembly Kieran, my expertise of supporting autism was primarily private, as I’ve a two-year-old Freya who’s at the moment on the pathway to being identified with autism. By this, I had already began to develop an understanding of the challenges and variations in communication, behaviour, and sensory wants that may be related to autism. It has helped me develop into extra affected person, observant, and conscious of the significance of routine and clear communication.
Nevertheless, working with Kieran has additional developed my understanding in a sensible setting. It has proven me how essential it’s to adapt approaches to go well with the person, as autism presents in another way in every individual. I’ve realized to be extra versatile in how I talk, give directions, and reply to conditions, in addition to the significance of making a supportive and inclusive setting.
This expertise has strengthened each my confidence and my empathy. It has allowed me to use what I’m studying in my private life whereas additionally growing new expertise in a crew setting, serving to me higher assist people with extra wants now and sooner or later.
Wish to know extra?
An enormous thanks to Nicola and Kieran for his or her solutions and for bringing this nice story to our consideration. We want Kieran each success along with his ongoing weight reduction and time with the membership!
If you wish to learn extra in regards to the Sutton Psychological Well being Basis, you may go to their web site. To enroll in MAN v FAT Sutton, go to their membership homepage!
