A 24-stone man whose dad was denied surgery for cancer because of his weight decided to cut seven stone in 12 months so he would never be in the same position. Mike Palmer from Nuneatonsays his dad needed surgery to remove a tumour, but his weight made it too dangerous.
Mike was concerned he was heading down a similar path and wanted to take control of his weight before it got too late.Mike’s lost the weight with the help of MAN v FAT’s football club - where he has also made new friends and discovered a love of exercise.
Mike said: "My decision to join MAN v FAT was deeply personal, rooted in my dad’s battle with cancer. He needed surgery to remove a tumour, but his weight made it too dangerous, so surgery wasn’t even discussed as an option. Watching him go through that was devastating, and it made me realise that I was heading down the same path. I was 165.5kg (26 stone) at my heaviest at Christmas 2023 struggling to walk upstairs without getting out of breath. I knew I had to take control before it was too late.
"Since joining MAN v FAT, not only have I transformed my own health and the weight I’ve lost, but I’ve inspired my dad to lose 15kg as well. Because of that weight loss, surgery is now a potential option for him if he ever needs it. That’s been one of the proudest achievements of my life—knowing that my journey hasn’t just helped me."
Mike added: " What I enjoy most about MAN v FAT Football is the community and the sense of purpose it’s given me. It’s not just football; it’s a support system. Every week, I walk into that club and see men from all walks of life coming together to change their futures. We celebrate each other’s wins, motivate each other through setbacks, and create an environment where nobody feels judged.
"Personally, I’ve also found a lot of pride in inspiring others. Knowing that my weight loss journey has motivated guys in my club—and even my own dad—to push themselves is an incredible feeling. It shows that MAN v FAT is about more than just losing weight; it’s about building each other up and showing that change is possible."
Mike said: "MAN v FAT has transformed my life in ways I never expected. Before joining, I struggled with my mental health—I felt stuck, isolated, and overwhelmed. MAN v FAT gave me a reason to get out of the house and focus on something positive. The structure and community support were exactly what I needed.
"It’s not just my health that’s improved—I’ve made lifelong friends through the programme, found a passion for exercise, and even started playing 11-a-side football again. But one of the biggest changes has been in my mindset. I now believe in myself in a way I never did before, and that confidence has spilled over into every area of my life."
