Houston’s MAN v FAT soccer league has been a huge success since it began in mid-2025, with players there having lost nearly 900 pounds so far.
As with many MAN v FAT communities in the US and UK, it is the strength of the community that provides a real support network for men of all backgrounds.
This peer-to-peer support has played a huge role in Cameron Roberts’ weight loss progress over recent months.
Cameron has dropped approximately 50 pounds since the start of MAN v FAT Soccer in June, and that has helped put him on a positive path. We caught up with him to find out why it’s been so positive.
1) What encouraged you to join MAN v FAT Soccer in the first place? What are the personal/health reasons?
I had a health scare in the spring of 2022 when I weighed 410 pounds and was an alcoholic post-pandemic. I stopped drinking and started running. In 2023 and 2024, each year I ran over 30 events, including 5K, 10K and half marathon races.
Despite being a healthier person overall, I struggled to get much below 335 lbs. I was happy with being healthier, but I finally wanted to lose the weight for good. My dad is from Liverpool (we’re huge fans…we haven’t had as much fun this year!) so I’d heard about MAN v FAT Football before, and took the launch of MAN v FAT Soccer Houston this summer as a cue to make the leap.
2) Have you ever tried dieting in other ways? Why do you think MAN v FAT worked for you?
I lost 70 pounds (410 > 340) in one year by quitting drinking and running 10+ miles a week after those health scares. However, I was yo-yoing between 330 and 340 after that despite maintaining a somewhat active and healthier lifestyle.
MAN v FAT has worked to my advantage because of the responsibility, both personally and in conjunction with my team. Personally, it made me track food, having to write down the junk food I was eating, and made even purchasing it much less attractive. Choosing salad over barbecue was easy when I was doing it for the team. The cookie cutter was easy because I hated having to write it. Healthy choices felt like wins rather than “something I should probably do.”
3) Why do you feel the Houston League has been so successful?
First and foremost, Coach Zach is the man. He’s always positive, whether you’re struggling or crushing it, he’ll unabashedly motivate you and give only good advice for your diet and exercise routine.
Secondly, the guys are great. I think because of the nature of MAN vs FAT Soccer, we’re all here to make weight, so everyone is incredibly supportive and that creates a great atmosphere. We are a very diverse group and I have met some of the nicest people you could ever want to meet here.
4) What are your future ambitions and goals regarding your weight and health?
I honestly didn’t think I would make it this far. I wanted to have some fun and hopefully cut 15-20 pounds. But then I saw myself in the top 3% of losing percentage after a few weeks, and I was determined to get on the podium by the end of the season, whatever diet and exercise it entailed. These guys pushed me hard and we lost a lot of weight together, and I finished third in the end.
Now I think I’ll stick with it and see where it takes me. I’m now down 48 pounds after shedding some injury weight. Maybe not as radical as the first season though. The great thing is that there is no specific diet to follow with MAN v FAT, your trainer will work with you on what you want to do.
I was aiming to lose 3 pounds per week the first season. This season, I’m great at making 1.5 pounds and adding cheese to the burrito again. The goal is to lose every week, and there is some wiggle room in that, which makes the program effective for me.
5) What is your message to anyone thinking about joining MAN v FAT Soccer?
I feel nervous about it. I’ve been a fat kid my whole life, and I dealt with bullying because of my weight when I tried to play sports. This, and not having a natural ability to handle the ball, kept me away from something I knew I would really enjoy.
But it’s different here. No one will judge, because we’ve all been there too. I felt nothing but support from everyone at the club. We’re all here to have a good time with friends, be kids, play ball, and get healthy together in the process.
Want to join Cameron in Houston?
League 2 will soon be launched in Houston! To book your place in any of the MAN v FAT Football Leagues, take a look at our website today.