Our MAN v FAT leagues in Texas have enjoyed their early days as part of our Soccer community, excelling in their weight loss and building strong communities off the field.
Our Keller league, which currently has nearly 50 guys participating, lost an incredible 656lbs in their first fourteen weeks and are just getting started on season two.
Cooper Weiss, who lost 32lbs in that opening season, is loving his MAN v FAT experience so far, as he continues to work toward his 170lbs target weight. He told us all about the league at Keller.
1) What was it that made you sign up for MAN v FAT in the first place?
After welcoming our first child, I found myself at the heaviest weight I had ever been. I wanted to get back into shape—not just for myself, but to be the best father I could be. I had always been active, but a torn meniscus a few years ago made returning to regular exercise a struggle. MAN v FAT gave me exactly what I was looking for: a sense of accountability, healthy competition, and brotherhood with like-minded people who understood the journey.
2) What have been the secrets of your success on the program so far?
The key to my success has been taking advantage of every resource that MAN v FAT offers – our coach (Anthony), my teammates, and the broader community. We constantly support and challenge one another, celebrating successes and offering encouragement when it’s needed most. The weekly between my teammates and I, and knowing that we’re all working toward our goals together makes the process much easier.
I started slow, built up my pace, and leaned on the program structure, which has helped me stay consistent. I am now working out about 6 days a week as well as doing MAN v FAT and other league sports.
3) What kind of community have the Keller lads built, and what do you hope you can achieve in the future?
We’ve built a tight-knit, supportive community where everyone feels comfortable celebrating each other’s achievements while keeping a healthy level of competition on the pitch. Beyond the league, we’ve already discussed forming additional teams and continuing to build friendships outside of MAN v FAT. The goal is to keep this momentum going and expand what we’ve started into something even bigger – both in fitness and in friendship.
4) What are your personal aims with MAN v FAT (including stepping up to be an Assistant Coach)?
My current goal is to reach 170 pounds and eventually run a marathon. I’m training progressively -starting with a 5k, then a 10k, a half marathon, and finally the full marathon. It’s ambitious, but I’m excited to take on the challenge.
Stepping into an AC role would allow me to give back to the program by supporting others who were once in the same position I was. I want to be a role model and prove that with commitment and the right support, anyone can achieve their goals. I’ve always performed better when I know I’m working toward something greater than myself, and helping others succeed would be the ultimate motivation.
5) What would you say to guys thinking of joining?
I’d tell them: this is a safe place. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played soccer or if you’re out of shape -no one is here to judge you. No one gets mad if you miss a pass or we let in a goal. Everyone is here for the same reason: to lose weight, to feel better, and to support each other.
It’s more than just a program – it’s a resource, a support system, and a brotherhood. I’ve never once regretted signing up, and I can honestly say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself and my family.
Interested in joining?
Our Keller league is one of three locations in Texas, with a fourth to follow in January! We’ve got big plans here and beyond, so take a look at www.manvfatsoccer.com for more details for your closest league.
