MAN v FAT Soccer will soon be expanding its reach with the launch of its first three leagues in California.
California and Massachussetts will become the sixth and seventh state to join the MAN v FAT Soccer program and mean even more men can benefit from the support we provide.
Men in Cali – and our other states – will no doubt take inspiration from the story of Tre Hubbard, based in San Diego.
Tre was flying high in colleage football, but struggled with overeating. Whilst that was largely traded off by the amount of training he was involved with, the loss of a close friend and the arrival of COVID saw him begin to gain weight.
He gained 65lbs in six months in 2020 – rising from 235lbs to over 300lbs.
Tre was not to be defeated, though, and through a new training and diet regimen, lost 125lbs and eventually ended up as Texas’ Golden Gloves boxing champion.
You can read more about Tre’s back story on the Men’s Health website – we caught up with him to get the lowdown on men’s friendships, the power of community and much more.
Men both in the UK and US are suffering from a “friendship recession.” How hard is social isolation for men and how much did being on your own trigger your weight gain?
I think it affects way more men than people realize. When football ended, I lost more than a sport. I lost the locker room, the routine, and honestly a big part of who I thought I was. Then COVID happened, my best friend Clay passed away, and I spent a lot of time alone.
That’s when the weight came on.
For me, it wasn’t that food was the problem. Food just became how I dealt with everything I wasn’t talking about. When you’re by yourself, it’s easy to hide. Nobody sees the drive-thru runs, nobody sees you eating late at night, and nobody notices you’re struggling because you’re still showing up with a smile.
Isolation didn’t cause every pound I gained, but it definitely made it easier to stay there.
How important is having a community around you and how much does peer-to-peer support keep you on track?
It’s huge.
One of the biggest surprises was realizing I wasn’t the only person carrying that kind of shame. Once I started sharing my story online, I had thousands of people reaching out saying, “I thought I was the only one.”
That changes everything.
Community reminds you that you’re not fighting by yourself. And now it’s gone full circle. There are days when I don’t feel like showing up, but I know there are people watching my journey who need to see someone keep going. That accountability isn’t pressure. It’s purpose.
How important is managing your mental health alongside your physical health?
For me, my mental health had to improve before my body ever did. You can’t out-train pain you haven’t dealt with.
My faith in Jesus Christ has been the biggest foundation in my life. That’s what keeps me grounded. Boxing gives me a healthy outlet, and I’ve learned to ask myself why I’m reaching for food before I ask what I’m eating.
Losing weight changed how I looked. Working on my mind changed how I lived.
If you could make three changes to government health policy to support men, what would they be?
First, I’d invest more in men’s mental health. A lot of men struggle in silence because asking for help still feels like weakness.
Second, I’d make healthier food more affordable. Right now, it’s often cheaper and easier to buy highly processed food than fresh, nutritious meals.
Third, I’d invest in local gyms, recreation centers, boxing clubs, and community fitness programs. Exercise gave me structure, confidence, and purpose again. Every young man should have access to places like that, regardless of his income.
Follow Tre’s story
You can check out Tre’s latest updates on his Instagram page! If he’s provided you with inspiration, then you can sign up for your closest MAN v FAT Soccer league today.
