For men joining MAN v FAT, there are a range of motivations and reasons to get started with us.
For Sishir Muralidharan, a problematic fatty liver and high cholesterol levels were a wake-up call that saw him join our MAN v FAT club in The Colony, Texas.
And his time with us was a successful one, having lost 28lbs on the program.
We spoke to him about his reasons for joining, why he found the program worked for him and the improvements it’s made to his life.
Talk to us about the health issues which first encouraged you to sign up for MAN v FAT Soccer
For the past five years, I had been stuck in a cycle of trying to get healthy – losing some weight, then gaining it all back whenever life got stressful. I’d go through phases of strict diets and workouts, but the moment work or personal stress kicked in, I’d slip into binge eating. It became my way of coping, and each time, I ended up heavier than before.
By March 2025, I had reached my heaviest weight at 230 lbs. I was already trying to work out again when I injured myself in the gym. What started as a small pain gradually became unbearable. I kept putting off going to the doctor as work was hectic, and I told myself I’d deal with it later. But soon, even walking short distances gave me severe back and knee pain. My muscles were struggling to hold my own body weight.
When I finally went to the doctor, he ordered a full set of labs and that was my wake-up call. My LDL cholesterol was extremely high, my liver enzymes showed early-stage fatty liver, and my HbA1c levels were in the prediabetic range. He told me plainly that I needed to change my lifestyle immediately, or I was heading toward serious health problems.
A few days later, while doom scrolling on Facebook, I saw an ad for MAN v FAT. Being a massive soccer fan, it immediately caught my eye. Without overthinking, I signed up for The Colony chapter and joined my first session on June 10th. I had no idea then that this decision would completely change my life.
How much were those issues causing problems in your day-to-day life?
At that point, my health issues had started to impact every single part of my day. I’d wake up tired and go to bed even more exhausted. My back and knees constantly hurt. I couldn’t even play with my kids without feeling pain. Climbing stairs or standing for long periods made me short of breath.
Beyond the physical pain, it was emotionally draining. I felt stuck in a loop of frustration and I knew I needed to change, but every attempt seemed to end in failure. Food had become my comfort and my problem at the same time. I felt disconnected from my body, like I was just surviving instead of living. That’s when I knew something had to change – not just my weight, but my entire approach to health.
Why do you think that MAN v FAT has been a successful program in supporting you with your health needs?
MAN v FAT worked for me in ways no other program ever did — because it connected something I loved (soccer) with something I desperately needed (accountability). The idea that my progress could help my team – and that my setbacks could affect them – gave me purpose and responsibility. It wasn’t just about me anymore.
On my first day, I couldn’t even last five minutes on the pitch without feeling completely out of breath. I was embarrassed but also determined. I got assigned to Saint Fatricks FC, and from day one, they welcomed me like family. We may not have been the strongest team at first – in fact, we lost our first seven matches in a row – but nobody quit. We showed up every week, cheered each other on, and kept pushing.
The team spirit was something special. We were constantly chatting on WhatsApp, sharing tips, tracking our progress, motivating one another, and even laughing through the tough moments. The sense of brotherhood and shared mission gave me strength on days when I didn’t have any left for myself.
Being a data-driven person, I also used the MAN v FAT tracking system seriously. I even built my own Excel tracker to understand how my habits affected my weight. That small step of self-awareness changed everything – I could see patterns, fix them, and keep improving. The structure of MAN v FAT gave me consistency, the community gave me accountability, and soccer gave me joy. That’s a powerful combination.
How much progress have you made so far, and what are your eventual targets?
Over the course of the season, I lost 28 pounds – from 229lbs to 201lbs. But more than the numbers, it was the transformation in my health that truly amazed me. When I went back to my doctor in October, every single marker had improved. My LDL dropped from 180 to 129, my ALT from 47 to 17, and my weight continued to go down – I’m now at 195 lbs.
On the pitch, I can run longer, play harder, and actually enjoy the game again. Off the pitch, I have more energy for my family and work. My goal now is to reach 180lbs and maintain it sustainably while building muscle and improving my overall fitness. But this time, I know I’m not chasing a temporary goal, I’m building a lifestyle that lasts.
How much better do you feel in yourself now you’ve made those first changes?
I honestly feel like a different person. The back and knee pain that once made daily life miserable are completely gone. I wake up feeling lighter, not just physically, but mentally. My energy levels have skyrocketed, and I finally feel in control of my body.
But the biggest change has been my relationship with food. For the first time in my life, I’m not controlled by cravings or emotional eating. I’ve been consistently fasting 16 hours a day for the last 90 days, and I’m able to enjoy social events without overindulging or feeling deprived. I’ve learned to listen to my body — to recognize true hunger versus just wanting to eat for comfort.
That sense of control and self-awareness feels empowering. I’m no longer afraid of “falling off the wagon” because I finally have balance. MAN v FAT didn’t just help me lose weight, it helped me rediscover confidence, discipline, and joy.
Want to get involved?
If you’re at a point where you think MAN v FAT can help with your health issues, then you can find our MAN v FAT Soccer clubs on our website. We hope to welcome you soon!
