This week on The Big Fellas Podcast, Mark is joined by Heiner ‘Antonio’ Salguero from the MAN v FAT Soccer League in Tampa, Florida, to talk weight loss, football and finding a community that has your back.

Antonio shares his experiences of managing his weight, the challenges along the way and how MAN v FAT has brought friendship, support and a sense of belonging into his life. Together, they explore why progress means more than results on the scales—and why winning off the pitch matters just as much as winning on it.

From the differences between football in the UK and soccer in the US to the shared experiences that bring players together, this is an honest conversation about motivation, family and making lasting changes.

In this episode:

• Antonio’s weight-loss journey and the challenges he has faced.
• Finding friendship and accountability through MAN v FAT.
• Taking a long-term approach to weight loss.
• The influence of family and finding your personal “why”.
• Football versus soccer: comparing experiences in the UK and US.
• World Cup reflections and the growth of MAN v FAT in America.
• Celebrating progress both on and off the pitch.

Whether you’re getting started, finding your way back or working to keep going, join Mark and Antonio for a conversation about the difference a supportive team can make.

Episode 101: A Race to Lose Weight — Harrison Devine

From losing over 40kg to taking on Race Across the World, Harrison Devine joins Mark to share a journey that goes far beyond the scales.

Harrison opens up about growing up as the “chubby one”, what prompted him to make a change, and how calorie counting and exercise helped him steadily lose weight. He explains how joining MAN v FAT gave him the chance to play football, build lasting friendships and find a supportive community.

We also discuss discovering a love of running, growing in confidence and travelling with his sister on Race Across the World. From managing a tight budget to navigating sibling dynamics, Harrison shares the challenges of the adventure—including gaining weight during the race.

An honest, encouraging conversation about sustainable change, friendship and celebrating progress along the way.

IN THIS EPISODE
• Losing over 40kg through gradual lifestyle changes.
• Calorie counting and learning to enjoy exercise.
• Football, friendship and the support of MAN v FAT.
• How running helped Harrison’s fitness and confidence.
• Behind the scenes of Race Across the World.
• Travelling with his sister and life after the show.
• Advice for anyone starting their weight loss journey.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Harrison’s journey
03:02 Losing over 40kg
05:54 Calorie counting and exercise
08:55 Growing up and early influences
11:55 The turning point: joining MAN v FAT
14:49 Harrison’s experience of MAN v FAT
18:01 Community and support
21:04 Celebrating achievements and opportunities
24:00 Connection and friendship
27:59 Football clubs, family and belonging
30:00 Running and personal growth through sport
32:25 Taking on Race Across the World
36:03 Discovering different cultures
39:35 Challenges and adapting during the race
42:28 Travelling with his sister
46:27 Life after the show
49:06 Advice for your weight loss journey

Enjoyed the episode? Follow Big Fellas, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who could use a little encouragement on their own journey.

Mark and Darren mark the 100th episode of Big Fellas Podcast with a reflection on the show’s journey, Darren’s decision to step back, and the moments that made the first hundred episodes memorable. They revisit standout guests, surprise revelations, funny mishaps, and the lessons they’ve taken from talking honestly about weight loss, mindset, and change. This is a farewell-style episode, but also a celebration of what the podcast has built from two blokes with an idea into something that has reached BBC studios, the Houses of Parliament, and thousands of listeners. It matters because it shows how a real, relatable conversation can turn into a platform with genuine impact.

• In this episode, Mark and Darren confirm that Darren is stepping back due to work and family commitments, while making clear there’s no falling out between them.
• They reflect on how the podcast started from “pub chat” after a Man v Fat game and grew into 100 episodes with strong listener response.
• Darren’s favourite episode is the one with Lee, whose weight loss journey included losing 25 stone after becoming immobile.
• Mark’s favourite episode is with Sam Gibson, the emotional eating coach, whose work on trauma, coping, and “eating your feelings” left a big impression.
• Darren’s favourite guest is David, the Navy SEAL, for his simplicity, discipline, and the personal buzz of landing him early in the show’s run.
• Mark’s favourite guest is Anthony Ogogo, who brought not just sporting credibility but a powerful personal story involving his mum’s illness during the London 2012 period.
• Judith is named as the guest who surprised them most and the one who deserves more recognition, praised for her expertise, directness, and value around weight loss and brain health.
• They single out Paul Shepherd as an early surprise because his mindset, motivation, and meditation message turned out to be more grounded and useful than expected.
• A key lesson from the show is the scale of ultra processed food and how hard it is to avoid, even when it seems calorie-light on paper.
• Another major takeaway is that consistency matters more than short-term fixes, whether in weight loss, podcasting, or work.
• They discuss the podcast’s biggest pinch-me moments, including BBC appearances, award events, a live broadcast, and speaking at the Houses of Parliament.
• They agree the show works best when it stays authentic and focuses on “losers” and regular people rather than chasing big-name guests for the sake of it.

• Keep the podcast focused on real weight loss journeys and relatable stories.
• Prioritise guests who bring genuine value over guests who simply have a big name.
• Stay consistent, keep improving the process, and keep the tone authentic.
• For the future, consider more guest hosts and more episodes led by real community stories.