Impressed by his daughter’s martial arts efforts, MAN v FAT Gloucester coach Ryan Barkle obtained into motion himself by showing in a nationwide Taekwondo Championships at first of November.
Having seen his daughter take up the game in September 2021, Ryan determined that it was time to drop a few pounds.
And his efforts on the scales and on the pitch noticed him shift over 5 stone as a MAN v FAT Gloucester participant, earlier than graduating to steer the membership, held at Plock Courtroom on a Thursday night time.
Ryan instructed us: “By the help, pleasant rivalry and surroundings created on the membership, I misplaced 5 stone earlier than changing into the membership’s Coach.
“It has supplied me with numerous alternatives from taking part in at Sixfields for George Elokobi towards Ian Holloway’s staff to getting again to working.
“Nevertheless 2024 has been a bit harder to maintain the burden off because of ‘weak hips’ which means soccer and working had develop into painful.
“This led me to strive one thing new. I joined my daughter Abi at Sumners Taekwondo, as I might see the quantity of flexibility and hips work that goes into it.
“Earlier than MAN v FAT, I’d not have had the boldness to attend and I’d not have returned after the primary session because of feeling too unfit, too judged or too embarrassed (there is no such thing as a purpose to really feel this, I’ve discovered!).
“Nevertheless my MAN v FAT journey has led me to strive one thing fully totally different. Who would have thought you’d begin sparring on the age of 42?”