Dad Simon refused to quit – now he’s lost 24kg after 20 years struggling with his weight

Simon’s incredible 24kg (52lb) transformation is proof of what you can achieve when you refuse to give up.

He’d struggled with his weight since his teenage years, but despite his best efforts, had never been able to get in shape on his own.

As a 39-year-old dad and busy commercial manager in the construction industry, balancing long hours, family life, and personal goals was never easy. But when he joined Ultimate Performance two years ago, he made a commitment to change – and through sheer determination, he dropped down to the lightest weight he’d been in years.

Then life threw him and his family a series of challenges. Simon had to take time away from training to recover from surgeries and support his wife through two ectopic pregnancies – a deeply emotional time for them both. Wanting to turn that pain into something positive, he channelled his energy into an 80-day fitness challenge, raising £4,500 for the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, who had supported his family throughout their journey.

When the challenge ended, Simon admits he lost focus and slipped back into old habits. By January, his weight had crept up to 112.6kg (248lbs), and he knew it was time to take control again.

With the support of his trainer at U.P., he’s since turned everything around – losing nearly 24kg (52lbs) and bringing his waistline down from 110cm to 86cm, transforming his long-term health in the process.

Now, Simon feels stronger, more confident, and better equipped to handle whatever life throws his way – both for himself and his family.

Can you briefly describe your journey at U.P. so far?

I’ve been at U.P. just over two years now. It’s been a bit of a start–stop journey. Most recently, I restarted in January after taking much of 2024 off due to recovering from a couple of surgeries. Before that, I had been consistent throughout 2023 from January to late summer.

Let’s talk about your initial transformation. Can you tell me more about that and the results you achieved?

When I first started in January 2023, I really had focus and got down to the lightest I’d been in years. I could see big changes in my face, my upper body, and my overall energy. It was motivating to know that the training and nutrition were working. Looking back at the photos from that time, I could see I was right on the cusp of being in the best shape of my life.

You started again at U.P. around July/August, but you had to stop again for your 80–day challenge. Can you tell us more about that?

That was inspired by my wife. She’d been through a really tough time with a couple of ectopic pregnancies and some life–saving surgery. We wanted to do something meaningful to give back, so we set ourselves an 80-day challenge for the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, who had supported us.

The idea came from the fact that 1 in 80 pregnancies is ectopic. I swam 80 miles in 80 days, ran 80 miles in August, finished with a half-marathon, and also completed the London to Brighton bike ride. It was tough fitting it all in with work, family, and kids, so I had to step away from weight training for a while to focus fully on the challenge.

We raised about £4,500, which made it all worthwhile. It was one of the most meaningful things I’ve done.

Coming back in January this year, you came in at your heaviest weight – 112.6kg. What was your lifestyle like before that?

During the challenge, I was doing a lot of cardio every day, but I wasn’t really focused on my nutrition. Afterwards, I slipped back into old habits – eating and drinking more than usual, especially around Christmas.

When I finally got back to U.P. in January, I had that reality check moment. I could see in the photos that I’d let things slide, and it gave me the push to really get my nutrition, training, and lifestyle back under control.

You had a lot to deal with this year – how much of a difference did having a U.P. trainer behind you help keep you progressing?

Lucy’s first ectopic was in May last year. She went through emergency surgery, and it was a really traumatic time. Earlier this year, she went through another one, which was devastating. Just 48 hours later, my son needed surgery for a cyst.

It was a lot to deal with, but my mindset this time was different. I felt more resilient. I knew I had to be strong for my wife and kids, and I tried to approach it with more positivity. The difference this time around was having U.P. and my trainer in my corner, which gave me focus and support.

How has your transformation been this year? And what do you enjoy most about coming in and training here?

I get on really well with my trainer, so it’s always something I look forward to. Training is my time – a chance to switch off from work and daily stresses and just focus on myself. It feels like therapy in a way. Everyone should have something like that.

What are your biggest learnings or takeaways from your time at U.P.?

Patience.

Not just with training, but with the whole transformation process. In the past, I’d try crash diets and quick fixes, then feel disheartened when it didn’t work. Now I know it’s about consistency, patience, and trusting the process. The small weekly tweaks add up to big results.

How instrumental was your trainer in your transformation, and in what ways did they go above and beyond?

My trainer has been a huge part of this transformation. It’s not just about the gym work – it’s the 24/7 support. Checking in with me outside of sessions about how things are at home, how my wife and kids are doing, and how I’m managing work.

It’s a really holistic approach. Training sessions aren’t just about lifting weights – they’re like therapy too.

How has your life improved since starting your transformation?

My confidence has grown massively. It’s little things – like going shopping, wearing clothes I never thought I could, and looking in the mirror and actually being happy with what I see.

I never thought I’d be the guy with visible abs after being overweight since I was a teenager. It’s not just about the aesthetics – it’s the boost in confidence, the way I carry myself, and even how others perceive me. My wife and family have noticed the change too.

How do you feel about your results, and what are you looking forward to in the next phase?

I’m really excited about what’s next. This is completely uncharted territory for me, so it’s all about seeing how strong I can get, what new PBs I can achieve, and where I can take my training. It’s about progression and pushing into areas I’ve never been before.

Would you recommend U.P. to others?

100%.

I’ve had other PTs before, and it’s just different here. The whole team makes you feel supported – even the trainers I don’t directly work with. There’s a real family atmosphere. When people say you’re looking leaner or progressing well, it makes a difference. I’d recommend U.P. to anyone.

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