A Rudheath man has achieved a remarkable weight loss of five-and-a-half stone in just six months, attributing his transformation to the practice of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Neil Robinson, 40, weighed nearly 19 stone in June 2025 but has since slimmed down to 13.3 stone. His weight had steadily increased over the years, particularly following two hip operations and a herniated disc, which forced him to give up the martial art he once enjoyed.
“When even your fat man jeans are tight, that’s when you really start to feel depressed,” Robinson admitted.
His return to fitness began when he started taking his daughter to toddler martial arts classes. This reignited his interest in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a combat sport focusing on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds. When a new school, Ascend Grappling Academy, opened at Winnington Park Recreation Club, his wife encouraged him to attend a session.
“The classes are so enjoyable that going along is never a struggle,” Robinson said, crediting his love for the sport as the key to sustaining his weight loss and improving his overall health.
In addition to his training, Robinson has been monitoring his diet, limiting his daily calorie intake to around 2,000. Combined with the high energy expenditure of Jiu Jitsu, the results have been dramatic.
“The weight has just dropped off me,” he said. “I never set a specific weight loss goal, and I don’t weigh myself weekly. Instead, I focus on how my clothes feel—if they’re tight or loose, that’s my guide. I also don’t restrict the types of food I eat. If I want a KFC, I have one, as long as I track the calories.”
Robinson attends Jiu Jitsu classes three times a week and now teaches a Saturday morning class for children aged two to six at Ascend Grappling Academy. He emphasizes that the sport’s inclusive, ego-free environment has been as beneficial for his mental health as it has for his physical fitness.
“Exercising by doing something you love makes it easy to stay motivated,” Robinson said. “You’re also less likely to go out drinking on a Saturday night if it means missing your class the next morning. It’s really helped with my mental health and has made me a better husband and father.”
Reflecting on his journey, he said: “Going back to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s a welcoming environment where egos get checked quickly. Sometimes a 6’4” guy will get arm barred by a 12-year-old girl—it really does happen. Anyone who can’t deal with that isn’t going to last long.”
