Northwich dad's huge weight loss down to Brazilian Jiu jitsu

Neil Robinson weighed nearly 19 stone in June 2025, but now he’s a svelte 13.3.

He had practiced Brazilian Jiu jitsu in the past, but after giving it up following two hip operations and suffering a herniated disc, his weight had really crept up.

“When even your fat man jeans are tight, that’s when you really start to feel depressed,” the 40-year-old said.

When his daughter turned two, he started taking her to toddler martial arts classes, and that's when the combat sport bug bit him once again.

Brazilian Jui jitsu is based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds, and when a new school for the sport, Ascendant Grappling Academy, opened at Winnington Park Recreation Club, his wife insisted he went along to a session.

Because he really loves the classes, going along is never a struggle, which he believes is the real secret to long-term success when improving your health through exercise.

Neil Robinson steadily put on weight between 2020 and 2025 after undergoing two hip operations and suffering a herniated disc (Image: Neil Robinson)

He has also been watching what he eats, restricting his calories slightly to around 2,000 a day, but with all the energy used at Jiu jitsu in the mix, his transition has been rapid.

“The weight has just dropped off me," he added.

“I never set myself a particular weight loss goal, and I don’t get weighed every week.

“Instead, I ask myself how my clothes are feeling. Are they tight? Are they loose? That's my guide.

“I always make sure my diet is on point, but I don’t restrict the types of food I eat.

"If I want a KFC, I have one, so long as I track the calories.

Neil (left) with his fellow grapplers at Ascending Grappling Academy in Northwich (Image: Neil Robinson)

“Exercising by doing something you love is great because it’s easy to motivate yourself.

“You’re also less likely to go out drinking on a Saturday night if it means you’re going to miss your class on a Sunday morning.

“It’s really helped with my mental health too, and it has made me a better husband and father."

Neil tries to go to Jiu jitsu three times a week and now even teaches a class at Ascendant on Saturday mornings for two- to six-year- olds.

He added: “To be honest, going back to Brazilian Jiu jitsu is the best decision I've ever made.

“It’s a very inclusive sport and a really welcoming environment.  

“You don’t get a lot of egos because they tend to get checked quite quickly.

“Sometimes a 6,4” guy will get arm barred by a 12-year-old girl. It really does happen.

“Whoever can’t deal with that isn’t going to last long.”