Heavy plans: ‘Fat’ Aussie dad jets to Thailand to shed the load
A “fat” Aussie dad is set to embark on a weight loss journey quite like no other after some cutting remarks by one of his children. Jimmy Mitchell is packing his bags and leaving behind his wife and two young sons for a ten-week stint in Thailand, all in the name of shedding pounds.
The radical retreat comes after a frank comment from one of his two children about his size hit home, sparking a fierce drive to transform his physique.
The 38 year old from Western Australia, has been candid about his weight struggles since leaving the navy in 2011, a concern that’s only grown since becoming a dad nine years ago.
“Being overweight slowly chips away at your mental health.”
A particularly stinging remark from one of his sons, branding him “fat,” lingered on his mind, reinforcing his decision to take drastic action.
“It’s tough setting a good example for the kids about health and fitness when I’m not in the best shape and feel out of breath playing sports with them.”
To tackle this head-on, he’s plunged headfirst into an intense physical fitness programme, under the watchful eyes of Muay Thai masters. The challenging regimen will see him exercising for four hours daily, split into two rigorous sessions.
To add an extra kick to his training, the father of two’s itinerary features running distances ranging from 5 to 10 kilometres, engaging in shadowboxing, sparring with partners, and other heart-pounding cardio workouts. Having lived in South East Asia with his wife Pauline and sons Liam, nine, and Riley, eight, for the past two years, Jimmy is no stranger to change and has currently stationed his family in Malaysia.
“My weight has crept up slowly. Four years ago, I tipped the scales at 126 kilogrammes, the heaviest I’ve ever been. I’m now around 118kg. When I joined the navy in 2004, I was 68kg. By 2011, I’d reached 89kg but was considerably fitter.”
The Aussie, who co-founded the digital marketing agency My Online Guy, admitted his weight concerns are not just superficial. He believes they tie into a deeper anxiety about his family’s history with diabetes.
“Emotionally, my weight has weighed heavily on me. When I go to the beach, I feel self-conscious, opting to wear a singlet.”
His weight has also held him back during family getaways, as his bulk has often sidelined him from participating in certain activities.
“My family has adapted, but it’s been disheartening for me.”
Currently, Jimmy manages to work out two to three times a week, dabbling in Muay Thai for the past 18 months. His daily routine kicks off with a protein shake followed by a hectic day managing business tasks, which, he admits, hasn’t helped his battle against the bulge.
With dietary habits including wraps for lunch and diverse dinners ranging from chicken and beef dishes to local Malaysian cuisine, his lifestyle in Malaysia lays the groundwork for his Thai transformation venture, the Daily Mail reported.
While staying in Thailand, Jimmy has set two primary goals: to participate in a professional Muay Thai fight and to shed at least 15kg.
“I want to prove to myself and others that I can achieve this, even at my age. The fight will be a catalyst for getting into shape. I want to be ready.”
His wife Pauline was notably supportive when Jimmy floated the idea of heading to Thailand alone, fully aware of his body image struggles. Her concerns leaned more towards his participation in the fight rather than his extended absence.
The couple charted their course for a life abroad after struggling to attain a comfortable lifestyle in Australia, selling all their possessions to make the leap. Jimmy had previously confided to FEMAIL about the relentless grind back home, which often left him feeling like progress was elusive – a stress that occasionally brought him to tears.
Leaving Australia
During their time in Australia, Jimmy and Pauline rented a house in Mandurah, south of Perth, but found saving for a deposit hard, despite long work hours.
“The real reason we chose to travel full-time was to enhance our quality of life and spend more time as a family.”
The couple hasn’t looked back since uprooting their lives and isn’t sure if they’ll ever settle permanently in Australia again, said Jimmy
“In Australia, our earnings were decent, but we never felt like we were truly advancing.”
The stress, compounded by business demands, left the family drained, with Jimmy often voicing his frustration.
Pauline echoes the sentiment, describing their past life as a monotonous cycle.
“Every day felt repetitive; even our weekends, meant for family leisure, often fizzled out. Quick getaways were overshadowed by business responsibilities and constant communication from staff and clients.”
Now, with a fresh start on the horizon, Jimmy is determined to turn the page and all eyes are on his bold mission to come back lighter, fitter, and ready to embrace his family with renewed vigour.
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