Nathan Ranklin has lost 18.5 stone, over 200kg and half his body weight. He talks the Problem Busters through what it's like to be a "big kid" growing up, how he took control of his weight (and kept it off), and most importantly - how he's helping others do the same.

This is an honest and empowering look at a global issue which affects many in our lives at any given moment. Nathan has a disarming yet straight up style and therefore delivers a punchy and important message in an easy to digest way.

We talk diet, lifestyle and modern food. Nathan explains how listening to those who have an addiction to food (or anything else) is the single most important step.

About the show:

Problem Busters is a show that explores solutions to the biggest and the smallest of problems. Hosts Jonathan Goodwin and Oliver Happy discuss making the world a better place with guests from far and wide.

About our guest:

Nathan Ranklin is a 1:1 Diet Consultant for Cambridge Weight Plan. He lost 18 and half stones in 14 months, and won the male slimmer of the year 2020. Now he is here to share his gift with the world - the ability to take charge of your weight.

Show mentions:

• 02:00 Growing up as a "big kid", being isolated as a result of my size
• Issues with food: comfort, binge and secret eater.
• For me, food was just there as my best friend - I'd just turn to it.
• Being a secret eater, it's hard for friends and family to monitor - as they don't see the eating
• 03:00 First realisation of being big at Alton towers, being taken off the ride at age 12. Doctor at 14 saying if you carry on like this, you would make it to 30.
• As a teenager I was still quite active, running about.
• 05:00 At 18, sitting down and doing nothing, I piled the weight on. There is always a reason to eat in the office. I was a yes man to eating.
• Being a binge drinker as well as a bing eater.
• At 20, diagnosed with sleep apnea. The fat around my throat limiting my breathing when I lay down at night to sleep.
• Being on a machine to sleep all through my 20s.
• At 26 being bed bound for a few days - the doctor turned around and said the weight you are, what do you expect? This was when the hard reality really set in.
• At 29 - went to Budapest, was quite sluggish this time. I wasn't the same, I was always tired. I needed a machine to stay alive at night time. Having to shop online or at big shops.
• 09:00 the moment I had an intervention from a Jamaican woman I sat down next to.
• I ran away for 4 months, but this woman was so persistent, she kept catching me in all the worst moments. Catch me having naughty meals.
• Eventually I gave in and went to her house on 22 March 2019.
• I weighed 36.9 stone (239 kilos).
• She promised me that I would never see that weight again, that she promised I would go down to a L size shirt size. How could she change my life in a week?
• I did the 1:1 diet by Cambridge Weight Plan.
• I hated it, hated everyone around.
• 13:00 I had tried a lot of diets before, but there was no one really there. Even through the doctors. No real structure. This was the first time I had someone on my ass the whole time.
• A week later I came back, I didn't feel like I can lost any weight
• To my surprise I lost 17 pounds (just over a stone, 7.7 kilos).
• Next week, another 10 pounds (almost 2 stone in 2 weeks!)
• I was hooked, the calculations were done. That was it, there was no turning back.
• I'm thinking I have a second chance here.
• The result - in 14 months straight, lost 17.5 stones (107 kg).
• How I did it, a lot of walking then I started the gym afterwards.
• The 1:1 diet is a combination of meal replacements and a healthy meal plan. It's all calculated for you, then I had to make myself...