A DAD-of-three has gone from being a 23 stone couch potato to running 5k races thanks to life-changing TV show.

Sion Huw Davies, who teaches Welsh at Sir Richard Gwyn School, in Flint, had seen his weight balloon to 23 stone before he took the plunge and signed up to S4C’s popular FFIT Cymru series, made by Caernarfon-based Cwmni Da.

Now 50-year-old Sion, a much healthier and happier man at 19 stone, has even built up his own collection of colourful medals from a series of races over the last few months.

 

Then and now – fighting fit, Sion Huw Davies, a weight loss star of S4C’s Ffit Cymru.

Then and now – fighting fit, Sion Huw Davies, a weight loss star of S4C’s Ffit Cymru.

 

His message is that, for anyone fighting a losing battle with the scales after the festive season, there’s good news as Cwmni Da are looking for new entrants for the next series of the popular reality show.

Cwmni Da’s Siwan Haf said: "FFIT Cymru are keen to receive applications from people of any background, and we especially welcome applications from people from ethnic minority communities, disabled or deaf people, and people who identify as LGBTQ+.

“FFIT Cymru has demonstrated over the last four years that it’s a life-changing experience which transforms a person’s health for the better.”

 

Then and now – fighting fit, Sion Huw Davies, a weight loss star of S4C’s Ffit Cymru.

Then and now – fighting fit, Sion Huw Davies, a weight loss star of S4C’s Ffit Cymru.

 

Sion, who originally from Flint but now living in Prestatyn, said: “The last six months haven’t all been easy but I’m happy to be back on the right track with the support of my wife and my rock, Rachel.

“Basically I was just tired of feeling and knowing I was unhealthy and that time was ticking and you just can’t sustain this lifestyle for ever.

“We’ve got three children aged eight, five and two and really I did it for my family and myself. I just bit the bullet and applied to be on the show and I’m so glad I did.”

“I had just put weight on gradually through overeating and over-indulging and it was time to stop and take stock and the programme has shown me the benefits of living a more balanced and healthier lifestyle.

“The big problem wasn’t my tummy, it was my head because by the time food gets to your tummy it’s too late. You have to change your mindset.

“I’m down to 19 stone now but my only target is to be better at the end of this month than I was at the start of the month. If I live a healthier lifestyle the weight will take care of itself.”

He puts his success down to the support he received from the experts on the show with specialist advice on mindset, nutrition and fitness all part of the programme.

He said: “The show was wonderful. The experts and their guidance really did show what I needed to do and gave me a wonderful path to follow.

“We had some tough challenges. Abseiling down an 80-foot ravine near Betws y Coed was tough because me and heights don’t go together but having to conquer that fear was immense.

“It was about embracing the fear and defeating it.”

Sion’s challenge featured on FFIT Cymru: 6 Mis Wedyn which was shown on S4C.

Cwmni Da are now keen to recruit people for the fifth series of Ffit Cymru with the deadline for applications on February 6, 2022.

For more information contact the production team on ffitcymru@cwmnida.tv