From Chubby to Charity: The Tale of John’s Redemption Run

Let me tell you a tale. A tale of tragedy, triumph, and tight trousers. Once upon a time, in the far-off land, a man named John (me) lived an ignorant life when he first arrived on the sunny shores of Singapura. My days were filled with fast food, pints (for business networking of course), staring at a laptop hoping to magic up a business, and the occasional vigorous thumb workout on Pokémon Go. My waistline, however, had other plans. As my wardrobe conspired against me, shrinking every pair of shorts I owned, I realized the truth: it wasn’t the clothes. It was me. I had officially let myself go.

Now, most people have wake-up calls like a bad day at the gym or a concerned partner. Mine? It was more like an alarm clock that wouldn't shut up - a good friend fat shamed me until I got the message. So, I made a life-changing decision: I would lose weight, and to cement my redemption arc, I would run a marathon. Because nothing screams “I’ve changed” quite like paying to suffer in a sweaty crowd for 42 kilometers and getting a juicy yet slightly awkward  LinkedIn post off of it.

The journey was... let’s say humbling. We traded 10 pints for 10 kilometers on Friday nights. But, fast forward several months, and here I am, over 10 kilos lighter, ready to run the marathon tomorrow. But here’s the twist in this ridiculous saga: while my weight gain was entirely my fault—thanks to my love of pints, late-night snacking, and zero impulse control—some people don’t have the luxury of choice when it comes to their health. Someone very close to me, lives with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a condition that imposes more serious restrictions on lifestyle. For CKD patients, neither a marathon of greed or running is even an option. No matter how healthy they may have been, getting diagnosed with CKD is one of those many unfortunate bad hands life sometimes deals. And that’s why I’m running for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Singapore. To shine a light on CKD and support those who don’t get a choice to be chubby (and solve it later). 

What CKD Means for Patients:

• Dietary restrictions: Forget salty chips or rich comfort food. CKD patients must follow strict diets to avoid further kidney damage.
• Exercise limitations: High-impact activities like running a marathon? Not an option. Physical activity has to be carefully managed.
• Family planning concerns: For those who dream of having children, CKD adds layers of medical complications.
• Dialysis dependency: Many old age patients face hours hooked up to dialysis machines just to stay alive.

What Your Donation Achieves:

• Immediate Support: Provides access to medical care, financial aid, and education for patients managing CKD.
• Future Hope: Funds research to improve treatments and, one day, maybe even find a cure.
• Community Impact: Supports programs that empower CKD patients to live fuller, healthier lives despite their challenges.

So, while I’m out there sweating, panting, and probably regretting my life choices, you can make a real difference. Donate and together we’ll turn this “chubby redemption story” into something that truly matters. (Also, if I collapse halfway, at least it’ll be for a good cause.)