I’m thrilled to share Darin McCloud’s incredible Slimpod journey with you. Darin is one of our earliest Slimpod pioneers, someone who transformed his life with a shift in mindset and a determination to make lasting changes. His story is one of overcoming obstacles, finding joy in movement, and redefining his relationship with food.
The beginning: A cry for help
When Darin joined Slimpod, he was over 20 stone, struggling with type 2 diabetes, and felt defeated by the weight-loss system he was up against. Back in 2011, Darin was facing a seemingly endless battle with food, consuming multiple takeaways, snacking constantly, and drinking two litres of Coke daily.
His local health authority had even told him he needed to gain weight to qualify for a gastric band! The frustration of it all was enormous, but Darin knew he needed a solution that went beyond medical intervention.
I saw his story in a national newspaper and immediately wanted to help. I invited him to see me in Harley Street and we met at a busy London station. As we walked together, he struggled to keep up, breathless and red-faced.
But little did he know, Slimpod was about to flick a switch in his mind and help him reclaim control over food—and his life.
A new relationship with food
The Slimpod programme focuses on rewiring the brain’s response to food, and Darin was a perfect example of how powerful this could be. Very soon, he found himself naturally gravitating away from the junk food and sugary drinks that had once been his go-to.
Instead of food ruling his day, Darin began to realise he was getting more pleasure from the satisfaction of exercise. The pods worked their magic, and as he listened nightly, his cravings and emotional ties to food began to lose their hold.
Darin’s journey shows just how transformative it can be to shift your mindset around food. He went from “eating to fill a void” to “eating to fuel his body.” With Slimpod, the need for willpower to resist unhealthy foods was replaced by a genuine desire to nourish himself. He says: “Now, I control food; it doesn’t control me.”
Finding joy in movement
One of the most remarkable aspects of Darin’s story is his journey with exercise. He started with tiny steps, encouraged by his doctor to try one-minute intervals of jogging. Within months, he achieved what once seemed impossible.
By October 2011, he completed the Great South Run, and from there, his confidence only grew. From half-marathons to full marathons, duathlons, and eventually even an Ironman triathlon in 2019, Darin took on challenges that were previously unimaginable.
His walls are now lined with medals from the countless events he’s completed, each one a reminder of his strength and perseverance. Darin has a philosophy of “no medal, no run”—and with over 300 medals, his achievements are undeniable!
Keeping the weight Off: A lifelong transformation
Over the years, Darin has brought his diabetes under control, dropped over 80 pounds, and maintained his weight within a stone for 14 years. His mindset is the bedrock of this success, and he often returns to his pods for reinforcement whenever he feels he needs a reset.
His story is proof that this journey is not about quick fixes but about building a sustainable, empowering lifestyle.
Reflecting on his journey, Darin shared three key tips:
1. Trust the process: Listen to your Slimpod regularly, especially in the beginning. Darin plugged in his pods every night for six months without fail, too scared to miss a single day. Consistency helped build the confidence that Slimpod truly works.
2. Reconnect when needed: If life gets challenging, go back to the basics. Re-listening to the pods reinforces those habits. Darin has found that he can always return to his Slimpod to “plug back in,” keeping his mindset on track.
3. Embrace exercise as a new source of joy: Darin’s journey shows how exercise can replace food as a source of happiness. Whether it’s a gentle swim or a brisk walk, movement became a joy for him, and the weight loss simply followed.
As a proud Slimpod Champion, Darin is an inspiration to so many in our community. He reminds us that with the right mindset and the right support, lasting transformation is possible. If Darin’s story resonates with you, Slimpod Club is full of people like him, ready to cheer you on and share in your wins.
To everyone who’s ready to take back control and experience this kind of freedom, Darin’s story is a reminder of what’s possible with Slimpod—an extraordinary journey that all began with a simple audio pod and a belief that change was possible.
Head over to @sandraroycroftdavis on Instagram to join our incredible community, see more inspiring journeys, and find tips to kick-start your own transformation!
2 thoughts on “From takeaway meals to marathon medals: Darin McCloud’s Slimpod journey”
Very inspiring story thank you.
well done Darin and congratulations to Sandra for saving so many lives.