At 29, Paul Goodson faced a stark health warning: weighing 150 kilograms and suffering from severe sleep apnoea, he was told he might not live to see 30. Alongside this, he was diagnosed with binge eating disorder (BED), a condition marked by recurrent episodes of uncontrollable overeating. This moment spurred the London-born geography teacher on a life-changing journey of physical transformation that has seen him shed 66 kilograms and become a competitive endurance athlete based in Hong Kong.
Goodson's weight loss journey formally began in 2018 when he joined the UK-based Slimming World support group. The program emphasized balanced, whole-food eating plans and weekly peer support rather than strict calorie restriction. “At first, even gentle exercise was painful,” Goodson said, noting that early milestones involved walking short distances of one to two kilometers. His BED diagnosis illuminated challenges previously unknown to him, as he struggled with persistent hunger and a compulsion to eat.
After relocating to São Paulo, Brazil, in 2019 for an international teaching position, Goodson maintained healthier eating habits, replacing sugary snacks and fast food with protein-rich meals and whole foods. He adopted running through the Couch-to-5k app, which helped him lose approximately 50 kilograms over this period. Although the COVID-19 lockdowns temporarily stalled his progress, a subsequent move to Hong Kong in August 2021 reignited his momentum, allowing him to lose the final 16 kilograms by mid-2022.
In Hong Kong, Goodson immersed himself in the local running community, joining three running clubs and training six days a week. He highlighted the inclusive nature of these groups, which cater to varied abilities and training intensities. His weekly regimen combines aerobic runs, interval training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and spin classes, culminating in about 40 kilometers of running each week.
Goodson also completed an abdominoplasty in London during the summer of 2022 to remove excess skin following his significant weight loss, a procedure that restored his physical confidence. His preferred running routes include challenging trail runs such as Twin Peaks in Tai Tam Country Park and the 70-kilometer Lantau Trail.
His endurance pursuits have extended beyond running to the Hyrox fitness competition, which combines running with functional fitness challenges. After initially watching Hyrox events in Hong Kong, Goodson began competing in 2022. Since then, he has completed 21 races across multiple locations, including Hong Kong, mainland China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore. His personal best in the Pro Singles category was recorded in Taipei in March 2026, finishing in one hour and 10 minutes.
Goodson acknowledges the physical toll of such intense activity; a torn Achilles tendon in 2025 forced a pause for recovery and reflection on the importance of rest. Nonetheless, the endurance athlete reports significant health improvements, including lower heart rate, better sleep, and resolution of leg pain that once hindered him.
Looking ahead, Goodson plans to run the London Marathon in April 2027 and aims to qualify for the Hyrox World Championships in Hong Kong that June. He attributes much of his success to support networks and a sense of community, emphasizing that determination and collective encouragement have been critical in overcoming obstacles and sustaining his physical transformation.