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www.jewishnews.co.uk
Jewish News 17 November 2016
Lifestyle
How Joe made me abs-olutely fabulous Inspired by fitness coach Joe Wicks, 14-year-old Dylan Pena lost three stone and rediscovered his confidence, he tells Francine Wolfisz
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was always conscious of how people looked at me and my body,” admits Dylan Pena. But that’s happily not the situation today. Earlier this year, the 14-year-old JCOSS pupil – who was bullied at school for being overweight – picked up a copy of the bestselling book, Lean In 15, by fitness guru Joe Wicks, and pledged to get healthy. After following the diet and exercise regime, the Barnet schoolboy wowed his family and friends by shedding just under 3st. On a whim, he used Snapchat to send photo-
graphs of himself before and after his weight loss to his hero – and was shocked when Wicks – who is also known to his millions of fans as “The Body Coach”– replied and invited him to meet in person. “He said: ‘That’s amazing, you’re my hero. I’ve got to meet you.’ I was shocked, but so happy,” says Dylan. Following their meeting, while Wicks was on a shoot for Men’s Health magazine, the 31-yearold fitness coach shared a photograph of the pair on social media – and within hours had reached a phenomenal 30,000 likes. Commenting underneath the picture, Wicks wrote: “Today I met this awesome 14-year-old dude called Dylan who picked up my #Leanin15 book after his mum was given it as a gift… I’m so happy my book has helped him on his journey to being healthy and confident. I truly believe that in order to change the health of the nation we need to start them young and encourage our kids to learn about nutrition… Double tap if you’ve been inspired by Dylan.” Speaking to Jewish News, Wicks added: “I’ve been blown away by Dylan’s determination and what he’s achieved. His story is so inspiring – he’s so motivated and has done a phenomenal job at losing weight. He is the absolute definition of a lean winner!” Proud mum Harriett described her son’s achievement as “admirable”, adding his weight loss had “changed his whole life”. The Finchley Reform Synagogue member said: “He’s educated himself for the rest of
Left: Dylan before his weight loss. Above: With his idol, ‘Body Coach’ Joe Wicks
his life. I believe he will never be overweight again and he now loves fitting into skinny jeans and trying on small tops and jackets. “Dylan has learnt very early on that eating healthy and keeping fit is an amazing way to live.” The active teenager, who plays Sunday football for a team in the Watford Friendly League, continues to work out every day, has cut junk food out of his diet and prepares healthy lunches to take to school with him. “One hundred percent it works,” adds Dylan.
“Before I found Lean In 15, I had looked at other diets, which were low carb so you would lack energy, or no sugar, meaning you couldn’t treat yourself. But this was different. Joe’s philosophy is if you work hard, you can have treats.” Harriett adds: “His confidence is overwhelming compared to what it was and he’s all round a much better kid. “He was obviously upset about his weight, but now he’s a very happy boy and just generally content with life.”
A time machine is useful when dating DATING EVENTS should come with a rescue mechanism to whisk you away when you’re stuck talking to someone hideous, writes Louise Scodie. Lucky Melvyn Pfferberg, protagonist of comedy short film, The Five Wives & Lives of Melvyn Pfferberg, has a gadget that does that and more: a time machine that transports him in and out of a Jewish speed-dating event to a possible future he could share with each woman he meets. Damian Samuels, who co-wrote, directs and plays the title role, insists the film isn’t based on his experiences. “I’ve only ever been to one Jewish speed-dating event, which was a disaster, but the film comes from no real place whatsoever. It’s a complete fantasy.” That sense of fantasy runs throughout the film. It’s not in a set location and it’s largely silent: the only two characters in the film talk
gobbledegook. Samuels continues: “There are no guns, drugs, sex, cars or houses. There’s an old TV and an old phone. I wanted to create a world that doesn’t exist, like in Amélie.” The accent of this magical world is firmly on fun, even if dating elicits angst-ridden memories for some. Samuels says: “Whenever I tell anyone about the concept, they say: ‘I wish I’d had a time machine when I’d gone dating!’ All I want is for people to have a great time. There are at least five or six definite laughs in the film.” The director and producer started life as an actor – he’s still recognised in the streets for his role in Basement Jaxx’s Where’s Your Head At video – before branching out. He lists his influences as Woody Allen and Mel Brooks, two legends who also made and starred in their own films and who inspire the Jewishness of Samuels’ work as well. He explains: “A lot of Jewish films out
Damian Samuels, right, stars in The Five Wives & Lives of Melvyn Pfferberg
there are quite serious; they’re about Israel and conflict or Orthodox issues. Many UK productions are stereotyped, with characters talking in that weird ‘Jewish’ accent. There isn’t anything wonderfully silly and that’s what I wanted to make.” Cue a randy rabbi character, magen Davids and klezmer music throughout. As Samuels says, this film feels “almost American in its
unapologetic Jewish nature”. The film has screened successfully in the US and Japan and it’s set for its UK premiere at JW3, alongside a screening of The Pickle Recipe, as part of the UK Jewish Film Festival. The Five Wives & Lives of Melvyn Pfferberg shows at JW3 on 20 November at 7pm. Details: jw3.org.uk