Virtual reality: Avatar inspires gamer to hit the gym

By Jacque Wilson, CNN

Updated 1205 GMT (2005 HKT) October 26, 2012

Marcus Dickinson, right, has dropped 45 pounds and toned up to become more like his online persona, Roc Wieler from "<a href="http://www.eveonline.com/" target="_blank">EVE Online</a>."
Photos: Like a Roc
Like a Roc – Marcus Dickinson, right, has dropped 45 pounds and toned up to become more like his online persona, Roc Wieler from "EVE Online."
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Before his weight loss transformation, the 6-foot tall Dickinson weighed 230 pounds and was 33% body fat.
Photos: Like a Roc
Like a Roc – Before his weight loss transformation, the 6-foot tall Dickinson weighed 230 pounds and was 33% body fat.
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Dickinson married his wife, Farah Iqbal, in 2009. "(At the time) I thought I didn't look too bad," he says. "I have a hot wife so I must be doing OK."
Photos: Like a Roc
Like a Roc – Dickinson married his wife, Farah Iqbal, in 2009. "(At the time) I thought I didn't look too bad," he says. "I have a hot wife so I must be doing OK."
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Iqbal says she keeps Dickinson from crossing the line into becoming totally like Roc. "I like men that are balanced," she says. "I like them to have a feminine side and a masculine side."
Photos: Like a Roc
Like a Roc – Iqbal says she keeps Dickinson from crossing the line into becoming totally like Roc. "I like men that are balanced," she says. "I like them to have a feminine side and a masculine side."
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Roc is a "bad-ass, no-nonsense, military character," Dickinson says. "He's better than me in so many ways."
Photos: Like a Roc
Like a Roc – Roc is a "bad-ass, no-nonsense, military character," Dickinson says. "He's better than me in so many ways."
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Dickinson writes as Roc daily on his blog, <a href="http://rocwieler.com/" target="_blank">Roc's Ramblings</a>. He also creates music albums, 3-D artwork and sells Roc-branded paraphernalia.
Photos: Like a Roc
Like a Roc – Dickinson writes as Roc daily on his blog, Roc's Ramblings. He also creates music albums, 3-D artwork and sells Roc-branded paraphernalia.
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Dickinson now weighs 185 pounds and is 14% body fat.
Photos: Like a Roc
Like a Roc – Dickinson now weighs 185 pounds and is 14% body fat.
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He can squat 345 pounds, dead lift 450 pounds and leg press 900 pounds.
Photos: Like a Roc
Like a Roc – He can squat 345 pounds, dead lift 450 pounds and leg press 900 pounds.
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Dickinson always strives to follow what he calls Roc's Rules. One of them: "Why settle for the good life when you deserve the best life?"
Photos: Like a Roc
Like a Roc – Dickinson always strives to follow what he calls Roc's Rules. One of them: "Why settle for the good life when you deserve the best life?"
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Story highlights

  • Marcus Dickinson has lost 45 pounds and toned up to be more like his character
  • Roc Wieler is a retired colonel from the Minmatar tribes with an affinity for discipline
  • Dickinson blogs as Roc, in addition to creating 3-D artwork and music albums
The world of "EVE Online" is brutal. There are enemies and alliances, death and destruction. Gamers fight for territory, profit and fame in a never-ending quest to top their opponent.
It's a bit like the real world that way.
When Marcus Dickinson first created his "EVE" character, Roc Wieler, the two had little in common. Roc was a retired colonel from the Minmatar tribes -- a stoic, physically imposing disciplinarian. Dickinson was a 230-pound Canadian with an affinity for bacon.
Over time, the line between fiction and reality has blurred.
"I'm a role player inherently," Dickinson says. "I take it seriously."
For Dickinson, Roc Wieler is a brand. The 40-year-old advertising director has a blog called Roc's Ramblings that he writes for daily -- as Roc. He also creates music albums and 3-D artwork. He even sells Roc-related paraphernalia to his fans through the blog and social media sites.
Brand loyalty is one of the reasons Dickinson first decided to shape up. During his trip to the 2009 "EVE Online" FanFest, real life hit him smack in the face.
Walking into the convention, he didn't feel like Roc. He felt like a stereotypical geek, surrounded by other stereotypical geeks.
"We were all just a bunch of pathetic losers," Dickinson remembers. "We paid good money to fly all the way to Iceland and instead of enjoying Iceland, most of us spent all our time sitting around playing the video game we already played back home."