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2 x Britain's Strongest Man competitor( 2003,2004)
3 x Scotland's Strongest Man competitor(
2002,2003,2004)
W.D.F.P.F. World Unequipped'RAW' Powerlifting Champion Runner-up (2001)
W.D.F.P.F. Deadlift Record Holder(2001)
W.D.F.P.F. European Unequipped'RAW' Powerlifting Champion (2001)
W.D.F.P.F. Total and Deadlift Record Holder (2001)
B.D.F.P.A. British Unequipped'RAW' Powerlifting Champion (2001)
B.D.F.P.A. Total and Deadlift Record Holder(2001)
B.D.F.P.A. Scottish Unequipped'RAW' Powerlifting Champion (2000,2001)
B.D.F.P.A. Total and Deadlift Record
Holder(2000,2001)
B.A.W.L.A./S.P.A. Scottish Powerlifting
Champion (1996,1997,1998,1999,2000)
B.A.W.L.A./I.P.F, Celtic Nations " " (1999)
S.G.A. Highland Games Heavy Events Athlete (1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004)
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In January 1992, at the age
of 20, I applied to become a Prison Officer with the Scottish Prison
Service. I passed the entrance exam and medical in March 1992, but was
informed to lose weight and improve my fitness before the next stage of
the recruiting process. I weighed 17 stone 6 pounds (244 pounds).
The 'improve my fitness aspect' didn't worry me too much as I had been
involved in a few sport/fitness activities in my life up to that point,
what did bother me was the ' lose' weight part, because to lose weight
you have to cut down on eating food and I LOVE EATING FOOD!
I decided to follow a well-known Scottish slimming group diet plan,
started jogging, cycling and light weight training. In May 1992 I
successfully passed an interview board and a second medical but, was
told to lose more weight. I weighed 15 stones 3 pounds (213 pounds).
In October 1992 I took up appointment in my current occupation of Prison
Officer at H.M. Prison Perth. I weighed 13 stones 2 pounds (184 pounds).
I didn't have to lose any more weight. Thank goodness.
I maintained this weight up until 1995,when, after watching the
World's Strongest Man on TV. during the Christmas holidays, I
decided that I wanted to be big and strong.
After increasing my calorie intake, reducing cardio and taking up
powerlifting training, I won my first powerlifting competition,
The Scottish Open Powerlifting Championship, in the 125kg weight
class. I weighed 17 stone 7 pounds (245 pounds). The competition was
sanctioned by the Scottish Powerlifting Association (S.P.A.) an
affiliate of the British Weightlifters' Association (B.W.L.A.).
I competed with S.P.A./B.W.L.A from 1996-2000,winning numerous
titles and representing Scotland several times in International
competition. I am still a subscribing member of the S.P.A./B.W.L.A
and look forward to winning many more titles in their competitions in
the future.
 I began competing in the Highland Games Heavy Events with
the Scottish Games Association (S.G.A.) in 1999. In 2000 I
represented Scotland at an International Highland Games Heavy Events
Championship in Holland. I still compete in S.G.A. Highland Games at
local regional level.
2000 saw me add to my powerlifting titles when I started to compete in
British Drug Free Powerlifting Association (B.D.F.P.A) and
World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation (W.D.F.P.F.) sanctioned
competitions between 2000-2002. In 2001 I was the 145kg weight class
Unequipped “RAW" Scottish Champion & Record Holder, British Champion &
Record Holder, European Champion & Record Holder and World Champion
Runner-up. I also held the World Deadlift Record. I am still
a subscribing member of the B.D.F.P.A./W.D.F.P.F. and look
forward to winning many more titles in their competitions in the future,
especially the World Championships.
I became a member of the International Federation of Strength
Athletes (I.F.S.A.) and competed in my first Scotland's Strongest
Man (S.S.M.) Championship in 2002,I placed low in the competition,
failing to qualify for the 2002 Britain's Strongest Man (B.S.M.)
Championship. The remainder of 2002 saw me compete and place high in
various Strongman competitions throughout Scotland.
I trained hard on the events over the winter and it paid off, I finished
in 6th place in the 2003 S.S.M. Championship which qualified me
for the 2003 B.S.M. Championship. I was now competing at the highest
level of strongman in Britain. I gave it my all but, it wasn't enough to
secure a position in the top placings. I was invited to compete in
France in the 2003 I.F.S.A. France's Strongest Man Championship,
I took 4th place. The remainder of the year saw me doing various
competitions and exhibitions.
This year I placed 5th in the 2004 S.S.M. Championship which
qualified me for the 2004 B.S.M. Championship. The level of
competition at this years B.S.M. was higher than that of last
year. Unfortunately, I didn't secure a position in the top
placings, I gave it my all again this year, but it wasn't enough.
Hopefully it will be 3rd time lucky next year
Since beginning
my Strongman career in 2002 I have done very little in the way of
specific gym work, training mostly on the events with the odd squat or
deadlift thrown in here and there. I am also limited to how often I
train due to my work shift pattern. My shifts are 08.00-21.30 Monday,
Wednesday & Friday alternating with Tuesday & Thursday every other week.
I also have to work every second weekend 07.45-1800 Saturday & Sunday.
It's mentally exhausting balancing training, competing and family life
around this shift pattern. I have to listen to what my body tells me so
that I don't overtrain, I've picked up a few injuries (small tears in
various muscles) as a result of training when I should have been
resting. These were rectified by rest & physio.
My diet consists of all food groups (including protein shakes) divided
into various combinations over 6-7 meals. I drink about 5-6 cups of
coffee a day and also try to consume 5-7 litres of water a day to keep
me hydrated. I enjoy the occasional Chocolate bar and like to have a
Chinese meal a couple of times a month. When I'm hungry I eat, when I'm
not I don't. I drink alcohol on 3 or 4 occasions during a year, the rest
of the time I drink soft drinks. When I'm not working, training or
competing I like to relax and spend time with my wife, daughter and son,
we also like to socialize with our friends and relatives.
My aims in regards to my Strongman career would be to become Scotland's
Strongest Man, Britain's Strongest Man and ultimately World's Strongest
Man.
I agreed to participate in this study to see how Udo's Choice® Oil
Blend would benefit/effect me in relation to my Strongman training,
and if Udo's works for me as effectively as it has for other individuals
in their various sporting pursuits, who knows, at the end of this study
I may be Scotland's Strongest Man."
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