The Team

You hear it all the time from individual athletes across a wide spectrum of sports. It's always the same comment "couldn't have done it without the team behind me." It's a very true comment, I couldn't be doing anything like what I am doing with out the support of the guys behind the scenes and the support that they are giving me. So... to them I am very thankful, some of them don't even know it.


Alex Rawcliffe (Strength and Conditioning Coach)

Alex has a wealth of experience behind him in the Sports world and the S&C side of things, he is currently studying a masters at Edinburgh Napier, is one of our Gym Assistants at ENGAGE and agreed to take me on a a bit of a project. Alex is originally from Oban way on the Scottish west coast and used to play professional football for St. Mirran Football club, a fact i didn't know till quite recently. Alex is very passionate about his S&C and puts everything into it. I do give him a bit of a hard time about the sessions but in actual fact, they are tough because he makes them that way and that's how he thinks he can get the best out of me. Alex is a fantastic coach, knows a lot about his lifting and i'm very grateful to him for his support in this venture.


James Millar (Throws and Grappling Coach) @millar_judo

James Millar (nicknamed JIG) is a bit of a legend, i've known Jig for a good few years, we used to work together on the doors at the three sisters, as many of the judo boys did. Jig is a multiple British Champion Judo player and very kindly agreed to help me learn how to throw people. Going well so far, with the exception that her is soooo quick. When he gets back into training for 2014, good luck to those competing against him!






Michael Cavanagh (Coach at Edinburgh Wrestling Club) @cavanaghm

Michael is actually the muse behind #mission2014 for me. What started as a bit of a joke in a meeting has transpired into something bigger and he has got me on the path towards Glasgow 2014. Michael is a former Wrestler and is a Wrestling coach when he isn't doing his day job as Chairperson at the Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014. 
In September he will become my coach at the club in ENGAGE and hopefully be able to teach me a few tricks of the trade and get me firmly on the path to 2014.


Steven Cote (Wrestling Coach at Edinburgh Wrestling Club)

Steve started coming to the Edinburgh Wrestling Club back in September / October, quickly became involved in the coaching helping the less experienced with his knowledge. He is a valuable asset to the club and has helped me massively with training and everything on the mat! Another useful lad to have on your team!



Kevin Wright ([EN]GAGE Sports Centre Team Leader) @synergyprepared

Kevin has been a fantastic support since this quest started. Not only is he the manager of the sports centre at ENU, he is also my line manager and is massively supportive of what i'm trying to do and furthermore encourages it. He has opened up a number of doors over the last couple of months to allow me to get to where I am now and to where i'm trying to go. Thanks Kev.







Paul Tyson Fitness (Nutrition & Supplements Sponsor) @tysonfitness

Paul is the owner of Paul Tyson Fitness. Paul and I are good friends from university and Paul managed to drag me through the latter stages of my degree and was a great support for me. He moved down to Loughborough after university and set up his own PT and supplement business. When Paul heard about what I was doing on day one, he got in touch and offered a sponsorship deal for nutrition and supplements, which is great of him. Looking forward to catching up with him to discuss everything Nutrition




Ross Grady (Masseuse)

Ross - more commonly known as Pav to me, is a sports therapist and trainee physio, he does a fair bit of work and is a really good masseuse, he knows how to make grown men scream. I've known Pav for a good few years through Edinburgh Eagles Rugby League. He has helped me on a number of occasions and I would recommend him to anyone.



Laura Snedden (Kinetic Chain Release KCR) @laurasned

Laura works at ENGAGE as a duty supervisor and Sports Technician. One of her talents is KCR, KCR is Kinetic Chain Release and a really relaxing protocol of mobilising the joints. I've known Laura for a good few years now and she is another person who is great to have in your corner. She has already fixed me once!






Darren Steadwood (Training partner) @steadwood

Darren "the bear" Steadwood is my unofficial training partner, The Bear was the first person I met at university and is also the godfather to my Son. He is a great mate, is into his weights at the moment and loves a rum. I'm trying to ween him off it slowly but he is a great person to have in your corner and i'm delighted to have him coming in for a wrestle and a session whenever he can make it. He was off the booze wagon for 5 days or so and got sick, so thinks that his immune system runs on booze. An idiot at times. Bear is probably one of the few of my mates who actually think I can do this, which is an added bonus. If you read this Bear, still sorry about your head.


Emma & Cameron (My family)


Behind every man is a good woman, and that's true in this instant. Emma is a great support, she keeps me on track with the food (sometimes strays) and is really supportive of what i'm trying to do. If I do manage to get to Glasgow 2014 it will be for her and of course, for Cameron, my little boy. Always makes me smile when I get home and a source of inspiration and motivation for me, I want to be a role model to him and think that making it to the Commonwealth Games is a good place to start.