A DESIRE to lose a wee bit of weight and a story in the Press and Journal led to a dramatic career change for Aberdeen triathlete Scott Neyedli.
Scott, the 2007 Ironman UK champion and Dresdner Kleinwort Triathlon Team member, is a professional sportsman, and this Sunday can be seen in action when he takes part in the First Mini Monster Challenge at Aberdeen’s Hazlehead Park.
He is using the family-fun event as part of his training programme for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii later this year, but will also be there to encourage others to get into sport.
“I am thoroughly looking forward to the event,” said Scott, from Broomhill Avenue, Aberdeen.
“Although I am used to running and cycling much longer distances, this duathlon will help me sharpen up ahead of the world championships.
“I want to encourage more people to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle.
“Running and cycling is a fantastic and enjoyable way of keeping fit and I hope as many people as possible take part in the event on Sunday and raise lots of money for the charity, Children First.”
Scott’s decision to become a professional sportsman almost came by chance.
“I wasn’t into sport as much as I am now when I was younger, although I was a keen swimmer and swam competitively,” said Scott.
After attending university, where he gained qualifications including a BEng in mechanical and offshore engineering, he worked offshore, and sport took a back seat.
“I found working out in the gym quite boring, as I have always been target oriented,” explained Scott.
“After transferring back onshore to an office position I realised I needed to lose a bit of weight, so after reading about an up-and-coming triathlon event in the Press and Journal, I decided to enter it.
“I literally read the article, signed up for the race, and went out and bought a bike and started training.
“The bug for sport began again from there.”
In 2004, aged 26, Scott became an amateur triathlete, participating purely for fun, turning professional in 2007.
He specialises in ironman events which consist of a 2.4-mile open water swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile marathon run.
In 2007 Scott was the first Briton to win the Ironman UK Triathlon on the new run course, and won it overall in course record time.
“At first it was quite tough as I wasn’t making much money, but after winning Ironman UK that year, a lot of doors opened for me, which means sponsorship now makes life a lot easier.”
As a professional ironman triathlete, Scott’s achievements include: 2008 Ironman UK Triathlon runner-up; Top Briton at the Ironman World Championships 2007; Open Senior Scottish Olympic Distance Champion and Persona Oliver Half Iron Champion 2007.
He was also voted runner-up at the City of Aberdeen Sports Person of the Year 2007, as well as being voted 2008 Top Men’s Individual Performance of the Year by 220 Triathlon Magazine and voted Top Male Elite Long Distance Triathlete of Year 2007 at the British Triathlon Annual Awards.
Although born and raised in Aberdeen, Scott holds dual nationality with Great Britain and Canada and is currently a member of both the Scotland and Great Britain performance squads.
“Every sportsperson is different, it depends on how quickly they recover, but I would expect to take part in around two or three ironman events a year,” said Scott.
“The competition is very stiff, so I have to train hard and dig really deep within myself to make sure I am at my peak of fitness when the next event comes round.
“I have been a professional sportsman now for two and a half years now, and have to admit I’m not missing offshore life at all.
“While not everyone will want to swap their jobs to become a full-time athlete, I’m quite happy to encourage people to pick up a pair of trainers, get on a bike, and get into sport.”
Scott added: “I hope the First Mini Monster inspires the City and the Shire to forget the fast food, abandon the armchairs, ditch the DVDs, pack in the PCs and instead take on a Mini Monster.”