Doing his best for mental health

Scott Weatherall is just days away from competing in the Ironman New Zealand event. Photo: Supplied
Scott Weatherall is just days away from competing in the Ironman New Zealand event. Photo: Supplied
Heading into Ironman New Zealand this week, Tony Jackson Scholarship recipient Scott Weatherall has two main motivations.

''My goal is to do the best that I can on that day. Just be true and honest to myself. I want to finish the event to be proud of the achievement of doing an Ironman but also to the best I can,'' he said.

''It's also to continue to raise awareness of the ''I am hope'' charity and the purpose of the support that I have had from the Tony Jackson Scholarship.

This sums up exactly why Weatherall, of Brighton, was chosen for the scholarship. His desire to promote the Key to Life Trust and their slogan, ''I am hope'', through endurance sport will now lead him to tackle the ultimate triathlon challenge.

Weatherall has firsthand experience dealing with people struggling with their mental health, through his work as a paramedic and with the air ambulance in Dunedin. He is also well aware of the role sport can play in supporting mental health.

''Using sport as the vehicle, it provides the key to unlock the door to start talking about some stuff that traditionally as a society we haven't spoken about.

''I genuinely think we're getting a real change in in terms of people's willingness to talk about mental health.''

Weatherall completed his first triathlon just before Christmas, although he does have previous endurance racing experience, having completed last year's Coast to Coast.

There is no doubt that the quest to finish Ironman New Zealand has been a family effort for Weatherall.

''I've been very, very fortunate to have the support of Justine my wife, and my boys Thomas and George. Training for an Ironman means time away from home and missing some stuff. In terms of family, my parents and Justine's parents have also been really supportive.''

Their help and understanding was especially needed through a particularly testing time around Christmas and New Year.

On top of trying to fit in his training, Weatherall was dealing with frequent migraines as well as the pressures of the festive season.

''All my friends and family were on holiday. We went camping and they're having a good time, having a few beers and I'm going - I'm just going to have an early night because I'm going for a ride in the morning for three or four hours.''

Weatherall is thinking positive about the race and said the I am Hope message was about starting conversations and normalising the difficulties everyone faces at some point with mental health.

The Tony Jackson scholarship goes to an athlete who may not be able to compete in the event without financial assistance. Tony Jackson was an athlete who competed in every Ironman from the first in 1985 and overcame medical issues including a brain tumour and a stroke to compete in 28 Ironman events.

 

Comments

Inspirational. Good on you Scott.