Ken Wildman
Ken endured a turbulent childhood and schooling, leaving without any qualifications. Luckily he showed a natural flair for weight training at his local youth club, which led to a very successful career in weight-lifting, attaining many titles and world records. Ken’s sporting achievements, supported by skills learnt on fitness and teaching short courses, later helped him to run a successful fitness gym and coach local people. However, a lack of formal qualifications became a barrier to coaching at a higher level so he enrolled on the Open University’s Sport, Fitness and Management course. Ken struggled with the academic side of the course, later being diagnosed with dyslexia. The diagnosis meant he could get the assistance he needed to complete the course in 2010 and he is now studying the Foundation Degree in Sport, Fitness and Management in order to become a national coach.
Nominator, Linda, said of Ken: “He has shown great courage in returning to education. He found the selfbelief to think that he could achieve despite his experience at school.” Ken added: “I knew where the future lay and pursued sport... My aim is to become a good national coach.”