EXCLUSIVE: Meet the Dundee strongwoman preparing to take on the world’s best
Dundee strongwoman Izzy Tait is preparing to take on some of the best athletes in the world after securing her place at the Official Strongman Games World Championships in Florida.
The 45-year-old finished second at OSG Europe’s, earning qualification for November’s competition. It was a significant achievement in a sporting journey that has included Scottish titles and records, alongside the daily challenges of managing several long-term health conditions.
Now, having earned her place on the world stage, Izzy is asking local businesses and members of the public to help her meet the costs of competing internationally.
Speaking exclusively to Dundee Culture, Izzy opened up about her strongwoman journey, living with long-term health conditions and her ambitions for the world championships.
“I’ve worked bloody hard to get to this level, and qualifying for Worlds is something I’ve wanted for a long time,” she said.
“It’s one thing earning your place, but actually getting there financially is a whole different battle when you’re paying for everything yourself.”
Passion for strongwoman
Izzy, who is one of the owners of Sauberlich Strength, which has its own private training facility, has spent years competing across Scotland and the UK.
Strongwoman has become a major part of her life, offering a variety of challenges that continue to drive her ambitions. Events can involve deadlifting, carrying heavy shields, throwing bags and loading stones, demanding different skills as well as strength.
“What I love about strongwoman is that there’s always something else to work towards,” she said.
“I love the challenge of it. It’s not just about being strong physically, it’s about your mindset and how much you’re willing to push yourself.”
Her achievements include winning Ultimate Scotland’s Strongest Woman in 2023 and Scotland’s Strongest Masters in 2024, as well as breaking Scottish records.
A European podium and a life-changing diagnosis
But her latest result came at a particularly difficult time. Shortly before competing at OSG Europe’s, Izzy was diagnosed with stage 3b chronic kidney disease following blood and urine tests and a referral to a renal team.
“I had no idea my kidney function was that reduced until these recent investigations,” she said.
“I still went out and competed, and I came away with second place and my qualification for Worlds. It was a lot to take in, to say the least!”
Adapting to unpredictable health challenges
The diagnosis added to health challenges that already affect how Izzy trains and prepares for competitions.
She lives with uncontrolled tonic-clonic epilepsy, with seizures that can occur in clusters and leave her struggling for days afterwards. She also has problems affecting her hips, pelvis and back, including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease.
For Izzy, one of the most difficult aspects is the uncertainty. A planned training session can become impossible if her health changes, requiring her to adapt her preparation and reassess what she can manage.
“The hardest part is the unpredictability,” she explained. “I can have plans in place and be ready to train, then my health can change completely.”
“I can’t always train consistently, and I have to be realistic about what my body will allow me to do on any given day.”
Working around pain and fatigue has meant accepting that progress does not always follow the schedule she would like. There are days when training has to change and others when she cannot do what she had planned.
“People see the competitions and the results, but they don’t necessarily see the days leading up to them, or what it takes to get back on my feet afterwards,” she said.
Izzy is candid about the moments when she has questioned whether she can continue. Managing uncontrolled epilepsy while processing further diagnoses has brought both practical and emotional challenges.
But she wants her ambitions and identity as an athlete to remain part of her story.
“Strongwoman is something I’m passionate about, and I don’t want my health conditions to be the only thing that defines me or decides what I can achieve,” she said.
“That doesn’t mean ignoring my health or pretending everything is fine. I have to listen to my body and make adjustments when I need to. But where I can keep going safely, I want to keep pushing towards my goals.”
‘Don’t write yourself off’
That balance also shapes her message to other people living with disabilities or long-term health conditions. She recognises that determination alone cannot remove every barrier, and that changing plans is sometimes necessary.
“I’m not going to sit here and tell people that anything is possible if you just try hard enough, because that’s not realistic,” she said.
“There are genuine limitations, and sometimes you have to change your plans. But don’t let other people decide what you’re capable of before you’ve had the chance to find out for yourself.”
Her advice is to recognise individual achievements without measuring every step against someone else’s progress.
“Celebrate the things you can do, adapt when you need to, and don’t feel guilty for having to do things differently. Progress doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.”
Representing Dundee on the world stage
In Florida, Izzy will compete in the Masters 40+ Open category. Her immediate ambition is to arrive in the best position she can and test herself against the world’s leading competitors.
“Of course, I’d love to come home with a medal, but getting there and being able to compete at that level is a huge achievement in itself,” she said.
Beyond the championships, she has further targets in mind, including a 300kg deadlift and developing her stone lifting.
“I’m not ready to call time on my strongwoman career. I’ve still got goals, and as long as I’m able to compete, I’ll keep working towards them.”
Representing Dundee adds another source of motivation.
“I’m proud to be from Dundee, and the opportunity to represent my city on a world stage is something I don’t take lightly,” she said.
“I’m going to Florida to compete against some of the best athletes in the world, and I’m proud that Dundee will be part of that journey with me.”
How to support Izzy’s journey
However, competing comes with substantial costs. Izzy’s participation in the sport is entirely self-funded, with competition entry fees, travel, accommodation, transport, food and preparation all needing to be covered.
Although she has qualified and made the necessary travel arrangements, she says significant costs remain.
She is seeking financial sponsorship from local businesses, alongside public donations and support for fundraising activities, including a raffle.
“It’s not just about equipment or free products; financial support would make a genuine difference,” she explained.
People can also help by buying raffle tickets, supporting her fundraising activities or sharing her story and fundraising page.
“Every bit of support helps, and I’d love to get more local businesses and people behind me as I prepare to represent Dundee on the world stage.”
To support Izzy’s journey to the Official Strongman Games World Championships, visit her GoFundMe page here at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-get-izzy-to-osg-worlds
