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Darts player Cameron Menzies has undergone a major physical and mental transformation, losing five stone following a series of health scares and hand surgery. The 37-year-old Scot enters this weekend’s Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton with a renewed focus on fitness and emotional control.
Health Scares and Weight Loss
Menzies required hand surgery last December after repeatedly punching a drinks table on stage following his first-round exit at the PDC World Championships. Months later, he suffered a dizzy turn during his World Matchplay match against Ross Smith, forcing him to forfeit the encounter.
Told BBC Sport that his alarming episode was caused by high blood pressure and dehydration. He recalled looking at the board and feeling that everything was spinning, leading paramedics to check his blood pressure, which had spiked over 200 before dropping significantly after he drank water.
Medical checks at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary revealed the issue was linked to dehydration. Further hospital checks also discovered an ectopic heartbeat, where his heart skips a beat, prompting doctors to advise him to lose weight before considering medication.
His weight previously peaked at 21 and a half stone. By incorporating regular 5k jogs into his routine, he successfully brought his heart rate down to a safe level without needing tablets.
Changing Culture in Professional Darts
Menzies noted that a growing number of top professionals are embracing healthier lifestyles, pointing to players like Luke Humphries who have also lost significant weight. He highlighted that many players now utilize hotel gyms and go on runs, while commentators and referees are also joining in.
Reflecting on his hand injury, Menzies admitted he feared his career was over during the early months of recovery. Spending six weeks in a bandage and losing feeling in his hands for three to four months made him grateful to continue playing at a high level, especially given the life-changing prize money available in the sport today.
Mental Approach and Sports Psychology
Once known for struggling to control his emotions on the oche, the world number 26 has adopted a much calmer demeanour. He credits sports psychology and hypnotherapy for helping him manage his temperament.
Menzies explained that he listens to a hypnotherapy audio track every night as he falls asleep, which targets his subconscious mind to help keep him grounded.
Now fully recovered from his hand operation, Menzies has enjoyed a strong season on the circuit, claiming two PDC ProTour titles.
