High Diving
Aidan Heslop: How I fuel
The up-and-coming star of Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series reveals his love of early morning Digestive biscuits and his mum’s cooking.
Aidan Heslop is having a phenomenal 2022. Two wins in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series have seen him beat high-diving royalty – and his idol – Gary Hunt. Heslop now has his eyes set firmly on becoming World No 1.
So what does one of the planet’s best high-divers eat to stay in the kind of shape that can pull off ‘the world’s hardest dive’? Well, if you’re Heslop, it’s essentially whatever you like.
I have a Red Bull just before I compete, and I tend to drink one before I arrive at training as well.
“I don't follow any strict kind of diet, I just eat what I think is right for me,” the 20-year-old says. And as he still lives at home with his parents in Plymouth, he has his evening meal provided for him every night. “My mum still cooks all of my dinners. I eat a fairly normal diet, I just probably eat more calories than most people!”
What do you eat on an average day of training?
For breakfast I’ll have toast and butter with a cup of tea, some Digestive biscuits and some fruit – usually strawberries, raspberries and kiwi. Lunch is often a sandwich or pre-cooked chicken thighs from Morrison’s – I just heat them up in the microwave. I love chicken. I never really sit down and have a meal for lunch – it’s more sort of picnic-y bits – I’ll have a couple of cocktail sausages, a sandwich, an apple, crisps. Then for dinner it tends to be whatever my mum cooks. It could be lasagne, fish and chips, a roast…
Aidan drinks Red Bull before he competes
© Romina Amato/Red Bull Content Pool
What do you snack on between meals?
I love to snack on three things: pistachios, green grapes and wasabi-covered peas – they are so good.
How do you fuel yourself on competition days?
I try not to change my diet on competition days. Obviously, I don't want to have a massive meal like a huge bowl of pasta just before I compete. If I'm at a hotel I might have a cooked breakfast.
Aidan Heslop twists into action
© Dean Treml/Red Bull Content Pool
How do you use Red Bull in your training?
I have a Red Bull just before I compete, and I tend to drink one before I arrive at training as well. I had one in Polignano a Mare [Italy] before I dived and it was honestly the most energy that I've had. It really helped me. It's something that I've implemented naturally into my diet.
What's your all-time favourite meal?
A roast – it would have to be chicken.
Are you much of a dessert fan?
Not massively, I do starters more than desserts. My starter of choice is calamari. Always.