A former professional fighter from West Lothian has proven a knockout success after completing an incredible treble. Dechlan Nicoll, who graduated from the University of Stirling this week with a BSc (Hons) Psychology, balanced his studies with becoming WKO (World Kickboxing Organisation) heavyweight world champion in both Muay Thai and kickboxing. If that wasn鈥檛 enough to keep him busy, he was also holding down a full-time job as an autism practitioner. The Livingston man, who previously gave up competitive combat sports, excelled in an Access to Degree Studies course, which secured him a place to study BSc Psychology at Stirling. In his second year at university he decided to have one last fight to 鈥済et it out of my system鈥. 鈥淚 felt like I had something left in the tank,鈥 said Dechlan. 鈥淚 trained hard and really threw myself into a training camp at the end of the semester. 鈥淲hat started off as a retirement fight to get it out of my system became an entry into the WKO World Championship. I ended up winning WKO Heavyweight world titles in Muay Thai and kickboxing. 鈥淚t was unplanned. It wasn鈥檛 a goal. The whole purpose was to just get it out of my system so that I could focus on my third and fourth year.鈥 However, a fortnight after winning the titles he was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Dechlan continued: 鈥淚 was incredibly burnt out. I had several broken bones, and it led to the first part of an ADHD diagnosis after speaking to the educational psychologist at the University. 鈥淭hrough psychology I had a good understanding of the clinical classification of it. But there鈥檚 a lot more that is anecdotal. It鈥檚 people鈥檚 experiences. And I found that I shared almost all of them with others who had been diagnosed with ADHD. 鈥淟earning and inclusion services at the University were extremely helpful and were willing to give me anything I needed to succeed.鈥 Dechlan, who left school with no qualifications, is the first person in his family to gain a degree. The 33-year-old, who now lives in Alloa, moved to London when younger to follow his dream of becoming a professional fighter but ended up sleeping in the gym he trained in. He joined the Army two years later before becoming a personal trainer. 鈥淚 wanted to be a psychotherapist when I was younger. Despite being heavily into combat sports, what I really wanted to do was therapy. 鈥淚 was always good at empathising and listening to people鈥檚 struggles. I found I could often understand them better than they could. But I had no route into anything psychology based. 鈥淲hen I moved into employment nothing was motivating me. It was a struggle. 鈥淭hen I found out about the Access to Degree Studies course at the University of Stirling. It gave me the in that I had always been looking for because I had no qualifications and no academic background whatsoever.鈥 And Dechlan, who is now hoping to secure a place on the MSc Psychological Therapy in Primary Care course, had a message for others who fear a lack of qualifications could prevent them from moving into higher education. He added: 鈥淚 would much rather live with the challenges of going through academia, than with the regret of not knowing what might鈥檝e been. 鈥淚t is tough, but I learned to slow down, be kinder to yourself and enjoy the successes. 鈥淓arly on there are no expectations. You will learn from your mistakes and that was something that took me three years to understand. The lecturers aren鈥檛 trying to catch you out; they are giving you feedback to help you improve. 鈥淚t鈥檚 demanding, but the faculty will be there for you and support you every step of the way.鈥 Dechlan joined 2,157 students who celebrated their graduation at the University鈥檚 summer ceremonies this week. Don’t miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here .