Out to succeed, Ted was a twister! (6)
I believe the answer is:
twined
'ted was a twister' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'out to succeed' is the wordplay.
'out' is an insertion indicator.
'to' becomes 'ted' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'succeed' becomes 'win' (succeed can mean to win or excel).
'ted' placed around 'win' is 'TWINED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for twined that I've seen before include "Wrapped around like string" , "Wound" , "Interlaced" , "Wrapped around or coiled" .)