Warrior Racing: Australian Homeless Veterans - Suicide Awareness - PTSD - Mental Illness...
As an ex-serving member of the Australian Defence Force, as a father, a brother, a husband, a cousin, and a mate, I know what it is like to have people around you to support you, to hold you, to listen. But there was also a time in my life that despite all the support around me, I was alone, alone to ponder my own thoughts, thoughts of self-destruction.
Many years ago after I left the Defence Force, the transition into civilian life wasn't the journey I thought it was going to be. Opportunities I thought may have been open to me as an ex-serving member weren't there. Life was a challenge and I had to find a way through the uncertainty of this civilian life.
After a few years, uncertainty turned into self-doubt, low self-confidence and what would be classed today as depression. I found myself totally lost and desperate to find a way back. I wrote a letter to a radio station to ask for help and support. I wrote the story of my life, the struggles, the despair, all in the hope that someone may come forward and offer some guidance, some support, maybe even a better job, a job that reflected my dedication and commitment, that opened up opportunities for me so I could provide my amazing family with a better life. I poured my heart out in that letter, but there was no response.



Opportunities come and go in life, some worth taking and some best forgotten. For me, the opportunity to work in the heavy fabrication and construction industry came at a critical time in my life, I jumped at it! I could see a better life for my family, more stability, and more respect for me as a father. Within a few weeks, I was a FIFO worker on a mission! I had fire in my belly and nothing was going to put that fire out. It was like my first day in the defense force all over again! What I didn't realize was that whilst my heart was all in, my mind was not ready, I was not mentally prepared for what was to come next.
Working away from loved ones was my life for 12 years during my time in the defense force. Admittedly, I didn't have children when I first joined, but I felt love and missed loved ones immensely. FIFO was surely no different. I was wrong, and as a few years passed, the life I dreamt of for my family broke down. My mission to succeed and support my family became my sole identity and within a few short years, my troubled mind and my mental well-being were defeated, I was broken, alone, and without purpose. Conquered and feeling no consequence for my actions, I attempted to take my life.
After the dark of night, there is always light. I had to find a way to channel the light into my day and make the most of it, and to find a way to deal with the dark of each night. I had to find a way to work through the agony of reflecting on a family life that was once filled with love, joy and happiness, once filled with the echoing voices of my children whispering 'I love you dad' as I bid them good night. I was living in my car, sleeping wherever I could on the side of the road, alone and on my own. A journey that took me to places that I never dreamt I could go.
After many years of self-destruction, I found my way back, back from the darkest places one will ever forget. I was comforted by the closest of friends and confided in one beautiful heart. I reached out and accepted who I was, what I was, and took responsibility for all that I had done, albeit far from what society would deem appropriate.
I have navigated the long road to self respect and I am today, the man I dreamt of always being; a good father, a forgiving friend, a good brother, a loving husband. I have never forgotten my journey past, I will never forget those dark days, I will never forget them because they deliver every bit of strength in me to conquer lifes challenges and turn each challenge into an opportunity to succeed.
Live, love and be the most amazing person you can be. You are worth it, you always have been.



Fundraising & Support
Just like my letter to the radio station, there are so many stories to be told, real stories from the most amazing people, their story, their lives, and the daily struggle to find their way back. Thankfully, there is an amazing organization that provides endless support to so many of our serving and ex-serving members and veterans. Beautiful soles who are looking for guidance, looking to be the best version of themselves, but lost in a world that has no answers. Warrior Racing is a non-for-profit organization that provides endless support to other non-for-profit organizations such as Soldier on, Australian Homeless Veterans, Blue Guardians, Bravery Trust, Legacy, R&R Veterans Transition Centre, RSL Defence Care, and Comando Welfare Trust.
I was unaware of the support that surrounded me during my time of self destruction and I refuse to live a life of 'what if' but given an opportunity to seek guidance from the warmth of a helping hand that understands the journey, I would have reached out in a second!
I can't change the lives of so many who deserve the right to live the happiest of lives, but I can deliver on a commitment I entrusted in myself so many years ago, a commitment to speak up and speak out, to lead by example, to never give up on life! to promote mental health awareness.
The 351km Ultramarathon 6th - 10th October 2021 (104hr Delirious W.E.S.T)
For those who have followed and supported my ultramarathon journey over the past few years, I thank you so very much, you have been my strength and guidance during the toughest of times when my body and mind had given up. Thank you so much.
To continue the mental health awareness journey, I will be running the 351km Delirious W.E.S.T ultramarathon. An event that forms part of the Ultra Series W.A list of events, and the biggest event on the ultramarathon calendar in W.A. The ultramarathon has a 15000ft incline and is run on the Bibbulmun track from Northcliffe to Albany between the 6th - 10th February 2021. The ultramarathon also has a 104-hour time limit.
I will be running the ultramarathon to raise funds and awareness for Warrior Racing and to provide support to our current and past front line troops. To again push my boundaries and break down new barriers. To deliver on a promise, a promise to never give up!
If you can, please donate to Warrior Racing, your donation will provide so much support to our current and ex-serving Defence Force members, their families, and our veterans. I do understand though that many organisations require fundraising and Warrior Racing may not be on your list. Of more importance is being the echoing voice that supports mental health awareness, so if you could please just be that voice and support each other, you may just be the person that saves a beautiful sole.
Thank you, you are amazing