Episode 07 - Damien Thomlinson - from Afghanistan to Kokoda and amazing experiences in between.

This week I interview another soldier, that's two weeks straight. Damien Thomlinson really is one out of the box. A Special Forces soldier that lost both of his legs in an IED blast in Afghanistan but didn't let that hold him back. He went on to compete on the World stage in snow boarding, crossed the Kokoda Track in PNG (yes I was there and witnessed this amazing feat) and has even acted in a film directed by Mel Gibson.

It's very easy to give up in life when things don't go to plan. We've all had those days and wanted to quit, well i promise after you listen to this podcast with Damien, you will never have that thought again. The mind is stronger than the body will ever be.

Bio:

The story of Damien Thomlinson, an Australian veteran of the war in Afghanistan, is one that continues to evolve and inspire people around the world.

Inspired by the military history of his Grandfather, Damien joined the Australian Defence Force and at the age of just 24 achieved his dream of becoming a Commando. This elite group is tasked with the most physically demanding, mentally challenging and dangerous roles in the armed forces, often behind enemy lines.

It was while serving in Afghanistan with the 2nd Commando Regiment that Thomlinson’s life was changed forever. In April 2009, whilst on night patrol in Southern Afghanistan, Damien’s unit drove over an improvised Taliban bomb. Damien suffered horrendous injuries in the explosion, which resulted in both of his legs being amputated. The damage to his body was so severe his medical team claim it is a miracle he wasn’t killed. In fact there were many times throughout his immediate treatment and beyond that medical staff did not think he would pull through.

Most people could not imagine recovering and moving on from something as debilitating as the loss of two limbs – but Damien isn’t most people, and giving up is not in his nature. Instead of sinking into depression and retreating from the world, Thomlinson decided to treat the loss of his legs as another challenge to be overcome, a challenge that would forever change his life.

With no time for self-pity, Damien threw himself into his rehabilitation and set about re-claiming his life, on his terms – a testament to his incredible drive and determination. With a great deal of commitment and hard work he taught himself to walk again with state of the art prosthetic legs.

His inspirational mission has seen him undertake challenges that would faze an able-bodied person, let alone someone with prosthetic legs. He has participated in the TARGA Tasmania classic car rally to raise funds, and has even walked the demanding Kokoda Track – a 96km trek through the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Damien walked Kokoda to remember his best friend Private Scott Palmer, who was tragically killed in a helicopter crash one week before returning home to Australia. Private Palmer’s father walked with Thomlinson to honour his son’s memory.

A keen surfer prior to his injuries, Damien took up snowboarding as part of his personal challenges during rehabilitation, and in 2011 competed with four other ADF members in the US Marine Corps Paralympic Trials. In 2012 he declared his next challenge – to represent Australia as a snowboarder in the 2014 Winter Paralympics to be held in Russia.

He also continues his fundraising initiatives for Legacy, the Commando Welfare Trust and other organisations aimed at raising awareness and funds for injured soldiers and their families.

Damien’s triumph against adversity, his positive attitude and ambition for the future has seen him become an inspiration to many. Above all, Thomlinson’s incredible journey stands as proof that no challenge is too great and that the ANZAC spirit truly is alive and well. His next chapter continues to be written as an aspiring Paralympian.

You can get in touch with Damien via http://damienthomlinson.com/ 
 


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Episode 07 - Damien Thomlinson - from Afghanistan to Kokoda and amazing experiences in between.

This week I interview another soldier, that's two weeks straight. Damien Thomlinson really is one out of the box. A Special Forces soldier that lost both of his legs in an IED blast in Afghanistan but didn't let that hold him back. He went on to compete on the World stage in snow boarding, crossed the Kokoda Track in PNG (yes I was there and witnessed this amazing feat) and has even acted in a film directed by Mel Gibson.

It's very easy to give up in life when things don't go to plan. We've all had those days and wanted to quit, well i promise after you listen to this podcast with Damien, you will never have that thought again. The mind is stronger than the body will ever be.

Bio:

The story of Damien Thomlinson, an Australian veteran of the war in Afghanistan, is one that continues to evolve and inspire people around the world.

Inspired by the military history of his Grandfather, Damien joined the Australian Defence Force and at the age of just 24 achieved his dream of becoming a Commando. This elite group is tasked with the most physically demanding, mentally challenging and dangerous roles in the armed forces, often behind enemy lines.

It was while serving in Afghanistan with the 2nd Commando Regiment that Thomlinson’s life was changed forever. In April 2009, whilst on night patrol in Southern Afghanistan, Damien’s unit drove over an improvised Taliban bomb. Damien suffered horrendous injuries in the explosion, which resulted in both of his legs being amputated. The damage to his body was so severe his medical team claim it is a miracle he wasn’t killed. In fact there were many times throughout his immediate treatment and beyond that medical staff did not think he would pull through.

Most people could not imagine recovering and moving on from something as debilitating as the loss of two limbs – but Damien isn’t most people, and giving up is not in his nature. Instead of sinking into depression and retreating from the world, Thomlinson decided to treat the loss of his legs as another challenge to be overcome, a challenge that would forever change his life.

With no time for self-pity, Damien threw himself into his rehabilitation and set about re-claiming his life, on his terms – a testament to his incredible drive and determination. With a great deal of commitment and hard work he taught himself to walk again with state of the art prosthetic legs.

His inspirational mission has seen him undertake challenges that would faze an able-bodied person, let alone someone with prosthetic legs. He has participated in the TARGA Tasmania classic car rally to raise funds, and has even walked the demanding Kokoda Track – a 96km trek through the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Damien walked Kokoda to remember his best friend Private Scott Palmer, who was tragically killed in a helicopter crash one week before returning home to Australia. Private Palmer’s father walked with Thomlinson to honour his son’s memory.

A keen surfer prior to his injuries, Damien took up snowboarding as part of his personal challenges during rehabilitation, and in 2011 competed with four other ADF members in the US Marine Corps Paralympic Trials. In 2012 he declared his next challenge – to represent Australia as a snowboarder in the 2014 Winter Paralympics to be held in Russia.

He also continues his fundraising initiatives for Legacy, the Commando Welfare Trust and other organisations aimed at raising awareness and funds for injured soldiers and their families.

Damien’s triumph against adversity, his positive attitude and ambition for the future has seen him become an inspiration to many. Above all, Thomlinson’s incredible journey stands as proof that no challenge is too great and that the ANZAC spirit truly is alive and well. His next chapter continues to be written as an aspiring Paralympian.

You can get in touch with Damien via http://damienthomlinson.com/ &#10;&nbsp;<br><hr><p style='color: grey; font - size: 0.75em; '>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

Inspiration, tips and advice to help you conquer your life, one day at a time. Glenn Azar is a former soldier, boxer and Helicopter Evacuation Medic who now runs an adventure business called Adventure Professionals. He uses his background, knowledge and lived experiences to share authentic tips that are useful, usable and implementable immediately to give you a boost in every area of life.

Inspiration, tips and advice to help you conquer your life, one day at a time.