In Episode 176 of the No Limitations Podcast, True Test of Character, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with Heston Russell, Special Forces Veteran, Author, Keynote Speaker, Founder and Managing Director, Veteran Support Force and The Veteran Games.

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Heston reflects on a career spent leading soldiers in some of the world’s most challenging environments and the lessons that followed after service. Drawing on his deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, he shares insights into elite performance, leadership under pressure, resilience, accountability, and the importance of purpose-driven teams. Heston also discusses the challenges veterans face in transitioning to civilian life, the loss of identity and community after service, his public fight to defend his platoon's reputation, and his ongoing advocacy for veterans through initiatives such as the Veteran Games. Throughout the discussion, he emphasises that true leadership is built on competence, trust, service to others, and the ability to unite people around a common purpose.

Heston is a retired Australian Special Forces Major, decorated combat veteran, author, keynote speaker and veterans’ advocate who served for more than 16 years in the Australian Army, including multiple operational deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Timor-Leste and the Middle East. After successfully completing Special Forces selection, he served within the 2nd Commando Regiment, later commanding the Commando and Support Staff Selection and Training continuum at the Special Forces Training Centre and serving on exchange with United States Special Operations Command. Since leaving the military, Heston has become one of Australia’s leading voices on leadership, resilience, veteran wellbeing and purpose-driven performance. He is the founder of Voice Of A Veteran, as well as the Founder and Managing Director of Veteran Support Force and the Veteran Games, initiatives dedicated to supporting veterans and their families while promoting positive change across the veteran community. His advocacy played a key role in the establishment of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and he has worked extensively with governments, organisations and community groups to improve outcomes for current and former service personnel. A sought-after keynote speaker, leadership consultant and media commentator, Heston draws on his unique experiences in Special Forces, business leadership and veteran advocacy to help individuals and organisations build high-performing teams, strengthen culture and develop resilience under pressure. He is also the author of the memoir “Forging The Will To Fight” and won a landmark defamation case against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 2023. Through his work, Heston challenges leaders to embrace accountability, connect people to purpose and unlock their potential in the face of adversity.

Please note: this episode was recorded on 29 September 2026.

In Episode 176 of the No Limitations Podcast, True Test of Character, Blenheim Partners&rsquo; Gregory Robinson speaks with Heston Russell, Special Forces Veteran, Author, Keynote Speaker, Founder and Managing Director, Veteran Support Force and The Veteran Games.
In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Heston reflects on a career spent leading soldiers in some of the world&rsquo;s most challenging environments and the lessons that followed after service. Drawing on his deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, he shares insights into elite performance, leadership under pressure, resilience, accountability, and the importance of purpose-driven teams. Heston also discusses the challenges veterans face in transitioning to civilian life, the loss of identity and community after service, his public fight to defend his platoon's reputation, and his ongoing advocacy for veterans through initiatives such as the Veteran Games. Throughout the discussion, he emphasises that true leadership is built on competence, trust, service to others, and the ability to unite people around a common purpose.
Heston is a retired Australian Special Forces Major, decorated combat veteran, author, keynote speaker and veterans&rsquo; advocate who served for more than 16 years in the Australian Army, including multiple operational deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Timor-Leste and the Middle East. After successfully completing Special Forces selection, he served within the 2nd Commando Regiment, later commanding the Commando and Support Staff Selection and Training continuum at the Special Forces Training Centre and serving on exchange with United States Special Operations Command. Since leaving the military, Heston has become one of Australia&rsquo;s leading voices on leadership, resilience, veteran wellbeing and purpose-driven performance. He is the founder of Voice Of A Veteran, as well as the Founder and Managing Director of Veteran Support Force and the Veteran Games, initiatives dedicated to supporting veterans and their families while promoting positive change across the veteran community. His advocacy played a key role in the establishment of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and he has worked extensively with governments, organisations and community groups to improve outcomes for current and former service personnel. A sought-after keynote speaker, leadership consultant and media commentator, Heston draws on his unique experiences in Special Forces, business leadership and veteran advocacy to help individuals and organisations build high-performing teams, strengthen culture and develop resilience under pressure. He is also the author of the memoir &ldquo;Forging The Will To Fight&rdquo; and won a landmark defamation case against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 2023. Through his work, Heston challenges leaders to embrace accountability, connect people to purpose and unlock their potential in the face of adversity.
Please note: this episode was recorded on 29 September 2026.

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