Sergeant Michael Lyddiard was 12 years into a planned 20-year career with the Australian Army when his world was shattered by two kilograms of insurgent explosives in Afghanistan. The bomb disposal expert was uncovering an improvised explosive device when it detonated, blowing off his lower right arm and half of his left hand, taking out his right eye, permanently damaging the vision in his left eye, inflicting severe lacerations to the rest of his head and leaving him with permanent facial scarring. This is a confronting, raw and real conversation with a man who is still on the journey of recovery, discovery and healing. It’s not always uplifting, feel-good or comfortable but then, neither is life. He’s an amazing man who has seen and been through some horrible shit. This chat gave me a new level of respect, awareness and understanding of what the brave souls who protect our country do. Enjoy.