The path to resilience on the journey home from war

Run For Resilience, a Veterans story of finding resilience on the journey home from war.
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On the 22nd of September 2018 I completed what I would argue as being the most physically and mentally demanding endeavor that I have ever attempted.
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Starting on the first of September from Anzac Square in Brisbane with only 4 weeks planning and preparation I began a 1500km, 22 day journey home from war, running from the City of Brisbane to Central West QLD town of Winton to tell a Veterans story of finding resilience.
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I, like many Veterans; experienced feelings of isolation, the loss of identity and purpose in the process of transitioning from service back into civilian life. I found difficulty in disengaging from the structure of military culture, the pressure to be strong, the rigid, rational way of thinking and an inability to display emotions which created difficulty for myself, my partner and my family.
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Run for Resilience is the story of my own journey home from war and how I found Hope, Healing and Purpose through the challenges and rewards of Endurance running, how I rediscovered a connection not only with myself, but a community that understood the importance of camaraderie and loyalty that was forged through enduring long periods of shared adversity.
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I shared this journey in the hope others would benefit from my experiences, finding their own path to resilience on their own Journey home from war.
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The American Psychological Association (2014) defines resilience as; “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress". This definition however implies a continued state of wellness and doesn't allow for the consideration of physical or mental injuries sustained in the face of such significant events.
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I believe that resilience involves a reintegration of self that includes a conscious effort to move forward in an insightful, integrated and positive manner as a result of lessons learned from such an adverse experience.
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It is the idea of moving forward that is an important component of understanding resilience, of recognizing that some of the most resilient people may have had or still have very severe PTSD that they struggle with every day. These people choose to make an active decision not to succumb to its negative effects; because resilience, like sobriety involves an active decision, one that must be frequently reconfirmed.
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A concept that is gaining support when when looking at the outcome of PTSD is Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG). This is a concept that focuses on the positive personal changes resulting from coping with a traumatic event. PTG can be seen as an enhancement to resilience and hardiness and would serve as a method for protecting against adverse outcomes and an ability to adapt, improvise and overcome from the experience of extreme stress and trauma.
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Using the Australian Army Mantra "Adapt, Improvise Overcome" we can begin the reintegration of self, making conscious effort to move forward using an insightful integrated positive manner as a result of lessons learned from an adverse experience
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~ Wayne
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🏔️🐏🏃‍♂️
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Experience Winton, Resurrected Surviving PTSD, RSL Queensland

On Tuesday I was invited to help TUF Minds Life Rescue film a TV ad for the upcoming release of the TUF Minds - Life Rescue App. We had Tuf Minds Ambassador Graeme Connors on set and it was a great afternoon!
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JE McIntosh, thank you for the opportunity to play a role in promoting positive conversation around mental health and wellness :-D
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If you'd like to learrn more about the App and how you can get involved head to >> www.tufminds.com/join-a-tribe and join the Run for Resilience Tribe!
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~ Wayne
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🗻🐐🏃‍♂️