Inside Veteran Games 2026: Grit, Purpose & Life After Defence

Video Transcript

Axons Unleashed at Veteran Games Season 4

Welcome to Veteran Games

Robbie: G’day, team. Welcome to Veteran Games Season 4.

My name is Robbie Turner, and we’re coming to you from Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast.

I’m joined by the amazing Lou.

Give us a high five.

This is your first time on the podcast, and you’ve only been with Axon for a couple of months.

Lou: It is my first time.

I feel like we’re on the radio.

Robbie: Are you saying I have a head for radio?

Lou: Totally.

Robbie: I’m incredibly proud to be here.

People who have watched our previous podcasts and videos may know that Axon has been one of the founding sponsors of Veteran Games.

I have known Heston Russell for many years.

A few other captain instructors and I helped put him through Duntroon, and we remained mates from there.

As soon as he shared his vision for Veteran Games and invited Axon to become involved, I said, “Count me in.”

It is amazing to now be here for Season 4.

The first three events were held in the Gold Coast hinterland. This time, we’re at the beautiful Broadwater Parklands, looking towards Marina Mirage.

It is a sparkling day, isn’t it?

Lou: It is glorious.

It is the perfect day to be here.

Lou’s Introduction to Veteran Games

Robbie: We have all the obstacles behind us.

When you joined Axon at the beginning of the year, had you already heard about Veteran Games?

Lou: I had.

I had been following Heston for a while, probably since he released his book.

I was interested in his story, everything that had occurred in the media and his experience as one of the first openly gay men within his unit.

I found his story fascinating and enjoyed following his leadership speaking.

When I discovered that Veteran Games was his event, I didn’t initially make the connection.

Once I did, I thought it was fantastic.

I love the idea of veterans supporting veterans, and an event like this is unreal.

Robbie: I probably should have introduced you properly.

Lou is an Air Force veteran, so she comes with credibility.

How many years did you serve?

Lou: Eight years.

Robbie: I already knew the answer. I just wanted everyone else to know.

Competition and Camaraderie

Robbie: We’ve already watched the first few teams move through the course.

What have you noticed about the camaraderie, happiness and teamwork?

Lou: It has been great watching the teams.

There are two teams from 2 Security Forces Squadron competing.

One of the best moments was watching one team help the other from the sideline.

They were calling out advice and coaching them through the obstacles.

Even though they were competing against each other, they were still cheering one another on.

Robbie: The competitive spirit is always strong in the military, but so is the willingness to support each other.

Women Beyond Defence

Robbie: We also attended the Women Beyond Defence lunch yesterday.

Three inspiring women spoke about their journeys.

What did you take away from it?

Lou: It was an inspiring lunch.

It was beautiful hearing the stories of women who helped pave the way before I entered the military.

Someone in the audience asked the speakers what they hoped future women would not need to experience.

One speaker said:

“I don’t want them to have to feel brave every time they try something new.”

The whole room reacted.

It was incredibly powerful.

Robbie: It was an excellent question and an excellent answer.

The three speakers included a former major general who has established an impressive corporate career and now serves as an AFL commissioner.

The other two were a serving Air Force warrant officer and a serving Army lieutenant colonel.

There was a strong focus on women’s experiences in Defence.

I also told you that you are already ahead in one important area.

You have successfully transitioned out of the military at a relatively young age.

Losing the Military Identity

Lou: Transition is difficult.

I heard Heston explain in an interview that Defence strips away part of your identity when you join and gives you a new one.

The first physical thing you give back when you leave is your Defence identification card.

Robbie: You hand it back.

Metaphorically, it can feel like you are no longer one of the group.

The gate closes, security is standing outside and you can’t simply walk back in.

You have to begin doing something new.

That is a significant transition.

More Women Competing

Robbie: You weren’t here for the first three Veteran Games.

From what I can see, there are probably five times as many women competing this year.

That is wonderful.

Lou: It is so good.

There is a pull-up competition happening behind us, and some of the women are completing more than 20 repetitions.

Robbie: Are they the swinging ones?

Lou: The kipping pull-ups.

Robbie: That is a CrossFit thing, isn’t it?

Pull-ups and I haven’t been friends for a long time.

I had a shoulder replacement years ago.

I have trained it enough that I can mostly function, but I am not doing any pull-ups.

The Purpose of the Day

Robbie: Thank you for joining me.

Throughout the rest of the day, we’re going to speak with more people and ask:

Why did you join the military?

What did you do?

What was your transition like?

What are you doing now?

For those still serving, we’ll ask what comes next.

Hopefully, viewers will meet a wide range of veterans who continue contributing to the community.

It is heartwarming to be here and be part of it.

There is plenty more to come.

Conversation With Heston Russell

Seeing Season 4 Come to Life

Robbie: Welcome back to Axons Unleashed.

I’m joined by the main man himself, Heston Russell.

You were in the Axon office only a few days ago, discussing how you felt about launching Season 4.

We’re now at the halfway point.

What are your first impressions?

Heston: It is good.

There are some anxious and restless nights when you have an idea and are trying to turn it into reality.

We were still setting things up at 11:30 last night.

Now we can see it operating, with the men and women testing themselves on the course.

I’m very happy to be here.

It has become a calmer and more relaxed environment now that the sun is out and the event is running.

Guns and Buns himself is here.

It is a good day.

This is about people coming together with purpose, and that is what we are doing.

Greater Female Participation

Robbie: I attended the Women Beyond Defence lunch yesterday.

There appear to be at least five times as many women competing today compared with the earlier Veteran Games.

It is excellent to see.

Heston: We have an all-female team competing today.

For me, it is about equality of opportunity, not forcing equality of outcome.

It is excellent to see more women coming together and taking part.

Some of the events also allow particular skills to become the equaliser.

We had the shooting targets earlier, and there were excellent shots among both the men and women.

Ability becomes more important than gender or any other distinguishing factor.

Reintroducing Military Skills

Robbie: I was speaking with Blake from Axon’s property specialist team.

He doesn’t have a military background.

We were discussing how difficult it is to shoot accurately after running, when your heart rate is elevated.

I was explaining the four marksmanship principles, and he began asking legitimate questions.

He wanted to know whether you fire at the top or bottom of the breathing cycle.

It was interesting to see a civilian genuinely learning about the skill involved.

Heston: That is one of the parts I love.

In Queensland, some veterans have experienced difficulties obtaining firearms licences when they have a mental health condition recorded on a white card.

The wider firearms discussion can overlook the fact that shooting is a genuine skill.

Mental health is often about being present.

Anxiety can involve focusing on what might happen.

Depression can involve focusing on what has already happened.

Shooting requires breathing, concentration and complete focus on the present moment before squeezing the trigger.

There is a skill to it.

I personally miss that.

The equipment we’re using today comes from the Queensland Rifle Association.

They are optical rifles used for Olympic training.

There is no projectile, bang or laser, but the fundamental marksmanship principles remain.

It is enjoyable to get back on the tools.

Robbie: It is probably the closest we can currently come to including a shooting element in Veteran Games in Australia.

I’m glad we have incorporated something so specific to military experience.

Civilians can visit shooting clubs, but during our military careers, particularly within the roles you and I performed, we were using weapons regularly.

We handled multiple weapon systems across different scenarios and circumstances.

It becomes part of who you are.

A Portable Veteran Games

Robbie: The first three Veteran Games were held at Numinbah Valley, where you had access to established obstacles.

This is different.

You have created a portable, plug-and-play model that could potentially travel across Australia and internationally.

How does it feel to see that concept operating for the first time?

Heston: It feels great to prove the concept.

It began as an idea.

We worked with the team to create drawings for the A-frame, Tarzan swing and other obstacles.

The next step will be applying this model at Sunshine Coast Stadium for the finals on 24 and 25 October.

That creates different challenges because we’ll be using a professional field with irrigation and restrictions around what can be placed on the surface.

Once we prove that model, we can take the event anywhere.

Robbie: I’m incredibly proud of you.

Around five years ago, before the first Veteran Games, you showed me the original slide deck.

You weren’t asking for my approval. You simply wanted my response to the concept.

I was immediately impressed by your ability to plan and visualise the final outcome while everything was still conceptual.

Heston: That comes from our previous work.

Imagine trying to conceptualise eight helicopters, different aircraft tiers, partner forces and everything else involved in a military operation.

This is the kind of work I enjoy.

The difficult part is building a team capable of delivering it.

That is what today is about.

Thank you for being part of it and thank you to the Axon team.

You have prime real estate here beside the water, with Marina Mirage and the water park behind you.

People are walking past and asking what the event is.

Some are saying they will return tomorrow to participate.

That is what it is all about.

Robbie: I only wanted to grab you briefly and capture your first impressions.

I have said it before, but I’m incredibly impressed.

Heston: It takes a village, and you are part of it.

Thank you for helping make it happen.

Robbie: Bring on the afternoon sessions.

I’m sure they will be even better.

Conversation With Katie

Meeting Katie

Robbie: Welcome back to Axons Unleashed.

I’m joined by the amazing Katie.

Full disclosure, we met around two and a half minutes ago.

Katie: Probably less.

Robbie: I know that you are effectively Heston’s right-hand woman for Veteran Games.

Let’s get to know you.

How did you meet Heston?

Katie: I contacted him through Instagram.

Robbie: Everyone slides into his direct messages.

Katie: I saw that he was advertising a role.

I had recently finished working in rugby league and was considering what I wanted to do next.

Robbie: Which team were you working with?

Katie: I worked with the Norths Devils in the Queensland Rugby League.

Through that role, I also worked with the NRL Dolphins and helped deliver game-day events.

It was an excellent experience.

After finishing there, I took some time off to reset and consider my next move.

Joining the Army at 17

Robbie: You are also a veteran.

Take us back to the beginning.

Where did you join, what did you do and how did your separation unfold?

Katie: I joined in 2011.

I originally enlisted as a medic.

While I was at Kapooka, military police became available through direct entry.

I was 17 and decided to go with it.

I transferred into military police and was posted to Darwin, including time in a battalion environment.

Robbie: Had you been to Darwin before?

Katie: No.

I was born in Brisbane but grew up around Tweed Heads and Coolangatta.

Moving from the beach environment there to Darwin was a bit of a shock.

Robbie: Darwin has beaches, but they are not quite the same.

What was the highlight of your Army career?

Katie: The biggest thing was the way I grew as a person.

I joined at a very young age.

When I left school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted purpose and an opportunity to grow.

Going through the military system at 17 was significant.

Before joining, I had been a full-time ballet dancer.

When I told my mother I wanted to join the Army, my family was shocked.

I attended an information session and told them shortly afterwards that I was leaving in February.

It happened very quickly.

Robbie: I’m sure they are proud now.

Katie: They are incredibly proud.

I’m also the only girl in the family, so clearly I am the favourite child.

The military helped me become resilient and independent.

I’m proud that I can look after myself.

Robbie: I could see that confidence when you were walking around earlier.

I didn’t know who you were, but you had the presence of somebody running operations.

I thought you must be Heston’s new operations manager.

Joining Veteran Games

Robbie: You’ve been communicating with Kieran, Axon’s marketing manager, while organising the event.

How has that been?

Katie: It has been excellent.

Kieran communicates extremely well.

Everyone involved with Veteran Games has been fantastic.

I only joined the organisation in February.

I saw the advertisement on Heston’s Instagram, contacted him and had a relaxed conversation over the phone.

It felt more like a natural discussion than a formal interview.

He then offered me the role.

Robbie: Sam previously held the position and did an excellent job.

She didn’t have a military background, but she was incredibly capable.

You seem to combine many of her strengths with your experience as a veteran.

Katie: The transition with Sam was excellent.

I knew I had large shoes to fill because she had done an amazing job.

She is currently enjoying herself in Bali.

I couldn’t adopt her famous pink pants, but I have ordered red ones for next time.

A Career-Ending Injury

Robbie: When did you first begin thinking about leaving the military?

You clearly enjoyed your service, so what happened?

Katie: I sustained a very serious injury.

I eventually had to medically separate, which was not my choice.

I underwent eight operations and almost lost my leg to amputation in 2018.

Thankfully, I kept the leg.

I eventually required a double fusion and had to accept that my military career was ending.

The transition was extremely difficult.

Robbie: How did your family react?

You surprised them by joining at 17, and years later you had to tell them you were leaving.

Katie: I completed 10 years of service.

I’m grateful for the career I had and the experiences it gave me.

My warrant officer gave me advice that I still appreciate.

He said:

“You’ve had a great career and accomplished some excellent things. Don’t try to find somewhere to fit within the military while injured if it means you can no longer progress and grow.”

He knew growth was important to me.

That advice helped soften the impact of leaving.

Robbie: That is excellent advice.

Whoever that warrant officer was had a major impact on your life.

Operations, Recovery and Resilience

Katie: The transition was difficult for around a year, particularly because of the repeated operations and recoveries.

Ultimately, the experience strengthened me.

Robbie: You were still serving while undergoing those operations?

Katie: Yes.

Robbie: That meant moving through an ongoing cycle of surgery, rehabilitation, assessment and then another operation.

That would have been extremely difficult.

There is anxiety before each operation, followed by pain and recovery afterwards.

Then you had to repeat the process.

That would have demanded enormous resilience.

Katie: I would like to say I’m extremely resilient.

Robbie: You can swear. It is my podcast.

Katie: In that case, I’m extremely resilient, and I’m proud of it.

That period was physically and mentally difficult, but I came through it.

Moving into this role now feels like the right place for me.

Finding a New Place in the Veteran Community

Robbie: It feels like a hybrid of your old and new identities.

You have your camouflage trousers on, you’re surrounded by veterans and you’re helping deliver a military-inspired competition.

What does that feel like?

Katie: It feels excellent.

One of the things I have enjoyed most during the lead-up and throughout today is putting faces to names.

I have communicated with so many people through email.

Everyone shares the same belief in what Veteran Games represents and the importance of bringing the community together.

Seeing everyone become involved has been surreal and rewarding.

We can look around and say, “We pulled this together, and it is amazing.”

Doing it under Heston has also been great.

He is incredibly supportive.

Robbie: He is an excellent operator across command, leadership, management and personal relationships.

He sets the example, does difficult things and is simply a good person.

I’m glad you connected.

Katie: He has been incredibly supportive.

We have delivered the weekend together, and if he is happy, I’m happy.

Turning Plans Into Reality

Robbie: Heston was in our podcast studio only a few days ago.

At that point, the event had not rolled out.

He was still visualising how everything would work.

You would also have been in that position throughout the previous weeks.

Now it is operating successfully.

The competitors are struggling, which is exactly what an obstacle course should make them do.

Katie: It has been great watching the teams.

This is my first Veteran Games, so I didn’t know what the earlier events looked like.

I had only seen diagrams and plans.

Watching everything physically appear here has been very satisfying.

I now understand how the course is set up, what it looks like and how the community responds.

Moving forward, I’m eager to continue working, growing the event and improving what we provide.

Working With Sponsors and Vendors

Robbie: What has it been like coordinating the sponsors, suppliers and vendors?

Some are veteran-owned businesses like Axon, while others are civilian organisations supporting the veteran community.

Kieran doesn’t have a military background, but he works inside a veteran business.

Did you get the sense that the Axon team was decisive, organised and genuinely committed to being here?

Katie: Absolutely.

Kieran is going to hear this, so I’ll say that he is doing an amazing job.

Every vendor and sponsor I have spoken with has been passionate about participating.

They are involved because they believe in the cause and want to support the community.

The conversations have been informative and productive.

Everyone asked the right questions because they wanted to provide the best possible experience on the ground.

Continuous Improvement

Robbie: This will all be packed away before you know it, and then you will start planning something bigger and better.

Remember to stop and reflect occasionally.

Every action is like a brick in a wall, but the wall also needs concrete holding those bricks together.

Reflection is that concrete.

Ask yourself:

“What did I do?”

“What result did it create?”

“What didn’t work?”

“What should we change next time?”

Complete that reflection tonight and again during the formal hotwash.

Axon has been operating for nearly 10 years, and I’m still reading new books and asking how we can serve our clients better.

Continuous improvement never stops.

I hope you continue working with Heston for the next 10 years.

That might mean travelling to the United Kingdom and United States as Veteran Games expands.

Katie: That would be nice.

Robbie: It was excellent speaking with you.

Thank you for joining us.

Let’s see what the afternoon brings.