Kick-start your fitness regime with this inspirational story

By MiNDFOOD

Britain's Prince Harry speaks to members of the Australian Defence Force during a reception celebrating the forthcoming Invictus Games Sydney 2018. Alastair Grant/Pool via Reuters
Britain's Prince Harry speaks to members of the Australian Defence Force during a reception celebrating the forthcoming Invictus Games Sydney 2018. Alastair Grant/Pool via Reuters

Injured Australian Army member, Jarrod Kent, overcomes his debilitating injuries by using exercise and the Invictus Games as his inspiration. He hopes to inspire your fitness goals too.

‘Invictus’ means ‘Unconquered’ – and for good reason. The Invictus Games is the pinnacle of human beings who defy why something can be done rather than looking for excuses as to why not.

The international sporting competition provides an opportunity for injured and ill servicemen and women to harness the rehabilitative benefits of sports. The Games were created in 2014 by Prince Harry, who was inspired after he attended a similar event for wounded veterans in the United States a year earlier.

In 2018, Sydney will be host to these inspirational games from October 20-27. There will be 500 competitors from 18 countries, including 72 Australian participants. Inspirational, Jarrod Kent, is one of the Aussies taking part.

34-year-old Tasmanian man, Kent, joined the Australian Army in 2010 and spent seven years serving in the Infantry, 6th Battalion Royal Australian regiment. He was deployed to East Timor and spent time in the Infantry Quick Reaction Force. In late 2015, while training for the Special Forces, he was badly injured resulting in ten surgeries in 14 months. As a result, he was medically discharged in 2017.

The injuries he sustained include: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), lower back injury, shoulder injuries, knee injuries and he almost lost his left leg following a golden staph infection.

Kent says sport has been key to his rehabilitation and is the catalyst for turning his life around.

Having had to fight for his own life, as well as save lives, he knows firsthand how important life really is. Applying for the Invictus Games has given him something to strive for, something to look forward to, higher goals and a higher purpose. He also says that it’s a chance to use exercise to inspire others to follow in his footsteps.

Be inspired

Unless you have good habits in place when it comes to diet and exercise, finding an excuse why not to exercise or eat well is all too easy, especially when you have no one but yourself to keep you accountable. What better way than to use the upcoming Invictus Games as inspiration and motivation.

Kent suggests enlisting the help of a fitness coach, dietitian or nutritionist to help you kick-start your health and fitness regime or to help keep you on track. Seeking the advice of a qualified health and fitness professional will set you up for success and instill healthy habits that are sustainable.

He says, successful people don’t reach their goals without the right mentors and supportive team backing them all the way.

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