#23. Soldier to Civilian: Finding His Passion, Purpose & Identity - Heston Russell

Heston Russell is a retired Special Forces Major and decorated combat Veteran who has dedicated his life to serving his country and the wider Veteran community. He joined the Australian Army at the age of 17 as a fifth generation Army Veteran following in the footsteps of his father Mark who served for over twenty years in the Australian Army. While at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Heston completed a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales majoring in History & Indonesian.

 

After 16 years of serving in the military - where he lead elite, high performance teams and completed over 100 combat missions with the Special Forces - he found his true purpose defending and protecting those who were innocent. And taking the fight to those who were not. 

 

Transitioning back to civilian life was challenging to say the least. In August 2020, feeling irrelevant and isolated, he almost gave up on life. In that harrowing moment, he realised the person truly holding him back was himself.

 

Since then, he's been on a mission to use his experience as a leader and his love for his country to solve real world problems and empower people to achieve their full potential. 

 

In this episode, Heston shares his reflections, thoughts and views on military life, on transitioning back into civilian life and what he's learnt through the rollercoaster journey. 

 

Connect with Heston Russell:

Instagram - @hestonrussell

Website - www.hestonrussell.com

Veteran Support Force - www.vsf.org.au

Veteran Games - www.veterangames.com/ 

 

Disclaimer: This podcast episode covers sensitive topics such as suicide and reflections of a veteran. While we approach these subjects with care, they may be triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know needs help, please seek professional assistance. The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests. Listener discretion is advised.

 

If you're experiencing distress or need help, I encourage you to make contact with a number of organisations that are listed below. If it's an emergency, call 000.

Open Arms Veteran & Families 24/7 Support: 1800 011 046

Salvation Army Veteran Support: 0486 002 535

Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800

DV Connect: 1800 811 811

TIACS: 0488 846 988

DV Men's Line: 1800 600 686