00:02A show of endurance among the veteran community. Shane Bramley is pushing his limits.
00:08Yeah, it's okay, it's holding up so far.
00:10After a 27 year career in defence, he lives with a list of physical afflictions, musculoskeletal injuries, nerve damage, fibromyalgia
00:20and more.
00:21The injuries definitely limited career progression and took me away from participating in sport and being generally active.
00:29There were mental challenges too.
00:31I think one of the biggest challenges that I faced was just finding what my identity was or redefining what
00:42that was.
00:43A new research project, dubbed Viper 3, is aiming to improve wellbeing, physical and mental.
00:50So trying to reinforce those routines and the discipline that they had in the military into their civilian life,
00:55just to keep them physically active for the health benefits that that provides.
00:59According to research data, around 60% of veterans have a long-term medical condition.
01:05Each year, around 5,500 servicemen and women leave the Australian Defence Force.
01:10Of those, 18% are medically discharged.
01:13It is a certain end of an identity and a sense of purpose as well.
01:20So they have to give this all up without much notice.
01:24There's a lot of uncertainty about what they can and can't do with their injuries or whether they can train.
01:29And that uncertainty can lead to inaction.
01:31Mindfulness has proved an important part of the program.
01:34More smiles on the face and also more interactive.
01:40After practicing a couple of weeks, then they start to share.
01:44For Shane, it's about leading the best life possible.
01:47Do you care for yourself so that you're more ready and be better for your family and your friends around
01:53you.
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