There is nothing worse for a sports enthusiast than wanting to play a sport but being unable to do so because of a physical injury.
That was the dilemma Daniel King, from Sydney, faced after experiencing a number of service-related musculoskeletal injuries and plantar fasciitis in both feet.
Since becoming part of Team Australia's Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 team, the former Royal Australian Armoured Corps soldier has discovered a love for cycling and power lifting and a renewed interest in swimming.
"I've always been a swimmer but have never swum competitively. For me it was just for fitness," Daniel said.
"Now I've joined the Penrith Masters Swimming Club and two weeks before we came here I competed at an event and really enjoyed it. I'm already booked into the NSW Short Course Championships following the Games."
Daniel thought cycling was never for him even when he finished at the bottom during selection weekend, but his first team cycling camp blew him away.
"I loved it. The second cycling camp was as good, if not better, than the first and now I've joined the Penrith Cycling Club, bought a bike and all the gear. I really like the cycling community," Daniel said.
"As for powerlifting, my exercise physiologist has put me into power lifting competitions and I'm finding I am really enjoying being involved in that community as well.
"As it has turned out, the three sports I'm participating in at Invictus Games are sports I love, and will continue doing long after this experience has ended.
"What this has taught me is that you have to keep your options open and be willing to try new things; that's the point of it. I did, and I'm better off for it now."
While Daniel's positivity is largely due to his inner strength and resilience, he admits he has been encouraged by some key people in his life, including his Officer Commanding at 2 Commando at Holsworthy, Major Erin Archibald, and rehabilitation coordinator Giselle Elfman.
Both supported his expression of interest to participate in the Invictus Games as well as other rehabilitation programs, such as the Australian Defence Force Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills Program, which supports rehabilitation through art.
"This is the best fun I've had. I've loved it and it's just going to keep getting better. I've already got the other things I'm going to do after this in terms of sport and that's all because of this, so I've got everything I wanted to get from this already," Daniel said.
"For me, though, the best thing to come out of all of this is the change in my son.
"He's 11 and I've been away a lot for most of his life but you could say this trip has helped us build a different relationship.
"He has come out of his shell. We are seeing a side of him we have never seen before in public. I am so proud of him. It's unbelievable."
