Lancefield ex-local Torben Louwen-Skovdam’s Invictus journey started with a simple conversation with an old mate and colleague.
Little did he know that he would eventually muster up the courage to submit an Expression of Interest for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025—an international adaptive multi-sport competition for former and current serving military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or become ill during their military service.
The 40 year old joined the Australian Army in 2008 after completing an Aquaculture degree at the University of Tasmania, where, coincidentally, he also met his wife, Renee.
A distinguished 16-year career punctuated with rewarding postings, operational assignments, and overseas deployments followed. However, a mental health breakdown in 2022—precipitated by undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder—led to increasingly intense anxiety attacks, increased alcohol intake, episodes of depression and suicidal ideation, and his subsequent medical discharge in July 2024.
“I grew up playing team sports—cricket, AFL, basketball—and I continued to play cricket and AFL throughout most of my military career,” Mr Louwen-Skovdam said.
“After my deployment to Sudan, I found myself withdrawing from my AFL club in Darwin. I’d rock up, play the game, and then I’d be straight out of there.
“I just wanted to be by myself and in my own head, so I took up distance running.”
The father of four quickly committed to the Singapore Marathon in December 2018, using it as an excuse not to return to footy, ultimately a social avoidance strategy.
“I’d convinced myself that it was a really great thing to have … for my mental health, but in the background, a lot of things were building up and up and up … and then things just imploded,” he said.
“I reached out for some initial help through Open Arms and I guess that’s where my recovery journey began.
“Learning that Invictus is about helping people with their recovery journey through sport was extremely appealing, and the more I read stories of previous participants and the value they got from the experience, the more I realised how much I really, really wanted to do this.”
With no marathons or running activities of any kind on the Canadian Invictus program, Mr Louwen-Skovdam’s focus turned to wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, swimming, and biathlon—but it was his connection with wheelchair basketball that outshone all others.
Now a much-valued member of the Townsville SunCity Wheelers, Mr Louwen-Skovdam acknowledged that being a part of Team Australia had significantly assisted both his transition to civilian life and his rehabilitation.
“I needed the short-term fitness goal to support my physical rehabilitation, but also needed the purpose as I adjust to life outside defence,” Mr Louwen-Skovdam said.
“What I’m particularly enjoying about the Invictus experience so far is being part of that team environment I grew up with. It’s really awesome having that connection with people again, feeling you’re part of a group, part of something bigger.
“What I can’t wait for, is that point when we all get home and we’re just sitting back as a family and reflecting together on not only how far I’ve come in terms of my recovery, but how as a family we’ve moved forward, reconnecting and supporting one another again.
“My family has played a critical role in my recovery. Without them, I might not be here now.”
The Invictus Games will be held from February 8–16.
