Chelsie TAYLER clayton
Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Competitor
ADF service: I enlisted in the Australian Army in 2016 as a Medic, and also served in Operator Movements towards the end of my career. I was discharged medically in November 2022. I did some natural disaster deployments, such as Bushfire Assist and Covid-19 Assist, and helped with natural disasters in Fiji, Philippines and Papua New Guinea.
Other information: I am currently an Assistant in Nursing at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Brisbane. My mother is Michele, father is Nathan and I have a younger sister, Billie. My nickname is Chookie.
Age: 28
Hometown: Brisbane, QLD
Current town: Brisbane, QLD
Competing in: Sitting volleyball, snowboarding and swimming.
What is the nature of your injury or illness? I was diagnosed with bipolar type 2 in 2019, which led to me be medically discharged in 2022. I also have a SLAP tear and arthritis in my left shoulder.
Sport background: I’ve been swimming since I was 2-years-old, started competing at 8-years-old and never stopped swimming. I trained 10 times a week for 12 years while I was in school and loved it. When I was competing, I would be at the pool all weekend. I also play water polo now and really enjoy playing in a team sport again. My greatest sporting achievement is being selected to represent Queensland in swimming and water polo for multiple years.
What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Sport has always been a huge part of my life - I have never not been in a water polo team, swimming or participating in any other sport I could give a go. Sport helps me clear my mind and lets me forget about my own mental health for a moment. It gets me up and out of the house on my worse days sometimes.
How did you feel when you were told you made the Invictus Games team? I was so honoured to be able to represent Team Australia again after competing in Warrior Games 2024 and hope I can do my family, country and teammates proud. I have a lot of performance anxiety that I must push through, but am excited to meet and compete against the other countries in IG25.
What is your greatest achievement to date? How far I have come in my recovery journey. It still isn’t over, but I am very proud of where I am now compared to where I was.
Why did you apply for Invictus Games? To prove to myself and my family and friends that I am capable, strong and resilient enough to do it.
What will ‘winning’ look like for you at the Games? Seeing family watch me at the Games and seeing my teammates cheering me on.
Who is supporting you at the Games? My mother, Michele, and father, Nathan
