KARNEY ARMSTRONG

Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 Competitor

ADF service: I joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2007 as a linguist before becoming a medic. I was medically discharged in 2018.
I deployed numerous times onboard ships.

Current occupation: I am completing Yoga Teacher Training and Trauma Sensitive Yoga Teacher Training. I am passionate about what yoga and meditation can provide as I have found both to be life changing for my physical and mental health. My goal is to teach veterans, first responders and their children.

Age: 35

Home town: My parents were in the army, so I lived in many locations including Ingleburn, Wodonga, Watsonia, Swanbourne and Nowra.

Current town: Baldivis, Western Australia

Competing in: Archery, athletics and table tennis

What is the nature of your injury or illness? I have bilateral hip injuries and Post Traumatic Stress from my service.

What role has sport played in your rehabilitation?
Training for the Invictus Games has helped my rehabilitation by getting me up and out of my house, as I tend to struggle with getting out and socialising with others.

Sport background: I played netball at a representative level when I was living in Wodonga, Victoria and A grade for most of my high school years.

What is your greatest achievement to date?
My two boys, Hadley and Spencer. They remind me what is important in life and everyday make me want to be a better version of myself.

Why did you apply for Invictus Games?
I first applied for the Invictus Games in 2017 after having a conversation with a patient of mine who had previously represented Australia at the games. Although I am now out of the navy, after four years of applying I have made the team to hopefully show others the healing power of sport. Another reason I applied was to teach and show my boys that it doesn’t matter what happens to you in life; you may have a ‘special brain’ like mummy or you might have only one leg, if you think positive and believe you can achieve whatever it is you wish to achieve, you will! I have absolutely loved having my boys grow up with positive role models who they have met through my Invictus Games journey.

What will success look like for you at the Games? Success will be standing on the athletics track wearing the Australian uniform with my dad and sons watching. This represents years of rehabilitation for both my hips, not to mention the mental strength it has taken to get me back running.

What does unconquered mean to you? Unconquered means never giving up on yourself and pushing yourself through all life’s challenges as they present themselves.