Flight Lieutenant Ryan Mostyn

DoD Warrior Games 2024 Team Australia Competitor

ADF service: I joined the Royal Australian Air Force as a Firefighter in August 2009. I was posted to Williamtown before relocating to Canberra with the Federation Guard in 2015, where I was fortunate to visit Villers-Bretonneux and Gallipoli for ANZAC Day. In September 2018 I commissioned and became an Environmental Health Officer and was posted to Amberley where I worked on Operation Flood Assist in Lismore and Moree in 2022. I am currently posted to the No. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron Detachment in Richmond.
 
Other information: I am learning Spanish and can speak a basic Tagalog. Mymother and two brothers live in Queensland and my partner’s name is Cielo. I am studying a Post Graduate Diploma at the University of New South Wales in Psychology.

Age: 33

Hometown: Gladstone, Queensland  

Current town: The Ponds, Sydney, New South Wales

Competing in: Athletics, shooting and sitting volleyball

What is the nature of your injury or illness? I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in March 2023. Initial symptoms started in September 2022 and included a headache for five to six weeks, eyelid twitches and sometimes I had tingling in my hands and feet. Overall, I had a general sense of feeling unwell which was hard to explain at the time.

Sport background: I have always enjoyed running growing up but never ran too far, mostly five kilometres. Upon my diagnosis I decided to train and run in the Sydney City to Surf 14-kilometre event in 2023. My time was one hour and nine minutes.

What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? It’s played a positive role on my mental and physical health. I chose to get fitter during my diagnosis knowing I would now have to take my health more seriously. Getting selected for Warrior Games will bring a sense of belonging with others going through their own health battles. 
 
How did you feel when you were told you made the Warrior Games team? I felt thrilled to be selected for the Warrior Games team.
 
What is your greatest achievement to date? Running the 14 kilometres last year was a pretty big achievement. Also, I love to travel and have been to 30 countries. The United States for Warrior Games will be country number 31 for me.
 
Why did you apply for Warrior Games? I have a work colleague who encouraged me to do it. She said it would be good for me and would be an amazing opportunity if I got selected.
 
What will “winning” look like for you at the Games? For me, it isn’t about coming first, but my competitive nature will come out in the sprints, 800 and 1500 metre races. I would like to believe getting selected and attending with a great bunch of people is already a win.

Who is supporting you at the Games? My mum at home; my partner may also be coming on the trip. I have a friend in the United States who I would like to meet. We have been pen pals and never physically met, but have consistently remained in touch for over 20 years.