Celebrating an Invictus champion

All images courtesy of Defence Australia. 

A soaring career 

Caloundra RSL Sub Branch member Adam Jackson grew up in Toowoomba and joined the Australian Army in 2006. He picked up a trade as an avionics technician, initially working on Black Hawks before moving on to Chinook CH-47s. 

Adam Jackson in Afghanistan in 2012 

“I spent five years with the Chinooks and had two tours to Afghanistan [working on them],” Adam says.  

“It was a beautiful aircraft, and I totally enjoyed my time with them. I loved it and miss it every day.” Following his second deployment and the birth of his youngest daughter, Adam transitioned into a Defence recruitment role. In 2018 he separated from the regular Army and transferred to the Army Reserves. From there, he worked for the RAAF-owned Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) before experiencing a life-altering medical emergency in March 2020. 

“I was working fly-in-fly-out when I had my stroke. I was at home at the time. I was completely paralysed down my right-hand side. My wife called the ambulance and from there I spent two months in hospital, where I had to learn to eat, walk, talk, spell and write again,” he recalls. 

The stroke left Adam with deficiencies down the right side of his body, including a non-functional right hand, forcing him to medically retire from his Defence career and start a years-long rehabilitation journey.  

The road to recovery 

While in hospital, Adam started an intensive rehabilitation regimen requiring hours of daily physical therapy. Throughout this difficult period, he drew strength and motivation from both the support of his family and a lifelong passion for sport.  

“I’ve always been a fit, sporty person and when I had my stroke, I think that helped me recover quicker because it was easier for me to make the re-connection with my bigger muscles,” Adam explains. 

Competing at the Invictus Games in Canada

“If I stop for a week and don’t do anything with my right side, my muscles start deteriorating, so I have to do physical activity to keep them strong, keep me alert and keep me walking. It’s a necessity.” 

To keep up his strength and further aid his recovery, Adam immersed himself in multiple adaptive sports after leaving hospital. He’s now an avid fan of indoor rowing, recumbent cycling, sitting volleyball, archery, Nordic skiing, CrossFit, HYROX and swimming.  

“I don’t fear much, and I push through because I’ve already experienced the hardest time of my life, so I know what I can come back from. You just need to put in the effort,” he says. 

“For me, it’s just about training, practice, getting experience and finding sports that you gel with and enjoy.” 

Sharing the Invictus spirit 

Armed with a positive attitude and eager to test his limits, Adam quickly attained semi-elite status in several of his chosen sports. Years of hard work and determination eventually led him to represent Invictus Australia at the 2024 Warrior Games and 2025 Invictus Games. 

“I was at that stage where I had spent nearly four years training for just myself and my family, so I wanted something to train for and see if I could get to that next level of sporting,” Adam explains. 

“Invictus Australia is there to help current and former serving Defence members use sport as a rehabilitation tool and reintegrate back into their community. They’re using sport to heal people, whoever needs it the most. To be part of something like that is special.”  

Adam with his family at the Invictus Games

For the Invictus Games, Adam undertook extensive online and in-person training under a team of dedicated coaches, allied health professionals and support staff. He flew to Vancouver, Canada with his wife and two daughters in February to compete in indoor rowing, Nordic skiing, sitting volleyball and swimming events. 

“It was like going to a football match; you’ve got all these people cheering you on. It takes your breath away because everyone’s there to support everyone,” he reflects.  

“While you’re playing the sports you’re competitors, and once the game is done, you’re friends.”  

While Adam won two gold medals and beat his own Australian record for indoor rowing at the Games, he says that these accolades come second place to the experience of competing and making his family proud. 

“The beauty about the Warrior and Invictus Games is that it’s not just about the competitors, but the family’s journey as well. Everyone I saw compete gave it their all and more to represent their country and the teammates, friends and family who came on this massive journey with them,” he says.  

“It was surreal to see my family go all the way to watch me compete. It’s humbling and I’m so grateful to have those experiences.” 

Pushing even further 

After his success at the 2025 Invictus Games, Adam has no plans to slow down. In the months since returning to Australia, he has competed in the HYROX Brisbane race, placed 18th worldwide in the CrossFit Adaptive Open, and is now preparing for HYROX World Championships, followed by the 2025 Australian Masters in Canberra.

Team Australia

“I’ve trained six days a week, some days twice a day because I love it. It’s hard sometimes, but it’s the only way you’re going to get better and exceed in these sports,” he says. 

For those looking to get started in their own sporting journey, Adam has some advice. 

“I’ve had some pretty dark days, but you’ve got to keep going. You’ve got to keep moving. You’ve got to keep striving to be the best version of yourself for you and whoever’s there for you.” 

Keen to get active?  

RSL Rec Connect and RSL Peer-Led Programs offer a range of ways for veterans and their families to get active and social.