True Blue Conversations - Paul 'Warlord' Warren

True Blue Conversations Podcast

In this week’s conversation Adam is joined by former Australian Muay Thai kick-boxing champion and Aussie soldier, Paul 'Warlord' Waaaaaarrrrrrennnnn!

Paul is no stranger to the physically punishing world of martial arts at its highest level and the demands of being a soldier. But nothing could prepare him for the violence and brutality of the fight he found himself in barely a month after arriving in Afghanistan in July 2009. A fight that saw the death of his mate; Private Ben Ranaudo.

Thanks to the quick-thinking of his battalion-mates and the wonders of modern battlefield medical evacuations, Paul Warren's life was saved with a quick trip in a helicopter that saw him in surgery within 16 minutes.

During the conversation with Adam, Paul shares about the many dark times grappling with the shattering effects of PTSD, and the hammer-like blows of guilt and grief over the death of his mate, Benny.

At his lowest, Paul thought about ‘tapping out’, like many other soldiers in similar circumstances and describes his road to recovery as a desperately painful process. However, sustained by the love for his kids, and through self-discipline, sheer mental will, and physical toughness often displayed in the ring, Paul is winning the fight.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Paul Warren

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway