15 January 2025
Torben Louwen-Skovdam’s Invictus journey started with a simple conversation with an old mate and colleague.
Little did he know that he would eventually muster up the courage to submit an expression of interest for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 and give his life much-needed purpose.
The 40-year-old joined the Australian Army in 2008 after completing an Aquaculture degree at the University of Tasmania, where, coincidentally, he also met his wife, Renee.
Growing up in Lancefield in the Victorian Macedon Ranges, Torben and his two older brothers enjoyed an active outdoor lifestyle, exploring the bush and enthusiastically participating in Cubs, Scouts and Army Cadets, so his decision to enlist was perhaps not that surprising.
'What I’m particularly enjoying about the Invictus experience so far is being part of that team environment I grew up with.'
A distinguished 16-year career punctuated with rewarding postings, operational assignments and overseas deployments followed. However, a mental health breakdown in 2022 – precipitated by undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder – led to increasingly intense anxiety attacks, increased alcohol intake, episodes of depression and suicidal ideation, and his subsequent medical discharge in July 2024.
“I grew up playing team sports – cricket, AFL, basketball – and I continued to play cricket and AFL throughout most of my military career,” said the father of James (15), Luke (14), Sophie (13) and Emily (12).
“After my deployment to Sudan, I found myself withdrawing from my AFL club in Darwin. I’d rock up, play the game and then I'd be straight out of there.
“I just wanted to be by myself and in my own head, so, I took up distance running.”
Committing to the Singapore Marathon in December 2018 meant he had an excuse not to return for the next footy season. That social avoidance continued for a number of years.
“I’d convinced myself that it was a really great thing to have that (running) release for my mental health but, in the background, a lot of things were building up and up and up … and then things just imploded,” Torben said.
“I reached out for some initial help through Open Arms and I guess that’s where my recovery journey began.
“Learning that Invictus is about helping people with their recovery journey through sport was extremely appealing and the more I read stories of previous participants and the value they got from the experience, the more I realised how much I really, really wanted to do this.”
With no marathons or running activities of any kind on the Canadian Invictus program, Torben’s focus is on wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, swimming and biathlon.
Of all the sports, the connection he made with wheelchair basketball was immediate. To his psychologist’s astonishment, a few months ago, out-of-the-blue, he rocked up to a Townsville SunCity Wheelers training session, introduced himself and now joins them for weekly training and a scratch match.
'I needed the short-term fitness goal to support my physical rehabilitation, but also needed the purpose as I adjust to life outside Defence.'
Torben clearly understands his recovery journey is not yet over, but acknowledges that being a part of Team Australia is helping his transition to civilian life as much as it is contributing to his rehabilitation.
“I needed the short-term fitness goal to support my physical rehabilitation, but also needed the purpose as I adjust to life outside Defence,” Torben said.
“What I’m particularly enjoying about the Invictus experience so far is being part of that team environment I grew up with. It's really awesome having that connection with people again; feeling you’re part of a group, part of something bigger.
“What I can’t wait for is that point when we all get home and we’re just sitting back as a family and reflecting together on not only how far I’ve come in terms of my recovery, but how as a family we've moved forward, reconnecting and supporting one another again.
“My family has played a critical role in my recovery. Without them, I might not be here now."
The international adaptive multi-sport competition for former and current serving military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill during their service will be held from February 6 to 18.
