Aussie Olympics star Jana Pittman reveals family struggle that inspired her to join Army Reserves

Star Aussie Olympian Jana Pittman has revealed that her brother’s harrowing experiences fighting in Afghanistan inspired her to join the Army Reserves.

It’s quite an addition to a resume that already includes four Commonwealth Games gold medals, represented the country at both the Summer and Winter Olympics, appeared on reality show SAS Australia, and became a doctor while raising six children.

But that’s the strength of the bond with her brother Ryan, she added the Australian Defense Force to the list.

With only one interview left before she signs on, Pittman has revealed that Ryan — who was a captain in the military and served for more than seven years — suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after leaving the military.

She cared for her brother as he returned to civilian life, and said the harrowing experience he had gone through — coming out the other side — had inspired her.

“He (Ryan) had a really hard time when he came back (from Afghanistan),” Pittman recalled 3AW.

“Ever since childhood he always wanted to be a soldier, he played with little army men in our backyard and there was never any career he wanted to do other than join the armed forces.

“He committed to that time abroad and when he came back it was a very difficult transition to civilian life.

“These guys see things that our guys and women aren’t supposed to see, it’s hard to be there.

“I’m sure our defense prepares them the best they can, but these guys see it firsthand and they’re often quite young when they’re exposed to it.”

Pittman, 40, lives in Sydney with her husband and six children, and said at one point she had to take care of her brother, whom she calls her “hero,” as he struggled with his PTSD and mental health.

In the wake of ANZAC Day, it is a sobering reminder of what our military and women go through to protect us, our country and other people around the world.

“He’s one of my heroes in life. I’ve always really looked up to my beautiful brother, but there was definitely a time when his mental health was really struggling,” Pittman said.

“He had to stop working, he moved in with me for a few months, and we really had to fight and focus on trying to make him better and put him through rehab to come out the other side.

“I’m not going to lie, it was damn hard to watch it, to see someone you love so much really struggle when he’s done so much for his country.”

Pittman, who has endured quite a bit of heartbreak throughout her high-profile running career, was at pains to point out that many of the tragedies she and other Aussies endure pale to insignificance compared to some of the things Ryan and his comrades do in the armed struggle. endure forces.

The four-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist said she told Ryan when he was at his lowest point it was ‘okay to break’ but admitted it’s ingrained in many Aussies, particularly males, not to to do.

“They (military and women) come back to Australia, which is a pretty positive country, and they see things that we complain about and deal with on a daily basis and that can be quite difficult,” Pittman said.

“He didn’t feel like he could do that (pause). I think he felt like he almost needed permission to do that, which I know is a common theme for many of our veterans.

“He’d always been there for me…in the past I’ve been through very trivial heartbreaks by comparison, like losing the Olympics and things like that, and he’d always stood by me and been my confidant.

“When something falls apart in my life, he’s the man I turn to. It was a privilege to walk with him for those two years, that change and that journey.”

As for why she would be inspired to join the military after all that, Pittman said that now that Ryan had come to the other side, he talks “so lovingly” about a lot of his experiences and the friends he has made.

“Like my brother, I have always wanted to serve my country and be part of something special. I like the camaraderie of the armed forces,” she said.

“Of course I would go as a medical professional… to help with mental and physical aspects of serving your country.

It clearly runs in the family.

Pittman revealed that her son, who is 16, also wanted to follow in his uncle’s footsteps.

“My eldest son is considering joining the military or becoming a police officer… he wants to serve his community – and God, I’d be a proud mom if he chose to.”

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