Sport has served as a source of joy and personal growth throughout Jo Lovell’s life, and has challenged her during critical periods.
It has also provided her with the encouragement and self-belief to move forward.
“Sport has been life-changing for me; enabled me to get going again and do something for myself, even when it would have been easier to make excuses,” Ms Lovell said.
“To that end, it’s been vital for my rehabilitation on so many levels, feeding my determination and contributing to my physical, mental and emotional resilience.”
Sport has also brought Ms Lovell back into a team environment for the 2024 Warrior Games, for which she is very grateful.
Initially joining the Navy in 1999 as a communications information systems sailor, she spent the last 10 years of her service as a photographer. She discharged in 2016 after experiencing mental struggles following two helicopter incidents as well as shoulder injuries throughout her career.
“Like many who have served, I have a strong connection to the military,” Ms Lovell said.
“You join because you feel the need to serve and give back, but what you find is an immediate connection with others who feel the same way.”
Ms Lovell currently lives in Stanley in north-west Tasmania and continues to give back to her local community through her work with the Veterans’ and Families’ Centre and as a veteran advocate volunteer.
“Being part of this experience, I have rediscovered the sense of camaraderie I have missed since leaving the service,” she said.
“You come together as complete strangers, yet you quickly embrace people because they’ve gone through a similar journey.”
With a sporting background that ranges from basketball and rugby union to sprint triathlons and ice-skating, Ms Lovell is enjoying participating in athletics, archery, cycling and swimming events at the Warrior Games in Florida, which runs until June 30.
While she was looking forward to taking on US teams in the annual adaptive sporting event, her primary motivation for participating was to set a positive example for her nine-year-old son, Jack.
“Jack pushes me in the same way that I push and encourage him. He’s an inspiration to me, as is my husband, Jason,” Ms Lovell said.
“I’ve talked to my son a lot about giving things a go, no matter how hard they may be. I just felt it was time to walk the walk.
“My son has had a tough time with my physical and mental health journey – he turned around and saw me on the ground after I fell five metres in a rock-climbing incident – so this is a journey not only for me, but also for him, my family and my friends, who have walked beside me, supporting me every step of the way.”
The Warrior Games celebrate the physical skills and mental toughness of wounded, injured and ill serving and former-serving members from the US military and Australia, and supports rehabilitation and recovery through sport.
