Sean O'Loughlin is a former Army infantry soldier who deployed to East Timor and later Afghanistan where contributed to Australian forces mentoring of the Afghan National Army. After leaving Army Sean completed a degree in paramedicine at Charles Sturt University. During his studies Sean teamed with fellow veterans to provide paramedic services at motor racing events in rural NSW and later throughout the country, and following increasing demand for his services Emergency Australia was born in 2013. Sean's company now provides training to emergency medical practitioners and remote paramedics, including in his Brisbane high fidelity simulation center. Sean was recognised in Prime Minister's Veterans Awards as Small Business of The Year 2020.
In this episode Sean discusses his passion for mentoring and training cultivated during his Army career, pursuing an interest in paramedicine through full time university studies, and combining these and his perspectives from his military experience to incrementally grow Emergency Australia into its current form.
We also discuss the media portrayal of the 'broken veteran' narrative, adjusting to life after service, devoting time and energy to self care and keeping an active eye on mental health, and the sense of purpose through joining in humanitarian assistance efforts during the Syrian refugee crisis.
