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“If we want a higher performance, we need a higher purpose"

 

– Heston Russell

Heston's STORY

Heston has already accomplished more adventures and achievements than most may live to experience. His life has required him to constantly push past his own perceived limitations and all the labels that society has tried to apply. Serving with some of the most magnificent military fighting forces of our time has required him to lead by example and learn just how far the human body, head and heart can truly be tested.

 

Heston struggled with his identity outside of the military. He experienced mental health issues including suicidal ideation and has made it his mission to break down the stigmas surrounding these issues by fiercely advocating for physical & mental health initiatives and continuing to speak out about his own experiences. His impact has been felt all over the world, helping others to find purpose in their darkest times.

 

Living by a daily-renewable contract, and abiding by his core values help to keep Heston on track, so he can continue to serve the community and stand up for what he believes in.

 

Heston's Values: Responsibility - Authenticity - Integrity - Leadership - Service (the RAILS)

current campaigns

achievements

My journey so far

Military Career

Highlights Include:

  • Peacekeeping Operations in Timor-Leste
  • Four Combat Operational Deployments to Afghanistan and the Middle East.
  • Multiple Domestic Counter Terrorism operations within Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region.
  • Serving as Commando Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer and Adjutant, within the 2nd Commando Regiment.
  • A year-long exchange within the United States Special Operations Command.
  • Officer Commanding of the Commando and Support Staff Selection and Training continuum at the Special Forces Training Centre.
  • Serving in Iraq as the Special Operations Joint Lead Planner within the Special Operations Joint Task Force.
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building barry's australia & singapore

In 2015 I was posted on exchange to the USA Special Forces for a year. Within the first month of my arrival I linked up with some friends in LA and took my first Barry’s Bootcamp class at the West Hollywood Studio - what I was to learn was the OG Barry’s studio opened in 1998. That Barry’s class was actually the first time I had sprinted since snapping my Patella Tendon in March 2014, and it’s safe to say that I was very impressed with the Barry’s concept and culture - the committed and likeminded people that it brought together in and out of the Red Room.

voice of a veteran

In 2020 Heston founded Voice Of A Veteran, a platform to better support the modern Veteran community, instigating action and promoting changes within the government systems designed to support Veterans. A key focus of Heston's work is to help the wider Australian community better understand the value of Veterans and common issues transitioning to civilian life.

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Veteran Support Force

In 2021 Heston founded the ACNC registered charity organisation Veteran Support Force. VSF's mission is to support and create positive, long term, and measurable impact on the lives of all current and future Veterans, and the people around them, throughout the conduct of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

AVP

After gaining unique access and insights into so many areas of Government politics and departmental bureaucracy, Heston decided to form the Australian Values Party (AVP) and run for the Senate in the 2022 Federal election - with the purpose to bring back balance, accountability and leadership into Australian politics.

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Election scam exposed

In the lead up to the 2022 Victorian State Election - Heston helped expose a long running 'seats for sale' scam within the Victorian electoral system. Heston & Chris Burson conducted a sting operation to catch the so called 'preference-whisperer' in action trying to negotiate the selling of voter preferences as a system to guarantee a seat within the Upper House of Victoria's Parliament.

The Veteran Games is a proactive health initiative designed to address key findings from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and key failings within the existing Veteran support systems. After nearly two years of planning and development, Heston founded the Veteran Games in 2023 as a Charity event through Veteran Support Force. The testimonials from our competitors, sponsors, volunteers and family members in attendance were overwhelming, and reinforced the need for the Veteran Games to become an annual event in the contemporary Veteran calendar.

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heston sued the abc - and won

After the ABC published false and defamatory articles calling Heston and his Platoon war criminals, he launched a campaign to hold them accountable for their lies. In October 2023, the Federal Court ruled against the ABC, and two of its journalists, awarding victory to Heston in the first every Public Interest Defamation Trial in Australia's history.

author

Heston has a passion for creating children's books with his sausage dog son, Copper - check them out.

book 1

Heston's Highlights

kochie

5 things we can learn from a retired Special Forces Major about mental fitness

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Risky Business – Mens Health Magazine

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Becoming A Voice for Veterans – Penthouse Magazine

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Reflecting on the ANZACs, in the Australia of today

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The Battlefield Back Home

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Moral Injury

testimonials

what people are saying

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