Meet Joel, Senior Consultant and Invictus Games Australian Team Member

When Joel is not working as a Technology Enablement Business Analyst or spending time with his young family, you can find him shooting hoops or arrows in preparation for the Invictus Games, kicking off on the 16th of April in The Hague, Netherlands. After four years of service in the Royal Australian Navy, a 2011 motorcycle accident that resulted in T6 complete paraplegia changed Joel’s life. He went through a long, demanding recovery which taught him a lot about resilience and setting goals. We caught up with Joel ahead of the Invictus Games.

What does being a part of the Invictus Games mean to you?

Being part of the Invictus Games means a lot of things to me, most of all, I am proud to have been selected to represent Australia and the veteran community. The Invictus Games showcases the power of sport for recovery and mental wellbeing, it enhances the sense of community and human connection. Every competitor is working towards a goal; the determination to reach that goal not only provokes personal growth but the growth of others around them.

What has your training looked like in the lead up to the Games?

In the lead up to the Invictus Games, our training has been quite fragmented, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have not been able to have regular team training camps that are needed to build team cohesion and develop plays that inform our effectiveness as a team. However, working from home has given me time for extra individual training sessions during my day, which has given me the ability to focus on the elements that I am not as strong in. 

What has your personal journey taught you so far?

I would say the most valuable lesson my journey has taught me is to challenge my perceptions and embrace the unknown. A lot of the time we let our perceptions of the unknown dictate our actions. Although letting our guard down is easier said than done, most of my personal growth has occurred when I have let my guard down and embraced the unknown. 

Can you tell us about your role at Deloitte?

My role as an Automation Business Analyst is very exciting and broad. I am fortunate to work in the Information Technology Services, Automation Centre of Excellence alongside the Strategy and Transformation Office to implement technology solutions that streamline internal processes that support the impact delivered by Deloitte. 

How do you balance work, family and sporting life?

Balancing work, family life and sporting commitments has its challenges at times. I find that if I am transparent and flexible with the challenges I am facing; I can pivot my focus where required. I am not the first person who has balanced multiple commitments, which means most of the time there are solutions I can leverage like parental leave and Deloitte Flex. 

Joel will be competing at the Invictus Games from the 16th of April 2022 in archery, wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing and wheelchair rugby. Good luck, Joel!