Sport ‘gave me my life back’: 2 retired Halifax sailors prepare for Invictus Games

Archery and shot-put are two very different sports. But for retired Navy men, Ron Cleroux and Sean Wyatt, the reasons that led them to these sports are similar.

Both men experienced traumatizing events throughout their years of service that had lasting effects on their day-to-day lives. Both suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“When the depression comes on how do you get out of it? What do you do?” said Wyatt, a retired Navy Chief with almost 30 years of service.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "When the depression comes on how do you get out of it? What do you do?" said Wyatt, a retired Navy Chief with almost 30 years of service.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that can be debilitating for those who suffer from it.

“You have to reach out for help. If I didn’t I probably would have down the wrong route and something would have happened,” said Cleroux, a retired Marine Engineer Technician.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You have to reach out for help. If I didn't I probably would have down the wrong route and something would have happened," said Cleroux, a retired Marine Engineer Technician.

READ MORE: Volunteer firefighter fights back against PTSD with podcast. 

“I didn’t think it had effected me as much as it had. My wife finally said I haven’t been good since Swiss Air. She’s absolutely positive that that was the beginning,” said Wyatt.

Like many of those who suffer in silence from PTSD, burying the emotional stress makes coping nearly impossible.

“I think the first time I seriously decided to kill myself. That was when I realized how serious it was,” said Wyatt.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think the first time I seriously decided to kill myself. That was when I realized how serious it was," said Wyatt.

After hitting emotional rock bottoms, both men found strength through the power of sport.

“I was 300-pounds at one point after being depressed with a lot of anxiety and sport brought me back, gave me my life back,” said Cleroux.

Now, the two are gearing up to head to the Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida.

It’s a multi-sport competition that was founded by Prince Harry in 2014.

It’s an international event for service men and women from around the world who’ve suffered from physical and mental wounds as a result of their service.

“I’m doing a biking road race and indoor rowing, one-minute, four-minute, and the shot-put and the discus,” said Cleroux.

Wyatt is competing in archery. He says the opportunity to connect with other military personnel is life-changing.

“Invictus and sport have saved my life,” Wyatt said.

The competition runs from May 8-12. Next year’s games will be hosted in Toronto.