A SUPER-FIT Army veteran has used his passion for exercise to forge a new career and help combat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Adam Rundle, who was deployed to Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan while serving with Colchester-based 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, was left battling depression after returning to civvy street following eight-and-a-half years in the military.
But as things were looking at their bleakest, Adam received help from the Afghanistan Trust which backed him to complete an intensive course with The Training Room and become a fully-qualified personal trainer.
“I was at an all-time low when I left the Army and knew I had to find something to focus upon or I’d go off the rails,” said the 27-year-old, who came up with the idea of becoming a personal trainer after helping a friend run a boot camp exercise class.
“I liked the look of The Training Room course which was near to my home in Colchester but the cost was quite high as I didn’t have much of an income at that time.
“When the Afghanistan Trust offered to help me, the relief was enormous. I signed up, followed the six-week programme and within two months of making my initial enquiry I was a qualified personal trainer.”
Since graduating from The Training Room in April this year, Adam has gone on to build a growing client base at a gym in Colchester as well as working as a postman and running his own boot camps.
As well as forging a new career for himself, the sporty ex-soldier, who previously represented Great Britain at bobsleigh, is also tackling his PTSD by receiving regular treatment.
And with the support of girlfriend Laura, son Archie and business mentor Stuart Tootal, the future is once again looking bright for Adam.
He said: “I’ve had a rough time of it but am now feeling in a much better place. I’ve got an excellent personal trainer qualification, I’m working, I’m back into my sport and my young family brings me a lot of joy.
“I’m feeling a lot happier about my future now but know I wouldn’t be here without Laura, the Afghanistan Trust and The Training Room helping me rebuild my life and career.”