Travels From Queensland
Speaker Topics
Community programs
Paul has developed youth programs at Voodoo Combat designed to build confidence and resilience in school aged youth, this initiative has had great success in turning around low confidence and even instances of self-harm. Located between large schools in Mitchelton and The Gap, many students’ particularly young men are able to build confidence and self-esteem via this initiative.
Read lessLeadership
Paul Captained the Australian Invictus games team in Orlando 2016, completing all media tasks including a mental health symposium involving Prince Harry and George W Bush. Paul received commendation letters from both Kensington Palace and George Bush following the games for his leadership.
Read lessMental Health and Injury Awareness
Diagnosed with PTSD after deploying to Afghanistan Paul can share his process to overcome this condition and live a fulfilling and rewarding life with both complex physical and psychological conditions. Mental health is unfortunately growing within our communities, defence regularly engage Paul to speak to groups of soldiers on this topic.
Read lessRehabilitation and Athlete Mindset (coaching)
Paul has competed at a high level for over a decade and understands and builds the athlete mindset, importantly this includes how to deal with injuries and staying strong and motivated during rehabilitation cycles.
Read lessPaul Warren
Paul Warren knows exactly what it takes to not only survive, but thrive through adversity and passes this knowledge onto those who work with him or hear him speak.
Paul Warren is currently a Defence industry professional highly regarded by his peers and network for the passion he brings to his work, a strategic and innovative thinker driven to deliver the best outcomes for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and women of the Australian Defence Force.
A former Muay Thai Kickboxing champion, Paul was used to physical punishment, but nothing could prepare him for what he faced when he joined the Australian Army. Paul has demonstrated courageous attitude and determination after life changing injuries in Afghanistan.
Paul encountered an IED (improvised explosive devise) while on patrol in the Baluchi valley as an Infantry Soldier in 2009. The blast tore his right leg off and instantly killed his mate Private Ben Ranaudo. Months of recovery followed both physical and psychological as he dealt with the loss of his good friend.
Told he would never run again Paul proved Doctors wrong and competed in the inaugural Invictus games in London 2014 and then would go on to Captain the Australian team in Orlando Florida in 2016.
Paul is also a published author where he openly discusses physical injury and mental health in his autobiography “The Fighter”.
Paul returned from a high-altitude world record attempt in Chile where his team faced temperatures of -30 degrees overnight attempting to summit the Ojos Del Salado, the highest active volcano in the world and part of the 7 summits sought out by mountain climbers.
More recently Paul has focused his efforts on designing and implementing a Veteran Engagement program with Rheinmetall Defence Australia. This program had Rheinmetall awarded the Prime Ministers Veterans Employer of the year in 2020.
As well as being a sought-after corporate speaker Paul continues to support Wounded, injured and ill Defence Force personnel and has been a key part of delivering resilience presentations and developing adaptive sports and employment programs. Paul has been involved with the NQ Cowboys over the last few years as a speaker.
Paul was headhunted by the North Queensland Cowboys to work with the NRL squad (2021), travel with the team and positively influence the culture. This is a direct result of Paul’s ability to speak with the group, relate to the athletes and foster a winning culture, growth of leadership values and resilience within this squad.
Paul relocated to Brisbane at the end of 2021 and returned to coaching combat sports athletes as the head coach of Voodoo Combat Muay Thai gym in The Gap. In the chaos that is fight sports Paul has the ability to plan, strategise and communicate with his athletes to achieve a high win rate in an extremely competitive environment. Anti-bullying programs and building confidence with youth in the area is also a key piece of this gym.