Afghanistan vet back in fighting shape for Invictus Games

A broken neck, a traumatic brain injury, and multiple herniated discs in his back: those are the physical injuries that Patrick Gordon sustained after he was injured by an improvised explosive device while serving with the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan.

The tank he was in backed over a bomb. Gordon suffered injuries that have never healed.

The army sergeant was given a medical release in 2016. Since then, he's had to work through mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety and depression.

But he's battled back and now he's gearing up to compete in the 2023 Invictus Games this month. 

"When I left the Canadian Armed forces, I was about 300 pounds. I was an alcoholic, and I was struggling," said Gordon at his home in Rothesay.

"My contingency plan was to take my life.

"It was essentially like a compass was inside of me spinning, and I had no direction or anywhere to put my energy," said Gordon. 

But Gordon didn't give up. Instead, he started working on a charity and on himself. 

First he got sober. It's been six years without a drink now, although he admits there were multiple times he failed, starting out.  

He said the initial months of the COVID-19 lockdowns were especially difficult when, it seemed like every one around him was drinking much more. But it was during that time he noticed kids, who relied on lunch programs, were going hungry while attending school remotely. 

Over the last two years he says his charity, Operation: Feed, has provided close to 100,000 meals to Saint John-area children.

Gordon matched his charity goals with his workout goal. After shedding more than 100 pounds, he's now in fantastic shape.

He's ready to compete in multiple events, including running