Today I remember Bryan Budd VC — a true Paratrooper, a warrior, a friend and a mentor who changed my life.
On two separate occasions in Sangin, Afghanistan, 2006, Bryan displayed extraordinary courage.
In the first firefight, despite being outnumbered, he led his section into contact, rallying his men and fighting with relentless determination.
In the second, under overwhelming fire, he charged forward alone to break the enemy’s assault and protect his section — an act of bravery that cost him his life, but saved others.
For me, Bryan wasn’t just a name in the history books. He was the man who helped me through Parachute Regiment selection — pushing me when I doubted myself, showing me what grit and true leadership really looked like.
I carry his memory in many ways: in the tattoo of him on my arm, in the choices I’ve made since — riding bikes, jumping, living the dream and dedicating myself to serving both my country and my community. If I could trade anything, it would be for just five minutes to have a brew with him, to show him what I’ve achieved through the inspiration he gave me. 19 years ago today… time has gone so fast; I’m also 10 years older than when he died…
“The legacy of a man is not just in what he did, but in those he inspired to carry on after him.”
Until the day we meet again, Brother — gone but never forgotten.
#WeWillRemember #ParachuteRegiment
16 Years Ago… We will never forget!
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Corporal Mark Wright was awarded the George Cross for his bravery on 6th September 2006, in Afghanistan, when he entered a minefield in an extraordinary attempt to save the lives of critically-injured soldiers. Sadly, he lost his life during the incident.
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On this day he stood up and proved he was a hero, a true Paratrooper, someone I looked up to and will never be forgotten by the men of the regiment. If you want to see what his story is about watch “kilo two bravo” a depiction of what happened 16 years ago.
#3Para #ParachuteRegiment #MarkWright
In Memory of John Harrison 🇬🇧
On this day in 2009, we remember our friend & brother John, who gave his all during a Special Forces hostage rescue mission in Kunduz, Afghanistan.
During this mission, a journalist from the New York Times was freed.
This time of year always feels like we are remembering someone from the unit and I’m filling up Instagram with these posts, I do NOT apologize. I will make sure everyone knows your stories and we will not forget! This song was written by another friend & paratrooper @ashbaker760 . This part of the song is my favourite - as paratroopers we earn our wings but we are definitely not deserving of the halos.
Rest in peace, John. #ParachuteRegiment #OurHero #NeverForgotten
Narcissism doesn’t care how tough you are.
I consider myself mentally resilient. I’ve operated in environments most people will never see, and I still ended up in one of those situations. The kind I never thought would reach me.
It comes in many shapes and forms and it can find anyone.
I’m not going to pretend this last year wasn’t heavy. But what I will say is this: having vulnerability used as a weapon against you is one of the oldest moves in the book. Gaslighting, Manipulation, Reactive abuse, DARVO. All designed to make you question your own reality or look like the unstable one to anyone watching.
Here’s what I’ve learned: these people genuinely believe their own story. They don’t want the truth to surface. But it always does… The people closest to them already see it, I see it. Time does the work so you don’t have to; I’m comfortable being the villain in someone else’s narrative, because narratives have a way of correcting themselves.
I’m in a very good place now. With the love and support from some very good people. I’m sharing this because I know good men who aren’t and like me, they’re too embarrassed to say it out loud.
Next month is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. You’ll see the posts. The profile picture frames, The “end the stigma” captions from people who’ve never had to mean it. I’ve watched enough of those moments arrive at someone’s door to know; words are easy until the crisis is at your doorstep.
And men’s mental health rarely looks like what people imagine. It’s not a man crying alone in a dark room. It looks like anger, Exhaustion, Sleeping, Withdrawal, Spending every spare hour doom scrolling just to avoid being inside your own head.
If this reaches one man sitting in that place right now, message me, you’re not crazy. You’re not weak. You’ve just been in a fight you didn’t fully understand and it does get better. Trust me I didn’t believe it either…
So sit down with a coffee, check on your homies and ask them if they are ok!
#SquamishLife #MentalHealth #CheckOnYourHomies
Evening solo cruise…
Got a lot done today, so was sat there thinking lift weights, go to BJJ, go for a BASE Jump or go for a ride…. That’s the moment I knew I have too many hobbies and not enough time in the day; so a good ride was what I opted for.
#SquamishLife #LivingTheDream #EnjoyingLifeAgain
Hover exit refresher with @ssarteam , because the mountain doesn’t always give you a flat spot to land.
Every year we train for the scenarios we hope never happen.
“Under pressure, you don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to the level of your training.”
That’s why we train & that’s why it matters.
(Still working on convincing them a parachute team would cover the same requirement more stylishly. The proposal is ongoing. 😅)
📍 Squamish, BC
#SquamishLife #SquamishSAR #SearchAndRescue #HoverExit
Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.
The great thing about being a former British Paratrooper is the mindset; and it can’t be taught. You either have it or you don’t. Para Regt Depot makes sure of that.
We’re built to be self-sufficient. To think fast, To pivot under pressure, To keep moving forward aggressively, unapologetically; even when we’re outnumbered, outgunned, and operating behind enemy lines where most men would quit.
The problem with British Paras? We don’t know how to stop.
You have to kills us, or we win. There’s no third option.
So while I walk through a chapter where a fellow “veteran and brother” chose to step on me to get ahead, I don’t rage, I don’t collapse, I pivot, I improvise, I adapt and I walk into the next chapter ready to win. Because I will.
And you’ll ask “how does he do it?”
The answer is simple. I do things the right way. With character. With integrity. With a mindset that some people will spend their whole lives trying to buy and never find.
So this year is back to Skydiving, aiming to do some Tandems in Canada, who wants to be strapped to me? Let’s Go!!!
“We are Paratroopers. We are meant to be surrounded.”
#Skydiving #BaseJumping #Tandems #Mindset
#TBT some urban jumps in London
Before I used to only fly off mountains in a wingsuit, I used to spend all my time sneaking around London at night time looking for jumps or jumping off buildings. What a life… but I’m glad I get more sleep these days 😂
#London #SquamishLife #BASEJumping
Some people talk the talk but can’t walk it. They chase reputation; curated, managed, protected at all costs. But here’s the tell: the people working hardest on their image never have old friends around them and are not close to family members.
Because anyone who knows the full story & repeated patterns knows who they really are. So they hide amongst new friends and “starting over fresh” attitude.
Meanwhile the rest of us are just doing the work. Head down. No acting, just straight up “here I am - love me or hate me”. Because when your character is solid, you don’t need anyone to believe you , it shows.
Reputation is a façade, Character is the foundation.
Build accordingly & the great architect will provide.
“Reputation is what people think you are. Character is what you actually are. One is borrowed. The other is built.”
#SquamishLife #LetsGo #Character
April Recap (4/12)
Started a heavy rescue course with the fire department; one of those courses that reminds you why you love this job.
Lost full respect in someone I considered a friend and mentored and genuinely backed. Ego and money have a way of revealing people. The signs were there, you can fake Hyrox times, change your job title and borrow leadership language from Chat GPT but you can’t fake character under pressure.
Took a hit financially to secure peace of mind. Worth every dollar. Money comes and goes, but happiness is more important and the future is bright!
Back in the air and Wingsuit flying again. Nothing resets the noise like jumping off a cliff & embracing the moment.
City days with someone who actually sees me. Good friends who do not judge and somehow… I’ve become a person who cares deeply about his lawn.
“Reputation takes years to build and seconds to destroy”
#SquamishLife #Reputation #Character #TheFuture #DontLie
Another Squamish ripper!!!
The south gully is by far my favourite jump on this mountain! So stoked right now… life is moving in a better direction, less stress and more stoke!
#SquamishLife #LivingTheDream #LessStress #HappyAgain
