Pain. Perseverance. Amputation. And the power of choice.
In this episode of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Ray Lowrie, a former Royal Marine Commando, world-record-holding athlete, and above all—an unbreakable force of resilience. Ray’s story is one of freak misfortune, brutal pain, and ultimately, incredible triumph.
What began as a slip on ice spiralled into a life-changing injury. Ray endured years of pain, 20 invasive surgeries, and full-time rehab at Hasler Unit, the Royal Marines’ specialist rehabilitation centre in Plymouth. But the most painful part? No one would listen when he said, “Just take the leg.”
After battling for over 5 years—physically, mentally, and emotionally—Ray finally had his leg amputated. He describes the day his leg was removed as “being born again.” It marked the end of suffering and the beginning of a new life. But the trauma ran deep. As a husband and father of young children, the burden on his family was immense. Ray speaks openly about coping with pain through alcohol, the toll it took on his mental health, and how he finally took back control of his life.
What followed is nothing short of extraordinary.
Ray didn’t just recover—he rewrote the rules. He became a world-record-holding adaptive athlete, smashing records on the Concept2 rowing machine and SkiErg. He became a role model for the health and fitness community, proving that amputation didn’t define him—it freed him.
This episode is a raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring story of what it means to suffer, survive, and choose strength anyway.
Topics Covered:
Life-changing injury and amputation
Royal Marines rehabilitation and Hasler Unit
Chronic pain, trauma, and mental health
Alcohol as a coping mechanism
The decision to amputate
World records and adaptive sports
Resilience, mindset, and family
Health, fitness, and the power of choice
What is Beyond The Battlefield ?
Warrior Wellness Movement presents: Beyond The Battlefield
Welcome to Beyond the Battlefield - the podcast that dives deep into the human spirit’s ability to overcome.
I’m Ollie Osborne - former Royal Marines Commando, holistic health, wellness and performance coach, and founder of Warrior Wellness Movement. After 14 years in the military and nearly two decades coaching, I know that life’s toughest battles aren’t always fought on the frontline - they happen in our minds, our bodies, and our daily lives.
Each episode, I sit down with extraordinary guests - military veterans, athletes, entrepreneurs, survivors, and everyday warriors - who have faced trauma, adversity, and life-altering setbacks. We uncover their raw, unfiltered stories of struggle, resilience, and ultimate comeback.
If you’re battling your own challenges, looking for inspiration, or searching for the mindset to push forward, Beyond the Battlefield will remind you: no matter how tough it gets, there’s always a way back.
Hit subscribe and join us - because the fight isn’t over, and neither are you.
#Resilience #Adversity #ComebackStories #MentalToughness #TraumaRecovery #SuccessMindset #Inspiration #WarriorSpirit #BeyondTheBattlefield #NeverGiveUp