In Ben and Tim’s book The Resilience Shield, they refer to Kev Toonen as a ‘superstar Army PTI (Physical Training Instructor)’ - and certainly when they first met him, that’s exactly what Kev was – a thought leader in the development of special operations physical capability, who helped evolved SAS training methodologies, as well as prepare the amazing Monika Georgieva (see Season 2 Episode 3 for more on Mon!) for her pioneering attempts at the SAS selection course.

Since that time, Kev has taken his passion and knowledge for human performance to clients ranging from some of Australia’s most beautiful and recognisable celebrities to elite sporting teams.  In this episode, Kev talks to what he learnt from his military service, how he saw the military approach to physical training change over the years and what he currently considers the key requirements for optimising the human body. 

In this first part of a special double episode, Ben and Tim chat to Kev about his background, his early years in the Army and then his time at SASR, during which he was instrumental in changing elements of the unit’s physical preparation program to better meet the demands of campaigning in Afghanistan.

4:30         Kev opens with……a sweat lodge story!

6:11         Kev’s early years – school and joining the Army (after being tricked by a recruiter!)

8:45         Into infantry corps and the parachute battalion

11:30       East Timor

16:30       The million-dollar East Timor question – did Kev make it to the Kylie Minogue concert?

17:50       Back to East Timor for a second trip (in violation of the age-old Army rule – never volunteer for anything!)

19:40       …and a third trip to Timor!

20:00       12 months out of uniform – was the grass any greener on the other side?

21:00       Back into uniform – and why? 

21:30       The highs and lows of sniper course

25:00       Marriage!  And a career transition to become a PTI, including reflections on the training involved

26:00       The evolution of thinking in military physical training

33:40       Getting posted to SASR in Perth

35:00       Influences at SASR, including Danny Cooper and Harry Moffitt

37:00       (Why friends shouldn’t let friends skip leg day)

37:30       Impressions of physical training at SASR, and how this changed over the period of campaigning in Afghanistan

40:10       The potential downsides of a ‘never quit’ mindset

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External Links

98 Gym

If you want some great black and white photos of Kev squatting the equivalent weight of a small car (and who doesn’t?!) check out his Insta.

Music

The Externals – available on Spotify

Ben Frichot - available on Spotify