The Team

profile_SY

Steve Young (Sergeant)

  • AGE: 28
  • BIRTHPLACE: Tonypandy
  • FAMILY: Engaged to Emma
  • POLAR READING: The Last Gentleman Adventurer by Edward Beauclerk Maurice

Why have you agreed to be part of Walking with The Wounded?

When I was approached to discuss taking part in this challenge I was so excited, I have always been fascinated with the artic and to be given the opportunity to take part is such a privilege.

This challenge is a huge goal to achieve and hopefully it will inspire other battle wounded soldiers to push themselves and never give up.

Team member profile

I am currently in full time physiotherapy in RAF St Athan which is very close to my home in the Rhondda Valley. I live with my long suffering fiance Emma and although we do not yet have any children we are constantly adding to our family with animals we feel sorry for that need adopting.

I have been in the Welsh Guards for over 11 years and am currently a Platoon Sergeant.

I have served on operational tours in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

On the 1st August 2009 I was involved in an IED explosion whilst travelling in a Mastiff Armoured Personnel Carrier during Operation Panthers Claw in the area of Babaji, Helmand Province. I suffered a complicated, burst unstable fracture of the L1 Vertebrae.

From this I spent 4 weeks in Selly Oak hospital and then was confined to a spinal bed for a total of 4 months. Due to this I suffered massive muscle deterioration and weight loss, which along with my injury was treated through full time physiotherapy.

How have you found the training so far?

Due to my injury I am restricted to carry out training of a non load bearing type. I have mainly been concentrating on low intensity, prolonged periods of training such as the tyre pulling. I also have a weakness in my back which I am attempting to overcome by concentrating a lot of my time on core strength training.

As for the arctic side of it, I have never put a set of Ski’s on in my life so am looking forward to getting on the ice in Norway, when the rest of the team will have a good laugh at my resemblance to Bambi on ice.

What are your daily activities?

I get up around 6.30am and make my way to Physio where I swim, do cardio training and weights. I am usually in Physio until 12.30 and I return home to have a couple of hours rest before my tyre pulling.

After being told we will burn over 8000 calories on the ice I am on a mission to eat everything in sight and am driving my partner mad with my constant requests and using the excuse I have to be fed up for the North Pole.