In 1997 Sarah Watson commenced Officer Training at ADFA and graduated with a BA Politics. In December 2000, following a year at the Royal Military College Duntroon, she was commissioned into the Australian Intelligence Corps where she served in several Intelligence Roles within the Australian Army including in Iraq in 2006/07.
As a result of her service, Sarah was diagnosed with PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder and was subsequently medically discharged from the Army in 2015.
During this time, Sarah heard about Soldier On. After gaining a position in the Soldier On team that was to compete in the Trois Étapes cycling race in the Italian Dolomite, Sarah was provided with the focus and drive to pull herself out of the black hole she was in. Whilst training, she and fellow teammates, including much loved Aussie celebrities Hamish Blake and Cadel Evans, forged an unbreakable bond, and are all still in touch and look out for each other.
Competing in this event gave Sarah a new passion and sport – cycling! As a result of the Soldier On activity, she has entered many cycling events and races. Sarah participated in the 2017 Invictus Games held in Canada with her main sporting event being the Cycling Time Trial and Criterium for which she won Silver and Gold respectively. She also took part in the 2019 Pollie Pedal fundraising event held in Southern Queensland and Northern NSW.
Sarah continues to be a spokesperson for Soldier On, speaking about her journey to audiences throughout Australia and engaging with others in the ex-serving community. This has provided her the opportunity to reduce the stigma of mental illness in the military and wider community and hopefully give hope to others who may be suffering.