Dec 2, 2025
On this week’s podcast, I speak with former Marine Specialist
Chris Ghalayini. Chris joined the Australian Army in transport
before transferring to a specialist role as a Marine
Specialist. He served across East Timor, Iraq, and within a Special
Operations Unit, living a career built on discipline, purpose, and
service. Chris thought he would wear the uniform for life, but
everything changed the day a back injury brought his journey
to a sudden halt. It wasn’t just the end of his
military career; it was the start of a new battle he never saw
coming. In this podcast, Chris shares his story in
full. The highs of service. The deployments that grounded
Chris for life. The pride of serving as a Marine Specialist in
SOCOMD, one of the most adverse environments in the Defence
Force. Chris also talks about the back injury that ended his
career due to the pain he was suffering; it sent Chris into a
dark place. After 6 doctors said no to operating on his back,
the 7 th doctor was willing to operate. This gave Chris a new
outlook on life. Unfortunately, after this operation, Chris
suffered a stroke in early 2024 during his recovery, he was
determined to live for his family. Chris discusses the
medical separation and the transition that no soldier is ever
truly prepared for. This isn’t just a story about hardship.
It’s about rebuilding, redefining purpose.
Finding strength outside the uniform, learning that sometimes the
greatest comeback starts the moment life knocks you down. This
is Chris’s journey before, during, and after Defence. Chris is
now an entrepreneur who is the managing director of Poseidon
Seas Group, which specialises in the luxury yacht space. Chris now
gives veterans and first Responders a way to transition after
service and give them purpose again by giving them
opportunities to work. Chris is still serving, just in
a different uniform and a different way. This is raw, honest
and a story of redemption.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Chris Ghalayini
Editor: Kyle Watkins