Shane Cavagnino - Former Military & Mental Health Advocate

Wheels Up - Safety and Security for Business, Executive and VIP Travellers Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Shane Cavagnino, a former military man to now a farmer in Tassie.

Topics and Key Mentions

• Shane’s transition from an intense military career to life on a farm in Tasmania.
• Mental health challenges, particularly for veterans, and how Shane is managing his own mental health journey.
• Early life struggles, including bullying and career pivots, that shaped Shane’s resilience.
• Memorable moments and lessons from Shane’s Special Forces training, deployments, and leadership.
• Shane’s involvement in Panoptic Solutions and experiences in executive protection and private security.

5 Key Quotes from Shane

1. “There’s no cookie-cutter solution for everyone in the military transitioning to civilian life.”
2. “When I joined the military, I found a sense of purpose—it became my identity.”
3. “I’ve got a problem, and I’m working through it. That’s the accountability I owe myself and those around me.”
4. “Moving to Tasmania was like starting fresh, but I realized I needed a plan to truly work on myself.”
5. “For me, this journey is about being the best version of myself for my family, that’s what really matters now.”

Theme

The theme of this episode is resilience, identity, and transformation. Shane’s journey through military life, private security, and personal development highlights how challenges can be confronted head-on with self-reflection, a strong support network, and dedication to mental health. He discusses how to integrate intense life experiences into a balanced, purpose-driven life.

What the Listener Will Get

Listeners will gain insights into the mental health struggles faced by veterans and how critical it is to seek support and build a life outside of high-pressure careers. Shane provides a firsthand account of how resilience, self-awareness, and vulnerability are essential not only for military success but for personal well-being in civilian life. This episode encourages others to look beyond identity shaped by careers and to focus on the broader purpose.

Shane's Bio

Shane Cavagnino is a qualified Australian Special forces operator with 18 years of experience in combat operations, counter terrorism and protection of Australia’s high-ranking government and military officials. Shane Cavagnino holds several academic achievements including; Diploma of Security and Risk Management, Diploma of Project Management and various other tertiary certificates.

Shane Cavagnino served with distinction prior to discharging from the Australian Defence Force with almost 18 years’ service. Shane Cavagnino completed Special Forces Selection in 2011 has become qualified and an instructor in a variety of special operations skill-sets including close protection, advanced close quarters combat, tactical driving, combat medicine as an EMT and urban combat operations. Shane Cavagnino transferred to the Active Reserves in 2020 where he still maintains a reserve commitment instructing in various skill sets supporting the special forces training school.

Shane Cavagnino has conducted training and combat operations both domestically and internationally in countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, United Arabs Emirates, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Jordan, United Stated and has protected high profile clientele including, The Prime Minister of Australia, Chief of Australian Army, Chief of Australian Defence force, Australian Minister of Defence, private families and high profile celebrities.

Shane Cavagnino has received the following awards and distinctions:

• Infantry Combat Badge

• Australian Active Service Medal

• Australian Service Medal

• Australian Operational Service medal middle east

• Counter Terrorism/ Special Recovery Clasp

• Australian Defence Medal

• Returned from Active Service Badge

• Meritorious Unit Citation Special Operations Task Group

• Afghanistan Medal

In his spare time Shane enjoys training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and spending time outdoors with his wife and three children.

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