23/06/2026
Who is this guy to be talking about experience?....
I’m Mark Direen and I come from the tiny island at the bottom of Australia, Tasmania.
Pretty average at school, that kid who would rather be in the outdoors than locked in a classroom.
Camping, fishing, hunting, boating, 4WDing and dirt bike riding … growing up, my family made adventure feel normal.
Now in my second half century, I’ve collected a decent amount of experience along the way.
With a 20-year military career—including a decade with the Australian Special Forces (SASR) and five operational deployments to Afghanistan— I have led teams in some of the world’s most hostile and high-stakes environments and faced death on more than one occasion.
Soldier, security consultant, expedition guide, adventurer, speaker, photographer, author, business owner, father, husband…. every experience has made me the person I am today.
Curiosity has driven my own life less ordinary and now I'm sharing my insights on experience, life and success.
I’m glad you’re here.
