2024-07-30 Invictus games #1:
The RCEME Corps is proud to announce the participation of their two members as part of Team Canada for the upcoming Invictus 2025: Sgt LeBel (Vehicle Tech) is currently posted to 2 FD Amb and Cpl Underwood (Mat Tech) is currently posted to CAFTG Det Winnipeg.
They have recently completed Training Camp #2 (7-13 July) in CFB Kingston where they had members from all over Canada come together to train in their respective sports.
Here is a list of sports that our RCEME members are competing in:
Sgt LeBel: Alpine Skiing, Sitting Volleyball, Indoor Rowing and Skeleton.
Cpl Underwood: Wheelchair Rugby, Nordic Skiing, Indoor Rowing and Skeleton.
The photos are courtesy of @Soldier On.
Here is the link to the Team Canada Invictus Games website.
The link to find our Team Canada Bios.
Here is some background information about Team Canada Invictus:
• Team Canada will participate alongside more than 500 competitors from 20 countries.
• Competitors will compete in all 11 sports throughout the games.
• Team Canada is represented at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 by 56 competitors, including 22 serving Canadian Armed Forces members and 34 Veterans, each of whom acquired an illness or a physical or mental health injury while in service to Canada.
• Canada has had the pleasure of hosting the games twice, once in 2017 in Toronto, and now in 2025. Not only that, but we are honoured to be hosting the first ever Winter Hybrid Invictus Games where we get to showcase some adaptive winter sports like skiing and curling.
• The spirit of the Invictus Games is not represented by medals of any colour, but rather the goal is to harness the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country.
Upcoming Events:
• Training Camp #3 – 4-12 Jan 2025
• Invictus Games – 8-16 Feb 2025
Our members’ motivation motto:
“Life is full of peaks and valleys. The peaks aren’t sustainable. The valleys aren’t forever”
“If it’s too easy, it’s not worth doing, Challenge yourself.
#NEVER GIVE UP.”
2024-12-14 Invictus Update #2:
ARTE MARTE and INVICTUS 2.0
RCEME Corps continues sharing the journey of these incredible RCEME folks about the Training for the Invictus Games!
Team Canada Invictus is gearing up for a run in the new year with a unique challenge designed by Cpl Underwood himself.
The challenge involves completing a 5K run every 5 hours for 25 hours, starting at 0000 hrs on 1 January 2025.
This initiative is our way of starting the year with purpose, making the first day of the year intentionally challenging, and promoting both mental wellness and physical fitness.
This year, we will push ourselves further by completing the challenge with 25-lb weight vests as members of Team Canada, Invictus Games 2025. We are also participating to raise awareness and funds for Soldier-On, a cause close to our hearts.
Wanna join but don’t feel like running? That’s okay! Any form of movement for 30–60 minutes every 5 hours over the 25-hour period counts. The key is to challenge yourself, safely and within your limits.
We invite everyone to join us—Cpl Underwood, myself, and Team Canada—in supporting Soldier-On and Team Canada. You can participate by joining the challenge, spreading the word, or visiting the Soldier-On website to make a donation.
Wishing you all a happy and safe end to 2024 and an incredible start to 2025. Let’s “Run” in the New Year together!
Also, an update from their training:
The countdown is on—just 68 days until the start of the Invictus Games, and the momentum is electrifying! Since Training Camp 2, both Cpl Underwood and I have been fully immersed in preparation. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to, along with some amazing highlights:
Cpl Underwood’s Journey
Cpl Underwood has been making incredible strides, both on and off the field. As he plans his transition from military service, he and his wife recently purchased a beautiful house and property in Winnipeg. This milestone has been a huge boost for their family, setting them up for a successful new chapter.
• Marine Corps Marathon, Arlington VA
Cpl Underwood competed in his first full marathon, finishing the 2024 Marine Corps Marathon in an impressive 4 hours and 44 minutes. Running alongside 16,000 participants from around the world, this was a monumental experience that showcased his resilience and determination.
• Beaudry Falls Classic Ultra Race
Taking things to the next level, he completed 110 km in a grueling 48-hour ultra race.
• Canadian Army Run – Commander’s Challenge
September saw Cpl Underwood fly to Ottawa, where we teamed up to run both the 5 km and 21 km races together, demonstrating the incredible RCEME spirit.
• Wheelchair Rugby Training
Off the racecourse, Cpl Underwood has been sharpening his skills in wheelchair rugby with guidance from Team Canada Paralympic athlete Jared Funk. This focused training has been instrumental in both his physical and mental growth.
Sgt LeBel’s Adventures
Meanwhile, I’ve been pushing boundaries in my own training and competition schedule:
• Spartan Death Race, Calabogie ON
This was no ordinary run! It involved tackling a mountain while completing intense physical challenges.
• Sprint Triathlon, Petawawa
I conquered my first triathlon, which included swimming (not my strongest skill), cycling, and running. While my swimming was slow, I made up for it on the bike and crushed the running segment!
• Canadian Army Run – A Family Affair
One of my favorite moments was running the 5 km race with my 10-year-old daughter, Kailynne, before jumping back into the lineup to complete a 21 km.
• 9RunRun, Stittsville ON
Supporting first responders, I raced a 5 km followed by a 10 km in this meaningful event.
• Empowering Youth Through Running
Along with a local coach, I helped launch a Girls Youth Running Club in Petawawa to inspire young girls through running. By the end of the season, we had mothers and daughters running together, culminating in a celebratory 5 km run!
• RCEME Bond on Remembrance Day
On Remembrance Day, I joined a fellow RCEME member for a 10 km run before the parade, followed by a 5 km run later that evening.
• Sitting Volleyball Training
Training with Team Canada Paralympic athlete Jolan Wong has elevated my sitting volleyball skills to new heights, fueling my excitement for the Games.
Unbreakable Team Spirit
The Army Run Commander’s Challenge was a standout moment. Cpl Underwood and Sgt LeBel pushed through the 21 km half marathon together, drawing strength from each other despite physical exhaustion. The bond between RCEME members and Team Canada teammates is captured perfectly pictures—a true testament to esprit de corps and teamwork.
What’s Next?
We’re gearing up for Training Camp 3, which takes place in Vancouver/Whistler from January 5-11. These will be intense, focused days honing our skills for the Games. After a short break, we’ll head back for the 2025 Invictus Games, starting on February 8.
Stay tuned and thank you for following our journey! Your support fuels us as we push towards our ultimate goal.
Here is the link to the Team Canada Invictus Games website.
The link to find our Team Canada Bios.
Good rest of the journey and the corps cheers for you!!
2025-01-30 Invictus Update # 3:
We are beyond thrilled to announce that Cpl Underwood has been named Co-Team Captain for Team Canada! This is an incredible honour, and he will proudly lead alongside CWO Belanger (RSM Medical School) and our Opening Ceremony flag bearer, Capt Adria Brochu(Nurse). Representing both Canada and the RCEME Corps on the world stage is no small feat, and we have no doubt that Cpl Underwood will lead with pride, strength, and unwavering determination!
Training Camp #3: Absolutely Epic!
What a week it was! Team Canada athletes from coast to coast gathered in Vancouver for an intense and action-packed training camp. Some took it to the next level, heading to Whistler Olympic Park and Whistler Mountain to train with the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP). The drive, passion, and sheer grit on display were unbelievable—this team is ready to take on the world!
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN—JUST 10 DAYS TO GO!
The excitement is off the charts as we gear up for the Games to cheer on Team Canada as they take on the world!
Let’s rally behind Team Canada and show them our full support!
2025-02-05 Emergency Invictus Post:
Unbreakable Spirit: Sgt LeBel’s Road to Invictus
Last week, while training for Alpine skiing at Calabogie Ski Hill, Sgt LeBel faced an unexpected challenge that would test his resilience like never before. While executing a high-speed, controlled descent down a black diamond run, he was suddenly struck by another skier—an impact so forceful that it sent him tumbling aggressively down the mountain.
When the dust settled, one ski had released, but the other remained locked in place, twisting his leg 180 degrees. The pain was immediate, but true to his character, Sgt LeBel remained composed. At the hospital, the severity of his injuries was revealed: a broken fibula, a fractured tibia, and torn MCL and ACL. A devastating diagnosis for any athlete.
But adversity has never been a roadblock for Sgt LeBel—it’s merely another challenge to conquer.
The unwavering support from his team was nothing short of inspirational. Instructor WO Terry Woods, alongside Maj Jessica Guerin (PSO) and Cpl Melissa Henderson (MMT), stood by his side, ensuring he had everything he needed. Their presence reinforced what the Invictus spirit is all about—camaraderie, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of those who serve.
And what does this mean for the games? Sgt LeBel is not done.
Thanks to the relentless efforts of Team Canada’s doctors, staff and the medical professionals at the Invictus Foundation, Sgt LeBel has been cleared to fly. Now, the focus shifts to recategorizing him so he can still compete—with adaptive measures in place. His commitment to representing his country and his team remains unshaken.
Sgt LeBel’s journey is a testament to unbreakable will, relentless determination, and the refusal to let hardship define him. He embodies what it truly means to push past pain, to rise when others would fall, and to fight against all odds.
This is what it means to be Invictus.
In the words from Sgt LeBel “This is life’s way of slowing me down to allow others to catch up.” Injuries are just another challenge—“Don’t let your injury define you.”
Arte et Marte et INVICTUS
2025-03-25 Final Story from Sgt Lebel:
RCEME Corps, it’s hard to believe it’s already been a month since the Games!
The 2025 Invictus Games made history as the first-ever Winter Hybrid Games, bringing competitors together in Vancouver and Whistler for an unforgettable showcase of resilience and determination. This also marked the first time a host nation has welcomed the Games twice, a testament to Canada’s unwavering support for its wounded, ill, and injured service members. With roughly 500 competitors from 25 nations, the Games introduced thrilling new winter sports—Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, Nordic Skiing, Biathlon, Skeleton, and Wheelchair Curling—alongside the core Invictus events of Indoor Rowing, Sitting Volleyball, Swimming, Wheelchair Rugby, and Wheelchair Basketball.
The Opening Ceremonies were nothing short of electric. As Team Canada entered BC Place, they were met with an overwhelming roar from 40,000 cheering Canadians. Sgt LeBel reflected on the moment: “Nothing—absolutely nothing—prepares you for 40,000 Canadians standing and cheering you on. Knowing we were representing them was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” The energy of the night only intensified with performances by Katy Perry, Noah Kahan, Nelly Furtado, and Chris Martin, setting the stage for a week of fierce yet inspiring competition.
Despite sustaining injuries during training, Sgt LeBel refused to let adversity define him. Though unable to compete in Alpine Skiing, his Invictus spirit shone through in Sitting Volleyball and Indoor Rowing. On the Volleyball court, his broken leg did little to slow him down—delivering powerful hits and stunning digs, he kept the crowd on their feet and the Team Canada doctors on edge. And when he launched himself from his wheelchair onto the Skeleton sled, all eyes were on him, proving that limits exist only to be broken. Through it all, Sgt LeBel embodied the Invictus mindset, reminding everyone: “Never give up! When you are at the start line, you are actually at the finish line. All the hard work is done. ”What’s next? Sgt LeBel isn’t slowing down. At the end of May, he will take on the Ottawa Full Marathon, completing the race adaptively in a wheelchair. His journey continues to inspire, proving that challenges are just opportunities to push beyond limits.
Meanwhile, Cpl Underwood was not only a force on the competition floor but also a true leader as Team Canada’s Co-Captain. Between high-level meetings with international team captains and dignitaries, he dominated in Wheelchair Rugby, Nordic Skiing, and Indoor Rowing. Wheelchair Rugby, always a crowd favorite, saw Cpl Underwood delivering explosive plays and bone-crushing hits. Out on the Nordic trails, his unmatched endurance propelled him past competitors, showcasing his relentless drive. Through it all, he embodied the true spirit of Invictus, inspiring all with his words: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. ”What’s next? Cpl Underwood is preparing for his transition out of the military, but he’s far from slowing down. This summer, he has ultra marathons booked, pushing his endurance even further and proving that his drive and determination extend well beyond the Invictus Games.
Beyond the competition, both athletes cherished the opportunity to spend time with their families, exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Vancouver and Whistler. The Invictus Games aren’t just about competition; they’re about community. Families and loved ones play a vital role in recovery, and their presence made every victory even more meaningful. One of the most heartwarming aspects of the Games was watching children from all nations come together. Despite language barriers, they found a common bond through the tradition of trading pins and military challenge coins. Laughter, excitement, and newfound friendships filled the venues as young supporters connected in a way that perfectly reflected the Invictus spirit—unity, resilience, and camaraderie beyond borders. No one was safe from the trading frenzy—not Prince Harry, not the Prime Minister, and not even Canada’s top General, General Carignan! The kids made sure that everyone, from dignitaries to athletes, walked away with a special token of the Games.
Among the most unforgettable moments was the chance to meet Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Prince Harry, the driving force behind the Invictus Games, continues to embody the very spirit of resilience and camaraderie that makes these Games so special.
The Closing Ceremonies capped off an extraordinary week, with performances by Jelly Roll, Barenaked Ladies, and War and Treaty, alongside the heartwarming voices of the Canadian Wives Choir. Every artist poured their energy into celebrating the unbreakable power of the Invictus spirit.
The Games not only brought together wounded warriors from around the world but also inspired the next generation. We even had the support of a young RCEME Cadet from the local cadet corps, a true testament to the lasting impact of the Invictus spirit. Seeing the next generation stand alongside those who have served was a powerful reminder that the legacy of resilience and determination continues to grow.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our sponsors. Organizations like True Patriot Love, ATCO, and Veterans Affairs Canada, along with many others, played a crucial role in making the Games a reality. Their generosity and dedication ensured that Team Canada and all competitors had the resources, support, and opportunities to compete at their very best. The impact of these Games extends far beyond the competition—it’s about changing lives, fostering recovery, and showing the world what resilience truly looks like.
The 2025 Invictus Games were more than a competition—they were a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the power of perseverance, and the unwavering support of a global community. Until next time, we remain Unconque
Arte et Marte et Invictus
