The S.F. Experience Events - Are you Tough Enough

FOUNDER & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

JASON BOWEN

Jason has served as a regular soldier serving in the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) within 264 (SAS) Sig Sqn for most of his career. In the mid 90’s Jason was a member of the UK SAS Counter Terrorism Team and has worked in extreme and hostile environments across the globe. Prior to his time in Hereford he was a keen member of the regimental boxing team as well as part of the army Judo team winning silver in the army championships.

In 2013 three soldiers tragically died whilst attempting SAS Selection. In honour of these men, a memorial event in the Brecon Beacons was put on by Jason raising vital awareness and funds for a military charity. Due to it’s success and request for repeat and additional events, Jason decided to set up The S.F. Experience to offer a unique platform for the general public to test themselves beyond their preconceived limitations and learn new life skills in a safe envrionment under the watchful eye of his Directing Staff and team.

Jason has been increasing the TSFE portfolio using his extensive knowledge of military challenges and tests, his sense of adventure, and his ambition to create the ultimate backdrop to challenge even the most hardcore endurance athletes.

Jason is an advocate of mental health awareness through physical challenges and as a result, hosts ‘Reboot’ and ‘Veterans Reboot’ courses, helping veterans and civilians alike who have suffered from various forms of mental health issues and a lack of self-motivation to bring them together with like-minded folk for common purposes and to form life long bonds.

Prior to his time in Hereford he was a keen member of the regimental boxing team as well as part of the army Judo team winning silver in the army championships.

DS & Specialist INSTRUCTORS

Colin M.

Colin Maclachlan is a former UKSF soldier with over 25 years of security and risk-related experience, best known for appearing in Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins and Channel 5’s Secrets of the SAS.

Colin was involved in operation Barras, the daring hostage rescue of 11 British soldiers being held captive by the ‘West Side Boys’.

First sniper at the scene of a hijacked flight at Stansted. The longest-standing hostage siege on British soil.

Colin has been a member of our DS team since 2016 being at the forefront of most of our events and courses.

MR. P

Mr P. Joined the Royal Marines Commando’s in 1991 and became a Mountain Leader working in mountainous and cold weather environments.

He later passed UKSF Selection becoming an SF Operator working in hostile areas around the world.

Mr P is a member of the TSFE Directing Staff and has been involved in several events. He is also TSFE’s Mountain Safety Team Leader facilitating our MST selection process and allowing those with potential to become TSFE MST members. His drive and ambition are second to none and this is a testament to the Mountain Safety team. Mr P also enjoys running, cycling, paddle-boarding and boxing in his spare time.

david T

David T. has completed 26 years in the military including service within the UK Special Forces. He served within the UK Counter Terrorism Team, as well as completing training and tours within Arctic, Desert and Jungle environments.

He has completed tours including Gulf Wars 1 and 2, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan.

David has been a member of the DS team since 2018 and was a member of the ‘SF Team’ on the BBC’s Top Gear, Series 28 Episode 2 with Jason and other members alongside the presenters, Freddy Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris.

neil H.

Neil spent 10 years operationally within the UKSF(R). Specialising in enhanced surveillance and reconnaissance as well as a multitude of other skill sets including Range Management, heavy weapons, and Trauma Medical Management.

Neil was invited to the team in 2016 where he has been a valued member of the DS team, taking part in various events and courses including The Fan Dance, SFBC and Loadstone Continuation.

Neil is also a member of the coveted Wolf team on our Fan Dance Hunted.

PADDY V.

Paddy joined the British Army in 1982, initially serving in the infantry. he left after 6 years and then re-enlisted into the Intelligence Corps. On completing P Company, he served with 5 Airborne Brigade.

Paddy later served within the UK Special Forces Group and was subsequently deployed on operations throughout Northern Ireland. He was then attached to the Metropolitan Police service in an advisory role. Being posted to UNSOG Paddy served on Operations in Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Ethiopia & Eritrea, and the DROC.

On leaving the forces he lived and worked throughout the Middle East, working in security-related roles. From 2000 – 2008 Paddy worked throughout Africa as a Contracted Tracker working for various organisations ranging from Government Departments, Multi-Nationals, Law Enforcement and Military Organisations. Paddy retired from Operational work in 2009. Since then he has excelled in the field of elite performance and has worked with some of the world’s leading sportspeople to enhance their performance.

A keen advocate of mental health, Paddy also specialises in addiction and works with people to help them overcome their issues and to achieve recovery. He is a keen golfer and skier and is never happier than when he is in the great outdoors. Paddy is now an integral part of the TSFE Directing Staff, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, and is an active mentor for new staff on TSFE events and courses.

DARREN C.

Darren served with the 1st Battalion parachute regiment & SFSG (Special Forces Support Group) from 2002 to 2012 with operational tours across the globe.

CPL – PTI HDPRCC running the Major Cadres PJNCO PSBC SCBC PRE PARA (Queens guards only) PTI Catterick Garrison P Coy staff.

Darren is the owner of Warrior Muay Thai with his wife, Gemma. He had a great professional career before the army winning WAKO Pro North West / English & British Champion, as well as running the 1 Para Thai Boxing team which awarded him with the 1 Para Thai, and recognition of what he achieved. Being involved in TSFE has been a very rewarding time for Darren after initially being involved as a registrant taking part in the Winter Fan Dance in Brecon along with many virtual events that we currently host, not only as a participant but also running the Combat Fit element on our virtual SFBC. Darren is now a valued part of the DS team.

M FRANCIS.

Prior to his involvement with TSFE he has helped to support the events from a conceptual point of view. He has served within the UKSF group and is part of our DS team.

He is a keen martial artist, Skier, and Footballer. His pastimes now involve looking after his two children and getting out into the hills when he can for a good tab, and obviously being a member of the DS team at our events.

He has been involved with TSFE since 2015 and is an avid member of the team. His passion for the outdoors has taken him around the world on expeditions that he has led and helped to guide. He has impeccable endurance and is very well experienced within the team.

DAMIEN H.

Damien started his military career at ICT Catterick in 2003 joining Parachute Regiment Depot. In August 2003, Damien passed out of Depot as P Coy Champion of his platoon and went on to join 1 Para.

Damien was selected to join the 1 Para Boxing Team until 2005. While serving with the SFSG, Damien served in countless operations in: Northern Ireland, multiple tours of Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, on strike and counter-terror operations, until leaving in 2011.

On leaving military service, Damien moved to the high-risk International Private Security Sector. Within this industry, Damien started his career as a Close Protection Operator where again his work took him to some of the worlds, most hostile and volatile areas. Climbing the ranks, he led 6-man multi-national teams on countless tasks in some of the world’s most dangerous environments. In addition, he is a skilled maritime operator, having protected ships and vessels within the High-Risk Area of the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.

Damien has undertaken Diplomatic Protection task in the Middle East & Europe. He has a proven track record as a consultant and team leader, with extensive experience in the numerous facets and applications of the Security Services. Damien now owns, leads, and operates Ares Risk Management & Ares Tactical Concepts where he teaches self-defence & tactics as well as military preparation and functional fitness.

Damien is now a member of the TSFE DS team where his skillset, motivation and dedication is an asset to the group.

KEITH (sere team)

Keith served in the British army Ex 2 Para since 1996. In 2002 he went on to serve as a SERE (Survive, Evade, Resist, Extract) instructor. He’s Served in NI and on Op Telic.

Keith is one of the current senior instructors at the SERE school. Also acting as a mentor for new instructors.

Keith has been with TSFE for several years and contributed to the team with his area of expertise on many events and courses.

Outside of TSFE Keith is a keen sportsman and athlete. Regularly taking part in triathlons and is also a keen fell runner.

BEN (sere team)

Ben has served 20 years in the military to date, with operational tours all over the globe. He became a SERE and Tracking Instructor in 2012.

Ben currently continues to teach tracking to military and law enforcement agencies around the world and has been involved with TSFE since 2016 giving instructions on Survival on SFBC and the Loadstone Continuation events, whilst being POC for the SERE phase conducted by TSFE.

Ben has actively helped TSFE as a specialist instructor whilst conducting Escape and Evasion exercises and standalone tracking and survival courses. He also helps design the architecture for TSFE’s overseas courses and events. Ben has most recently been heavily involved in the courses conducted in the USA such as The Nevada Desert Survival course and he is currently part of the planning team involved with the next series of overseas events in Arizona and also an Arctic training course. Ben heads up the TSFE SERE team which includes Phil and Keith who are also specialists in this field.

phil (sere team)

Phil currently teaches Survival, Evasion, Resist and Extraction tactics to frontline military personnel. Everything from Permissive Survival all the way through to Hostile Environment Survival.

Phil is deployed to the desert on frequent occasions, however, in more recent times he has been teaching extreme warm weather survival in the Mojave Desert, Nevada. As well as teaching SERE to frontline troops, Phil is a Javelin Commander, a Recce Commander, a Forward Air Controller and a Survival Instructor.

Phil has been on operations in Kosovo, twice in Iraq and twice in Afghanistan, whilst also teaching military tactics in Jordan where he established a recce course for the Jordanian military. In 2016 Phil became a part of the Defence SERE Training Organisation where he teaches Survival and Evasion skills to tri-service personnel within the military. Phil is actively at the forefront of TSFE events and courses helping to deliver current and professional content to registrants and clients. He is about to finish a Masters in Counter-Terrorism.

Administration Staff

Liz C – Event Manager

Liz has a love of the outdoors having completed many outdoor challenges herself from Kilimanjaro, 100km hikes and scaling as many peaks as she can. She completed the Fan Dance in 2019 as her first weighted events and there became hooked on the benefits of loadbearing tabbing.

With a career history in analytics, she is also a spreadsheet geek so has bought numerous skills to the table to help streamline event processes as well as enabling the running of virtual events and is at home knee deep in results data.

When it comes to the events she will be there running the registration, overseeing the staff and ready to welcome all participants to their next challenge.

Mountain Safety Team

mr p.

As well as being a member of the TSFE Directing Staff, Mr P is also TSFE’s Mountain Safety Team Leader facilitating our MST selection process and allowing those with potential to become TSFE MST members.

His drive and ambition are second to none and this is a testament to the Mountain Safety team.

The Internal MST process puts select members of our Staff team through a rigorous training and test phase.

The members of the MST team work closely with Mountain Rescue and the Ambulance Service to ensure participant safety across all our events

dawn a.

Dawn has been with TSFE since 2016 and is a highly experienced Mountain Leader. She had led expeditions across Iceland, Borneo, Malawi and Cambodia to name a few.

She has extensive experience with guiding youth teams and delivering Duke of Edinburgh Training.

Dawn is also a Reserve RAF Officer, having previously commanded her own squadron she is now a training officer for staff and cadets.

With a strong passion for the outdoors and the mountains, Dawn is never happier than when she is out leading and helping others achieve their goals.

Mike E

Mike joined the military in 1995 serving with the Royal Marines with 45 Commando at RM Condor Arbroath from 1995 to 2000.

Mike’s specialist training was as a Mountain Leader (ML) however as a Royal Marine Mike was also involved in Arctic Phase training in Norway and Jungle Phase training in Belize. He was also deployed to assist in Nicaragua’s clear up and recovery mission after Hurricane Mitch devastated the area.

In 2016 Mike was introduced to TSFE by a friend and existing member of the TSFE Staff and his goat-like ability for fell running was quickly realised and harnessed. He is also a proud member of the coveted Fan Dance Hunted Wolf Team. Mike’s first event as a Wolf saw him catch all but 1 runner after a 20-minute head start. Mike has also been involved in our Corporate event packages including a recent one with Brentford FC where once again he caught up with all but one of the runners. Mike is a very enthusiastic member of the team and enjoys working with like-minded and motivated staff.

Staff & Marshalls

DEAN R.

Born and bred in the surrounding area of the Brecon Beacons, there isn’t much Dean doesn’t know about its hills and paths.

Dean first joined TSFE as a staff member in 2018 after successfully completing numerous events from the Fan Dance, Gemini, Trinity & Endurance.

Dean is part of the internal MST team having passed our training course. Coupled with his expert knowledge of the mountains, there isn’t a safer person to oversee the participants on the events. Dean is a regular sweeper on our tougher events due to his knowledge of the routes and machine-like ability to cross the mountains effortlessly, which is where he most feels at home.

Dean has completed many expeditions across the UK, France, Spain and in 2018 crossed the Pyrenees mountains on a 5 day self-supported trip with Serving and Ex military personnel.

Dean has studied Marital Arts to a high degree over many years and is also an instructor. When Dean is not out with a weighted bergen on this back, he is busy running a private security company as well as small construction business.

COLIN H.

Colin served with the Royal Signals in the UK and Germany and was deployed as part of Operation Granby to Iraq and Kuwait providing secure communications during the ground offensive.

Following his service he was a private contractor to the MOD, proving and testing of small arms up to 50mm and all types of ammunition.

He currently works in the transport industry and spends a lot of his spare time in the mountains, hiking, scrambling and cold water swimming having recently competed in the GB ice swimming championships.

Colin has completed the TSFE MST safety training run by our qualified ML staff to become part of the internal MST team.

He enjoys the mountains and wants others to as well, hence being part of the MST so that he can give back to others some of what the mountains give to him.

jason c.

Jason has been with TSFE since 2016 and has participated in many of our events. He transitioned to become a dedicated member of staff helping to motivate and assist participants on the events.

Jason is also part of our internal MST team having undertaken a tough training course delivered by our core ML team.

He has a great passion for the outdoors with his most memorable achievement climbing Everest Basecamp back in 2007. When he is not frequenting the mountains in his spare time he works as an Electrical Contractor focusing on Military Bases across the UK.

Jason enjoys fitness and has trained in many disciplines of martial arts and loves to see people achieve their goals.

ryan E.

Ryan joined the TSFE staff team in 2017 after getting hooked on the events. His passion for the outdoors and hills brings enthusiasm and experience to the events.

Ryan, like other members of the staff team has been put through the TSFE MST safety training run by our qualified ML staff to become part of the internal MST team.

He is a mentor to new marshalls showing them the ropes and is well acquainted with our event routes and procedures.

Outside of the events Ryan trains in Muay Thai when not contracting as a builder.

jason t.

Jason is a former Combat Engineer, Signaller and Resource Specialist with the Royal Engineers from 1993 and 2000 with a NATO Tour in Bosnia in 1997.

Since re-joining the Royal Engineer Reserves in 2018 at the age of 47 as a Combat Engineer and Team Medic he has already completed additional Operational Tours with the UN Mission in South Sudan and Op Rescript providing aid to the NHS during the COVID-19 crisis. Jason has also recently completed a FPOS Level 3 and qualified as a Close Protection Operative as well as completing Advanced Surveillance and Intelligence qualifications.

Jason has enjoyed all outdoor pursuit activities from an early age, especially various running, orienteering, and hiking/walking endurance events. Until recently he was a member of a local running club covering all distances and terrain up to ultra-marathon. Jason’s achievements include 2 x 100km Ghurkha endurance tests, 5 x 50-mile orienteering competitions and a 168-mile charity walk from North to South Wales to name but a few.

Jason joined TSFE in 2016 as a staff member and qualified PTI on Bootcamp, Loadstone Continuation, Hill Fit and most recently the virtual events.

TSFE MARSHALS

When it comes to event days, our team of Marshals help to ensure everything runs smoothly. Each marshal receives the relevant briefing and induction for each event, and is paired with a key member of staff for the day itself. If you’ve been a participant in one of our events previously and would like to experience things from the other side, register your interest in becoming a Marshal with us by emailing admin@thesfexperience.co.uk

Medical & Emergency

ALAN M.

Alan is our Medical and Health & Safety officer. His main role is to ensure that every event has the right level of first aid and medical cover.

Alan has worked as a Firefighter for 20 years. He has gained qualifications in pre-hospital trauma life support, First Responder Emergency care ¾ & MIRA. Alan has used his skills all over the world and was Operations Director for two RAF Response teams and still responds for the Ambulance service today. He now also spends his time running two training companies as well as being TSFE’s internal medical officer.

ST JOHN AMBULANCE & ST JOHN AMBULANCE CYMRU

St John Ambulance are a leading not-for-profit provider of specialist ambulance services across England and Wales.

TSFE Employ SJA as the onsite event medical emergency support team to ensure that anybody who requires medical attention whilst on the event has swift access to emergency medical care.

Our team of staff are well trained in safely assisting anyone in need and if required, helping participants off the hills to the nearest safety RV point where they will be either met by the SJA team or promptly escorted to them using vehicles laid out for this eventuality.

For more information on the amazing work that SJA do please visit their website on https://stjohnwales.org.uk/ (Wales) and https://www.sja.org.uk/ (England)