Hi, I’m Rob Colley. For 23 years, I served in Elite Military Teams, leading under intense, high-pressure conditions. I carried the weight of responsibility for the safety, success, and survival of my teams, a role that earned me honours like the Distinguished Service Cross for Gallantry. I was trained in one of the world’s most advanced human performance programs, mastering the ability to stay calm and focused in life-or-death situations.
Yet, despite my outward success, I was unknowingly stuck in survival mode. Years of high-stress leadership, trauma, and loss had taken a silent toll on my mind and body. I suppressed my own needs, believing that leaders must remain strong at all costs. It wasn’t until the conclusion of my career, after losing colleagues and facing life-changing injuries, that I began to confront the emotional burnout I had ignored for years.
In this period of transition, I also faced a personal crisis—divorce after 17 years of marriage. Everything I had built seemed to be falling apart, and I knew I had to find a new path forward. That’s when I discovered ancient human performance techniques that transformed my life. These tools helped me heal, rebuild, and thrive, allowing me to let go of fear, trauma, and even my identity as a soldier.
After spending years mastering these methods, I began teaching others, starting with my role as Elite Performance and Training Director at DEEP. Over the past three years, I’ve also led wellbeing retreats for servicemen and women in recovery, supporting over 300 individuals on their journey to balance and resilience.
Now, through Thrival Instinct, I’m dedicated to helping purpose-driven individuals, leaders, and those seeking growth break free from survival mode and unlock their full potential.