Olympian Jana Pittman says she feels like a ‘black sheep’ after becoming the first in her family to divorce, but admits she is ‘proud’ to be a single mother.
SAS Australia finalist, 39, who has six children, also revealed that she plans to enlist in the army.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, she explained: ‘In my parents’ generation, they fought and made up because divorce was taboo. I’m the first divorcee in my entire network – and I’m ashamed of it. ‘
Olympian Jana Pittman says she feels like a ‘black sheep’ after becoming the first in her family to divorce, but admits she is ‘proud’ to be a single mother. Photo taken with ex-husband Chris Rawlinson in 2007
But the twice-married, four-time Olympic gold medalist said she was ‘very proud’ to have attended medical school ‘as a single parent with no income’.
Pittman is the mother of 15-year-old son Cornelius, whom she shares with her first husband, British Olympic athlete Chris Rawlinson.
She also has two daughters, Emily, seven, and Jemima, five, whom she conceived through donors, and Charles, one- and four-month-old twins Willow and Quinlan, whom she welcomed with second husband Paul Gatward.
The mother-of-six recently revealed that she is in the process of enlisting and is excited to follow in the footsteps of other family members who have served.
‘I’m halfway through that application,’ Jana said, but I was pregnant with twins, so it was delayed,’ Jana said.
Pittman is the mother of 15-year-old son Cornelius, whom she shares with her first husband. She also has daughters Emily, seven, and Jemima, five, whom she conceived through donors, son Charles, one-year-old, and four-month-old twins Willow and Quinlan
Pittman has had an impressive career behind her, including winning a medal at the Commonwealth Games, becoming a qualified doctor and starring in the military-style reality show. harsh SAS Australia.
She is also the first woman and second Australian athlete in history to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in relay and skating.
But her decision to join the army was mainly influenced by her family as her brother, grandfather, brother-in-law and father-in-law were all veterans.
‘My brother is an Afghan veteran, my grandfather is in the military and my husband’s brother is also in the army, as is his father. My grandparents were also Dutch and went through the Second World War (Nazi occupation),’ she said.
‘So we’ve seen firsthand how war can affect them when they return home. I grew up with a lot of respect for veterans. ‘
The 39-year-old mother of six is currently serving in the military and is excited to follow in the footsteps of other family members who have served.
Pittman’s brother Ryan was in the military for several years and did tours in Afghanistan.
It was her brother’s experience in the military that made Pittman want to join and promote Legacy Centenary Torch Relay.
Legacy Centenary Torch Relay is a six-month campaign aimed at recognizing veterans and the families of veterans.
The torch for next year’s campaign will travel more than 50,000 kilometers across 100 locations including France, Britain and Australia. It will be carried by about 1,500 torch bearers.
Pittman took part in season two of SAS Australia and was one of five rookies – and the only woman – to make it to the grueling end.
She was ultimately eliminated by the directing staff, with NRL star Sam Burgess being the only one to make it through.
Jana comes from a military family. Her brother, grandfather, brother-in-law and father-in-law all served in the military. Jana is pictured on SAS Australia
Source: | Dailymail.co.uk
