Former special forces commando and best-selling author Damien Thomlinson wears many hats.

In 2009, he was horrifically injured while serving in Afghanistan, losing both his legs when a Taliban bomb exploded.

Nearly 10 years later he’s transformed his life, becoming an actor, an author and a wheelchair basketball competitor in two Invictus Games.

But this year he’s taking on a whole new challenge by joining Channel 10’s Survivor cast.

The heroic former soldier tells Chris Smith he had a game plan from the get-go. But when one contestant entered the jungle, it all went out the window.

“You know, he’s the odd duck in a pond.

“He came in and kind of changed the team dynamic.”

Damien says it doesn’t take long for the games to begin.

“There is manipulation right from the word go,” Damien reveals.

Click PLAY below for the full interview 

Survivor hits our screens on Channel 10 tonight at 7:30