Maz’s journey began in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where, at the tender age of ten, the peaceful life he knew came to an abrupt halt. With his home city under siege, Maz spent several months seeking refuge in a cellar. Eventually, he managed to escape with his mother and brother, while his father, a fighting-age male, remained behind to defend their homeland.

As a refugee, Maz spent three and a half years in Munich, Germany, where he not only had to adapt to a new language but also immerse himself in an entirely different culture, lifestyle, and societal position. This experience granted him a unique insight into the seldom-discussed aspects of war as witnessed by survivors. Towards the end of the Bosnian war, Maz’s father joined them in Germany, and at the end of 1995, the family migrated to Australia.

Driven by a deep-seated desire to assist those in need, Maz enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in 2004. Over the course of ten years, he served on active duty in Afghanistan and Timor Leste as an Intelligence Officer. Following his first stint of military service, Maz returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina with his life partner, Esin, to establish CrossFit Sarajevo, the country’s first official CrossFit box. This not-for-profit enterprise aimed to bridge structural and persistent ethnic divisions and promote unity through the sport of CrossFit, as well as by supporting various charity events and donation drives along the way.

After three years in Sarajevo, Maz pursued further studies in Sweden, followed by a consultancy position in Iraq, overseeing operations for a British post-conflict development consultancy. Maz’s passion for communication led him back to Sweden, where he served as an Adjunct Lecturer in communication at the University of Gothenburg.

In 2020, in preparation for the arrival of their first-born, Lara, Maz and Esin returned to Australia. Soon thereafter, Maz rejoined the Australian Regular Army, where he currently holds the esteemed position of Chief of Defence Force Research Fellow. In this role, Maz is pursuing a PhD in Military Ethics, delving into the intricate connection between moral degradation and moral responsibility. He holds a diverse academic background, with degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, a Masters of Arts in Strategy and Management, a Masters in Science in Communication, and a Masters of Science in Global Studies.

Between his PhD and podcasting responsibilities, Maz spends his days chasing Lara and her younger brother, Daryan, around the beaches of the magical Gold Coast in Australia. 

If you have any questions or would like to suggest a topic or guest for the show, please do not hesitate to reach out at info@thevoicesofwar.com.