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Belgravia Leisure’s NSW Health and Wellbeing Manager Joel Costello, who three years ago, underwent lifesaving surgery to remove a tumour on his brain, has been given the title of National Exercise Instructor of the Year, announced at AUSactive 2023 awards last Friday.

Attracting thousands of applications each year, a national AUSactive award is considered the pinnacle of the country’s health and exercise industry achievement. 

Prior to brain surgery, the now 40-year-old Costello (pictured) was a leading fitness identity, running programs through his local gym, large group fitness events, PT sessions for celebrities, sports stars and corporates and various initiatives including boot camps, fitness fundraisers and health retreats.

After getting dizzy on a run one day, a long journey would ensue for Costello to try to get a straight diagnosis, bouncing between specialists, naturopaths and surgeons. After finally getting surgery following years of frustration, Joel spent five weeks in hospital (contracting pneumonia along the way) then another five weeks in rehabilitation and couldn’t walk, see or eat for three months. 

While he now has a slight limp, has trouble walking down sets of stairs, has to be careful when swallowing food and is unable to undertake particular physical activities - it doesn’t stop him from living a full and active life, exercising whenever he can.

Costello shares his remarkable story in this video and explains why you shouldn’t let self-consciousness stand in the way of your health and wellbeing goals.

Having defied the odds and has now dedicated himself to inspiring members to move past any limitations we may put on ourselves, Costello states “as the NSW Health and Wellbeing Manager, I am privileged to lead a team of Health Club Managers across the state, using the platform to help inspire communities to embrace movement and well-being.

“This responsibility carries the incredible potential to extend my influence across our national network of health clubs, propelling a collective journey toward better health and vitality.

“My connection to this mission runs deep, rooted in my personal experience of recovering from brain surgery. This profound empathy drives my commitment to fostering a welcoming space within our gyms, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, can step into with confidence. It is my unwavering belief that each visit should leave our members in a brighter state of mind than when they entered.

“Through all my endeavours, whether in the public speaking arena, during a team meeting or within the heart of our health clubs, my resounding message remains unchanged: ‘move because you can!’. This succinct phrase encapsulates the essence of my dedication, urging all of us to recognise the privilege of our current mobility, what we are currently lucky enough to be able to do with our bodies and the transformative impact it can have on our lives.” 

The AUSactive National Awards, formerly known as the Fitness Australia Awards, have a history of recognising and celebrating the outstanding achievements of the Australian health and exercise industry. 

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