When we last heard from Josh, he had achieved something that seemed out of reach – completing the Melbourne Marathon just nine months after sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The next challenge – returning to meaningful work – proved to be a complex phase of his journey.
Valuing structure, Josh first volunteered at his primary school before starting a commercial window fitter apprenticeship in August 2024. Despite strong support from his care team, the construction environment’s high noise, safety risks, and physical requirements (like working at heights and limited lifting) proved challenging, and Josh made the call to pause the apprenticeship in February 2025. However, this loss of routine unfortunately led to low mood and isolation.
True to his resilient nature, Josh instinctively gravitated back to the North Melbourne Football Club (NMFC), where he was offered a meaningful volunteer role in May 2025. This provided the essential structure he needed, naturally incorporating rehab goals like running and coordination. He leveraged this time to gain confidence and social skills, completing his Level 1 Sports Trainer Certificate and preparing him for a future career move.
Josh recently secured a role at a sports retail store and has quickly found his stride, working full time hours. The environment is an ideal fit: the pace is manageable, the social setting is positive, and he works alongside like-minded individuals. He is motivated, energised, and experiences far less fatigue than in his previous role – so much so that he occasionally goes in on his days off to help out and make sales!
He attributes his confidence to the time he spent with the NMFC team – which has enabled him to talk with anyone and share his TBI experience with colleagues who state they “wouldn’t have guessed it.” Management feedback is overwhelmingly positive and Josh remains proactive in managing minor challenges (ie. having to use ladders to retrieve stock) by seeking help and developing strategies. This successful transition confirms his ability to thrive in a supportive, structured and social setting.
Witnessing Josh’s journey – from the marathon finish line to his insightful decision to pivot into an alternative career path, and finally his success in retail – has been deeply inspiring. We are continually impressed by his self-awareness, his resilience and his unwavering commitment to building a life with a strong sense of purpose.
Josh’s story is a powerful reminder that recovery is not a straight path, it takes a lot of support, hard work, insightful decisions and sometimes purposeful pivots with the goal of continuing to take steps forward in the right direction. We are excited to see where Josh ends up!
Josh’s journey is a testament to his resilience and determination. The outcomes and progress described here are not necessarily indicative of what others can expect. It’s important to remember that each individual’s experience with recovery, extent and nature of injuries and access to rehabilitation is unique.
Please consult with your healthcare professionals for personalised advice and support tailored to your specific circumstances.
To find out more
Read Josh’s original story: A Journey of Resilience and Recovery
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