A Maltese lifestyle coach endured two highly traumatic events in the space of a year. After undergoing open heart surgery, he is currently recovering from a car accident that cut short his 38-year career as a competitive bodybuilder and may have cost him his source of income.
So one of his former clients has set up a GoFundMe page to help the 57-year-old cover medical costs, support his young son and maintain a decent standard of living.
Robin Malta had the privilege of speaking with John F. Xuereb, a prominent figure in the fitness and lifestyle industry here in Malta, and delved into his story of resilience and determination.
“Accidents are a reality of life, but the consequences of negligence on the road can lead to tragic consequences,” he said.
John is a fitness and lifestyle coach and currently lives in Mosta. He is from British Columbia, Canada. He came to Malta in 2011 with his model of a unique business aimed at empowering and educating the nation about managing their life, fitness and health goals.
Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to helping others live healthier lives. He’s written books, launched programs, and started a channel to share what he’s learned about health with anyone who wants to hear it.
In July 2023, he underwent emergency open heart surgery and was unable to work for a long time. This took a huge toll on John’s life, interfering with his ability to support himself, fulfill his responsibilities, and provide for his young son.
As he faced this transitional period and was finally getting back up to speed, John encountered another obstacle that would change his life once again.
Just as life was starting to return to normal, John was riding his scooter home after a training session with a client when a car suddenly made an illegal U-turn and hit John. He injured his left tibia, knee joint, ligaments and wrist.
“We were fortunate that kind people were able to provide assistance until help arrived.”
John endured two surgeries to address the extensive damage he sustained and continues to recover at Mater Dei Hospital.
The estimated timeline for him to start walking and return to training clients again is about three months, and he’s grappling with the reality that his competitive bodybuilding career may be coming to an end.
“It is important to drive responsibly, obey traffic laws and be mindful of the potential dangers vehicles pose. My hope is that by sharing my story, others will avoid unnecessary harm. “It’s about recognizing the importance of safe driving to prevent accidents,” he said.
But thanks to the network of devoted customers he has built, a GoFundMe has been set up by a dear friend in Canada who is determined to help John get back on his feet.
“In the Canadian context, platforms like GoFundMe are commonly used to provide support to people who are facing challenges similar to mine,” John explained.
“Unlike Canada, support channels in Malta are very different and the compensation framework for cases like mine is not readily available or readily available. Not to mention the immediate impact it has on my environment and the disruption to my recovery process, including the treatment I need to return to my previous state of health.”
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