Jarrod finds a new focus through fitness

After a decade behind the camera, Jarrod Carter was ready to turn the lens on what he really wanted from his career.

The former photographer has since found a new direction combining disability support and fitness, earning him the title of Vocational Student of the Year at the 2026 Queensland Training Awards – South East regional final.

Jarrod’s creative career began in film and documentaries before he spent 10 years running his own photography business.

“After 10 years in photography, I had reached burnout,” he said.

The COVID-19 pandemic gave Jarrod time to reconsider his future, eventually leading him into disability support.

Through his own health and wellbeing journey, he developed an interest in the connection between physical and mental health and wanted to better understand the science.

“I’d made plenty of mistakes and had some injuries, so I wanted to understand the science behind exercise rather than just relying on things I’d picked up online,” he said.

Jarrod enrolled in the Certificate III in Fitness (SIS30321) at TAFE Queensland’s Robina campus, initially expecting to use the knowledge mainly for himself.

“I thought it would be a good way to dip my toe into something new,” he said.

“I quickly realised how useful it could be in my disability support work.”

The campus facilities allowed Jarrod and his classmates to move directly between learning in the classroom and putting their knowledge into practice in the gym.

For Jarrod, the supportive learning environment was another highlight.

“The teachers were incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely invested in helping us learn,” he said.

“We had people of different ages and backgrounds, including international students, and everyone brought something different to the classroom.”

Jarrod now uses his fitness training in his role at Wellness Australia Group, adapting activities to suit clients with different abilities, interests and support needs.

“The biggest thing has been learning how to exercise safely and reduce the risk of injury,” he said.

For one client, traditional gym sessions had become difficult and were leading to conflict and challenging behaviours.

Using the skills gained through his course, Jarrod developed a program around the client’s individual needs, finding a more enjoyable way to work towards the same goals.

“He now enjoys going to the gym every week, and it’s no longer the struggle that it once was,” Jarrod said.

“It really showed me how creative you can be with fitness.”

Jarrod said his experience across disability support and fitness helps him look beyond exercises and focus on the person in front of him.

“Fitness isn’t just about sets, reps and exercises,” he said.

“It’s about the individual person and what they need to feel comfortable, confident and successful.”

Jarrod’s achievements were first recognised when he was selected as TAFE Queensland’s 2025 Gold Coast Vocational Student of the Year from more than 3,750 eligible students.

“It was honestly incredible. I was completely shocked and didn’t expect it at all,” he said.

In 2026, he continued that success by winning Vocational Student of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards – South East regional final.

The award recognised Jarrod’s outstanding achievement in vocational education and the way he applies evidence-based fitness knowledge to support people with different needs and goals.

For Jarrod, the recognition also provided an opportunity to thank his teachers, Hunter and Matt, for encouraging him to ask questions and explore ideas beyond the coursework.

“I’d gone from feeling burnt out and unsure about what I wanted to do next to discovering something I was genuinely passionate about,” he said.

Jarrod now plans to return to TAFE Queensland to complete the Certificate IV in Fitness and work towards becoming a personal trainer.

“The Certificate III was only six months, so it wasn’t a huge commitment, but it opened so many doors for me,” he said.

“I went into it thinking I might just learn something useful for myself, and it ended up changing the direction of my career.”

“Going back to study was a huge turning point in my life, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”