joelpilgrim

joelpilgrim Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from joelpilgrim, Occupational therapist, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney.

13/05/2026

Feel the fear.. an do it anyway. I hope this can be your reminder that starting a conversation with a stranger doesn’t have to feel scary.

I’m not saying we need to jump straight to the big heavy stuff.. but a hello can literally change someone’s day.

Let’s get back to looking up and talking to strangers being a normal thing! We’re all human, and we’re literally built for connection.

Content note: This video includes conversations about mental health and su***de.

29/04/2026

I might just be the only recruiter in the world who is both an ex-therapist and an ex-CEO!

After spending the best part of a decade in the CEO seat, I’m stoked to now be applying that experience to leadership recruitment.

I’ve partnered with Unbound Talent to lead their Executive Search function (part-time), and I’m loving every minute of it.

Turns out understanding people is pretty handy in the recruitment game!

If you’re hiring, let’s grab a coffee and see if I can help 🎯

This year Waves of Wellness turns 10! That feels pretty special to say out loud.What started as a small idea on the sand...
18/02/2026

This year Waves of Wellness turns 10! That feels pretty special to say out loud.

What started as a small idea on the sand has grown into a national mental health service delivering clinical surf therapy programs. We’ve directly supported over 5,500 people, but we’ve only just scratched the surface.

Right now, more than 1,500 people are on our waiting list. People who need support that we can’t reach fast enough.

To help WOW grow its impact this year we’re forming a Development Committee, a small group of values-aligned volunteers who want to contribute their skills, ideas, networks or energy to help WOW thrive.

You don’t need to be a fundraising expert. We’re especially keen to hear from people with experience in:
partnerships, events, marketing/communications, philanthropy, community building or anyone who cares deeply about mental health and wants to get more involved.

If that’s you, or someone you know, we’d love to hear from you 💙

It was a blast looking back over memories from my 2018 Westpac Social Change Fellowship this week. Here’s a snapshot of ...
08/02/2026

It was a blast looking back over memories from my 2018 Westpac Social Change Fellowship this week. Here’s a snapshot of the whirlwind trip, and the big takeaways that changed the trajectory of my career.

A big congratulations to the 2026 Fellows announced this week, and good luck on this amazing journey!



This photo was taken in 2022. If you’d told me then that this moment would lead to Elliott Harris and I building a leade...
05/01/2026

This photo was taken in 2022. If you’d told me then that this moment would lead to Elliott Harris and I building a leadership experience for senior Black executives, there’s not a chance I would’ve believed you.

Elliott was in Australia for work so we shared a surf, which turned into one of those conversations that stays with you. It was obvious we had a shared respect for leader wellbeing, and the cost of carrying responsibility at the top.. the stuff most people never see.

Four years on, I’m stoked to share .co

This May, we bring it to life in Hawaii.
It still feels surreal writing that!

All the info and EOI’s at www.resetsummit.co

03/12/2025

After years as a Therapist, it was super frustrating seeing the same thing… kids feeling big emotions, but hiding them because they didn’t have the language to talk about it.

That’s why I wrote Stand Up Stand Out, a colourful story that helps kids recognise their emotions and feel comfortable in their own skin.

Inspired by my time with OneWave and the message “it’s OK not to be OK,” this book brings that same spirit to kids in a bright, fun and safe way.

The superstar artist (and dear friend) Mitch Revs took that message and turned it into something magic… a flock of surfing birds, each one representing a different emotion. Mitch, thank you for bringing my vision to life so perfectly!

I’m super proud of this book because it helps kids learn to do something most adults still struggle with… talk openly about their feelings. That’s the whole point.

It’s never too early to start learning about mental fitness and wellbeing!

If you’re buying a gift for kids (or big kids alike) this Christmas, making it meaningful. Grab a copy via the link in my bio 💙




What a night. The NSW Australians of the Year for 2026 have been crowned! 4 categories, and some seriously epic humans.I...
10/11/2025

What a night. The NSW Australians of the Year for 2026 have been crowned! 4 categories, and some seriously epic humans.

It was awesome to be among some of Australia’s most inspiring change-makers tonight at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

As a NSW Young Australian of the Year finalist back in 2018, it’s always special to be part of this community and see the next wave of leaders.

Big congrats to , .randyounes, and Jack Brown on being named finalists… and a huge shoutout to for taking it out! 2025 winner O’Grady was there to pass on the baton too. Well done, you’re all doing brilliant things for the country.

Tonight was also a timely reminder that behind every amazing cause are humans doing the hard yards, often in the quiet. It was really special tonight to have a few open, unfiltered chats with winners and finalists about what it takes to sustain this kind of work… the toll on wellbeing, the juggle, and the rollercoaster of emotions.

Grateful to the team for inviting me to be part of the evening… from sharing a mental health message in tonight’s video to standing alongside this incredible community, Her Excellency the NSW Governor , and Premier Chris Minns

The cup is officially full tonight 💙

“I wouldn’t be earth-side if it wasn’t for you.”A delegate shared these words with me this week, and it hit me hard!Just...
28/10/2025

“I wouldn’t be earth-side if it wasn’t for you.”

A delegate shared these words with me this week, and it hit me hard!

Just wrapped an incredibly powerful week with the Global Summit here in Scotland. Leaders, practitioners, and researchers from across six continents, all connected by the science and impact of surfing as a clinical tool.

What became super evident was the pivotal role we’re playing in supporting the wellbeing and sustainability of surf therapy leaders around the world.

Behind every program are leaders holding immense responsibility. Often underfunded, under-resourced, with many quietly burning out in service of others.

Grateful we get to not only change lives at ISTO, but sustain the people who make it possible 💙

Despite the logistical hoops and insurance loopholes, we made it happen! A memorable one for ’s Ducktober Day 23 💛Locati...
23/10/2025

Despite the logistical hoops and insurance loopholes, we made it happen! A memorable one for ’s Ducktober Day 23 💛

Location: Edinburgh Scotland,
Water temp: 10 degrees
Air temp: 8 degrees
Wind chill: 4 degrees
Cold rating: Freezing AF!
Stoke level: All time!

This was after an hour in the high performance session, completely wrecked, totally freezing, but determined not to fall off haha.

Usually you’re not allowed to surf without a wetsuit on for 2 reasons.. the potential injury hitting the cement, and the high chance of hypothermia. Thanks to the team at we found a way..

The group was sent in while I climbed out of the pool and Founder ripped my suit off, they sent out the head Lifeguard and programmed a custom one set of 3 waves.

With everyone wearing 5mm wetsuits, hoods, boots and some even gloves, this was a hard one to muster up the courage 😂

All in the name of mental health right!

These are the days we do Ducktober.. to support the people doing it tough at WOW. If you’ve been watching for a while and thinking about donating, I’d be so grateful for a couple of bucks. Link to support my fundraiser in my bio 💛



Scotland this week for the Global Summit!Stoked to represent Australia and as a Non-Executive Director of ISTO, and to...
20/10/2025

Scotland this week for the Global Summit!

Stoked to represent Australia and as a Non-Executive Director of ISTO, and to play a role in supporting this global movement forward.

It’s our first summit hosted at a surf park, and while I’m packing darkies about the water temp (and the amount of rubber required!), I can’t wait to see the masterpiece that is .

It’s been so special to see the surf therapy sector grow to over 140 organisations worldwide in the last 9 years.. and now, with surf parks joining the fold, we’re seeing epic new ways to scale the impact.

Here’s to this week being a big part of shaping the future of surf therapy worldwide!

Happy Bday to the twin bro ! This is one of my favorite memories of us triple-up barefooting with Dad. Here’s to another...
24/07/2025

Happy Bday to the twin bro ! This is one of my favorite memories of us triple-up barefooting with Dad. Here’s to another lap around the sun and more crazy shenanigans like this 💙

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