Jono Castano has transitioned significantly from his earlier days of managing consecutive personal training sessions in various commercial gyms.
The well-known personal trainer is candidly sharing his experiences of stress, burnout, and the personal sacrifices behind his thriving wellness business. He acknowledges that he struggled with his mental health following his breakup with Simone Holtznagel.
“I probably wasn’t the best mentally,” Jono revealed to the Daily Mail.
The intense drive to expand ACERO, recognized as one of Australia’s rapidly advancing boutique fitness brands, eventually took its toll, prompting him to pause and re-evaluate his priorities.
Taking time to travel abroad provided Jono the opportunity to reset, reconnect with his inner self, and gain perspective away from the pressures of his enterprise.
As he looks towards 2026, Jono expresses that he is embarking on his most daring phase yet, fueled by both his aspirations and his journey into fatherhood.
Jono Castano (pictured) has come a long way from the days of juggling back-to-back personal training sessions across commercial gyms
The celebrity personal trainer is opening up for the first time about the pressure, burnout and personal toll behind his booming wellness empire, admitting he was not in a good headspace following his split with Simone Holtznagel
‘My daughter is my drive,’ he said. ‘Everything I do now is about building a better future for her.’
Jono has come a long way from the days of juggling back-to-back personal training sessions across commercial gyms, and now he is lifting the lid on how he quietly built Acero into one of Australia’s fastest-growing wellness brands.
The lightbulb moment came when he realised his days were capped.
‘I can only do so many sessions in a day,’ he said. ‘That was when I started thinking, how do I move to the next step?’
That question would spark what is now a full-scale wellness movement.
‘It’s not just a gym,’ Castano said. ‘It’s a movement. It’s a community with purpose.’
The turning point came via Instagram DMs, when aspiring trainers began asking to work under him.
‘People were actually inspired by what I was doing. That’s when I realised I could build something bigger than just me,’ he said.
‘My daughter is my drive,’ he said. ‘Everything I do now is about building a better future for her’
Jono has come a long way from the days of juggling back-to-back personal training sessions across commercial gyms, and now he is lifting the lid on how he quietly built Acero into one of Australia’s fastest-growing wellness brands. (Jono pictured with Chris Appleton)
But growth has not come without serious risk.
Castano admits he once poured all of his personal funds into opening a gym that failed to take off.
‘It didn’t kick off the way we expected,’ he said. ‘That was a massive risk and it definitely backfired.’
He also revealed his biggest fear was that Acero could not survive without him physically present.
‘My biggest fear was that if I wasn’t there, the gym wouldn’t be as busy,’ he said.
‘That’s when I realised the brand is much bigger than I am now.’
Today, Acero operates as a full-scale wellness hub, offering strength training, Reformer Pilates, kickboxing, physiotherapy and advanced recovery under one roof.
Looking ahead, Castano is preparing his boldest move yet.
Despite their romantic split, Castano continues to run the business alongside his ex-partner Amy – and says their relationship has never been stronger
He also revealed Amy has become a deeply trusted figure in his family life. ‘She’s a great godmother,’ Castano said. ‘She’s the perfect godmother for my daughter’
Acero in 2026 will see the brand expand further into the longevity and recovery space, with overseas hotel residencies and pop-up wellness hubs already in the pipeline.
The next generation of locations will include cold plunges, infrared saunas, IV drips and advanced recovery technology aimed at clients investing in longer, healthier lives.
His personal life has also taken an unconventional turn.
Despite their romantic split, Castano continues to run the business alongside his ex-partner Amy – and says their relationship has never been stronger.
‘I think our relationship is probably the strongest it’s ever been,’ he said. ‘She’s the only person that really understands me. She knows everything about Acero.’
He also revealed Amy has become a deeply trusted figure in his family life.
‘She’s a great godmother,’ Castano said. ‘She’s the perfect godmother for my daughter.’
Jono is now dating Love Triangle star Emily Ryder. They recently celebrated their 8 month anniversary
He describes Amy as his most trusted adviser and a key architect behind the brand’s future.
‘I trust her with my decisions and my whole life,’ he said.
And when it comes to the secret behind his success, Castano is blunt.
‘I don’t believe in luck,’ he said. ‘You create your own opportunities.’
