Horsham Trainer Advances to 'Health Hero' Finals

He’s shed the weight of an entire person, inspired his students to be more fit and led Zumba charity marathons, all while embodying the phrase, “first love yourself.” 

Now, Horsham Athletic Club personal trainer Jeffrey Brous, 31, of Horsham, has added another feather to his physical fitness cap: Finalist.

Brous, who last month was named one of 16 semifinalists in the Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge, has received enough votes to put him in the elite class of four finalists vying for “bragging rights” and $3,000 for the winner’s charity of choice.

If he wins, Brous said he would support the It Gets Better Project, an organization created in 2010 after syndicated columnist and author Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller created a YouTube video “to inspire hope for young people facing harassment” bullying, and in some cases, suicide stemming from intimidation.

To date, the organization showcases more than 50,000 user-created YouTube videos–including many from celebrities and President Barack Obama–to “communicate to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth around the world that it gets better, and to create and inspire the changes needed to make it better for them,” according to its Web site.

“It’s been a very near and dear foundation to my heart,” said Brous, who has been in a committed same-sex relationship for the last eight years. “I was very, very blessed to have family that was extremely, extremely supportive. It was sad to me that people didn’t experience what I had.”

Brous said his partner, who is heavily involved with the Merck Rainbow Alliance, has made a video for the It Gets Better Project.

“I have definitely thought about making one,” Brous said. “It’s quite an inspiration.”

To learn more

Jeffrey Brous is competing in the final round of Philadelphia Magazine’s Be Well Philly Health Hero Challenge. Votes can be cast daily through Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. The winner will be announced in early November. Click here to see the finalists.