Health Coach, Rebekka Costello, shares
An inside look into her work at nib
Behind everything we offer to support our members, are the people making it all happen. Rebekka Costello, one of our amazing Health Coaches and a registered nurse, gives us an inside look at what led her here and what motivates her to keep going each day.
Tell us about your career background
My career began with a love of frontline care. I trained as a paramedic, moved into nursing, and eventually joined the emergency department (ED) where I learned to juggle complex priorities, support many diverse people in crisis, and make high pressure decisions.
I later became a Nurse Educator and Nurse Consultant which deepened my passion for mentoring and patient care. Then during COVID, I helped lead my department’s pandemic response.
After many years in the public hospital system, I discovered health coaching, applied for a role at nib NZ, and began a new chapter.
In finding health coaching, I found my health again. At nib, I work within a system designed to support people early - we're not just the 'ambulance at the bottom of the cliff'.
What does a Health Coach do?
We’re trained health professionals who help people make realistic, sustainable lifestyle changes to improve their health and manage or help prevent illness. We don’t diagnose or prescribe; instead, we bridge the gap between what is discussed in the doctor’s office and what happens once someone goes and lives their everyday life.
At nib, my role includes helping members navigate the health system and nib processes, translating medical jargon, discussing their options, and ultimately making everything less overwhelming.
In practice, this can mean supporting members to manage a long‑term condition find their way through a new diagnosis, prepare for GP or specialist visits, or align lifestyle changes with their clinical care.
What is the most fulfilling thing about your job?
I love watching people grow in their own way and in their own time, seeing their confidence build, and those light bulb moments when they make connections and learn something new.
Describe a memorable moment or interaction with a member
I was working with a member who was morbidly obese. Her goal was to lose enough weight to safely undergo anaesthetic for an upcoming surgery. While supporting her with her weight loss was the main focus, what stood out was celebrating her small wins along the way—not getting out of breath running up the stairs, feeling confident enough to look in the mirror again, having the energy to play with her kids, and becoming more social in her community. Watching her transform not just physically, but in confidence and quality of life, was incredibly rewarding.
What’s one piece of health advice you have for readers?
Sleep is medicine.
There’s an overwhelming amount of research showing the benefit of prioritising sleep: it aids in weight management, boosts immunity, and reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Sleep also enhances mental health, mood resilience and cognitive function.
If sleep were available in pill form at your local pharmacy, everyone would be asking for it! The best part about sleep as medicine? It’s free, accessible to everyone, it is safe for all ages, and has virtually no side effects. Most of us can even do it with our eyes closed! So, treat sleep like the powerful medicine it is - your health and wellbeing depend on it.