Biking around town, attending fitness classes, lifting weights, gardening and serving as a certified Professional Ski Instructor of America aren't hobbies for the couch potato, let alone a weekend warrior. Our January Member of the Month boasts all of these on his current resume, including being a caretaker to a family member. Perhaps more impressive than this laundry list of activities is that Burrell Jull continues to thrive in these hobbies, while less than six months ago undergoing complete open-heart surgery.
Five years ago during a routine physical checkup, doctors discovered that Burrell had been born with a congenital heart defect. This last July, Burrell underwent open-heart surgery to insert a mechanical heart valve. While a surgery of this magnitude often sidelines its recipients for months, and can even be a life-altering event, Burrell was back inside the gym of Bellingham Tennis and Fairhaven Fitness on the elliptical machine only 11 days after his open heart procedure! The rehabilitation after this surgery required lots of walking. Burrell was instructed to take 5 walks per day each lasting 5 minutes but he was able to log 5 THIRTY minute walks during the first week post-surgery. "I knew my lungs needed to be re-inflated," he says. "During the surgery, they deflate the lungs as to not fill them up with liquid. It's the patient's job to re-inflate them." Equally, if not more important than Burrell's rehab, was his "pre-habbing." For three months prior to his surgery, Burrell was extra-diligent in the gym, focusing on strengthening his upper body and core muscles. Such a proactive approach by Burrell prior to his surgery helped make his return to his "normal life" as quick and painless as possible!
Burrell is back to his normal routine, spending 10+ hours a week exercising vigorously. He shares his time between our gym (elliptical and free weights) and biking to and from Pilates classes. Ski season is also upon us, so Burrell is back on the mountain training ski instructors several days each week around the Pacific Northwest.
In order to take care of his mother-in-law (Burrell traded in his wood working job to care for her after she suffered a stroke), be there for his lovely wife Pamela, son Peter, his friends, his family and his ski students, Burrell knew the importance of taking care of himself. His aggressive approach to preparing for his open-heart surgery and diligence in his rehabilitation all served as major factors in Burrell's ability to bounce back and continue thriving. Burrell's story serves as a direct testimony to the benefit of physical activity in our health journey and reiterates the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Burrell, we appreciate your kindness and the positive vibes you spread throughout the Club! The way you've approached and handled your health procedure with such grace and determination serves as a great example to us all who will face obstacles in the New Year.
Our Member of the Month receives a $25 gift certificate to the Pro Shop.
