Zach is about to go through something life-changing. On December 29th, he’ll be having open heart surgery to repair or replace a valve caused by a bicuspid valve issue he’s had since birth but didn’t know about until recently. It’s one of those conditions you don’t think about until suddenly it becomes the biggest thing in your world. The surgery is serious, and the recovery is no small feat. His body is going to need time to heal, rebuild strength, and adjust to a heart that’s finally working the way it’s supposed to.

If you know Zach, you know he’s built his life around movement: coaching, training, lifting, encouraging everyone else to push harder and get stronger. But after a surgery like this, he won’t be able to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for weeks. No barbells, no coaching sessions, no spotting clients, no Olympic lifts. Even simple things like getting in and out of bed, showering, and walking around are part of the rehab process. Doctors typically estimate several weeks of strict rest followed by months of gradual recovery, and he won’t be cleared for full physical activity for quite a while. That means zero income from the thing he loves most and the thing he depends on: personal weight training and fitness.

During this time, life doesn’t slow down just because his body has to. He’ll still have rent to pay, groceries to buy (and let’s be honest: feeding Zach is not a small-budget situation), and medical costs and follow-up appointments to handle. Recovery from open heart surgery is exhausting enough on its own. Stressing about money on top of that is the last thing he needs.

Every dollar raised here goes directly toward helping Zach cover his lost wages, keep up with basic living expenses, and manage any medical bills or unexpected costs that pop up during recovery. This support gives him the breathing room to focus on healing: eating well, getting through cardiac rehab, and slowly working back toward the strong, steady, loud-laughing human we all know and love.

We don’t know exactly how long he’ll be out of work, because healing happens on its own timeline. What we do know is that Zach will be unbelievably grateful for any help you can give. Whether you’re a friend, family member, gym buddy, or someone who has ever had Zach hype you up during something you swore you couldn’t do, your support truly matters.

Thank you for loving him the way he loves all of us. ♡

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Typical recovery time for valve repair or replacement:

For a bicuspid valve repair or replacement via open heart surgery, the standard recovery pattern looks like:

• Weeks 1–6: No lifting more than 5–10 lbs, no training clients, no driving for several weeks. Zero income.

• Weeks 6–12: Gradual increase in mobility. Many patients are still not cleared for strenuous activity: meaning Zach still can’t spot clients or lift.

• 12+ weeks: Most people only begin returning to light work if it’s sedentary. Full physical duties may take 3–4 months, sometimes longer.