Phil Damp

Phil’s Inspirational Journey – From Peak Fitness to Open Heart Surgery and an Incredible Comeback.

Phil began his journey with Vision Rose Bay in 2018, starting with a few injuries and a low level of fitness. Through consistent training and a strong commitment, Phil steadily improved both his fitness and impact on his life of his many injuries.

At the start of 2024, a heart test (A CT Angiogram) and multiple consultations with his cardiologist gave Phil a confronting glimpse of what a severely compromised life could look like; diminished mobility, no exercise and a level of health that would not allow Phil to enjoy life and achieve the goals he had set himself. This gave Phil greater clarity on the benefit of good fitness, diet and lifestyle.

By mid 2024, thanks to an incredible body transformation achieved with the ongoing support of his trainer Drew, Phil was feeling confident that surgery might not be necessary. However, a sudden change of fortune and a follow-up test in December 2024 revealed a different story — surgery was needed immediately for an aortic valve repair and removal of aneurysm . This news came as a huge shock to Phil, it knocked his confidence and took a toll on his mental health.

Phil was forced to take 2.5 months away from training to recover.

But here’s where Phil’s story takes a powerful turn.

Because of the fitness base and strength that Phil had built leading up prior to his surgery, Phil’s post surgical recovery was nothing short of remarkable.

Phil says “My Vision trainer Drew has been a significant and central part in my recovery. Drew was deeply interested in my recovery. He took a personal, measured, and careful approach to my training and focused on maintaining progress towards my recovery goal.”

Just as importantly, Drew provided Phil with motivation and the emotional support he says he required to regain his confidence and re-establish his exercise habit in those critical post-surgery months. Training at least 3 times per week, Drew provided Phil training routines that challenged him and focused on incremental improvement. Positive feedback on progress and just as critically holding Phil at times, were tools Drew used to ensure Phil ultimately achieved his recovery goal of pre surgical fitness and strength within the 6 months of surgery.

Phil’s approach to his post-surgical recovery is best described in his own words: "When you get knocked down, you have no option but to get back up again."

And that’s exactly why today, Phil is thriving — like the surgery never even happened.