10/15/2026
✨Member Spotlight✨
Joel K. Pritchow has been a valued member of Anytime Fitness Gig Harbor since 2012, making him part of our gym community for nearly 14 years. His fitness journey took an unexpected turn in 2018 when he suddenly lost consciousness during a workout. After extensive testing, Joel was diagnosed with Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV), a congenital heart condition he had never known he had.
For the next five years, Joel was restricted from physical activity while doctors monitored his condition. In 2023, he was finally cleared to begin exercising again, and in May 2024, he was cleared to return to weightlifting.
When Joel returned to the gym, he began training with Lael, who took the time to understand his condition and create a program that prioritized his safety while helping him rebuild his strength. With patience and consistency, Joel gradually worked his way back into serious training.
One of his biggest goals was to earn a spot on the gym’s Top Ten lifting board. After months of dedicated training, Joel accomplished exactly that with an incredible 505-pound deadlift—a milestone made even more meaningful considering everything he had overcome to get back to the gym.
Joel’s journey didn’t end there. In May 2026, doctors discovered that his condition had caused an enlargement of his aorta, and he was told he would need open-heart surgery to replace his valve and the affected portion of his aorta. His surgery is scheduled for November 2026.
Through every setback, Joel has continued to show incredible resilience, patience, and determination. Outside the gym, he enjoys collecting baseball cards, golfing, co-ed kickball, collecting socks, and playing video games.
Joel’s story is a reminder that setbacks don’t have to define what comes next. We’re incredibly proud of everything he has accomplished and are cheering him on as he takes on his next chapter.
