Running, sweating, and panting, physical activity taxes even the healthiest hearts, but for new personal fitness coach, Barrett Wilkes, this is his everyday life.  

“The hole in my heart didn’t close up until I was ten,” Wilkes said. 

Growing up, Wilkes was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect that caused a hole between his heart’s upper chambers.  

“I had to go to a hospital in Columbus to get everything checked out and keep an eye on it,” Wilkes said. 

After having a successful high school career in football, baseball, and basketball, Wilkes decided to get his degree in physical education. 

“I won a state championship in football and baseball in the same year,” Wilkes said. 

Making the move from Charlton County High School to Etowah, Wilkes describes his old school as rural, and Etowah as a much larger school.  

“I have now taught at five different schools, with Etowah being the fifth,” Wilkes said. 

Wilkes and his wife wanted to be closer to family, so they made the decision to move from South Georgia to Woodstock. 

“I lived in Valdosta until I was 24 or 25. I moved for my first job at Glynn Academy in Brunswick,” Wilkes said. 

Although Wilkes had health issues as a child, he has overcome them and has not had any issues since the hole in his heart healed.