My Blog
I’m James Burns
Jim has always understood the benefits of exercise and is an advocate of helping schools build more activity time into student schedules to keep our children active and above all healthy. Jim is certified by the National Academy Of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a personal trainer and believes that exercise is the first step in reducing stress and becoming balanced mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. As an educator Jim believes that knowledge is power and that everyone should understand the benefits of exercise. “I Trained For A Quadruple Bypass” (contained as part of this newsletter) explains his journey from the understanding one’s own health and how one can ready themselves physical, mentally, and spiritually and do so without fear. Having a history of heart disease and stroke in his family Jim has learned that we are not determined by our genetics we are only influenced, and we can change our response to the influence at any time.
Longest Living Bypass Patient
A quadruple bypass surgery can sound like the end of the road for many people—but in reality, it can become the beginning of a long and meaningful second chapter. The story of Ray Hildridge proves exactly that. Ray underwent a quadruple coronary bypass in 1982 at just...
It’s Not About Moving Weight — It’s About Moving Well
Walk into any gym and you’ll see people focused on one thing—moving weight. Heavier dumbbells, bigger plates, more resistance. And while strength matters, the real purpose of lifting weights often gets lost. It’s not about the weight itself. It’s about what that...
The Power of Olive Oil: A Daily Habit for Lifelong Health
After returning from Greece, it’s hard not to come away changed—especially after experiencing authentic olive oil tastings. There is something different about it. The flavor is richer, the aroma more vibrant, and the cultural appreciation for olive oil runs deep. In...
Strength and Power: Why They Matter More Than Ever After 55
When we talk about fitness, most people think of strength—lifting weights, carrying groceries, or simply being able to get up from a chair. But there is another component that is just as important, especially as we age, and that is power. While these two qualities are...
Why People Don’t Exercise — And Why That Needs to Change
We all know the truth: exercise improves health, increases longevity, strengthens the heart, builds muscle, supports joint health, enhances mood, and even sharpens the mind. The science is clear and overwhelming. Yet, despite this knowledge, many people still don’t...
The LIFTMORE Study Big Picture Takeaway
This summary explains how the LIFTMOR study changed how experts think about exercise for osteoporosis—showing that heavy resistance training + impact exercises can safely improve bone density in older women when done correctly and supervised. What the LIFTMOR Study...
The Benefits of Zone 2 Training: Building Endurance, Health, and Longevity
Zone 2 training has become one of the most talked-about approaches in fitness—and for good reason. It represents a powerful, sustainable way to improve cardiovascular health, increase endurance, and support long-term vitality, especially for adults over 50. At its...
Why Light Weights May Not Be Enough After 70
By Jim Burns – Be Simply Fit™ A walk into most gyms will reveal a common scene among older adults: light dumbbells, slow repetitions, and a cautious approach to resistance training. While this may feel safe—and in some cases it is appropriate—it often falls short of...
Training After a Coronary Bypass: Why Exercise Matters More Than Ever
By Jim Burns, NASM CPT – Be Simply Fit Many people believe that once they have coronary bypass surgery their exercise days are over. In reality, the opposite is true. Exercise becomes more important than ever. I know this not from theory, but from personal experience....
Strengthening the Vagus Nerve: A Simple Daily Routine for Calm, Recovery, and Longevity
In recent years, scientists and physicians have begun paying closer attention to something that plays a powerful role in our health but that most people have never heard of—the vagus nerve. This remarkable nerve is a central part of the body’s parasympathetic nervous...