Chi Energy poses for a photo with a scar he received from open heart surgery in his home in the Castro District on Monday, May 23, 2022 in San Francisco. The surgery required a heart bypass machine and breathing machine making him unable to move for months after the procedure.
At 50 after being active all his life, he lost most of his muscle and cut his weight by over 30 pounds. Chi now wears padded undershirts so people won’t notice his change.
“I thought I would never be able to perform again,” Chi said. Chi is a former world champion baton twirler and coach. After the surgery he was unable to perform for over a year. “Leading the band in this year’s San Francisco Pride Parade has became my goal,” Chi said softly.