I am a physician, a USAF veteran, a triathlete, a wife and a mother.  I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020 at the age of 46.   I pictured myself on a steady downward trajectory and being completely disabled in a few years.  I suffered from anxiety and depression and gained 30 pounds.  

I enrolled in a research study at Cleveland Clinic studying the effects of high cadence cycling the progression of Parkinson’s disease.   I quickly realized that the more I rode the bike the better I felt.

I started to run again, and decided to sign up for a half ironman triathlon.  I set bigger and bigger goals, until I eventually made it to the finish line of Ironman Hawaii.

Exercise is the only thing shown to slow the progression of the disease.  With Parkinson’s it is even more difficult to exercise and even more important.  

My goal is to educate and inspire others to fight this disease through exercise, gratitude and positivity, to set big goals, and live life to our fullest.