What do Parkinson’s disease and an Ironman Triathlon have in common…Dr. Sara Whittingham Dr. Sara Whittingham is an Air Force Veteran and Anesthesiologist at Cleveland Clinic, Marymount Hospital, and clinical faculty member at Northeast Ohio Medical University.   She traveled the world caring for fellow service members and patients.  In Nov. 2020, at the age of 46, Sara’s life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. Sara won a chance to compete at the 2023 Ironman World Championship in Kona.  She used this opportunity to raise awarene ..read more

Billy Kennedy is an American basketball coach who has a winning career spanning almost three decades.  He talks candidly about his diagnosis during a career change, DBS surgery and his approach to living with Parkinson’s disease.   ..read more

Time Hague runs the race of his life. Tim Hague Sr. overcame the odds when he went from a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease to winning season #1 of The Amazing Race Canada.   Listen in as he shares the lessons he learned from that experience.  His message is wrapped in the idea of having the strength to do your best, the courage to be content with what your best produces, and the will to persevere ..read more

Have you heard that exercise may slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease?  Are you curious which types of exercise may help? Please join me as I chat with Molly Cupka, Director of Sportrock Climbing Center in Alexandria, Virginia and Founder and President of Up Ending Parkinson’s.  In addition, two special guests, Teresa Bennett and Michelle Sloane,  join in the discussion of how rock climbing has impacted their quality of life.  Molly discusses her passion for neuroscience and her love of climbing, which was a driving force in starting a nonprofit, Up Ending Parkinson ..read more

Are you challenged with non motor Parkinson's symptoms?  Do you experience fatigue and sleep disruptions? Dr. Michael Okun discusses the management of these symptoms and more. Please join me as I speak with world Parkinson’s leader, Dr. Michael Okun.  Dr. Okun is a board-certified neurologist, movement disorders specialist, neuroscientist and author who practices with the philosophy that ‘the patient is the sun’ and should be at the center of all care decisions. Dr. Okun co-founded and co-directs the internationally renowned Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases with his ..read more

Are you curious how nutrition affects Parkinson’s Disease?  Is there a Parkinson’s specific diet?  What about microbiome?  Please join me as I talk with Carley Rusch PhD, RDN, LDN as she discusses how nutrition impacts Parkinson’s symptoms.   Carley coordinated a nutrition program at the UF Health Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and her PhD research investigated the role of the Mediterranean diet on improving gastrointestinal function in Parkinson’s disease. She is published in Frontiers in Neurology and co-authored other work investigating the role of pre ..read more

Please join me as I speak with world Parkinson’s leader, Dr. Michael Okun.  Dr. Okun is a board-certified neurologist, movement disorders specialist, neuroscientist and author who practices with the philosophy that ‘the patient is the sun’ and should be at the center of all care decisions. Dr. Okun co-founded and co-directs the internationally renowned Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases with his neurosurgeon partner and friend, Kelly Foote, MD. Since 2006.  He also serves as the Medical Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation. In addition, Dr. Okun has authored 14 books ..read more

Season 3 Episode 1: Jon Braddock is a licensed architect with a Masters Degree from MIT and a Bachelors Degree from the University of Florida.   He was diagnosed with YOPD in Jan, 2020 and lives in Ponte Vedra, Florida with his wife and two kids.  Join me as I talk to Jon about navigating Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease and coping with the disease during the “best” years of his life.    ..read more

Please join me as I chat with Allie Toepperwein, as she boldly shares her beautiful journey with Parkinson’s disease and her diagnosis at the young age of 37. Allie has inspired thousands of people as a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, and the first person with Parkinson’s to compete on American Ninja Warriors.  She travels throughout the country speaking about her journey and overcoming obstacles.  She looks at life with Parkinson's as a blessing. Thanks to her faith, her family and friends, she is a force to be reckoned with. Listen in as she talks about family life and ..read more

Join me as I chat with Annie Brooks, MSW who currently serves as the Associate Director of Education at the Parkinson’s Foundation. As part of the Education department, her primary focus is providing quality informational resources and programs for people with Parkinson’s disease, their care partners and loved ones, and the professionals who are part of the medical and care team. Annie oversees the Aware in Care and Hospital Initiatives, the Care Partner Program, and the production and distribution of educational materials in English and Spanish.  Annie completed her Master of Social Work ..read more