About
About
When I was first diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in the late summer of 2024, I knew that it was coming. Not only had I been experiencing symptoms for about 5 years -- lack of arm swing when walking, slowness, stumbling, lost of strength in my right arm and leg...-- but because it runs in my family: both my mother and father were diagnosed with PD in their later years, and my sister in her late 50's. I haven't tested for the marker gene, because whatever the marker is, it just represents a tendency that can be triggered or subdued by environmental and lifestyle factors. That's epigenetics, and the reason to be proactive: What I do matters.
Epigenetics is the study of how the environment and other factors can change the way that genes are expressed, beyond how the DNA is written. About 15% of Parkinson's patients have a family history of the disease, while only 5-10% are thought to have one of the genetic mutations that can predispose one to the disease (LRRK2, PARK2, PARK7, PINK1 or the SNCA gene).
The Before Times
Professionally, I work in the field of Public Health Communications (aka Behavior Change Communications or Social Marketing), and teach in the Master of Public Health program in the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. I have a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and a Master's degree in Media Ecology. When I trained to be a Health Coach in 2015, the background in the theories of behavior change and research-based best practices, as well as curriculum development, set me up for taking action on the epiphany I was about to have.
In 2016, I was researching a book that brought together these two interests: media and health. The focus was how the media--and advertising in particular--has created a food culture where convenience is the predominant value. In particular, I was deep into studying the tactics of Big Sugar, and how the repetition of images of kids eating sugary cereals on television has made parents and kids think that cereal is an easy and healthful breakfast -- when nothing could be farther from the truth -- when I had an epiphany in a grocery store.
I was finished with my grocery shopping and looking for a snack to eat in the car on the drive home (that's why they put the candy by the checkout!). As I was reaching for the dark chocolate peanut butter cups, I heard myself say, "You can have that, you worked out today." Now, that's something I've said to myself a hundred or a thousand times before, but since I was studying the sugar industry I was able to identify that it wasn't my rational brain talking. That's when it hit me: That's the Sugar Talking! I stood there in the middle of the market for several minutes, dumbfounded. Have I been addicted to sugar this whole time and not realized it? Are all the rationalizations and justifications for having treats consistent with other forms of addiction? How is it possible that sugar is talking to me? It was right then that I decided to change the focus of my research from advertising and policy to biology. And I was going to unravel my sugar addiction, and teach others how to do it too.
It took me two years to heal my dependency on sugar, and I created my first course Breaking Free from Sugar in 2019. To date, over 4,000 people have taken that course, with over 95% of them reporting they were successful reducing their sugar consumption and planning to continue with a sugar-minimal lifestyle. Then I wrote a book about it called The Sweet Tooth Dilemma, which became a bestseller on Amazon.
Because of that experience of healing took two years until I felt like I was on solid ground -- changing 35 years of habits, beliefs and biology doesn't happen over night -- I figure that might also be the case with PD. if I dedicate myself to learning, and experimenting with changing all the lifestyle and environmental factors within my control, that I can reverse the symptoms of Parkinsonism. And I'm giving myself two years to try (though really I won't stop trying :).
Where I am now
When I was officially diagnosed with PD in the late summer of 2024, I went through an emotionally tumultuous period, alternating self-pity and defiance. I joined the Facebook Group on Alternative Healing for Parkinson's, started following organizations and websites (see Resources tab), and generally started experimenting. I had heard that vigorous exercise was one of the only documented ways to slow the progression of the disease, so I started raising my workout game: got a Peloton bike (to use in addition to the weight training classes) and started Rock Steady, a boxing program for people with PD.
Then, in the late fall, I developed a habit of easily-triggered crying. The smallest mention or thought of having PD would send me into uncontrollable waves of tears. It felt like they were coming from my chest. Just flooded with emotions, a mix of grief, feeling sorry for myself, opportunity lost, feeling like something had been taken away from me, and even a bit of resentment -- why me, I'm so healthy?!
The months of crying came to a peak on New Year's Eve. We went out to a Talking Heads tribute band, with the youthful excitement of dancing in the New Year. Except the minute I stepped on to that dance floor, the sobbing started and barely let up for several hours. You see, I was a dancer -- not a professional dancer but a freestyle dancer, who loved to go out dancing and lose myself in the music. I used to pride myself on being able to dance to any type of music. It was a cherished form of tension release, creative expression, and often a workout too. It was the one place I could get out of my head and into my body. But on New Year's' Eve, my body was having none of it. I could barely sway to the beat let alone dance to those well-loved songs in rhythm..
I suppose that was my emotional rock-bottom, because I woke up the next morning with resolve:
- I'm not going to feel sorry for myself anymore
- I'm going to learn and do everything I can to feel the best I can
- I'm going to figure stuff out and share it with the PD community
I am sharing my journey publicly in case I actually am successful in reversing the disease there will be a record, and also to let others with PD share in my up days and down days. We need to stay resilient.
My approach is systems-based, and starts with the assumption that the rise of PD (and other neurological disorders including Alzheimer's) is not natural to ageing: it is our food, our environment, and our lifestyles are creating disease in the body. It is a functional medicine/nutrition approach that looks to address the root causes rather than merely address symptoms.
I don't have anything against addressing symptoms directly too -- I am currently taking a small dose of carbidopa/levidopa.
It is my current mission: to explore, test, and share what works.
Thanks for reading.
See Recent Posts from my Health Coaching Blogs
[PD Blog starting soon!]
Illuminate Your Day in Just 5 Minutes
How you begin your day sets the tone for everything that follows. Many of us instinctively reach for our phones first thing, scrolling through emails or the news, immediately flooding our brains with distractions or stressors. What if, instead, your mornings became a sanctuary for cultivating clarity, calm, and intention?
Why Meditation Matters
Meditation has gone mainstream—and for good reason. It's a scientifically-backed practice proven to reduce stress, increase emotional resilience, sharpen concentration, and enhance overall wellbeing.
Regular meditation cultivates:
Focused attention: Strengthening our ability to direct and sustain our focus.
Inner peace: Lowering anxiety levels and promoting emotional stability.
Mindfulness: Helping us observe our thoughts rather than being swept away by them.
Mastery: Regular meditation practice awakens higher perception, which cultivates wisdom and personal power.
Imagine seeing your thoughts as passing clouds rather than turbulent storms. This shift alone can radically improve your day-to-day experience.
Types of Meditation (Spoiler: There's a type for everyone!)
Meditation doesn't need to be complicated, long, or intimidating. Even a few minutes a day makes a difference. Here are some accessible meditation styles:
Guided Meditation: Perfect for beginners or those who enjoy structured support. Apps like Headspace, Calm, or Insight Timer offer excellent guided sessions ranging from 3 to 30 minutes.
Breath Awareness Meditation: Simply focus your attention on your breath, noticing the inhale and exhale. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to focusing on your breath. If you want to see how much your mind actually wanders, try counting your breaths!
Mantra Meditation: Mantras are words or phrases that are imbued with meaning, that deepen with repetition. Though often handed down in spiritual traditions, they can also be sweet words or phrases that carry meaning for you. You can even use different words for the inhale and exhale, such as repeating "expanding" on the inhale and "peace" on the exhale.
Body Scan Meditation: Systematically bring attention to each part of your body, starting from your head down to your feet, noting sensations without judgment. [In addition to the apps mentioned, there are hundreds of guided meditations on YouTube; just search for 10 minute (or 5 or 20) body scan, yoga nidra, or non-sleep deep rest (NSDR).]
Some Notes on Process
As important as the time you set aside for meditation is your attitude and intention. Creating a ritual, with the intention of using this time to set the tone for the day, tells your brain that it's time to do something differently. Just this act of setting an intention puts the reins in hands of greater consciousness rather than the default of the reactive mind. Your attitude and intention are powerful tools that set-you-up for success.
Setting intentions for the day -- and for the moment at hand (which I call micro-intentions) -- is a way of pre-programming your brain to perceive experiences in a way that supports your growth. For example in the realm of health improvement, an intention for the day might be to pause and take a breath before eating. Do this with as much detail as you can: putting you plate down at the table, pulling out the chair, scooting-in the chair, relaxing into the seat, taking a big inhale as you look at the beautiful plate of food you have prepared, and being grateful for the opportunity to be nourished and experience it all. As you do the intention-setting, really feeling-into what it feels like to slow down and be present. When you set this intention and visualization at the beginning of the day, it creates a matrix into which your experience can flow -- there's sort of an anticipatory memory that you can tap into in the moment. It's very effective!
Morning Movement: A Great Companion to Meditation to Transition Into Your Day
Pairing meditation with gentle movement amplifies its benefits, waking up your body and mind in harmony. It's a great way to practice carrying the good energy and focus you developed in your meditation into your day. Whether it's a quick yoga routine, stretching, or a brisk walk around the block, movement helps:
Increase energy and alertness.
Improve mood and reduce feelings of fatigue.
And, can expand mindfulness and strengthen mind-body awareness.
Whatever your activity is after meditating, try extending the expanded awareness into it.
Your Action Plan: Start Small, but Start Now
You don't have to overhaul your routine overnight. Here’s how you can begin:
Commit to just 5 minutes of meditation each morning. Consistency beats duration. If you're new to habit change, just think about building muscles: one casual walk per week is going to build muscle at a different rate than purposeful walking daily. In a similar way, purposeful, daily meditation will build your contemplative muscles, creating space for more peace and insight during your day.
Choose your meditation style and stick to it for a week. Guided recordings can make this easier.
If possible and practical, follow meditation with movement: A brief stretching sequence, gentle yoga poses, or even a 10-minute walk. In the yogic traditions, the sequence is reversed: the yoga comes first, energizing the body and calming the nervous system to prepare for the stillness of meditation.
Notice and reflect. After one week, take stock of how you feel. Is your mind clearer? Are you calmer throughout the day? Did the intentions and visualizations you set at the beginning of the day manifest in the moment?
When you consistently begin your day grounded and centered, challenges become more manageable, creativity flows easier, and a sense of peace pervades even the busiest days.
Remember, your mornings are your foundation. Use them to create space and peace, setting the tone for the day you want to create.
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