What did Parkinson's look like before we knew it was Parkinson's?

In this first episode, Todd and Eric walk through the early signs they noticed, what the diagnostic process looked like, and the strange moment you leave an appointment with a folder of pamphlets and no real game plan.

They talk about the athlete brain and how it helps you push through hard days, but also how Parkinson’s adds a hidden “energy tax” to everything: movement, speech, expression, and even showing up socially as your best self.

What we cover

• Early “canary in the coal mine” signs during training: fatigue, slower splits, feeling off
• Arm swing changes, a small tremor, and realizing it wasn’t just stress
• Bloodwork, neurology, and the dopamine transporter scan that led to diagnosis
• The mental hit of diagnosis (and the weird “I feel fine but now I’m not” effect)
• How losing exercise (injury + life chaos) can change everything fast
• Depression, isolation, and why community/support matters more than most people realize
• A lived-experience conversation about treatments and experimenting, without pretending there’s one answer

Medical disclaimer

This episode reflects personal experience only and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for decisions about medications, supplements, and treatment.