Raw Emotion

It isn't often that I am lacking for words, just ask anyone who knows me. However, a recent experience which filled my mind with things to say, also left me contemplating so much. So, I thought it best to let it all settle in before sharing with you.

I never thought that I would hear an individual say the following, "Parkinson's Disease is the best thing that has ever happened to me". To hear that spoken by not one, but 4 people, all independent of each other, left me simply dumbfounded.

Kristy (Agent 002) had asked if I would attend a training session at her not-for-profit, Rock Steady Boxing. She had asked that I share my story with the group, as well as demonstrate the BOSU Balance Trainer, which we would then incorporate into the training circuits that day...

(Rock Steady Boxing Foundation was founded to give people with Parkinson's disease hope by improving quality of life using boxing for fitness).

Upon arriving to their gym, I was surprised by not only the sheer number of individuals there, but also their age range. As young as 40's to well into their 80's (the photo in this post is of an 86 year old...who by the way you don't want to mess with...she even has her own pair of pink boxing gloves:)

I was introduced to the group, and shared my own story. Following, it was time to begin training. Like a warrior calling for the fight to begin, Kristy yelled out "Are you Ready...To Rock Steady"! The music went on (and loud), bodies started moving through various stations and the energy in that gym was incredible. I was stationed up in the boxing ring with a BOSU. I would guess that none of the participants had ever seen one, let alone step onto one. I had the opportunity to work with each and every one of them, doing a series of squats, step up/step backs and simply balancing atop the dome. As you can imagine, this would be quite a challenge for many of this group...and not one of them complained, was hesitant or gave up...ever.

Throughout the workout, many of these people told me how inspiring my story was to them. About 30-minutes in, considering what I was witnessing, I was struck with the most raw emotion I could possibly feel. There I was, holding the trembling hands and sweat soaked bodies of some of the strongest people I have ever seen.

I watched their eyes, their bodies and their energy. These people don't say words like "I can't" or "I won't". Those have clearly been stricken from their vocabulary. Perhaps we should all strike them from our own.

When I saw Susie that evening, I couldn't even begin to paint the picture of what I had experienced that morning. Let alone, try to explain how some of these people felt lucky to have Parkinson's. As I learned from them, some had been terribly introverted all their lives, until they had to get up and fight...in turn becoming advocates for themselves and others. Some had never experienced physical training, and found themselves in exceptional shape today. For others it was simply the fact that they were part of a group, a movement, a fight.

These are true warriors. True Agents of Change.

If words like "can't" or "won't" even enter my mind, I will simply reflect on what I saw that day at Rock Steady. I suspect those words will run out of my head pretty quickly.

If you would like to see some photos of these amazing individuals in a slide show, click HERE.

If Rock Steady and the group will have me back...I will be there to help teach...and perhaps more importantly...to be taught.

For more information on Rock Steady, visit www.rocksteadyboxing.org or on Facebook by clicking the included link.

Josh