Parkinson's: An Athlete's Journey

Eric Von Frohlich and Todd Vogt
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FITNESS

Parkinson’s: An Athlete’s Journey is for athletes navigating Parkinson’s, the coaches and clinicians who train them, and anyone who wants real-world strategies for performance and longevity. Hosted by Eric Von Frohlich and Todd Vogt, the show focuses on tactical takeaways: how to train, recover, manage symptoms, and stay consistent when the rules keep changing. Expect honest conversations, tested routines, and guest experts who go deeper on what works.

Episodes

  1. When the Clock Stops Defining You.

    4D AGO

    When the Clock Stops Defining You.

    What happens when you’ve spent your whole life letting a time or a ranking define you as an athlete, and then Parkinson’s changes the rules? In this episode of Parkinson’s: An Athlete’s Journey, we talk about performance pressure, athlete identity, and how the “clock” can quietly become your self-worth. Todd breaks down why sports like rowing (and even swimming) can wire your brain to chase tenths of a second, and how that can mess with you when things shift. We also get real about motivation. Parkinson’s can dull that internal “rocket fuel,” and sometimes you have to brute-force your way into the work. We talk about redefining the metric: effort, consistency, and showing up, even when your best today isn’t your best from ten years ago. A few takeaways: The clock can be a tool, or a trap (especially for lifelong competitors).Parkinson’s can change your access to “rocket fuel,” even when your grit is still there.Sometimes the hardest lift isn’t the barbell, but walking through the front door.Shift the metric: how hard you can go today matters more than how fast the clock says you went. Medical note: This podcast shares personal experience only. It is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for medical decisions, including medications and training choices.

    37 min
  2. Good Day. Bad Day. Train Anyway.

    4D AGO

    Good Day. Bad Day. Train Anyway.

    Some days you wake up and feel sharp. Other days, you can barely get through the warm-up. In this episode of Parkinson’s: An Athlete’s Journey, we talk about the real day-to-day variability of Parkinson’s, and how we keep training anyway. We get into what helps most (and what’s just “interesting”): the basics like training and sleep quality, plus recovery tools like foam rolling, massage guns, sauna, cold exposure, and the tradeoffs of time and energy. We also talk about things we’ve personally tried or considered, and why the best plan is usually the one you’ll actually do consistently. What we cover “Good day / bad day” check-in and why the gym can change the whole day Training environments: Parkinson’s community and being around serious athletes “Cardio fiesta” Zone 2: making long sessions mentally tolerable Sleep: broken nights, REM sleep behavior, and why sleep has the biggest payoff Personal experience with sleep supports (CBD/THC, magnesium, mouth taping, nasal strips) Recovery tools: foam roller, massage gun, hyperbaric naps Sauna vs cold plunge vs cold shower (benefit vs effort) 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.

    49 min
  3. Just Got Diagnosed. Now What?

    4D AGO

    Just Got Diagnosed. Now What?

    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.

    53 min

  4. JAN 20

    Parkinson's: An Athlete's Journey (Official Trailer)

    Parkinson’s changes everything. But if you’re an athlete (or you’ve got that athlete mindset), you don’t just stop: you adapt, get strategic, and keep training. In this short trailer, hosts Eric Von Froehlich (EVF Fitness, Row House) and Todd Vogt (Paralympic rower + coach) introduce Parkinson’s: An Athlete’s Journey, a podcast built for people navigating Parkinson’s in real time, with a focus on what actually helps in day-to-day life and training. What this podcast is about: Eric and Todd compare notes on the realities of living and performing with Parkinson’s, including: Training and performance adjustmentsRecovery strategiesSleep and energy managementSupplement and medication conversations (from lived experience, not medical advice)The everyday problem-solving required to keep moving well and living fullyWhat to expect: You’ll hear straight talk, practical strategies, and honest conversations, plus guests and experts who can help: Break down what matters mostChallenge assumptionsTranslate current research into usable, real-world takeawaysWho it’s for: Anyone living with Parkinson’s (and the people supporting them) who wants to stay strong, sharp, and functional, with an athlete’s mindset leading the way. Important note: This podcast may include personal experiences with treatments and medications, but it does not provide medical advice. Always talk with your healthcare team before making changes to your care.

    1 min

Trailer

About

Parkinson’s: An Athlete’s Journey is for athletes navigating Parkinson’s, the coaches and clinicians who train them, and anyone who wants real-world strategies for performance and longevity. Hosted by Eric Von Frohlich and Todd Vogt, the show focuses on tactical takeaways: how to train, recover, manage symptoms, and stay consistent when the rules keep changing. Expect honest conversations, tested routines, and guest experts who go deeper on what works.

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