A few years ago, shortly after the birth of our baby boy, I was in so much pain I needed a stick to walk. Next month I'm doing my first sprint triathlon.

I'm not exactly what you'd call an athlete. I'm not particularly fast, and my front crawl sometimes feels more like synchronised drowning. There are definitely times when I'm not entirely convinced that doing a triathlon is a sensible thing to do.

But it's a bit late now. I've entered.

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2022, aged 52, with my wife due to give birth just a few weeks later. It was probably the darkest period of my life. I was in pain, struggling to walk, and my wife described me as basically a "shell of a person".

I decided I needed to take back some control.

I started stretching every day, taking the Parkinson's medication I'd been avoiding, and then tried a bit of CrossFit. I felt better, so naturally I did the sensible thing...

...and frankly, I got a bit carried away.

I added cycling, swimming and running. Then I tried an introductory triathlon and Parkinson's walking football, played at the Emirates and trained with Fighting Fit alongside some of the England Parkinson's players. None of which was remotely on my life plan.

Exercise won't cure my Parkinson's, but honestly, the difference for me when I can exercise, with medication helping too, is night and day. It gives me a sense of control and, unexpectedly, has introduced me to a fantastic community of people with Parkinson's who are determined to keep moving, competing and enjoying life.

That's why I'm doing this sprint triathlon for Sport Parkinson's on 3rd October 3rd 2026 — to help more people with Parkinson's discover what sport and exercise might do for them.

A Parkinson's diagnosis isn't good news by any stretch. But I've discovered that it doesn't necessarily have to mean the end of things. Sometimes it can be the beginning of things you never expected.

Even, apparently, a triathlon!!

Thank you for your support - Jeff