HCA Talks Health
Managing Parkinson’s through Exercise & Singing
Can exercise and singing really help manage Parkinson's disease?
Published: 1st September 2023
In this episode, Keith Wilson shares his remarkable journey of living well with Parkinson's. Diagnosed in March 2020, just as lockdown hit, Keith lost his voice and slipped into a period of depression, fearing his active life was over. But everything began to shift when he embraced speech therapy, rediscovered his voice, and stumbled upon an unexpected truth - that singing and physical challenges could help him manage his symptoms by stimulating dopamine and adrenaline.
What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Keith has since completed 100K endurance events, cycled 320 miles, climbed Table Mountain at the age of 72, and even been featured on the BBC. His story is a powerful reminder that a diagnosis doesn't have to mean the end of the things you love.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
The role of dopamine and adrenaline in managing Parkinson's symptoms
How singing can help overcome "motion freeze" and keep the body moving
The emotional journey after diagnosis - from denial and fear to acceptance
Practical, compassionate tips for anyone who has been newly diagnosed
The power of mindset, positivity, and finding new purpose at any age
How principles commonly used in health coaching can support people in adapting to life-changing health conditions
Whether you're navigating a health challenge yourself or you're passionate about helping others live fuller, healthier lives, Keith's story will leave you uplifted and inspired. His journey highlights many of the principles used in health coaching, including mindset, behaviour change, resilience, and creating sustainable healthy habits.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction and Keith’s Parkinson’s diagnosis
1:00 – The emotional impact of diagnosis, lockdown, and losing his voice
2:00 – Speech therapy and the first steps toward recovery
3:00 – Discovering how singing helped with movement, running, and brain-body connection
6:00 – Extreme challenges, endurance events, and staying active at 72
8:00 – Denial, depression, and the fear of being treated differently
10:00 – Fundraising, going public, and encouraging others after diagnosis
11:00 – Advice for newly diagnosed people: patience, positivity, and small wins
15:00 – How singing, art, comedy, and novelty can support brain activity
16:00 – BBC coverage, choir life, and finding new purpose through singing
18:00 – Challenging limiting beliefs and focusing on identity, hobbies, and possibility
20:00 – Choosing growth, training consistently, and preparing for endurance events
23:00 – Nutrition changes, alcohol reduction, and the impact on daily life
24:00 – Final reflections on positivity, opportunity, and living fully with Parkinson’s
26:00 – Supporting others and sharing hope through his story
Keith Wilson – Inspiring Hope and Resilience Through Parkinson’s
Keith Wilson spent his career in education, retiring as Director of Higher Education at a local college near Darlington. Long before his diagnosis, he was a passionate mountaineer, runner, and cyclist, someone who felt most alive on a mountainside or out on the open road. That deep love of adventure has shaped everything about how he approaches life, and it remains at the heart of his journey with Parkinson’s.
Determined to help others stay active and hopeful, Keith pioneered an accessible, affordable way to bring movement and joy to people living with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions. After crowdfunding ten virtual reality headsets, he now runs regular community VR events, giving others the chance to explore new places and experiences from wherever they are. Alongside this, he gives talks and hosts gatherings designed to uplift, connect, and encourage anyone facing a diagnosis.
His warmth, resilience, and refusal to slow down continue to inspire everyone he meets, proving that purpose and possibility can be found at any stage of life. His story reflects many of the core values of health coaching, including empowerment, self-management, and helping people focus on what they can do rather than what they can't.
Keith shares “It isn’t the end of the world. There’s plenty of other things to live your life for and to keep living for.”
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