Scott Hanley was in his 50s when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018.
“I remember getting told at the beginning, ‘Well, you’ll come in every six months. When you get bad enough, we’ll give you medication. And really the future isn’t very bright,’” Hanley said.
Over the next two years, Hanley’s symptoms continued to worsen, and as forewarned, his neurologist prescribed him medication. Even then, “things were getting a lot worse, pretty quick,” he said.
In 2020, Hanley took treatment into his own hands.
After some research, he learned being fit and strong was one of the best things he could do to help his Parkinson’s, so he started working out in his backyard during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To his surprise, his symptoms were actually getting better.
In the spring of 2021, as businesses began to open back up in Northern Ireland, Hanley took the next step forward in his recovery.
“It was purely geography that I ended up at that gym (CrossFit Belfast),” Hanley said. “In Google maps, that happened to be the closest gym to me.”
The second Hanley stepped into the doors of CrossFit Belfast, he was learning. He went through their introduction to CrossFit course to learn the movements, acronyms, and methodology. Adding the intensity of the exercise, Hanley said it challenged his cognitive capacity. That led him to one realization: CrossFit could be his new treatment.
After attending the 7 a.m. class five times a week for six months, Hanley’s Parkinson’s symptoms dramatically reduced.
In 2023, this story of determination and perseverance was shared with the world in the “Magic of CrossFit” series. Hanley is still nearly symptom-free at 59 years old.
“I’m Not Alone”
Hanley was sitting in a cafe discussing his story with a fellow person living with Parkinson’s when he suddenly stood up and walked away from the table.
A few moments later, he fell to the ground, picked himself back up, then casually walked back to the table. The man sitting across from him was struck with confusion.
“See, that was a burpee,” Hanley said. “If you’re capable of doing that, you’re going to be able to deal and cope with Parkinson’s so much better.”
Upon the release of his story, Hanley has spoken with over 100 others living with Parkinson’s. His story was picked up on major news outlets from BBC to Fox News, catching the attention of people around the world. At least a dozen lived nearby in Northern Ireland, allowing Hanley to introduce them to CrossFit himself.
“It became pretty clear that I’m not the only person, I’m not alone,” Hanley said.
In the last two years, six became members at CrossFit Belfast. One of those members was 62-year-old Ian Haldane.
Ian Haldane at CrossFit Belfast | Photo courtesy of Ian Haldane
Twelve years ago, Haldan was experiencing a sore right shoulder and his anxiety was becoming unbearable. After receiving a brain scan, it was confirmed he had Parkinson’s.
Although he was started on medication right after his diagnosis, his symptoms were getting progressively worse each year.
“I didn’t feel like I was getting the right level or type of treatment,” Haldane said. “It wasn’t having much of an effect.”
In March 2023, while Haldane was on vacation in the Caribbean, an article on Hanley appeared in his news feed. Not only was this story resonating with his own Parkinson’s story, but Hanley also lived in Northern Ireland.
So, Haldane found Hanley on LinkedIn and messaged him to learn more about how he, too, could reduce his Parkinson’s symptoms.
As soon as Haldane returned home, he met up with Hanley for a cup of coffee. Hanley took him to CrossFit Belfast and introduced him to the owner, Niall McHugh.
From that day on, Haldane started personal training sessions with McHugh at 8 a.m., three times a week.
“I felt tired after the first couple of sessions,” he chuckled. But after three months, Haldane started feeling the benefits. “I’m certainly a lot fitter now and a lot more agile than I was previously. It’s done me a lot of good.”
Although Parkinson’s symptoms cannot be reversed, he says CrossFit has helped minimize the severity of them and helps his medications last longer. On the weeks he is traveling for work and misses the gym, his symptoms worsen again.
This year, his goal is to increase his training to five times a week, just like Hanley did. Combined with good nutrition and sleep, maybe he will start decreasing his symptoms, he hopes.
“I strongly believe there is a connection between the intensity of the training you do, the duration of the training you do, and the number of days you do it,” Haldane said.
The Science Behind the Story
“Why has my brain and my body behaved the way it has?” It comes down to the cognitive intensity of the workouts, the community, and the mindset, Hanley said.
Scott Hanley and Niall McHugh | Photo courtesy of Scott Hanley
According to an article by the Yale School of Medicine, “High-intensity exercise induces brain-protective effects that have the potential to not just slow down, but possibly reverse, the neurodegeneration associated with Parkinson’s disease, a new pilot study suggests.”
In the study, Yale researchers were hoping to see the neurodegeneration slow its progression or stop temporarily. But to their surprise, nine out of the 10 participants increased their dopamine transporter availability (DAT) and neuromelanin signals after six months of high-intensity training. These results suggest this type of training not only slowed neurodegeneration but also helped the dopaminergic system grow healthier.
“While this is an exciting finding, additional research will be needed to fully understand the neuroprotective effects of exercise,” they said.
Alongside high-intensity training, CrossFit teaches new skills.
“Learning and practicing new skills results in new brain connections, too. Research has shown a strong connection between acquiring motor skills and the central nervous system’s neuroplasticity at cortical and subcortical levels,” says the Davis Phinney Foundation. “Neuroplasticity, a process beneficial to everyone, has great potential to help people with Parkinson’s live well as their Parkinson’s progresses.”
Although Hanley and Haldane are two examples of the positive effects high-intensity workouts and learning new skills can have on a person living with Parkinson’s, without the community and coaches at CrossFit Belfast, they may not have found the strength to show up each day.
Spreading Inspiration
“I’m not a doctor, I’m not a therapist, I’m not a guru, I don’t want to give false hope,” Hanley said. “But people can be inspired.”
Hanley found a treatment that worked for him. But since the release of his story, he knows he’s not alone. Now, he dedicates his free time to helping others living with Parkinson’s find the inspiration to keep fighting.
Additional Parkinson’s Resources
Comments on ‘I’m Not Alone’: Scott Hanley Continues to Inspire Parkinson’s Community
Thank you for this article! I was diagnosed with PD in 2019. A Rock Steady class started later that year and I was one of the first to join. When Covid hit I continued to workout at home and did online/Zoom workouts that were hosted by Jimmy Choi. When the gym opened back up i was there. One day one of the trainers suggested I try CrossFit. In late October 2020 I gave it a shot, and my first WOD was Fran. I was hooked. So here I am, a little over four years and three Opens and Crossfit is a integral part of my life and fight against Parkinson's.. The best part though may be the friends I've made and the bonds we have made in our 8:30ish Torment Class
‘I’m Not Alone’: Scott Hanley Continues to Inspire Parkinson’s Community
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