Philip Hodapp

"I was told to expect to be in a nursing home needing care to survive within 5 years and to have my affairs in order within 10 years so that when I died everything was as I wanted it. At 36 years of age and with my one and only child on the way, I set my resolve that this would NOT be my fate."

Philip has shown courage and determination over the years!

“On August 4, 1997, at the “ripe old age” of 36 years old, I was informed that the symptoms that I had been struggling with for the previous 5 years were the result of my having Parkinson’s Disease. I was told to expect to be in a nursing home needing care to survive within 5 years and to have my affairs in order within 10 years so that when I died everything was as I wanted it. At 36 years of age and with my one and only child on the way, I set my resolve that this would NOT be my fate. On March 24, 1998, I held my son in my arms in a hospital and I promised him that I would watch him graduate High School and that he would have a Daddy with him to raise him. By the Grace of God, the help and encouragement of family and loved ones, and dogged determination I have not only met, but exceeded that goal. This Spring Isaac (my son) will graduate from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in Orchestral Trumpet Performance and several offers to continue his studies on scholarship. And I have outlived the “experts” prognosis by more than 12 years.

I am so glad to say that I have had some amazing help on my journey. One of the key ways of keeping Parkinson’s at bay is through exercise. While I tried to always stay as active as possible, as the disease progressed I found myself becoming more and more discouraged, more and more lost in what to actually *do* since the “same ol’ same ol’” wasn’t cutting it anymore, and putting on more weight than I would have liked. Don’t get me wrong – I never looked gigantic, but I’m a big-chested, big-boned guy and I can pack quite a few pounds on and look acceptable. A little over two years ago, I had had enough. I was struggling to keep my balance for more than a block without falling to the right, running was out of the question, and I was sinking into a pit of depression every time I thought about it or looked in the mirror.

Enter Jamie Hahn and NW Personal Training. I’ve known Jamie for a long time from other areas of life. I knew that she had been working on getting licensed as a trainer. One day, Jamie asked what was wrong and I let her have it. After listening to all I had to say, and hearing my reticence at going to standard Parkinson’s help groups (because I was 25 or 30 years younger than everyone in them and the exercises were NOT geared to guys who should be active and had had boxing careers), Jamie asked if I would give her a try. I am so glad I did. Jamie researched and learned all about Parkinson’s and what I would need for cardio, core, balance, and strength issues and fixes tailored for me. I honestly believe that I owe a big part of my life to her and the wonderful folks at NW Personal Training. It was a long and slow slog, but worth it. I’ve gone from only being able to run one block to doing multiple 5Ks, 10Ks, and two half marathons. This summer I completed my first Triathlon! AND I’ve lost 77 pounds along the way! Without Jamie and NWPT I would have accomplished NONE of this! I might not even BE here!

Thank you!”