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Now in his mid-40s, Jimmy Choi was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s at age 27. A former tech executive and CTO, he is now a world-renowned advocate for Parkinson’s research and wellness. He uses fitness as his primary way to fight back against Parkinson’s. Jimmy is a  3-time American Ninja Warrior, Ultramarathoner, and Sub 5 century cyclist, Fitness Instructor and Motivational Speaker.

Jimmy stopped by Diana’s studio to share more about his journey.

“I was first diagnosed in 2003 when I was only 27 years old. I remember just a heavy heavy feeling of weight dropping on me. I didn't know anyone with this disease and I knew nothing more than just that Michael J. Fox had recently announced that he was diagnosed with it. I did what all 27-year old's would probably do. I convinced myself that I would be fine if I just ignore it and it will go away. So for the next 8 years, that's exactly what I did. NOTHING.”

“In 2010, I fell down the stairs with my then-infant son Mason. That moment was a wake-up moment for me. I either have to do something about the way I lived with Parkinson’s or completely give up altogether. I chose to finally start to educate myself on PD. I did so by taking part in all the clinical trials I could find and qualify for. Taking part in these trials, I noticed that all of them had some type of component were they asked or tested physical movement. It was after a trial involved forced movements that I noticed that the more I did, the better I felt. So I started to add more physical activity in my daily life. When I started, I walked with a cane and weighed 240lbs. I started small and walked around the block with my cane. Then when I got more comfortable, I left my cane at home. Then one block became two and I started jogging. Eventually, jogging became running and I started to add distance. One mile became two and two became 3. By April of 2012, I was running my first 5K—and by October of that same year, I ran my first marathon.”

“Fitness gave me back control of much of my movements. The more I did, the better I felt.  Today, we know that exercise is the only treatment for Parkinson’s that has been proven to slow progression. Today, I use fitness on a daily basis, trying to improve upon myself. Doing more each day. My mantra became "What can I do today that is more than yesterday?" Even if it’s just one more step or one more rep, what can I do today to beat yesterday? It’s also important to note is that I don't limit the types of exercise that I do and I don't specialize in just one movement. I think that has been a key to how I am able to develop my skills despite Parkinson's. These "more each day" have added up over time and over the past 8 years. I have completed 1 ultra marathon, 16 marathons, 105 half marathons and countless other races that include triathlons, cycling, and of course—3 times on American Ninja Warrior.”

“Parkinson's is so much more than just tremors. Other symptoms include rigidity, freezing, dystonia—imagine getting a charlie horse for 2 hours at a time, with no relief—and more than just movement-related symptoms. We deal with other non-movement symptoms too, like depression, loss of cognitive function, speech loss, loss of sense of smell, and constipation just to name a few.  When people see me out and about, it is always after I have already had a battle with PD. Every day when I wake up, my entire body is rigid—every attempt to move a muscle takes multiple tries before the desired movement is actually made. It takes me 15 to 20 minutes just to get out of bed. During exercise, any of the movement symptoms mentioned can onset. Causing me to fall during running, or freeze during a strength movement. Or worse, complete muscle failure mid-move on an obstacle course can be very dangerous. The way my body moves is very different than someone without PD. I often have to plan and plot all of my moves in my mind before I make them and if something goes wrong, I have to do a complete reset before I can move again. This is a reason why many people with Parkinson's (#PWP) freeze mid-movement or simply stop to reset.”

“My daughter loves American Ninja Warrior. She started watching when she was 6 years old and joined a local ninja gym so she could play on the obstacles. Well, it turned out, she is really really talented in this area. The more she got into it, the more she would pressure me to join. I would always give her an excuse as to why I couldn't do it. I lack the balance, I lacked upper body strength—I had Parkinson's. In 2016, we saw athlete after athlete compete with some kind of "disability" until we saw another competitor with Parkinson's. That is when she turned to me and asked: "What is your excuse?" I had run out of excuses and applied for the show in 2017 for the first time and they gave me my first of 3 shots on the course.”

 “Competing on American Ninja Warrior has been the most terrifying—and yet most exciting experience for me. I have become a part of a very special family. The ninja community is one of very positive mindsets. And though we are all competitors, the course is so hard that in the past 11 years—only 2 people out of the thousands that have tried—have completed the entire series of courses they throw at us. Because it is that tough, we all cheer each other on and help each other train. We support each other in our communities and also in causes that are important to us. My ninja family has not only joined us at our fundraising events, but also have held their own events, raising more than $20,000 for Parkinson's research!”

“If it wasn't for Team Fox, I think my fitness journey would have taken a different turn. In 2012, when I was training for the Chicago Marathon, I didn't decide I wanted to run it until September—one month BEFORE the marathon. I didn't know that the race could sell out so I waited until I was sure I was ready to take it on. Since it was sold out, there was no way I could get into the race. I looked at many charities and they were all sold out. But I reached out to Team Fox and they told me they had 1 bib left. And to this day I feel that Bib was meant for me. They gave me the chance to continue to challenge myself, they connected me to others living well with Parkinson's that I could learn from. They connected me a new extended family. My Fox family. In order for anyone to live well, that personal inner circle of support must be there and Team Fox has provided me with many pieces to my inner circle. For that I will always be grateful.”

“I’m motivated by my family. My friends. My fellow warriors fighting this disease. I have many many more years on this planet and time with my friends and family is very important. I want to be able to not only enjoy my time, but also minimize the effects of Parkinson’s on my friends and family. Staying motivated to move will prolong that for as long as possible and it is a no brainer. My fellow warriors are watching. Not just me but a host of others doing extraordinary things while living with PD. They are watching and one by one—they are stepping up. Out of their chairs and living better lives. That motivates me just as much as I may motivate them. It is a 2-way street.”

“My wife Cherryl and I host fundraisers, manage our own annual 5K, and also join other fundraising efforts by others to help raise awareness. We are proud that to date, we have raised close to $500,000 for Parkinson's research I have entered the motivational speaking circuit to help spread awareness to new audiences and I am always sharing wins and challenges against PD on social media and in everyday life experiences. For example, every time I am on a plane and I get assigned the middle seat, unfortunately the people next to me will have to feel my tremor and movements. Often they ask me to stop moving, so I take that opportunity to not only be open about my diagnosis, but also to educate them. 99% of the time, they feel bad for saying anything and they engage in conversation and walk off the plane knowing a little bit more about Parkinson's than they did before the flight.”

“Despite living with Parkinson's, I coach adult fitness to people of all abilities. I often post fitness challenges and movements that hopefully can inspire or help others out there looking for ways to challenge themselves. If anyone is interested in these challenges, please feel free to visit my Facebook or Instagram pages.”

Portraits and interview by Diana Levine
Please do not use without permission.