Becky Johnson has spent decades pushing her limits.
She has raced ultramarathons, trained in CrossFit for more than a decade, and recently earned a spot at the CrossFit Adaptive Games. Training has always been part of how she approaches challenges, long before she was diagnosed with Parkinson's.
When subtle changes began affecting her running, grip strength, and coordination, Becky assumed they were unrelated. After months of appointments, spinal surgery, and eventually a Parkinson's diagnosis, she had to learn how to train in a body that no longer responded the way it once had.
In this conversation, Becky shares how she has adapted her training, why the CrossFit community became an essential part of her recovery, and what it takes to keep showing up on the mornings when Parkinson's makes even getting out of bed feel difficult. She also reflects on learning to ask for help, balancing intensity with consistency, and why adaptability, more than resilience, has become the mindset that guides her forward.
Key Takeaways
➡️ Adaptability became the foundation for staying an athlete.
Becky explains why resilience alone is not enough. Parkinson's constantly changes the equation, requiring athletes to adjust their training, routines, expectations, and even long-term plans without giving up on progress.
➡️ Community made it possible to keep moving forward.
From recovering after spinal surgery to competing at the CrossFit Adaptive Games, Becky describes how training alongside others kept her connected, accountable, and prevented the isolation that often follows a Parkinson's diagnosis.
➡️ Consistency matters more than intensity.
Instead of chasing personal records every day, Becky shares how she scales workouts, manages medication, prioritizes recovery, and focuses on showing up consistently so she can keep training for the long term.
➡️ The first goal after diagnosis is simply the next step.
Rather than thinking years into the future, Becky encourages newly diagnosed people to focus on the next breath, the next task, and the next decision. Breaking overwhelming moments into manageable steps helped her regain a sense of control.
Key Moments:
0:41 Finding CrossFit and the Adaptive Games
3:50 Qualifying for the CrossFit Adaptive Games with Parkinson's
5:35 Why getting to the gym starts with small wins
10:11 The symptoms that didn't seem like Parkinson's
13:54 A spinal surgeon changes the diagnosis
19:07 Recovery, community, and learning to ask for help
22:45 Rebuilding athleticism on a different path
26:47 The invisible reality of living with Parkinson's
27:53 Why CrossFit works so well for Parkinson's
32:41 Training around medication and symptom fluctuations
38:14 Finding belonging at the Adaptive Games
40:35 Adaptability versus resilience
41:50 Advice for someone newly diagnosed
45:18 Protecting your energy and setting boundaries
46:16 What's next: mobility, strength, and long-term training
49:13 Balancing intensity with consistency
51:42 Redefining identity beyond athletic achievements
Connect with Becky
Instagram: @beckyjohnson_1971
About the Host
Eric Von Frohlich is a fitness entrepreneur, coach, and athlete living with Parkinson's who founded EVF Performance and Row House before his diagnosis in 2020. On the podcast he talks with athletes, experts, and people refusing to let a diagnosis be the end of the story.
Parkinson’s: An Athlete’s Journey
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Disclaimer
This podcast shares personal experience and general education, not medical advice. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to medication, treatment, or exercise.
