Parkinson’s and Me – Early Parkinson’s Journey: Insights, Faith, and Forward Motion

Daniel opens by sharing how each podcast season mirrors a chapter in his life, with this one marking an awakened state. He gives a personal update: after months of worsening symptoms, he pursued evaluation for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. The process, which required going off his meds, was physically and emotionally draining—only to be told he wasn’t “miserable enough” yet. The rejection...

In the season finale of  Parkinson’s and Me , host Daniel Sellers welcomes his brother Brian to reflect on Daniel’s recent speaking engagement at a men’s conference and the broader journey of navigating life with Parkinson’s. The episode opens with Daniel candidly sharing how his condition affects his performance on stage, particularly in terms of energy management and mental clarity. Despite the...

A couple of weeks ago, Daniel shared insights from a presentation he gave at his church, focusing on managing anxiety and thriving despite life's hardships. Removing all but the core of what he calls his personal philosophy, Daniel shares the content here. Using the metaphor of boxing, he describes how life can either place a person on the defensive—overwhelmed and simply trying to avoid pain—or o...

In this heartfelt holiday episode of "Parkinson's and Me", Daniel welcomes listeners to join him for a fireside chat in a snow-covered cabin, offering a warm reprieve from the chaos of the season. With the glow of the fire and the scent of fresh cookies in the air, he opens up about the difficulty of balancing passion with the reality of his condition. But his message goes beyond Parkinson’s—it’s...

In this episode of Parkinson's and Me, Daniel Sellers introduces Frank, a long-time Parkinson's patient who was diagnosed in 2007. Frank shares his journey of living with Parkinson's for over 17 years, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive outlook. Despite experiencing personal tragedies, including the loss of his mother and wife to cancer, Frank has remained committed to using his...

In this episode of "Parkinson's and Me," titled "Taking Notice," Daniel Sellers introduces the episode by highlighting the internal struggles associated with Parkinson's disease. He shares an inspiring conversation with his brother, Brian, who encourages and supports him in creating new episodes.  Daniel reads and responds to emails from listeners, including one from Ge...

In the latest episode of "Parkinson's and Me," Daniel delves into the use of metaphors to convey his experiences and insights in managing life with Parkinson's disease. He begins by emphasizing the importance of continuing to live meaningfully despite the diagnosis. Daniel introduces four metaphors: "Building an Ark," "Our Second Half," "Taking the Wheel,...

In "Parkinson's in Me," Season 4, Episode 3, titled "A Day in the Life of Part 2," listeners are invited into the daily experiences of Daniel, a man diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease at 42. This episode continues the narrative from the previous one, offering a detailed and intimate portrayal of a day in Daniel’s life. He shares the nuanced challenges of living with Parkinson's, from m...

In this episode of "Parkinson's and Me," Daniel shares a raw and personal account of his daily life with Parkinson's disease. He takes listeners through a typical day, starting from the moment he wakes up to his morning routine of medication, prayers, and exercises. Throughout the day, Daniel confronts the challenges posed by Parkinson's, such as muscle stiffness, nausea, and anxiety about his fut...

In Season 4 of his podcast, "Steal My Show," Daniel embraces a shift towards a more selfless outlook on life. He grapples with the decision to disclose his condition to colleagues and friends, acknowledging both the fear of potential consequences and the relief it may bring. Reflecting on the legacy he wishes to leave behind, Daniel finds inspiration in a song by TobyMac, surrendering hi...

The episode offers valuable insights into coping strategies and the importance of maintaining a positive outlook despite the challenges of Parkinson's disease. Daniel's concept of "speaking life" highlights the power of positive thinking and intentionality in shaping one's perspective. For those with Parkinson's or their loved ones, this emphasis on focusing on the blessi...

In this inspiring episode of the podcast "Parkinson's and Me," host Daniel, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2019, shares his personal journey with the disease. Despite the challenges, Daniel has found a unique focus and determination. He shares his experience of stepping into a coaching role for his son's baseball team, a decision that has allowed him to actively participate in life and crea...

Altering our perspective is a very difficult task. We have a lifetime of learned experience that dictates how we perceive life. For most of us, this includes some coping mechanisms that would not be described as healthy. This episode examines a few simple ways to reverse the cycle. As Yoda from Star Wars says, “You must unlearn what you have learned. The last half of the episode is a creative expe...

Continual transitions are a part of life. These combinations of our experiences combine to makes us who we are. One of the challenges living with Parkinson's Disease is the feeling of hopelessness. It's as if the walls are closing in on you, and there isn't a route for you to escape. However, what if you were able to change your perspective? How could that alter the way that you look at life? This...

The road ahead is full of incredible challenges. After the diagnosis of Parkison's Disease, it’s easy to push away the future and live in the past. It's important to realize that we remember only the best days while wearing our rose-colored glasses. We forget the average and mundane days and the anxiety that we were feeling. Living in the past keeps us from experiencing the possibility of joy that...

People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often notice that their symptoms are worse when they are under stress. In addition to life stress, people with PD may experience anxiety as part and parcel of their PD itself, caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Anxiety and stress are two different things, but can often manifest themselves in similar ways, making it challenging to tell the difference. D...

Receiving the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease is difficult for everyone. We experience crushing disappointment that may lead us to isolate ourselves from those we care the most about. As a result, we jeopardize our present and future quality of life. Daniel and Bryan discuss the decision to speak words of compassion and encouragement that has benefited the progression of Parkinson's Disease. Dani...

In Episode 3.3, Daniel unpacks three of his greatest challenges to living well after being diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's disease. This episode is inspired by news regarding the medical community. The community is attempting to understand more about P.D. Specifically, what it's like being diagnosed while still needing to raise kids, taking care of a family, and preparing for the future. Si...

We have a tendency to grow confident in our expectations as we grow older. Despite how hard we have prepared for the future, Parkinson's is similar to a bomb being dropped. It causes a titanic shift. When the smoke clears, we are left with a life that doesn't line up with our previous goals. Parkinson's doesn't discriminate based on gender or ethnicity. Parkinson's is patient and takes its time sl...

For this season opener, Daniel has a conversation with his best friend. His wife. As a Care Partner, she sits on the front row of his life. She witnesses the effects that the progression of Parkinson's has on her husband. The couple has been married for nearly 20 years. In this episode, they discuss the important steps that need to be made to keep the marriage fresh and vibrant.  A key first...

This is the final episode for Season 2. We remove the script as Bryan, and Daniel has a casual conversation about the current season in Daniel's life. Looking back on 2021, Daniel shares his greatest encouragements and hardest difficulties having Parkinson's disease at such a young age. Daniel covers family, future, parenting, and the importance of changing the narrative compared to allowing the d...

Add your experience and suggestions to the conversation for this Parkinson's podcast. If you would like to leave Daniel a voice message and you live in the U.S. call 1-706-873-1656. Email us at parkinsonsandmepodcast@gmail.com or visit our site parkinsonsand.me The progression of P.D. chips away at the physical and mental fortitude of those unfortunate enough to be caught in its grasp. Daniel shar...

Daniel speaks with the leader of his Young Onset Support Group, Barbara Mooney. Barbara is the American Parkinson's Disease Association's Georgia Chapter Coordinator. She brings her experience to highlight the importance of joining a support group. Topics that are covered include: 1. Determining some of the greatest struggles for those with Parkinson's. 2. Differences between a YOPD focused group...

Daniel returns to the podcast and shares the insight he gleamed with Bryan from taking his son on a trip to the western states of the U.S. The brothers discuss the negative effects that stress and rushing have on the effects of Parkinson's. For the episode, Daniel and Bryan cover how a mental disciple is at times the only defense to defend your emotional and mental state. It's so easy to grow anxi...

Bryan hosts this episode that highlights how those who do not have Parkinson's can make an incredible impact on the lives of those afflicted with this horrible disease. Joining Bryan is the wife of legendary country songwriter Freddy Powers and the author of the book "The Spree of '83: The Life and Times of Freddy Powers", Jake Brown. If you haven't heard of Freddy Powers, you may have heard of Me...