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NEWSLETTER A Note from the President: Community WWW.ROCKSTEADYBOXING.ORG In a typical year-end message, I’d focus on the metrics that defined a successful 2025; the affiliates we added, the coaches we trained, the funds we raised and distributed. All of that is important for any nonprofit to share, and I’m happy to say that we’ve had a strong year with meaningful growth and many accomplishments. But, as I sit here writing this, I can hear the hustle, smell the smells, and feel the energy of preparations for the annual RSB HQ holiday party. And, instead of thinking about numbers, I’m thinking about the people, the boxers, friends, families, volunteers, coaches, and staff who will fill our gym tonight simply to celebrate one another and the COMMUNITY that develops in Rock Steady Boxing programs. This COMMUNITY is our “secret sauce,” and it’s alive not only here at HQ but in every affiliate location around the world. COMMUNITY is the true measure of success for every RSB program. Winter 2026 Thank you to each of you who make up this remarkable community, and for the time, talent, and treasure you contribute in so many ways. You are what makes this mission possible. Have a blessed holiday season. Ryan Ryan Cotton President & CEO
2025: Ray Dorsey, MD who over his 25+ year career has authored over 230 peer-reviewed scientific publications and has secured more than $65 million in grant funding for Parkinson’s research. his current work is focused on PD advocacy, education and legislative efforts to prevent and end Parkinson disease. To honor our founder, Scott Newman and the amazing impact he had on the Parkinson’s community, in 2024 the RSB Board of Directors developed the Scott Newman Impact Award to recognize individuals or organizations that have made a substantial impact to improve the lives of people with Parkinson disease. Nominations are now open for the 2026 award. The deadline for nominations is 2/1/2026. More information can be found, and nominations can be made HERE. Scott Newman Impact Award Past recipients have included: 2024: Scott Newman who in 2006 founded Rock Steady Boxing Indianapolis. Rock Steady has now grown to more than 820 affiliate programs in 15 countries around the world. Hans & Dini Louwerse, who have dedicated their lives to serving the Parkinson’s community since 2014 through exercise and have trained more than 220 fitness professionals in boxing for Parkinson disease. Established as a RSB affiliate location in the Netherlands since 2016, they also serve as the European training site for RSB. continued on page 3
2025: Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation, since it’s founding in 1983, the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation (MPF) has been a steadfast advocate for individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s across the state of Michigan. Under the leadership of Kristin Rossi, MPF embodies the spirit of the Scott Newman Impact Award through its commitment to community, exercise, education, and respite care through more than 70 support groups and delivering more than 13,000 hours of respite care annually.Scott Newman Impact Award Scott Newman fundamentally transformed the way the world addresses Parkinson’s disease. Today, with thousands of trained coaches and more than 800 affiliate programs, people around the globe have renewed hope—and are fighting back against Parkinson’s. If you know someone who has made a significant, worldwide impact on the Parkinson’s community, nominate them by February 1, 2026. More information and nomination form Please contact Ryan Cotton, President & CEO, at rcotton@rocksteadyboxing.org with any questions you may have.
Reflecting on the First Annual Fight Back Fundraiser & Giving Tuesday Thank You Thanks to all who participated in the First Annual Fight Back Fundraiser. It was a great success. Through our discussion with affiliate owners we recognized the difficulty and restrictions many affiliates have when applying for grant funds from national organizations. As a solution, we established the Fight Back Fundraiser to raise funds for grants available exclusively to RSB Affiliates. Looking Ahead Your Contributions From your work in this fundraiser, we were able to give $60,000 in grants back to 40 affiliate programs to be used to better serve their Parkinson’s community through their RSB programs. A quote from our largest affiliate fundraiser - Laura and Steve McMurtry, RSB Sahuarita "The Fight Back Fundraiser brought our boxers and community together in an incredible way. Punch Day was especially meaningful - seeing friends and family rally around our small but mighty group was truly humbling. We can't wait until 2026." In planning for 2026, look at your calendar and find a day when you would like to have your Fight Back Event. We will equip you with everything you need to make your day fun, engaging, and successful. Keep an eye out for upcoming emails and virtual meetings to start your planning. To start planning now, contact Andrea Mallory, Director of Development at amallory@rocksteadyboxing.org with any questions. This year, our Giving Tuesday campaign was a tremendous success! Thanks to the generosity of our donors and a $10,000 matching gift from Red Tulip for Parkinson’s Awareness, Rock Steady Boxing raised a total of $29,259. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed – our donors, Red Tulip, board members, staff, coaches, boxers, and volunteers. Your support strengthens our mission, providing people with Parkinson’s the resources, community, and opportunities to live stronger, healthier lives. Together, we’ve ended the year meaningful momentum and a renewed commitment to empowering those we serve. Thank you for making this possible. Giving Tuesday Andrea Mallory Director of Development
Red Tulip for Parkinson’s Awareness, a nonprofit organization, was founded by Anita and Larry Dust with a heartfelt mission to unite individuals living with Parkinson’s, their families, caregivers, foundations, and organizations under one universal symbol — The Red Tulip. Inspired by strength, resilience, and hope, The Red Tulip aims to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease, foster community connection, and ultimately support efforts to fund research toward better treatments and, one day, a cure. Together, through unity and visibility, The Red Tulip hopes to amplify every voice touched by Parkinson’s and turn awareness into meaningful action. Get involved and help spread the mission: Share this initiative on your social media channels, wear and share Red Tulip swag to spark conversations, and help unite the Parkinson’s community under the universal symbol of The Red Tulip. Website: RedTulipforParkinsons.org Facebook: The Red Tulip for Parkinson’s Awareness YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRedTulipforParkinsons Red Tulip for Parkinson’s Awareness
At 89 years young, Joan “Pumpkin Spice” Waryold steps into her Rock Steady Boxing class smiling, gloves up, ready to work. HOPE Has a Home at the Y Grit, Grace, and Gloves Up Since joining the program at Sally’s YMCA in Denver, North Carolina, her family has witnessed gains in strength and flexibility, along with what appears to be a slowing of disease progression. But the biggest transformation hasn’t just been physical. It’s been socially and emotionally. “Rock Steady gives my mom a sense of belonging and real support in her fight with Parkinson’s,” her daughter shared. “She’s made friends, found confidence again, and truly feels connected.” Stories like “Pumpkin Spice’s” are becoming more common inside YMCAs across the country, alongside stories like Ricky Brown’s, who found renewed purpose and hope through Rock Steady Boxing after his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020. And together, their journeys tell a bigger story about what’s happening when Rock Steady Boxing and the YMCA come together. When the Y Meets the Fight YMCAs are rapidly becoming some of the most impactful, visible, and community-driven affiliate programs in the Rock Steady network, and it makes perfect sense. YMCAs are built on access, inclusion, family, and lifelong wellness. They serve as trusted health hubs. Families grow up there, active agers rely on them, and healthcare partners collaborate with them. When Rock Steady programs enter a YMCA, they don’t start from scratch. Rock Steady Affiliate programs plug directly into a culture that already believes in “health for everyone.” RSB is built on purpose, fight, resilience, and evidence-based programming. Together, it’s a powerhouse combination. From coast to coast, YMCA-based Rock Steady programs are proving that Parkinson’s doesn’t get the final say. Community does. Growth and Training at Sally’s YMCA Since adopting the Rock Steady Boxing model, Sally’s YMCA has seen remarkable growth in both membership engagement and program demand. What began three years ago as a small extension of a nearby affiliate (just two weekly sessions divided by ability level) has evolved into a full thriving affiliate. “Today, we serve 45 participants supported by more than 20 volunteers,” shared Executive Director Rebecca Grobe. “The program consistently fills, and interest continues to grow from new participants, caregivers, and healthcare partners.” Training remains the engine behind every thriving YMCA-based Rock Steady program. Sally’s YMCA in Denver, North Carolina, offers a powerful example of what happens when education, connection, and opportunity align.
Participation climbed rapidly after Head Coach Teresa Mulcahy attended Rock Steady Boxing Training Camp, a two-day, hands-on intensive for fitness professionals and clinicians. Once certified and officially listed as a Rock Steady affiliate, referrals quickly followed and enrollment jumped within just a few months. Building on that momentum, Teresa reached out to Jojo McDuffie, Director of Corporate Affiliate Partnerships, to get guidance on how to open up more training opportunities and keep fighters engaged year-round. That growth got another boost when the program received a Rock Steady Fight Back Fundraiser grant to certify an additional coach, making it possible to add more classes without cutting corners on safety or quality. Operationally, Rock Steady Boxing has become one of the Y’s most impactful and sustainable offerings. “It brings consistent mid-day facility usage, provides meaningful volunteer opportunities, strengthens our staff through specialized training, and diversifies our wellness offerings,” Grobe noted. “Retention among our Rock Steady participants is exceptionally high. Not only because of the physical benefits, but because the Y becomes a place where they feel supported, welcomed, and connected.” That impact extends well beyond the gym floor. “Rock Steady Boxing has significantly expanded our visibility and credibility within the local Parkinson’s and healthcare communities,” Grobe shared. “What began with local advocacy has now grown into a recognized resource, with neurologists, physical therapists, support groups, and families referring individuals regularly.” Fighters Lead the Way Every Rock Steady gym has fighters who define the spirit of the program. And at Sally’s YMCA, two of those unforgettable fighters are “Pumpkin Spice” and Ricky Brown. At 89, Pumpkin Spice is living proof that age has nothing on grit. In addition to physical gains, she’s found something just as powerful: community. Her family describes the social and emotional benefits as “immense.” She thrives on the challenge, requests harder workouts, and trains at home between sessions. Ricky Brown’s journey began in 2020. Like many fighters, the disease affected his independence - He can no longer drive. But Rock Steady gave him hope in return. “My wife and sister make sure I get to every class,” Ricky shared. “That support, combined with this program, has been invaluable.” About six months into training, Ricky experienced a breakthrough moment. During two separate doctor’s visits, both physicians independently noticed how much he had improved. One even admitted they hadn’t originally believed Rock Steady Boxing could make such a significant difference.
Leadership Meets Mission YMCA leaders across the country are leaning into Rock Steady Boxing not as a niche program, but as a mission-aligned service. With rising participation, many YMCAs are adding: More daytime classes Additional Parkinson’s programs (DancePD, Pedal4PD) Cross-program integration with wellness, aquatics, and chronic disease management The YMCA and RSB partnerships are creating spaces where fighters feel safe to push themselves, families feel supported through every stage of the journey, doctors feel confident making referrals, and volunteers find deep purpose in service. Sally’s YMCA is one powerful example, but the real story is unfolding in YMCAs across the country, round by round, community by community, as the Y helps Rock Steady fighters hit back harder than ever. For Rebecca Grobe, the value is clear—not just philosophically, but organizationally. “To any YMCA or fitness organization considering becoming a Rock Steady Boxing affiliate: do it,” she said. “This program transforms lives and strengthens communities. It brings purpose to staff, hope to families, connection to members, and empowerment to those living with Parkinson’s.” Rock Steady Boxing has become not just a program at the Y, but a cornerstone of how the organization serves and supports its community. Where the Fight Goes Next As the program looks ahead, momentum shows no signs of slowing. “As we head into 2026, we’re preparing for an additional full day of classes at Sally’s Y and expansion into another location within our YMCA of Catawba Valley footprint,” Grobe shared. What began with advocacy has become a model of Parkinson’s care rooted in community that reflects both the mission of the YMCA and the fight of Rock Steady Boxing. Interested in launching or expanding a Rock Steady Boxing program inside your YMCA? Reach out to the Rock Steady Boxing Affiliate Services team or connect directly with Jojo McDuffie, Director of Corporate Affiliate Partnerships, at jmcduffie@rocksteadyboxing.org to start the conversation, explore training opportunities, and build more pathways for people living with Parkinson’s to fight back, together. “That moment really locked in my belief and motivation,” Ricky said. “It pushed me to keep showing up and working harder.”
2025 Year in Review from RSB Chief Scientific Officer Connie Fiems Chief Scientific Officer Research: 1. A two-year Fidelity research project on RSB is near completion. This study developed a tool to help coaches determine if they’re including the “essential ingredients” of the RSB Method. An overview of the initial outcomes was presented at CoachCon 2025 and is in the LMS. Headquarters will provide a live presentation to Affiliates about those findings and share next steps. 2. A new study is underway to help RSB Coaches classify boxers into different levels so classes can then target the needs of those groups. Keep an eye out for those results. 3. Earlham University is analyzing their data from a study done at HQ to examine the impact of RSB on psychological outcomes. Expect those results later in 2026. 4. A RSB Coach & researcher out of Wingate University examined the feasibility of implementing the RPE scale into RSB classes and presented her findings at a national conference. We await publication, but spoiler alert, it is feasible! Medical Advisory Committee Update 1. The MAC designed a Research Collaboration Guide for Affiliate Coaches. This guide walks coaches through the process of identifying what to have answers to when considering working with a research team on a project. Undergraduate Student Intern Program 1. HQ has established an Exercise Science/Kinesiology Internship program for undergraduate students completing 15-week graduation requirements. This program development includes supervision roles, coordination with programs, development of site-specific materials, student applications, orientation, training, project development, and coaching. We intend to share our process with Affiliates over the next year. RSB Clinician Certification 1. We continue to reach out to PT/OT/TR academic programs and practicing clinicians to encourage certification. Their expertise can be an additional resource for our boxers beyond our group classes. NUSHU Examiner at HQ 1. NUSHU by Magnes is an artificial intelligence powered tennis shoe that can be worn by people with PD to provide real-time walking analysis and vibratory biofeedback. HQ is a regional U.S. site that can assess people with PD to determine if the shoes are a good option. Concluding thoughts: To identify or develop RSB Affiliates of Excellence who want to participate with outcome collection and research teams to help us strengthen our program and disseminate the work we’re doing for our boxers.
The mission of Rock Steady Boxing is to equip our affiliates and empower the coaches to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease through a non-contact, boxing-based fitness curriculum. Did you know that Rock Steady Boxing has affiliate locations in all 50 states in the US as well as 14 other countries around the world. If you are looking for a class to attend, find a program for a loved one, or even volunteer, we can help you with that. Check out our website directory to see what’s in your city. Find a Program in Your Area Rock Steady Boxing Around the World
Upcoming Affiliate Training Camp Dates: January 22-23, 2026- Indianapolis, IN February 5-6, 2026- Miami, FL April 23-24, 2026- Indianapolis, IN June 11-12, 2026- Indianapolis, IN July 16-17, 2026- Indianapolis, IN August 14-15, 2026- Huntsville, AL October 8-9, 2026- Indianapolis, IN November 5-6, 2026- Indianapolis, IN To inquire about international training dates, please email info@rocksteadyboxing.org Why Become a Certified Rock Steady Boxing Head Coach? If your goal as an exercise or rehab professional is to help the Parkinson’s community live more enriched and active lives, then Rock Steady Boxing is an excellent addition to your offerings. RSB techniques are designed to boost confidence, reduce the fear of falling, improve daily functioning and educate clients on safe physical activity. How to Become an RSB Head Coach: Establish a Rock Steady Boxing affiliate location. Rock Steady Boxing group fitness classes can only be delivered at RSB affiliate locations. Become Certified as an RSB Head Coach For more information about starting a Rock Steady Boxing program, please email info@rocksteadyboxing.org
We want to hear from you! How has Rock Steady Boxing impacted your life? Why do you choose to fight back? Rock Steady Boxing inspires hope within a supportive community. You realize it is still possible to take control of your life and regain your confidence and resilience. Visit our website to see videos about how Rock Steady has inspired others. Click here to share your story with us and possibly be featured in our newsletter or on our social media platforms.