We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Colleen Bridges. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Colleen below.

Colleen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Defining moments sometimes happen without us knowing and may even occur in phases.

For me, the first moment was when I received a call from a friend living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and asked me to train her. I told her I would love to but I needed to take some time to prepare. She was willing to wait while I took a course on MS, visited with physicians, physical therapists and exercise physiologist , Dr. Irv Rubenstein. When we began to work together it brought me so much joy to see her gain strength which allowed her to independently care for her children, increase her endurance so she could complete an entire day without a nap and feel like she had control over her body again. I knew at that moment, I had found my “happy” place.

Not long after I started training my friend living with MS, my first Parkinson’s Disease (PD) “fighter” contacted me and asked if I would train him. I told him the same thing that I told my friend. Yes, but let me review the specifics on PD, visit with physicians ,therapists and my mentor. When we began to work together, it was obvious that the “forced intense” method of exercise worked well for him. Forced- intense exercise is when I, as the coach, push my “fighters” to work harder than they would on their own. (Cleveland Clinic Study). It didn’t take me long to realize that those living with PD could slow the progress of the disease through exercise, reduce falls, improve balance and increase muscular and cardio endurance. Defining moment number two…Exercise is medicine!

About 4 years in to working together, I told my “fighter” that my longterm goal was to have a PD wellness center that allowed anyone living with PD to receive PD specific exercise regardless of financial status. My “fighter” said “well, keep working hard and taking continuing education and it will happen”.

Defining moment number three came when my mentor, Dr. Irv Rubenstein, presented research to support the idea of boxing for PD. My “fighter” and I looked at each other and said “let’s give it a try! ” Sure enough! It helped! Why? Because everything a professional fighter focuses on during practice is the SAME things a person living with PD struggles with daily. Foot work, agility, balance, memory, focus, hand-eye coordination, strength, speed etc. AND it is just plain fun to hit the mitts and/or bag.

At this point, I started thinking “I wish I could offer group classes to the Nashville PD community” and then defining moment number 4 happened…one day at the gym, a friend told me to watch a vignette that Leslie Stahl (CBS) presented on her husband’s exercise therapy for PD. I cried from beginning to end and told my husband, I know what I’m suppose to do.

And thus, the adventure of a lifetime began in April 2016. I had 3 “fighters” when I started and now my program has two locations, online and virtual programs, we offer 33 classes each week (Rock Steady Boxing, Tai Chi, Yoga, Dance, Personal Training, Occupational, Physical and Mental Therapy and Facilitated Stretching) I have 14 amazing coaches who are certified Parkinson’s Specialist, we are participating in a research project with Dr. Daniel Claassen of the Vanderbilt University Movement Clinic, I write continuing education for www.medfited.org and www.fitfixnow.com for other fitness professionals, Belmont Occupational and Physical Therapy graduate students complete their internships and observations requirements with us and now a music platform created by award winning musicians living with PD to encourage others living with PD, called www.callonthefighter.com .

My defining moments came over a period of time but each one propelled me forward with determination and purpose to help others “Call On The Fighter” in their heart and LIVE!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Colleen Bridges, M. Ed, NSCA-Certified Trainer and 2020 Medfit Education Foundation Professional of the Year, has worked for 18 years as a personal trainer, group exercise instructor and fitness consultant and presenter specializing in individuals with neurological impairments, specifically Parkinson’s Disease. In 2016, Colleen introduced the Nashville Parkinson’s community to Rock Steady Boxing- Music City affiliate, followed by the second affiliate in Franklin, TN in 2017.

In 2021, Colleen created “Bridges For Parkinson’s” (www.bridgesforparkinsons.com) wellness program. “Fighters” and care-partners now have all the essential resources for “fighting back” against Parkinson’s in one place. Bridges For Parkinson’s offers in-person and virtual classes (Rock Steady Boxing, Tai Chi, Yoga, Dance, Simple Strength, Personal Training), Physical and Occupational Therapy, Nutrition, Facilitated Stretching and Mental Health Therapy. Most importantly, NO one is every turned away due to his/her financial status AND care-partners are welcome to exercise at NO additional charge.

Colleen’s exercise philosophy is to address the WHOLE body not just the Parkinson’s symptoms. Improving musculoskeletal issues allows the “fighter” to experience greater results from the Parkinson’s specific exercises. Each class “fighters” are provided with modifications based on their specific Parkinson’s or musculoskeletal issue.
Before a “fighter” begins the program, Colleen conducts a health assessment and then assigns the “fighter” to the class level that is most appropriate for them.

Classes are led by Colleen and her team of certified Parkinson’s Disease Specialists. To ensure that individual attention is available during group classes, “fighters” can expect 5-7 coaches in each in-person class and 2-3 coaches for online classes.

Membership includes: in-person classes (may attend both gyms), zoom/facebook classes, members only access to the www.bridgesforparkinsons.com website with “on-demand” exercise videos and educational resources. Most importantly, a wonderful, family like atmosphere that is fun, safe and uplifting.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Education is definitely important when working with people living with Parkinson’s Disease. We have a saying in the PD world….”just because you’ve met one person with Parkinson’s Disease means you’ve met one person with Parkinson’s Disease”. A fitness professional must take the time to become a certified PD Specialist and from there, never stop learning. Parkinson’s Disease is considered the “snowflake disease” because no two people will EVER have the exact symptoms or journey. Understanding the epidemiology of PD, medication, therapy and surgical options. how to create an exercise program that accurately addresses the issues is fundamental. BUT that’s not all a successful PD Fitness Professional needs in their tool belt of knowledge.

A love for the “fighter” and their care-partner is the most important component. I tell new coaches that “I can teach you the PD specific exercises but I can’t teach you how to have a heart for special populations.” Most “fighters” come to our program, despondent and hopeless. The most important facet of my mission is reigniting the “fighters” SPIRIT! I show them love , compassion and give them a shoulder to lean on or a listening ear. They need to know they can trust me first then, we can make headway with the physical aspects of the disease. We all need “hope” in our lives. Hope is an anchor that gives us roots. Watching my “fighters’ live life to the fullest is true success.

My “fighters” have taught me that Parkinson’s Disease may restrain the physical body but not the spirit!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I live by the “second mile” philosophy. When a ‘fighter” requests assistance, whatever it may be, I believe in fulfilling the request but not stopping with simply the request but going beyond . For example, when a “fighter” is confined to a wheelchair, we do not simply wait for the care-partner to get them out of the car, into the wheelchair and to our front door before helping. No! We go to the car and get the wheel chair out of the car, help them into the wheelchair and then take them into the gym and help them to their chair. When class is finished, we repeat the process.

I also stay in contact with all my “fighters”. If they miss a week of classes, then my team and I call to check on them. We are a very special family and people living with PD often isolate themselves. Keeping them engaged is a huge priority and combats issues with depression and anxiety.

Together, we fight back stronger!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bridgesforparkinsons.com
• Instagram: Rock Steady Boxing Music City
• Facebook: Rock Steady Boxing Music City, Nashville
• Other: www.callonthefighter.com This is our music platform!

Image Credits
I took these photos with my phone.