1. Rhythms of Resilience: Navigating Life’s Challenges with Carl Beech YOPN 1:01:41

The Young Onset Parkinson’s Network is delighted to introduce Carl Beech, a prominent figure on TikTok and the Chief Executive Officer of Spotlight YOPD, a non-profit organization in the UK. In addition to his role as CEO at Edge Ministries, Carl wears many hats – he’s an author, keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and broadcaster. Importantly, he is a passionate advocate for raising awareness about young onset Parkinson’s.

What sets Carl apart is his openness, exemplified in his role as an open book. In this interview, he candidly discusses the profound topic of forgiveness, steering away from the more common pursuit of revenge. Carl delves into various aspects of his journey with Parkinson’s disease, shedding light on how he navigates and copes with the challenges it presents.

My name is Michael Quaglia, and I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at the age of 42 in October 2006. For the next eight years, I worked tirelessly to climb the corporate ladder, hoping to accumulate enough wealth before the symptoms of the disease forced me into early retirement. Looking back, I wish I had made different choices.

In 2014, I stumbled upon two articles that changed the course of my life. The first was a study by the Cleveland Clinic, which found that "forced exercise" could significantly improve Parkinson's symptoms. The second was a video made by a small non-profit organization called Rock Steady Boxing, which demonstrated the benefits of non-contact boxing for people with Parkinson's.

Inspired by the potential benefits of exercise and boxing for Parkinson's patients, I dedicated my life to helping others and myself fight back against the symptoms of the disease. As a result, I have become an advocate for people with Parkinson's and an active member of the Parkinson's community.

To help get the word out in 2016 I started a Podcast "2 Mikes" with a friend Mike Achin. Seven years later we're sponsored by the Young Onset Parkinson's Network, we have numerous cohosts and our content resonates with the PD community.

Before my diagnosis, I worked as a Sales Manager for Engineering staffing agencies, but my journey with Parkinson's has led me down a different path, one in which I find fulfillment and purpose in making a positive impact on the lives of others.