Jaxson Jeffery
Kaysville, Utah
Biology

Leadership

 

Boxing for Parkinson’s

 

Boxing for parkinson’s is a project which is centered around helping and leading. The beginning stages for this “Boxing for Parkinson’s” began much earlier than it was officially declared or planned. Almost a year ago exactly, I began volunteering for an organization in town called ‘Southwest Parkinson’s Fitness’. An affiliate of Rock Steady Boxing, this organization serves those who have Parkinson’s with intense non contact boxing workout exercises. The purpose of these exercises are to help combat and slow the symptoms and negative effects of Parkinson’s disease.

 

As soon as I started volunteering with this organization I fell in love with the program and all it had to offer. Being able to see how it could benefit the individuals and families involved motivated me to want to do more. That’s when decided I wanted to certify and become a coach for Rock Steady boxing. My project was based around taking the necessary training and preparation to coach and lead the local Rock Steady Boxing affiliate. I spent hours going through course work and testing along with preparing schedules and programs in order to accomplish this task. I now coach for this organization and get to see the benefits everyday.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

My inspiration for this project came from seeing the daily fight and struggle these boxers would go through in their daily lives. It made me feel like I needed to do more to help them. And so, I decided the best way to accomplish that was to get more involved. I loved to see the determination in each fighters face during the workouts and the smile of accomplishment after.  I would say one of the biggest motivating factors came with hearing each of the boxers testimonials of the difference the program was making in their lives.

 

This project definitely did not come as easy as I had imagined it would have to start with. One of the big struggles came with finding funding to certify. Because becoming a coach is filled with a lot of important knowledge, the training course is fairly expensive. Luckily, we were able to find funding through RHS, who payed for the full certification. Another struggle came with finding enough time in order to complete the project during my busy summer schedule. But as well, I was able to find and make the time necessary to complete.

 

I hope and feel that my project has been able to help each person that I have had the opportunity to coach. From my perspective, I have seen the boxers grow in so many ways. Some of those include their physical strength and endurance, confidence in daily tasks, and increased morale. One of my favorite things as a coach is being thanked from the boxers and their family members for the help they receive. Even though coaching and leading the organization may not be the easiest task to do, all of this makes it completely worth it.

 

This project has benefited me in a number of ways. When it comes to knowledge, I feel that I have been able to learn a lot about how exercise can help those with parkinson's. I’ve also benefited from learning what programs to run and exercises to make as a coach. More importantly I have been able to have a better outlook on life because of the boxers example. They are able to find joy in extremely difficult circumstances. I have also gained experience to help me know that I want to go into a profession in which I get to help people. Lastly, I have benefited from gaining relationships with boxers, their families, and volunteers alike that I may have never made before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It helped me realize how important it is to have a “tough love” mentality in a sense to help them enjoy their time but also to push them so they can see results.”

 

“ I really liked the factual evidence that showed boxing as a valid choice to combat the disease.”