Rising Stars: Meet Colleen Bridges

Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Bridges.

Hi Colleen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my training/fitness career working with the general population and I loved it! A few years into my career a friend of mine was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and asked me to train her. While I was familiar with MS, I didn’t feel completely qualified to train her. I asked her if I could take some time to learn more by visiting with doctors, and physical and occupational therapists and earn my Multiple Sclerosis Fitness Specialist Certification.

She agreed to wait and once I was prepared to meet her needs, we began working together. I loved seeing her regain her strength, mobility, independence, AND zest for life that ultimately enabled her to do things most of us take for granted, such as caring for her young children. Over time, physical and occupational therapists and physicians began sending clients to me, those living with MS, post total knee or hip replacements, stenosis, and other back problems.

All of these issues motivated me to study and push myself to be the best trainer possible for my clients. And then, AND THEN, one of my clients shared that a friend of hers had just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. She asked if I would be interested in working with him. I said “yes, but once again, I wanted to learn about the disease and make sure I would be meeting my client’s needs.

At the time, Parkinson’s research on exercise was limited but I knew that Dr. Jay Alberts of the Cleveland Clinic suggested “forced-intense” exercise as the most effective method for people living with Parkinson’s. With the guidance of my mentor, Dr. Irv Rubenstein (owner of STEPS Fitness), we developed a plan for my client. The results were astounding! His mobility, flexibility, agility and coordination, strength, and cardio endurance improved significantly! These improvements allowed him to continue traveling internationally, playing golf, tennis, skiing, and volunteering with his church and community projects and his precious grandchildren.

One day, I shared with my client my dream to have a Parkinson’s Fitness and Wellness Center available to anyone regardless of financial status. He said, “Keep working hard and you will.” So that is exactly what I did. I attended every Parkinson’s Education class I could find, and I spoke to doctors and therapists. Then someone shared a newspaper article about “Rock Steady Boxing”. I thought “boxing”?? Ok, very interesting. I immediately began studying the effects of boxing on Parkinson’s disease, became a certified Rock Steady Boxing coach and affiliate, and in April 2016, started offering Rock Steady Boxing Music City classes.

From there, my dream began to take shape and seven years later, Bridges For Parkinson’s (www.bridgesforparkinsons.com) was born! Today, I have 150+ “Fighters”, 2 locations, virtual classes, 26 classes per week, 16 coaches with backgrounds ranging from Physical and Occupational Therapy, Body Work Therapist, Certified Parkinson’s Disease Coaches, Tai Chi, Parkinson’s Dance, Music, and Movement, Personal Training, Care-partner support group, and a Mental Health therapist. Vanderbilt University Movement Disorder Physicians took note of their patients’ improvements and asked me to join them in a research study focused on the effects of Rock Steady Boxing on the glymphatic system.

We also work with Belmont Physical and Occupational Graduate students. It is important for them to have hands-on experience working with people living with Parkinson’s Disease before they enter the professional world. Our program allows them to think outside the clinical box and learn some new ways to help their future clients “fight back”. In 2020, I was asked to develop the first “Parkinson’s Fitness Specialist” course for personal trainers and group coaches through Medfit Education Foundation. Additionally, I offer additional continuing education for fitness professionals via my website.

The best part is…no one is EVER turned away! We have a 501(c) 3 scholarship fund called “Call On The Fighter” (www.callonthefighter.com) to help us keep that promise. And care-partners are welcome to participate at no charge too! The joy of working with my “fighters” has changed my life. They are a part of my family and I am so blessed to work with them.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every 6 seconds someone is diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. From that moment on, the person living with Parkinson’s and his/her family have to digest the news, determine their next steps and decide how they are going to “fight back” against Parkinson’s Disease. The journey is not smooth BUT when the person living with Parkinson’s discovers they are not alone and Bridges For Parkinson’s is here to help, the journey doesn’t seem so lonely.

The struggle for Bridges For Parkinson’s has been making sure people living with Parkinson’s are aware of our fitness and wellness program. Middle Tennessee has approximately 6,000 people living with Parkinson’s but less than 5% actively participate in an exercise program and support group. WHY?

1. Doctors have limited time with their patients which means they are unable to share our program information.

2. Those living in rural areas are not inclined to drive into town 2-3x a week for classes BUT…we do offer ONLINE CLASSES. We offer Rock Steady Boxing, Tai Chi, Stretch, Music and Movement, and Personal Training.

3. Many are unaware of the fantastic benefits our exercise program can provide. Vanderbilt University Movement Disorder Physician, Dr. Daniel Claassen, noticed incredible results and invited Bridges For Parkinson’s to participate in a research project. Our study is ongoing and is focused on how “Forced-Intense” exercise helps the glymphatic system.

4. Group exercise can be intimidating! However, at Bridges For Parkinson’s it is important to know that while it is a group setting, we can individualize a “fighters” session. I am a personal trainer with a specialty in movement disorders, my coaching team consists of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and personal trainers, and the best part is we are all certified Parkinson’s Disease Fitness Specialists. New members can be confident that my program is research-based with a lot of common sense.

We are going to address the WHOLE body not just the Parkinson’s symptoms. If someone comes to me with a shoulder, back, hip, etc. issue, we are going to address the problem so they receive the most benefit possible from the Parkinson-specific exercises.

5. Fear of financial commitment.- many people living with Parkinson’s fear the cost of the program. Medicine is expensive and caregiving services are not always covered by insurance. So making sure everyone knows that WE DO NOT TURN ANYONE AWAY due to financial reasons is important. And there is no contract.

Thanks to the Peterson For Parkinson’s Foundation, The National Parkinson’s Foundation, numerous private donors, and a division of my program 501 (C3) Parkinson’s music platform “Call On The Fighter”, (www.callonthefighter.com) we offer financial assistance to those who can not afford the entire cost of the program.

6. I have an amazing team of coaches! I could not do this without them. With that said, I am always looking for people who love to work with special populations, are willing to think outside the box, enjoy working on a team, and are eager to expand their knowledge of the body and brain.

Operating a business of this type is not easy but I will say it is a joy to work with my “fighters” every day! I honestly can not imagine life without them. I love them so much!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My name is Colleen Bridges and I have the best job in the whole world! I have the distinct honor and privilege of encouraging, supporting, and helping people living with Parkinson’s Disease receive the highest quality fitness training so they can live life to the fullest!

I have been an NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer with a specialty in movement disorders for 18 years. I am also the head coach and owner of Bridges For Parkinson’s (www.bridgesforparkinsons.com). Each week, my program offers 14 in-person classes at two locations (STEPS Fitness- Nashville and at Bridges For Parkinson’s- Franklin), 11 Online classes, personal training, occupational /physical therapy, bodywork therapy, mental health therapy care-partner support group, and MORE!!

The best part of my “job” is that I get to help people rediscover life! When a fighter earns his/her driver’s license back or hikes 11 miles or takes an anniversary trip to Europe…well, it is so humbling to know I was able to help them. And it fuels my passion to make sure I am giving them my very best every day.

In addition to leading classes and my private training, I love to teach fitness professionals. I have authored 5 courses for Medfit Education Foundation (www.medfited.org) and Fit Fix Now (www.fitfixnow.com). It is a joy to hear from coaches across the country that they have a deeper understanding of Parkinson’s Disease and how to design effective routines that truly address the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

We also work with Belmont Physical and Occupational Therapy graduate students. Students come to Bridges For Parkinson’s to complete their observation hours and 12-week internships. Our program offers students a unique opportunity to expand their understanding of Parkinson’s Disease, work with our “fighters” and enter the professional field better prepared to meet the needs of their patients.

One thing I’m very proud of is my 501 (C3) Parkinson’s music platform, “Call On The Fighter” (www.callonthefighter.com). I asked one of my “fighters”, Rich Gootee (award-winning singer/songwriter) to write a song for our program. He came back with a classic rock-style song called “Call On The Fighter” (I call them “fighters” in class) and I loved it! So, we did what everyone does…we made a music video featuring about 25 of my fighters.

Rich then wrote a song for all the amazing care-partners called “I Need A Love”. This song is written from the perspective of the person living with Parkinson’s and how grateful they are for the support and love of their care partner and/or care partner team. And, it is a duet featuring Rich and me!

Now, we are about to record our 3rd song! This song will feature many Parkinson’s choirs from all over the country which I think will be a truly special event. One of the highlights is that my sister, Shayla Blake (www.shaylablake.com) is arranging the choral part and her Louisiana Tech Parkinson’s Choir will join us on the recording/video.

I’m so proud of the “Call On The Fighter” project! It is providing an outlet for my “fighters” to create/perform and fight back together! They may have Parkinson’s but Parkinson’s does NOT have them!!

In closing, my “fighters” are so precious! It is my goal that when a fighter, friend, or family member refers someone to my program they can join with the confidence that they will receive the highest quality training, support (person living with Parkinson’s and his/her care partner), and education with the goal of not just living but thriving with HOPE!

How do you define success?
Success to me is the HOPE I see on my fighter’s faces at the end of class!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bridgesforparkinsons.com and www.callonthefighter.com
• Instagram: Rock Steady Boxing Music City
• Facebook: Rock Steady Boxing Music City