A Parkinson’s diagnosis can feel overwhelming. It can raise questions about independence, movement, and what the future might hold. At Parkinson’s Wellness Place, the message is clear and powerful: Parkinson’s does not get to define what is possible.
Founded in Snohomish County, Parkinson’s Wellness Place exists to energetically empower, encourage, elevate, and educate people living with Parkinson’s disease. Through results-driven programs that are open to everyone, regardless of fitness level, disease stage, or financial situation, this nonprofit is helping people not just live with Parkinson’s, but truly fight back.
“We don’t see the people who come here as patients,” says Lacey, co-founder and CEO. “We call them athletes, because they’re actively working to slow the progression of their disease. They’re showing up. They’re training. That matters.”
The organization’s beginnings were anything but planned. In early 2017, Lacey received two emails in the same month asking whether her gym offered Rock Steady Boxing, a non-contact boxing program designed for people with Parkinson’s.
“I was literally writing a rejection email,” she recalls. “I thought the program was amazing, but I didn’t know how to run it without overcharging people, and I’m not in the business of taking advantage of anyone.”
That same day, Lacey shared her excitement about the program with a personal training client. The client revealed that she served on the board of a nonprofit supporting early-onset Parkinson’s. By the end of the week, Lacey and her co-founder, LaRae, were offered funding to get trained and start the program.
“It felt like the universe just kept saying yes,” Lacey says. “If you say something out loud that’s meant to exist, the world shows up.”
By June 2017, Parkinson’s Wellness Place launched as Snohomish County’s first Rock Steady Boxing program. In 2020, it officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, allowing the organization to expand its reach while staying true to its core mission: accessibility, dignity, and impact.
Today, Parkinson’s Wellness Place offers 15 classes each week, including Rock Steady Boxing, Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!) Moves, yoga designed specifically for Parkinson’s, and one-on-one personal training. Educational sessions, day camps, social outings, and community events round out a holistic approach to care.
The choice to call participants “athletes” is intentional.
“We’re not a sit-and-talk support group,” Lacey explains. “We’re actively tackling symptoms. Exercise improves balance, energy, speech, and mobility. When someone tells their family they’re going to boxing class, that changes how they see themselves, and how others see them.”
For many athletes, walking through the door is life-changing. Most arrive knowing no one else with Parkinson’s. Then suddenly, they’re in a room with 20 people punching heavy bags, laughing, sweating, and moving forward together.
“They see results,” Lacey says. “People notice better balance, more energy, and even improved speech. That hope is powerful.”
Nearly 75 percent of participants stay in the program for more than two years. Annual assessments consistently show improvements in strength, mobility, posture, balance, and independence. Athletes often defy expectations, slowing disease progression and gaining confidence in their daily lives.
The science behind the work matters. Exercise changes how the brain functions. Classes focus on exaggerated, functional movements to combat stiffness and rigidity. Core strength and balance exercises support posture and reduce fall risk. Cognitive challenges such as games, riddles, puzzles, and memory activities keep the brain engaged. Voice work is also a major component, with an emphasis on being “big and loud,” strengthening vocal muscles that Parkinson’s often weakens.
The community impact reaches far beyond the gym walls. In 2025 alone, Parkinson’s Wellness Place assessed 38 new athletes, hosted educational seminars on topics ranging from deep brain stimulation to nutrition and estate planning, and celebrated athlete milestones, from first marathons to 500th mountain summits.
Accessibility remains at the heart of the organization’s work. The average athlete pays about $65 per month, far below the industry standard of $120 to $200. No one is turned away because of finances.
“If someone has Parkinson’s and wants to exercise, we’ll say, ‘Get your butt in here,’” Lacey says. “We’ll figure the rest out.”
That affordability is made possible through strong community support and fundraising events. One creative way supporters can get involved is through the “Your Name. Our Walls. Their Future.” initiative. By sponsoring a custom acoustic tile displayed in the gym, donors help create a quieter, more focused environment for athletes while visibly supporting the mission.
At its core, Parkinson’s Wellness Place is about dignity, resilience, and hope. It is about proving that a diagnosis does not mean giving up strength, purpose, or joy. Certified coaches, specialized instructors, medical professionals, volunteers, and donors all play a role in creating a space where people with Parkinson’s are not defined by limitations, but by strength and determination. Parkinson's Wellness Place is rewriting what living with Parkinson’s can look like: one class, one voice, and one empowered athlete at a time.
For more information visit www.parkinsonswellnessplace.org.
Parkinson’s Wellness Place exists to energetically empower, encourage, elevate, and educate people living with Parkinson’s disease
We don’t see the people who come here as patients. We call them athletes, because they’re actively working to slow the progression of their disease. They’re showing up. They’re training. That matters.