When Greg Geheb was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2008 at the age of 57, his family began researching treatment options. They discovered that intense exercise was beneficial in combating the progression of the disease.
Greg’s daughter discovered Roc Steady Boxing, an organization headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, which offers non-contact boxing classes to ease and slow the progression of Parkinson’s. Boxing is the perfect exercise because it works offering strength, balance and endurance for the entire body. In 2012, she convinced Greg to try a class while he was visiting in Indianapolis during Thanksgiving.
The class changed his life. He was so inspired by the physical results and the comaraderie of others going through the same battle that he returned to his home in New Hampshire and found Al Latuillpe, a boxing trainer, who helped him start Roc Steady Boxing of Boston.
In May of 2016, Greg and his wife relocated to the Cary area to be closer to his grandchildren. Upon discovering there was no Roc Steady Boxing offered in the area, Greg decided to start the classes just as he had in Boston.
That’s when he met UNC grad student Amanda Novachek, a 24-year- old personal trainer who is passionate about fitness, especially helping those dealing with the raviges of Parkinson’s disease.
Together Greg and Amanda started Roc Steady Boxing – Cary in July 2016. Classes are open to anyone with Parkinson’s and are located at Title Boxing, in Cary. Currently there are 50 boxers participating.
The class schedule is as follows:
Monday – Friday: 10:30 a.m. to noon
Sundays: 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesdays: 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. are a higher progression class
The classes include stretching, boxing, and bonding with others suffering from Parkinson’s.
The results have been amazing. Champ Davis, a woman who has been dealing with Parkinson’s for several years could hardly get up by herself beore she began classes at Roc Steady Boxing. Today she can get up by herself and has realized an increase in mobility which has brought greater independence.
As one participants observed, “Greg and Amanda are making life better for a whole lot of people.” And according to Greg, that is exactly the purpose of Roc Steady Boxing.