Brian Hall’s Ride with Parkinson’s

Brian Hall is many things—a published author, public speaker, loving partner, friend, community caretaker, and a devoted cyclist. He has dedicated his life to sharing his story with the intention of removing stigmas, transforming being the “other,” and bringing people close for intimate conversations and connection.

Brian's symptoms of Parkinson's disease started at age 14. His high school basketball coach noticed his movement was being hampered by intermittent foot cramps, as he ran the length of the basketball court.

This was the beginning of a very long and frustrating medical journey. For years, the uncertainty of Brian’s condition left him with a great deal of fear and doubt about his physical future.

Then, in 2013 almost 20 years later he got a bicycle, and his entire world changed.

Each year, Brian Hall makes a choice. He chooses to get on his bike and do what so many would see as the impossible. He cycles up the auto road, racing against time, and the disease. The disease that makes it nearly impossible for him to walk distances without losing his balance.

Here, on two wheels, falling gives way to flight.

For years, neurologists have shared research around the benefits of the mind-body connection that only cycling can bring. And as we look deeper, there is an unspoken transformation that happens for so many, all from the seat of a bike.

For we all have our own mountains to ride, trials that can seem terrifying or transformative.

In 2018, only five years later, Brian found his way to the base of Mount Washington—the true test of the cycling will—and entered a race that is 7.6 miles up one of the steepest hill climbs in North America–and possibly the world.

Each year elite athletes travel from around the globe for the Mount Washington Auto Road Hillclimb to face off against “The Wall,” a 22% grade with average winds at a minimum of 35 miles per hour.

Brian goes on to say that he’d be doing the world a disservice if he did not share how he is able to do what he does—to share the choices he has made all along the way.

Parkinson’s does not allow Brian — or anyone – to choose what it will take from them, how it will alter their life.

But Brian has channeled his struggle into service. He has dedicated himself to the understanding that it is up to him how this pain runs through his life.

And he makes that choice over and over, every morning of every day.

Symptomatic with Parkinson’s for 46 years, Brian Hall’s goal is to bring support, hope and empowerment to all those living with this challenging disease.

Today, Brian is working as a public speaker and a lead collaborator on a feature film that is an autobiography of his life.

The film is slated to be released Summer of 2023.