Parkinson's Vitality Institute-PVI

10/23/2026

Every week at PVI, we work alongside people living with Parkinson’s who are determined to keep moving, stay strong, and maintain their independence. Those people and their care partners are who we think about when we read about opportunities to advance research. 💙

The Michael J. Fox Foundation shared this overview of California’s Proposition 38, which would authorize $8.4 billion in state bonds for immunology and immunotherapy research. While it isn’t specifically a Parkinson’s measure, that research could help scientists better understand the immune system’s role in Parkinson’s and explore new treatments.

I’m sharing this so our community can learn more before voting. Research gives us possibilities, and staying informed helps us have a voice in what comes next.

Read more: https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/californias-proposition-38-what-parkinsons-community-should-know-election-day

This election season, California voters are considering Proposition 38, a ballot measure that would authorize $8.4 billion in state bonds for immunology and immunotherapy research at California institutions. While the measure is not solely focused on Parkinson's research, it could help advance break...

10/05/2026

💙 Jimmy Choi was a favorite speaker at this year’s World Parkinson Congress! His energy, honesty, and determination left a lasting impression on me.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s at just 27, Jimmy went on to compete on American Ninja Warrior and earn a Guinness World Records title in 2020 by completing 30 chest to ground burpees in one minute! 💪

What inspires me most is how he built toward that achievement: starting small, practicing consistently, and finding strength in community.

At Parkinson’s Vitality Institute, we celebrate progress in all its forms. Your victory might be standing up with more confidence, enjoying a walk, or trying something you didn’t think was possible. Your goals and your starting point matter.

Thank you, Jimmy, for sharing your story and reminding us to keep exploring what’s possible. 💙

Read his inspiring story:
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2021/5/how-one-inspiring-athlete-used-record-breaking-to-battle-his-parkinsons-disease-661066

09/30/2026

💙 Your exercise goals should start with one question: What do you want to keep doing in your life?

Getting up from the floor after playing with your grandchildren. Feeling more confident walking into a restaurant. Continuing to enjoy the activities that make you feel like YOU.

That’s the purpose behind Parkinson’s Vitality Institute.

As its founder, I believe meaningful coaching starts with knowing the person—their interests, challenges, strengths, and hopes for the future.

We bring together personalized movement, education, and encouragement to help people living with Parkinson’s work toward what matters to them, with care partners included along the way.

Because a training session should connect to the life you want to live. 💙

What’s one everyday activity you want to keep doing with confidence? Tell us below.

09/22/2026

🍓 THE 2026 DIRTY DOZEN: WHEN SHOULD YOU PRIORITIZE ORGANIC?

The Environmental Working Group’s annual Dirty Dozen identifies the fruits and vegetables with the highest levels and variety of detectable pesticide residues in government testing.

If you are trying to reduce pesticide exposure without buying everything organic, these are the 12 foods to prioritize:

Spinach
Kale, collard greens and mustard greens
Strawberries
Grapes
Nectarines
Peaches
Cherries
Apples
Blackberries
Pears
Potatoes
Blueberries

Many of these foods have delicate skins or edible surfaces, but the rankings are based on actual residue testing, not skin thickness alone.

Our practical advice:

🥬 Choose organic versions when available and within your budget.

💧 Rinse all produce thoroughly under plain running water. Soap and specialty produce washes are unnecessary.

🍎 Do not avoid fruits and vegetables because organic options are unavailable or too expensive. Eating conventional produce is still far better than skipping produce altogether.

Healthy eating does not have to be perfect or complicated. Use this list to make informed choices where they matter most for you and your family.

Save it for your next grocery trip! 🛒

Source: EWG’s 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce
www.ewg.org/foodnews

09/22/2026

At Parkinson’s Vitality Institute, we believe supporting people with Parkinson’s means looking beyond movement alone.

This weekend, we attended an informative PSGSC presentation exploring the connections among gut health, nutrition, environmental exposures, and the brain.

We learned more about the high energy demands of dopamine producing neurons, the important relationship between the gut and brain, and emerging research on PS128, a specific probiotic strain being studied in people with Parkinson’s. While the early findings are promising, PS128 is not yet a proven Parkinson’s treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before adding a probiotic or supplement.

We also discussed research linking certain pesticide and herbicide exposures with an increased risk of Parkinson’s. The evidence involving glyphosate specifically remains inconclusive, but the conversation was an important reminder to become more informed about the products we use and reduce unnecessary chemical exposure when practical.

PVI will continue learning, asking questions, and bringing trustworthy, practical information back to our members and care partners. Exercise is essential, but living well with Parkinson’s involves the whole person.

09/21/2026

Come meet the PVI team in Sacramento! 💙

The Parkinson’s Vitality Institute team will be attending the Parkinson Association of Northern California’s 2026 Annual Education Conference on Saturday, October 24, at Cal Expo.

This year’s theme is “Care Beyond the Diagnosis: Voices, Tools, and Togetherness.” The conference will bring together people living with Parkinson’s, care partners, families, healthcare professionals, and community leaders for a day of education, practical resources, movement, and connection.

The PVI team is excited to learn, connect, and bring valuable information back to our entire community. We would love to see you there, so please let us know if you are attending and come say hello!

You can attend in person or participate virtually. All registered attendees will also receive access to the conference recording.

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
⏰ 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
📍 Cal Expo in Sacramento
🐦 Early bird pricing ends September 30!

Register here:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/paonc/event/2026annualeducationconference/

Come learn, connect, and spend the day with the PVI team! 💙

09/18/2026

Nutrition and whole person wellness are important parts of living well with Parkinson’s. Tomorrow, we have an opportunity to learn more about both!

Join the Parkinson’s Support Group Sonoma County for a special presentation:

“Functional Approaches to Managing Parkinson’s Disease and the Pro 21 Diet”

📅 Saturday, September 19
🕐 Speaker Presentation at 1:00 pm
📍 United Methodist Christ Church
1717 Yulupa Avenue, Santa Rosa

Guest speaker Jennifer Lazar, FDNP, CMT, will explore how nutrition, digestion, metabolism, immune function, the nervous system, and brain health may influence overall health and resilience.

PVI founder Jennifer Perez is honored to serve on the PSGSC Board and will facilitate one of the support groups following the presentation. She is looking forward to learning alongside our local Parkinson’s community and bringing helpful nutrition insights back to all PVI members, including those who cannot attend.

🕑 Support Group Meeting and Breakout Groups begin at 2:00 pm.

09/08/2026

Could the gut offer clues about Parkinson’s before symptoms begin?

New research published in Nature Medicine found distinct differences in the gut microbiome of people living with Parkinson’s—and similar, though less pronounced, changes in some people who had a genetic risk for Parkinson’s but had not developed symptoms.

Scientists are still working to understand whether these changes contribute to Parkinson’s, result from it, or involve a combination of both. This is not yet a diagnostic test, and it does not prove that a particular diet can prevent or treat Parkinson’s. But it adds to growing evidence that Parkinson’s affects far more than movement—and that the connection between the gut and brain deserves attention.

At Parkinson’s Vitality Institute, we believe in supporting the whole person. Purposeful exercise, nourishing food, sleep, social connection and individualized care all have a place alongside medical treatment.

Research continues to move forward. In the meantime, we can keep moving forward too: one intentional choice, one exercise and one step at a time. 💙

What is one healthy choice you’re making for yourself this week?

08/25/2026

We’re building something important at Parkinson’s Vitality Institute, and looking ahead to the coaches who may help us carry it forward.

The new PVI Whole-Person Parkinson’s Training Model is being developed to give coaches a clear framework for helping people with Parkinson’s build strength, confidence, safety, and greater independence.

This is more than an exercise program. It connects intentional movement, progressive training, real-life function, daily carryover, and coordinated care.

Our vision is to eventually educate and certify exceptional coaches who want to specialize, grow professionally, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with Parkinson’s.

The coaches who join this movement will have opportunities to expand their knowledge, serve more people, develop specialties, mentor others, and grow into future leadership and educational roles within PVI.

We are still building the foundation, but something powerful is beginning.

If helping people with Parkinson’s live stronger and more fully speaks to you, follow PVI and watch for what comes next.

08/12/2026

Looking for a simple way to support ankle mobility, gait, and lower-body strength?

This seated exercise targets ankle movement while also engaging the quadriceps and supporting the muscles around the knee. It can be adapted for different mobility levels and performed from almost any sturdy chair.

Watch the video, give it a try, and save it for later!