Pedaling 1,010 Miles to Phoenix | Rob Warner

Rob Warner’s athletic life was built one challenge at a time.

First it was climbing stairs. Then Mount Whitney. Then cycling. Then triathlons. Each step gave him a new way to measure effort, build confidence, and stay connected to what his body could do.

When Parkinson’s symptoms first appeared, Rob thought he was dealing with an injury from a triathlon fall. Instead, after a long diagnostic process that included an early concern about ALS, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2008.

Since then, Rob has kept adapting. He has trained, raced, raised money through Parkinson’s events, gone through DBS, dealt with freezing, falls, dyskinesia, a broken back from a bike crash, and still continued looking for ways to stay active.

Rob talks with Eric about family, faith, humor, cycling, the Ride to Phoenix, and why movement still matters after nearly two decades with Parkinson’s.

Key Takeaways

➡️ Movement kept giving Rob a way forward.

From Mount Whitney to cycling to triathlons, Rob kept finding new challenges that helped him stay connected to his body before and after diagnosis.

➡️ Adaptation is not one decision. It keeps changing.

Rob has adjusted through DBS, medication changes, freezing, dyskinesia, falls, injuries, and new tools like an e-bike. The work is ongoing.

➡️ Support matters when it protects agency.

Family, guides, doctors, and riding partners help Rob keep participating without turning him into someone who needs to be pitied or held back.