The Second Wave: A 5,200-Mile Row for Parkinson’s | Ashley Ellis

Ashley Ellis is preparing to row more than 5,000 miles around the eastern United States as captain of the Human Powered Potential Second Wave crew.

Beginning in spring 2027, the six-woman team will row America's Great Loop — the roughly 5,200-mile waterway from Florida up the Intracoastal, through the Great Lakes, down the Mississippi, and back around the Gulf. If successful, they will become the first crew to row the route.

Ashley was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s at 40. Since then, she has found herself saying yes to more things in life, from experiences with her family to challenges she might not have considered before. The Great Loop is the biggest example of that yet.

Ashley and Eric talk about preparing for the Great Loop, adapting to endurance rowing, why she chose to row the same boat that made the first-ever Pacific crossing with a Parkinson's crew, and how she found the community that got her back on the water.

Key Takeaways

➡️ Diagnosis changed what Ashley was willing to say yes to.

After being diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s at 40, Ashley began thinking differently about what she might otherwise put off. That has included more experiences with her family, returning to rowing, and now preparing for the Great Loop.

➡️ Seeing another rower with Parkinson’s gave her proof she could return.

When Ashley questioned whether balance and coordination changes would keep her from rowing, she found a video of Paralympic rower Todd Vogt. Seeing someone with Parkinson’s out on the water was enough for her to believe she could do it too.

➡️ The Great Loop requires a different kind of athlete.

Ashley and her crew are moving from short rowing efforts to months of endurance work, including two-hour rotations, overnight rowing, unfamiliar waterways, fueling, navigation, and learning how to function while tired.

➡️ Community has been part of every stage of Ashley’s journey.