In this conversation with Davis Phinney, we discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with Parkinson’s disease, the work of the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s, as well as the importance of hope, exercise, community, and living your best life today.
You may view the conversation here.
Davis Phinney is an Olympic Bronze medalist and Tour de France stage winner who has celebrated the most victories of any cyclist in American history. From the late 1970s until his retirement from professional cycling in 1993, Davis achieved more wins—328 victories in all—than any other U.S. cyclist.
In 2000, after years of feeling not quite right, and an almost endless round of tests, Davis was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD). Finally, the years of battling constant fatigue, the mental fogginess, the muscle cramping, and bouts of sudden numbing weakness had a name.
Realizing early on that he could take action to feel healthy and strong despite his Parkinson’s, Davis started the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s to promote and fund innovative research that seeks to improve the quality of life of those living with Parkinson’s. Since then, the Foundation has expanded far beyond research to become a leading source of education and resources to help people with Parkinson’s take action to live well today. Annually, the Foundation reaches more than 500,000 individuals and families through online resources, events, community engagement, and more.
Today, Davis lives in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife and fellow Olympian, Connie Carpenter-Phinney. They have two grown children Taylor and Kelsey, who are involved with the organization in a variety of ways. Davis continues to celebrate the daily victories in his life, inspire others by living well, and share his message of optimism with those who need it most.
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Photo courtesy of the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s