An interview with Daniel Burkhardt Rock Steady Boxing, Martial Arts and Advocacy on August 18, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
I am a Master Certified Personal Trainer.
Senior Fitness Instructor Certified.
Rock Steady Boxing Affiliate Owner/Coach certified.
Being of service to the Parkinsons community is a gift I never take lightly.
Martial Arts Studied
Kali
Wing Chun
Pangamot
Tai chi
Bagawa
Pentjak Selat Serack
I Liq Chuan
Instructor Progressive Fighting System
Please tell me a little about your background.
I have been working in the Parkinson community since 2015. I started volunteering at RSB SF for a year. I wanted to make sure the rock steady boxing method had real results.
I figured that out within a month, saying a Fighter that started when I was a volunteer balance, improving strength, as well as confidence, and a better outlook in life.
Can you tell me more about your organization?
I currently have two active locations for Rocksteady Boxing. I am based out of Northern California. I have a location in Danville California as well as Berkeley California.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
I am passionate about helping people live the best quality of life they can with dealing with Parkinson’s.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
Improving balance, range of motion, Posture, stability, strengthening muscles.
What effect can your advocacy have on an individual with Parkinson’s awareness?
I have been with Rocksteady Boxing for eight years. My fighters that work with me consistently end up traveling more, able to hold their grandkids with confidence and have more energy to go on, walks for a longer duration, vs when they started with me. I have a Fighter in Berkeley that is 95 years old. Her goal was to get back into her hiking club after working with me for four months. She is back in her hiking club at 95 years old.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your advocacy?
Continue being of service to the Parkinsons, teaching fighters’ life always throws hard things at us we are not victims to our current situation there’s always hope, growing a solid fight family is always my goal.
What events do you participate in?
PD Active mini–Fair I setup a booth every year to let people know about the benefits of RSB to slow the progression of Parkinson’s by building the dopamine naturally through exercise.
Parkinson foundation walks. I have raised money for the Parkinson’s foundation too.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
I am a part of two Parkinson’s support groups.
My Diablo Parkinson’s support group
PD active in Berkeley
They have classes for the caregivers.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Rocksteadyboxinggba.com
Email: hello@rocksteadyboxinggba.com
I offer: In-person boxing classes. Online boxing 🥊 classes which can be taken from anywhere.
Personal training.
How can others become advocates?
Volunteer at your local Parkinson’s support group.
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson community, what would it be?
We are not victims of our situation there is always hope, community is key to fighting Parkinsons.