Answering The Call to Row
Parkinson’s steals movement. These women are taking it back—one oar stroke at a time.
“If I can help transform grief into hope for one person—even in a small way—then every oar stroke through the water will be worth it.” – Ashley Ellis, Team HPP Second Wave Captain
After Ashley Ellis was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 40, she felt called to share her story and make an impact for everyone living with this disease.
Ashley is the captain of Second Wave, an all-female team training to become the first-ever team of women to row the 5,000-mile Great American Loop down the Mississippi River, around Florida, and up the Atlantic Coast. Along the way, they’ll raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s disease, with 100% of fundraising benefiting The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
“Because of Parkinson’s, I have prioritized exercise and strength training. For me, rowing has become one of the ways I build my strength and improve my balance and stability,” Ashley says.
The Second Wave team is continuing the mission started by the original Human Powered Potential (HPP) team and rowing the American Spirit, the same boat that carried the founding crew of HPP across the Pacific Ocean in 2024. The original HPP team set records and raised +$43 million for Parkinson’s research. A member of team HPP’s inaugural row, Patrick Morrissey, became the first man with Parkinson’s to complete the Pacific row.
Made up of teachers, physical therapists, event designers, friends, wives, and mothers, the Second Wave team athletes are determined to rise to an extraordinary challenge and help end Parkinson’s disease. Each of them brings a unique connection to the cause, a willingness to dream big, and a determination to inspire others to endure.
Meet the team!
Ashley
I was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease in 2021, and my symptoms affect the left side of my body, including tremors in my left hand, cramping in my left foot, and sleeplessness. There’s no perfect way to navigate this, but for me, there’s power in sharing and letting people into this part of my life. Life is still so full. And there is so much to be grateful for—especially my husband and three kids.
When we had the opportunity to form the Human Powered Potential Second Wave team, it was an irresistible “yes” for me. I am joining the fight against Parkinson’s—for myself, for others living with this disease today, and for the future—with hopes for slowing progression, finding a cure, and stopping Parkinson’s for good. If I can help transform grief into hope for one person—even in a small way—then every oar stroke through the water will be worth it.
Becky
My connection to this rowing journey is Ashley, who is my cousin. Through her sharing her story, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of what it truly means to live with Parkinson’s disease. When she asked me to join this expedition, I didn’t hesitate—I said yes before she could even finish the question!
Only later did I remember something my father once told me: it was his dream to row the Mississippi River. Knowing that I’ll now be rowing in his honor fills me with immense love and pride. Though he’s no longer here physically, he’ll be with me in spirit every mile, stroke, and moment on the water.
My father rowed for Jacksonville University and introduced my sister and me to rowing in high school. We immediately fell in love with the sport. Rowing taught me about connection: to others, to purpose, and to something greater than myself. When blades move in unison, differences disappear, and effort becomes collective. Progress is built stroke by stroke, often long before results are visible. That lesson has shaped how I live and lead—believing that when we move forward together, we can endure more, achieve more, and inspire more than we ever could alone. Today, I coach youth athletes, helping the next generation experience the confidence, discipline, and joy that rowing brings.
When we rise to meet a challenge, we inspire others to rise with us. That is my hope for this row. Together, I believe our team can accomplish something extraordinary—raising critical funds for Parkinson’s research, igniting hope, and helping move us closer to a cure.
Andrea
About two and a half years ago, I started rowing as a beginner, simply looking for a new way to start my mornings and be part of a team. Then my teammate and best friend, Ashley, started chatting about an epic adventure. She asked me if I would do something crazy with her, and I was terrified—but of course, I said yes!
I co-own a creative event design company that has always been centered around bringing people together. In many ways, this journey feels like a reflection of that on a more personal level. Being part of a team and building a strong sense of community is at the core of who I am. I believe movement is powerful medicine, especially for those living with Parkinson’s disease, and I’m proud to be part of something that inspires others to challenge themselves, stay active, and feel connected.
Adventure has always been part of my life, from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to trekking the Annapurna Trail. I’m most excited for the quiet, powerful moments on the water and the opportunity to experience this country from an entirely new perspective.
Megan
As a physical therapist, I’ve always admired the determination of my Parkinson’s patients. My mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019. I still vividly remember the day she shared the news with me and my sister Maureen—who is also rowing on the Second Wave team—during a walk on a familiar childhood trail where she had taken us for strolls and bike rides hundreds of times as kids.
My mom is a courageous adventurer. It was important to her that her children saw the world beyond our hometown. She and I have traveled the world together, from the mountains of Nepal to the depths of the Grand Canyon. She never backed down from a challenge, including her Parkinson’s disease. I see the daily challenges of this disease firsthand as my mom’s caregiver—the memory changes, the declining mobility, and the heartbreak of seeing a vibrant, strong woman trapped in a body that struggles to move. Yet every day, she asks me what she can do to help and tells me she loves me. I continue to aspire to have the strength and courage that my mom has.
This row has given me something incredibly meaningful during one of the hardest seasons of my life—a way to honor my mom, fight this disease, and focus on something hopeful. Having used The Michael J. Fox Foundation as a primary resource since my mom’s diagnosis, I want to help ensure that the next generation doesn’t have to face the same trials our family has endured.
Maureen
My mom, who lives with Parkinson’s, has always been one of the greatest influences in my life. She was never afraid to say yes to an adventure, never one to sit still, and always chose to live with strength, positivity, and courage. Her example has shaped the way I want to live and the kind of mom I hope to be for my own children—one who lives boldly, embraces adventure, and shows them how to find joy, beauty, and purpose even in life’s hardest moments.
Her love of travel and exploration inspired me to create those same experiences with my own family. Because of her example, my husband, our three kids, and I have made it a priority to experience the world together—visiting more than 30 national parks and traveling far beyond home—so our children can grow up with the same sense of wonder, curiosity, and courage that she gave to me. Her emphasis on noticing nature and beauty also deeply shaped me as a homeschool mom and an artist, inspiring the way I see the world and the creativity I bring into both my art and my motherhood.
It is her strength and adventurous spirit that inspire me to take on this journey. I am returning to the oars after years away from my time as a scholarship collegiate rower, and while it is difficult to spend time away from my family, I am choosing this adventure as part of my own healing. I am also honored to support Ashley’s dream and to help carry forward the mission of raising funds for Parkinson’s research. I am especially grateful to row alongside my sister, who is also grieving the loss of so much of my mom to Parkinson’s, and with teammates whose positivity and strength have meant so much along the way. Above all, I hope this effort can honor my mom, reflect the resilience she has taught me, and maybe even inspire others living with Parkinson’s to keep living boldly.
Elizabeth
I thought my intense rowing days from Rollins College were behind me; then I ran into a fellow Rollins grad who convinced me to try rowing again, where I found finesse and a community of extraordinary women. As we started training for the Great American Loop, I realized this row was the perfect convergence of everything I love—adventure, travel, fitness, and now, a shared mission to fight a disease that has affected so many of us personally.
My cousin lost her dad to Parkinson’s in February 2025. For nearly a decade, she was his advocate as his health deteriorated, and watching her exhaust herself for someone she loved was hard. Relationships are my why for everything, so when I was asked to join this amazing group of women to take on a crazy athletic feat, all while fundraising to end a dreadful disease, I said yes—for both patients and the loved ones who care for them. Everyone involved has so much to offer, and I’m enjoying getting to know my amazing teammates.
Follow the Journey
Movement is medicine for Parkinson’s disease. Exercise boosts dopamine, slows disease progression, and offers something powerful: defiance. Every stroke of the oar is an answer to a disease that says, “you can’t.” Every mile on the water is proof that they can.
Along the route, Second Wave will connect with communities, inspiring solidarity, exercise, and hope for those living with Parkinson’s, and the families, friends, and advocates who stand beside them.
Follow along as the Second Wave trains to take on the Great American Loop challenge on Instagram, Facebook, Strava, and YouTube. You can also sign up for our mailing list to stay connected and learn more.
