Jules King — Unstoppable With Parkinson’s and CrossFit

ByCrossFitMay 9, 2024
Found in:Essentials

“I won’t let Parkinson’s take over my life or let it stop me doing anything.”

Jules King’s Parkinson’s disease was undiagnosed for 16 years before officially being diagnosed 10 years ago.

She was in a wheelchair for 10 years, needed 24-hour care, and experienced excruciating pain. At times, King’s pain was so unbearable she was certain her body was giving up.

But King was intent on pushing through, focusing on what she could do, not what she couldn’t.

On her own accord, King walked into CrossFit Pembrokeshire and has been unstoppable as a human, a mother, and a competitive CrossFit athlete.

With CrossFit and her determination, King found an accepting community at Pembrokeshire, improved her confidence, strength, and body control, and has been able to live an independent life, watching her kids grow up.

“The reason I keep coming back to CrossFit is because I’m getting stronger each day, which enables me to hold my body up much easier, carry out daily tasks much easier, carry the shopping on my own, carry my cup of coffee without spilling it.”

King, a neuromuscular adaptive athlete, has big plans for the 2024 competitive season — make it to the CrossFit Games.

“Fingers crossed.”

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The first thing Jules King — a dancer — lost was her sense of rhythm. Balance was the next to go, and after 16 years of progressive decline, she was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease. At her worst, she could not walk, eat, or dress independently. She could not even scratch an itch. Today, she travels the world competing as a CrossFit athlete. Her mission is simple: “Everyday life can be much better after your diagnosis through CrossFit.”