Greg Schaefer is used to long races. Kona, Ironman, and years of knowing what his body could do.

When that started to change, he noticed.

In 2023, he was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s. He still trains and races, but the approach is different, and some days require more adjustment than others.

He speaks openly about the days when he pulls back, when patience runs thin, and when the mental side is harder than anything physical. He also talks about what helps. Structure, training partners, and having someone waiting for you at 7 a.m. so you actually show up.

Greg is clear about his “why.” Being present for his wife. Setting an example for his kids. Showing them what it looks like to keep going, even when things aren’t going well.

What comes through is how he keeps showing up, and how those days, one at a time, still stack up.

Key Takeaways:

➡️ You can’t rely on motivation to carry you.
When someone’s expecting you at a set time, you show up. That structure matters more than how you feel that day.

➡️ Your reason has to be specific.
For Greg, it’s his wife and his kids, and that’s who he shows up for every day.

➡️ Some days just aren’t there.
Energy, movement, focus, they don’t always line up. Learning to recognize that without turning it into failure is part of it.

➡️ Adjusting is part of staying in it.
The training is still there, but the expectations shift. Showing up and finishing start to matter more than performance.

➡️ Over time, those days stack.
Not every day is strong, but the consistency builds when you keep showing up across all of them.

Key Moments:

01:40 — Realizing something was off during Kona preparation
02:39 — Finishing Kona hours later than expected
05:38 — Diagnosis in March 2023
09:11 — Training changes and adjusting expectations
10:48 — First race back and a different experience of racing
13:41 — “What you do during the calm…”
16:17 — The idea of “stacked days”
23:09 — Daily routine and disrupted sleep
29:49 — Managing good days and bad days
35:51 — Accountability and training with others
37:08 — Starting the Forward Motion Fund
41:08 — The role of caregivers

About Greg Schaefer

Greg Schaefer is a 19-time Ironman athlete, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker living with Young-Onset Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosed in 2023, Greg continues to train and compete, while managing the day-to-day realities of the condition.

He shares his journey publicly and co-founded the Forward Motion Fund with his wife to support families affected by Parkinson’s and contribute to research and awareness.

Connect with Greg

Instagram: @gschaeferundefined
Facebook: GSchaeferDefined
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gregory-schaefer
About the Forward Motion Fund: https://gregoryschaefer.com/forward-motion-fund/

About the Hosts

Eric Von Frohlich and Todd Vogt are athletes living with Parkinson’s, sharing the day to day reality of training, adapting, and figuring it out as they go. Through honest conversations, they explore what helps, what does not, and how to keep moving forward with purpose.

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Disclaimer

This podcast shares personal experience and general education, not medical advice. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to medication, treatment, or exercise.