The Parkinson’s Journey – Chapter 5: Parkinson’s Disease Stole My Energy – How I Got It Back

There was a time when I could work a twelve-hour day, come home, and still have enough left in the tank to fix something around the house. Somewhere along the way, my gas tank developed a leak — and I just couldn’t plug it.

The loss of energy didn’t happen overnight. It crept in so quietly that, at first, I didn’t even notice. I would come home just a little more tired than usual. I’d put off small tasks because they felt heavier than they should. But over time, that creeping fatigue became a constant companion. The worst part? I didn’t know why.

At that point, I hadn’t yet been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. My family, friends, and even I were wondering what on earth was going on with me. My body felt older than my years, and my motivation seemed to be slipping away. For someone who had always thrived on movement, action, and productivity, this was a slow-motion nightmare.

Before I share what helped me reclaim much of that lost energy, I want to make something clear: I’m not a doctor or medical professional. I’m a person living with Parkinson’s Disease, sharing my own experience. What worked for me may not work for you. Every person with Parkinson’s is different, and any changes to your treatment, diet, or exercise routine should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

Part 1 – A Total Mystery

Before Parkinson’s entered my life in full force, my last career was as part owner of an overhead door company. It was demanding work — physically intense, often unpredictable, and sometimes dangerous. I needed to stay sharp, make quick decisions, and have the strength to carry out heavy, sometimes awkward, repairs or installations.

Some of my fondest memories from that time were the occasional weekend callouts when I could bring one of my kids along. I’d try to choose jobs that were easy or routine, but every now and then we’d find ourselves in situations that required real creativity — and sometimes a bit of daring. On the drive home, I’d tell them, “Don’t tell your mother what I just did,” and we’d share a good laugh. Looking back, I honestly don’t know how I pulled off some of those repairs. The thought of a few of them still gives me chills.

But as I moved into my early forties, I started noticing something unsettling. My once quick problem-solving skills began to feel sluggish. Projects that I could previously finish in a short time now stretched into hours. I wasn’t moving as quickly, and I found myself needing help with heavy tasks I used to handle alone without thinking twice. My strength seemed to be fading, and the fatigue was relentless.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s were starting to show themselves — bradykinesia (slowness of movement), stiffness, rigidity, and a fatigue that sleep didn’t seem to fix. Long days left me drained, and I often found myself heading straight to bed after work. It felt as though there was a leak somewhere in my body’s energy supply that I couldn’t patch.

Then, in May 2017, I finally received my diagnosis and a prescription for medication — my “pink and yellow pills.” They helped me move better, but the boost in energy was temporary. I didn’t regain the stamina or strength I’d once had. Eventually, I realized I couldn’t keep up with the demands of my job. It was a painful decision, but I knew I had to step away and find a path that was less physically draining.

That’s when the search for my missing energy truly began.

Part 2 – Managing Mitochondria

One of the biggest breakthroughs in my search for lost energy came when I began learning about mitochondria. Parkinson’s doesn’t just affect the brain — it affects the very power plants of our cells. These tiny structures, called mitochondria, are responsible for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule our bodies use for almost every function, from muscle movement to cellular repair.

When mitochondria are damaged — something that happens more often in people with Parkinson’s — energy production slows down. The transfer systems that once ran like clockwork become sluggish. Movements require more effort, muscles fatigue faster, and even simple tasks can leave you feeling drained. For me, discovering this was like finding the missing piece of the puzzle.

That’s when I came across red light therapy. Certain wavelengths of red and near-infrared light can penetrate the skin and stimulate the mitochondria, encouraging them to produce more ATP. More ATP means more cellular energy, which can help cells work more efficiently, repair themselves, and recover from stress.

I started using a high-quality red light therapy panel from Rouge Care Canada, a company I’ve grown to trust for both product quality and their commitment to helping people improve their health. I’ve had my Rouge panel for nearly two years now, and it’s become a daily part of my routine. I can genuinely say I’ve noticed a difference — not a sudden, overnight surge of energy, but a steady, gradual improvement that’s helped me reclaim a lot of what Parkinson’s had taken.

If someone had told me before my diagnosis that light could help restore energy, I probably would have laughed and told them to pour me another coffee. But coffee had stopped giving me the boost it once did — it just made me run to the bathroom more often — so I was open to trying something new. Over time, I realized that supporting my mitochondria through red light therapy, alongside other lifestyle changes, was making a real impact.

It’s also worth remembering that mitochondria aren’t only in the brain — they’re in every cell in the body. Your heart cells, for example, each contain about 5,000 mitochondria. That’s a lot of potential energy factories, and when they’re working better, the ripple effect is felt throughout the entire system.

Part 3 – ATP and the Role of Exercise

Once I understood that mitochondria produce ATP, the next question became: how could I encourage my body to make more of it? ATP is the energy currency of the body, used every time we move a muscle or power an internal process.

I like to think of it as an old penny jar at a corner store: need a penny, take a penny; have a penny, leave a penny. Every time you lift an arm or take a step, you “spend” a phosphate molecule from ATP. What’s left is adenosine diphosphate (ADP), which needs to be recharged before it can be used again. For people with Parkinson’s, that recharging process can be less efficient — meaning our energy reserves deplete more quickly.

In my mind, ATP works like a beaver dam. The water behind the dam is potential energy, ready to be released. The bigger the dam, the more energy you have stored. My approach has been to push my current energy supply to the edge — safely, but with enough challenge that my body feels the need to adapt. I believe this helps stimulate the production of new mitochondria, giving me a larger “dam” to store energy in.

Exercise became a cornerstone of this process. And while any movement is good, I found that certain types of exertion gave me the best returns in terms of energy. I also learned that the food I eat plays a massive role in how well my ATP system functions.

Part 4 – The Diet Connection

It’s easy to overlook how much diet influences energy. But I discovered firsthand that the right foods can make a real difference in ATP production. I focus on nutrient-dense meals, especially vegetables that support nitric oxide production, which helps improve blood flow and cellular efficiency.

One experience really drove this home. A few weeks ago, I decided to order a vegetarian gluten-free pizza. It sounded healthy enough, but it lacked many of the vegetables I usually rely on for energy, and the crust was made from rice flour. The next day, I felt sluggish. My energy was so low I couldn’t finish my usual walk, and it took a long time to feel recharged. That one meal — seemingly harmless — had a clear impact on my energy reserves.

It was a reminder that my body depends on specific nutrients to keep my mitochondria and ATP production running efficiently. While it’s tempting to think of energy as something you can “hack” with quick fixes, in my case, it’s been the result of consistent choices in diet, movement, and daily habits.

Part 5 – Fast Walking for GDNF

In August, I started a fast walking routine with a goal of supporting my overall health and potentially stimulating GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor), which may help protect and repair dopamine-producing neurons.

When I began, I could barely manage 1–2 kilometers a day. Progress was slow, but I stayed committed. Over time, I worked my way up to 6 kilometers daily. That’s not a short stroll — it’s a dedicated effort that requires planning, discipline, and the willingness to push through on days when fatigue tries to take over.

Fast walking has become more than just an exercise for me. It’s a way of telling my body, “We’re still in this fight.” The act of consistently showing up, even when it’s challenging, reinforces not just physical strength, but mental resilience.

Part 6 – What I’ve Learned

Looking back, my journey to reclaiming energy has been shaped by several key lessons:

1. Energy loss in Parkinson’s is complex – It’s not just about movement problems; cellular energy production plays a huge role.

2. Mitochondria matter – Supporting their health through light, nutrition, and exercise has been vital.

3. Diet is a silent driver – One meal can noticeably impact my energy, for better or worse.

4. Exercise isn’t optional – It’s the main way I’ve been able to push my energy reserves higher.

5. Progress takes time – Recovery is gradual and requires daily effort.

Final Thoughts

Regaining my energy hasn’t been about one single breakthrough. It’s been a process — a combination of learning how my body works, experimenting with new strategies, and sticking with what produces results. I still have days when fatigue gets the upper hand, but those days are fewer than they used to be.

For anyone else navigating Parkinson’s and its exhausting side effects, I’d say this: be patient, be curious, and be willing to try. Support your body at the cellular level, nourish it well, and challenge it to do just a little more than it thinks it can.

Medical Disclaimer

I am not a medical doctor, and this blog is not intended as medical advice. The information shared here reflects my own personal experience living with Parkinson’s disease and the strategies that have helped me manage my energy levels. Always consult with your physician, neurologist, or another qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your treatment plan, medications, diet, or exercise routine. What works for me may not work for everyone, and individual needs can vary greatly.

Note for Caregivers

If you are caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease, please remember that fatigue and low energy can be invisible but profoundly impactful symptoms. Even on days when your loved one “looks fine,” they may be operating with a much smaller energy reserve than you realize. Supporting them may mean pacing activities, allowing for extra recovery time, and encouraging consistent routines that support energy production—like balanced nutrition, gentle but regular movement, and stress reduction. Most importantly, open communication can help both you and your loved one navigate this challenge with empathy and patience.

Rouge Care Canada

Rouge

This post contains a sponsored mention from Rouge Care Canada, a company I’ve personally used and trust. Rouge Care Canada produces high-quality red light therapy panels designed to support mitochondrial health and cellular energy production.

Red light therapy works by delivering specific wavelengths of light that stimulate the mitochondria—the “power plants” in our cells—to produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate), our body’s usable energy currency. For people like me, living with Parkinson’s-related fatigue, supporting mitochondrial function can make a tangible difference in daily energy levels.

I have used my Rouge panel daily for almost two years, and it has been a consistent part of my energy recovery strategy. If you choose to explore red light therapy, Rouge Care Canada offers durable, effective panels backed by great customer support.

Click here to learn more or purchase your own Rouge Care Canada red light therapy panel and support this blog at the same time.

Useful Sources

• 33 Natural Ways to Improve Mitochondrial Function — SelfDecode.

• Fatigue in Parkinson’s — American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA).

• How to Fight Parkinson’s Disease–Related Fatigue — Johns Hopkins Medicine.

• 4 Ways to Boost Energy and ATP That Everyone Ignores — YouTube (Thomas DeLauer).

• Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease — review (PMC / NCBI).