Human Powered Potential

06/16/2026

Two Parkinson’s warriors. One powerful reminder of what’s possible when we keep moving forward.

Recently, Human Powered Potential's co-founder Patrick Morrissey met Larry Grogin in Durango, Colorado during stop #79 of Larry’s extraordinary journey: 100 marathons in 100 consecutive days across America.

Both men are living with Parkinson’s. Both are embracing movement to help slow the progression of the disease and reduce symptoms. Patrick became the first person living with Parkinson’s to row across the Pacific Ocean, while Larry is running coast-to-coast in an unbelievable feat of endurance.

Together, they stand for resilience, hope and a shared belief that Parkinson’s does not get the final word. Every mile, marathon, and stroke of the oars sends the same message: keep moving, keep fighting, and never stop believing in what’s possible.
You can follow Larry’s journey at .

06/12/2026

“For me personally, it really comes down to living big, living urgently, and dreaming big—breaking through the impossible to make it possible.” ⚡️🚣‍♀️

HPP Second Wave team captain, Ashley Ellis, and their coach—world-record ocean rower Dawn Smith of Row Aurora—sat down together with BBC Essex Sport as this all-female crew prepares to tackle the grueling +5,000-mile Great American Loop to raise funds for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research🎙️

Ashley shares how her early-onset Parkinson’s diagnosis at age 40 spurred her to dream big, why movement is medicine, and the team’s preparations for their row with Dawn’s expert guidance! And, Dawn describes her own upcoming epic row from Canada to the UK (including tracking icebergs! 🧊). One oar stroke at a time, the team is turning the impossible into reality to find a cure for .

06/09/2026

BIG CONGRATS! On June 6, Human Powered Potential co-founder Patrick Morrissey was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and honored with the Medal of Courage.

The Medal of Courage is given to a wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges and provided inspiration to others. 🏅

Patrick was nominated because of his high school and college wrestling credentials along with his extraordinary 2024 feat with HPP’s First Wave team where he became the first person diagnosed with Parkinson’s to row the World’s Toughest Row Pacific route from Monterey, California to Hawaii. The HPP First Wave Team raised over $43M dollars during this campaign for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Patrick was honored alongside Olympians and national champions, a testament to the power of resilience, perseverance and refusing to let Parkinson’s define what’s possible.

Read about Patrick’s journey from wrestler to Parkinson’s warrior here: https://humanpoweredpotential.org/2026/06/how-patrick-morrissey-took-on-wrestling-parkinsons-and-the-pacific-ocean/

And special thanks to for sharing photos from the awards ceremony.

06/08/2026

2 years ago, four friends launched their epic row across the Pacific as Team Human Powered Potential. Brendan Cusick, Scott Forman, Peter Durso, and Patrick Morrissey, who has Parkinson's—faced a brutal, week-long storm early in the journey that tested their physical limits and brotherhood, but their commitment to finding a cure drove them forward. Despite setbacks, including salt sores, sea sickness, equipment failures, and unrelenting exhaustion, they maintained their resolve, drawing strength from the thousands following their journey. They made history with Patrick becoming the first person diagnosed with Parkinson's to cross the Pacific and ultimately raised $43 million for Parkinson's research.

has a new crew of warriors raising funds to support , the grassroots fundraising arm of . The Second Wave Team will row more than +5,000 nautical-miles along the Great American Loop. The goal remains the same: to end Parkinson’s disease. We’re excited to continue the journey!

Go to DonateHPP.org to help power the cause today.

06/05/2026

Human Powered Potential’s Second Wave team is now deep into training for next year's +5,000 nautical-mile Great American Loop row!

This past week, they undertook an intensive, multi-day training program covering everything they’ll need to operate safely on the water and brave rough conditions—including boat systems, navigation, night rowing, lock navigation, and emergency protocols.

Coached by Dawn Smith of Row Aurora, one of the world’s most accomplished ocean rowers, this hands-on Second Wave training is designed to ready the crew for the physical and mental realities of the journey ahead. Every detail matters when preparing to row thousands of miles through changing weather, unpredictable conditions, and exhaustion.

Their mission: to push human limits and raise awareness to help fund a cure for Parkinson’s disease via Team Fox the grassroots fundraising arm of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Go to donatehpp.org to power the cause. Special thanks to and for supporting the HPP team and their American Spirit boat during this training!

Read more about Coach Dawn Smith and the Second Wave!
Link: https://humanpoweredpotential.org/2026/06/meet-dawn-smith-second-wave-team-coach/

06/04/2026

Parkinson’s is the world’s fastest-growing neurological disease. More than 1.2 million people in the U.S., including nearly 135,000 Californians, are living with Parkinson’s. In 2024, the disease cost patients, families, and taxpayers $82 billion — including doctor's visits and medication, but also the insidious costs of premature retirements, college funds siphoned away, and spouses listed as full-time caregivers. Read the Los Angeles Times op-ed by Michael J Fox urging support for California's efforts to advance scientific research that will develop breakthroughs for diseases like Parkinson’s. California is near and dear to HPP since we launched our 2024 Pacific row from Monterey, CA! 🚣‍♂️
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Team Fox

In an op-ed, our founder calls on California to seize a critical opportunity — Senate Bill (SB) 895 — which would establish a state-funded, voter-approved health and science research institute.

06/01/2026

A GOLDEN HAT TRICK!
We’re incredibly honored to share that 'Crossing the Pacific for Parkinson’s Disease' brought home THREE Gold Telly Awards:

1. Gold People’s Telly Winner — Non-Broadcast
2. Gold Telly Winner — Non-Broadcast, Motivational & Advice
3. Gold Telly Winner — Non-Broadcast, Live Events & Experiences

This short film tells the story of Human Powered Potential’s 2,800-mile row across the Pacific Ocean to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s research, inspiring all of us to endure.
Visit our website to watch: humanpoweredpotential.org/founders-story

Thank you to everyone who supported our mission, shared our story, donated and believed in the power of our potential. Go to donatehpp.org to help find a cure for Parkinson’s and raise money for Team Fox , the grassroots fundraising arm of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

05/31/2026

“If you put the right people around you (in a boat or not) you can achieve anything.” — Patrick Morrissey

Join the journey and the fight against Parkinson’s! Go to DonateHPP.org to raise money for Team Fox, the grassroots fundraising arm of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

05/20/2026

No engines. No shortcuts. And absolutely not willing to accept that a cure for Parkinson’s disease is impossible.

In 2024, four friends rowed into the history books. They spent 41 days at sea, battled 30-foot swells, and raised $43 million for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. One of the crew–Patrick Morrissey–became the first person with Parkinson’s disease to row the Pacific. But they didn’t just cross the Pacific—they started a movement.

Human Powered Potential is now gearing up to launch a new slate of bold, imagination-capturing endurance events featuring athletes living with Parkinson’s disease to raise funds for a cure and to help show the world what’s possible when we push our limits and keep moving.

Because curing Parkinson's is just a matter of time and endurance. Stay tuned!
Go to DonateHPP.org to help power the cause today.

05/11/2026

We are rebels with a cause. Every stride, step, stroke is a step toward the cure.
Join the journey and the fight against Parkinson’s by going to DonateHPP.org