Human Powered Potential

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 Foxteamfoxmjff, 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

05/01/2026

The Orlando Sentinel’s Patrick Connelly caught Team Human Powered Potential’s Second Wave training row earlier this month, diving into the story behind their mission to row the +5,000-mile Great American Loop to raise funds to end ’s disease.

“We are bigger than the disease, that's really what this is all about,” said Team Captain Ashley Ellis, who has early-onset Parkinson's disease, of her all-female team of six. “There's a sisterhood, a friendship and a bond that we share as part of this. The relationship part of this journey is maybe even more important than the physical effort itself.”

The Second Wave team is continuing HPP’s mission, expanding beyond the original team’s row in 2024 across the Pacific. That crew completed the mid-Pacific crossing and raised $43 million for Parkinson's research—with team member Patrick Morrisey becoming the first person with Parkinson’s to complete the route. As with the first row, 100% of all funds raised from HPP adventures go to support michaeljfox.org.

Read more on this month’s training row, and HPP’s broader mission to raise funds to end Parkinson’s and inspire others to move: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/04/27/human-powered-potential-orlando-based-female-team-to-row-5000-miles-for-parkinsons/?share=onewa0eaahnfrwl6idnt

04/29/2026

Human Powered Potential’s Second Wave Team Captain Ashley Ellis has a message for others, like herself, who are living with ’s: “Have hope that there's something more for you. What's so beautiful about this mission is the opportunity to inspire others to keep moving.”

Ashley spoke with Lauren Margolis of FOX 35 Orlando ahead of the team’s training row in Sanford, Florida, about how staying active can help ease symptoms.

The team is preparing to row the +5,000-mile Great American Loop to raise funds to end Parkinson’s. If they succeed, this Second Wave crew will become the first all-women’s team to complete the route, and Ashley will be the first person living with Parkinson’s to row it. 100% of funds raised support The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Team Fox.

04/23/2026

This row was never just about crossing an ocean. It was about proving that the human spirit can endure any challenge we face — especially when we face it together. Read the full story: https://humanpoweredpotential.org/2026/03/the-row/

04/20/2026

Meet team captain Ashley Ellis as she prepares to row 5000+ miles to raise money for .

Join the journey and the fight against Parkinson’s by donating today.