Boxer George Linden throws a jab into the heavy bag during an afternoon training session at Rock Steady Boxing. Linden joined Rock Steady six years ago in the hopes that it will help with his Parkinson’s symptoms. Tuesday, September 26, 2026. (Photo by Hannah Godel)
At a gym in the outskirts of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, 70-year-old boxer George Linden pulls on his gloves, shuffles through stations, and bobs his head to the beat of “Eye of the Tiger” as it blasts through the speakers.
Each punch, kick and jab is a way for Linden to fight back against the toughest opponent – Parkinson’s Disease.
Kristen Schillaci, a coach at Rock Steady Boxing, speaks about the specialized fitness program and the vital role that community plays in fighting back against Parkinson’s disease. This organization serves as an empowering space for individuals seeking to improve their mobility, strength, and overall quality of life. They provide non-contact boxing training and dedicated support for the community so members can build resilience against this degenerative condition.
In 2015, Linden’s family began noticing potential symptoms of the disease. It was not until two years later that Linden finally visited the general practitioner, and after being referred to a neurologist, received his diagnosis.
