On the pod this week, we are joined by former two-time National Pig Association chair, Richard Longthorp, to discuss a very important topic of Parkinson’s Disease. Richard, a former pig farmer from Howden in East Yorkshire, was diagnosed with the condition back in 2017.

What you’ll hear during the course of this pod is how fitness, particularly boxing, has helped Richard to manage his condition, how it has provided him with a new lease of life at the age of 71, and why he has raised thousands of pounds to support Parkinson’s UK, St Paul’s Boxing Academy in Hull and Goole Amateur Boxing Club. He talks about his time as NPA chair, including the struggle with foot-and-mouth disease, and what a life in farming has provided him. 

Both boxing clubs provide fitness provision for people living with Parkinson’s and Richard wanted to give something back. It is an extraordinary story of pushing one’s physical and emotional limits, and never giving up; something British farmers are well-known for.

One of Richard’s idols, former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Alli, said: “Inside of a ring or out, ain't nothing wrong with going down. It is staying down that's wrong.” Words we can all relate too for the many challenges that life throws at us. So sit back, and enjoy the pod.

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