The Parkinson’s eXchange Podcast
Real conversations. Real community.
The Parkinson’s eXchange Podcast brings together the voices of Australians living with Parkinson’s, along with care partners, to share honest experiences, insights, and perspectives.
Each episode explores how Parkinson’s can look different for everyone - and why lived experience is essential in shaping better information, support, and connection.
Hosted by Parkinson’s Australia Ambassador Damien Leith and CEO Olivia Nassaris, the series offers meaningful conversations that inform, empower and remind listeners they are not alone.
Episodes

7 days ago
7 days ago
In this episode Paula shares her journey from first symptoms in her late teens to an official diagnosis at 27, navigating pregnancy and single motherhood with young-onset Parkinson’s, and the stigma she faced in the community and workplace.
Paula has lived with Parkinson's for over 35 years - a journey marked by courage, loss, resilience, and ultimately, hope. But in 2020, everything changed. A new advanced therapy transformed her life. Within weeks, she regained her mobility, independence, and zest for life - reclaiming the ability to walk, dance, socialise, travel, and feel joy once more.
Listen in for this inspiring story with Paula.
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[Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.]

Thursday May 14, 2026
Thursday May 14, 2026
In this epsiode, Damian Leith & Olivia Nassaris speaks with Gaia Forlani, a neuroscientist specialised in sensorimotor, clinical, and movement neuroscience. She holds an MSc in Neuroscience from the Radboud University – Donders Graduate School (NL), where she trained at the Radboud University Medical Center and the Centre of Excellence for Parkinson’s.
She also holds an MA in Philosophical Sciences from the University of Milan, specialising in Applied Neuroscience and the Phenomenology of Movement, and a BA in Neuroaesthetics focused on agency, perception, and embodied cognition.
As a former professional ballerina, she earned a Higher Artistic Ballet Degree (AFAM–MIUR) in affiliation with the National Academy of Dance in Rome. Gaia is an NSCA-CPT and NACC NeuroAthletics Coach with over 10 years of coaching experience across clinical populations, athletes, and executives. She is the co-founder of the Parkinson Performance Centre and creator of the Parkinson Power Protocol.
In this episode, Gaia explains the Parkinson Power Protocol, a neuroscientifically grounded, holistic approach that treats exercise as medicine and trains people with Parkinson’s like athletes, not patients.
They discuss personalised, evidence‑based training, mindset shifts that empower people living with Parkinson’s, and the need to bridge research and clinical practice.
Gaia will be the keynote speaker at the Parkinson’s Australia National Conference in 2027.
Join us at PANC27 HERE
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[Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.]

Friday Apr 10, 2026
Friday Apr 10, 2026
Supporting every voice, every story...
In Episode 1, our guest is Sydney mother of three, Christine Jeya, was 37 when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
“I had three young children when I was diagnosed. We were completely shocked and didn’t know what to do,” Ms Jeya said. “Most people don’t know what to think about Parkinson’s in someone my age. There’s still this assumption that it only affects older people, and that’s just not the reality.”
Her story is a powerful reminder that Parkinson’s does not look the same for everyone - and that no one should have to navigate it alone.
Follow us on Social Media:
Parkinson's Australia
Instagram: @ParkinsonsAus
Facebook: Parkinson's Australia
YOPX
Instagram: @yopxaustralia
Facebook: YOPX Australia
Websites:
Parkinson's Australia
Young Onset Parkinson's
Download the new YOPX app today from the Apple App Store or Google Play:
For IOS For Android
[Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.]


