Veteran anesthesiologist turns Parkinson's diagnosis into Ironman triumph
After a tremor revealed she had Parkinson's, former Air Force doctor Sara Whittingham used a cycling study to regain control and later completed the Ironman World Championship.
Air Force veteran and anesthesiologist Sara Whittingham first attributed occasional forgetfulness and stiffness to age, but a shaking arm during a family movie night led to a Parkinson's diagnosis. Seeking ways to manage the progressive disease, she joined a study led by Dr. Jay Alberts that prescribed cycling at 75 rpm for 30-40 minutes, three times weekly, which she describes as a lifeline.
The regimen not only improved her daily function but also motivated her to train for endurance sports, eventually winning her place in the 2023 Ironman World Championship, where she outpaced her husband. In 2025 she entered a community-focused exercise trial, noting the motivational boost of group training. Beyond competition, Whittingham has become a Parkinson's advocate, speaking at national policy events, contributing to an NIH advisory council, and drafting a book about her journey.