An energetic, driven, bold and dynamic sort with a 1,000-watt personality, Ankeny, Iowa’s Kellie Scott, is the poster person for proactive.
In 2023, Scott was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. After a short stint of wrapping her head around what it is and the challenges before her, she went on the offensive.
In May of 2024, Scott smartly engaged in the Rock Steady Boxing program offered by Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Ankeney, Iowa, clinic.
A unique exercise program which was adapted for people with Parkinson’s, Rock Steady Boxing involves exercises such as stretching, running, jump-roping, push-ups, balancing and non-contact boxing.
Coached by therapists Kristen McGown, PT, DPT, ATC, LAT, and Stacy Koenigs, PT, MPT, Rock Valley Physical Therapy has had an affiliation with Rock Steady Boxing since 2017.
Classes are two times per week for 60 minutes. The program provides camaraderie, friendship, and an outlet to fight back against Parkinson’s.
“Kellie has been attending Rock Steady two times per week for several weeks and always comes in energized and helps to encourage her fellow boxers during class,’’ Koenigs and McGown both said of Scott, who has won the praise of the entire Rock Valley-Ankeny family. “Kellie has brought a positive energy to the group and always brings smiles to participants’ faces.’’
Rock Steady, Scott says, has been a tremendous compliment to her fitness routine in her quest to have an active life and to battle all Parkinson’s presents.
“It took me a while to get my head together after the initial shock,’’ Scott said of the Parkinson’s diagnosis. “I started Rock Steady Boxing in May of this year (2024). My neurologist recommended the program. I run about 20 miles a week with an additional 10 miles of walking, bike 75-to-100 miles-per week, strength train 2-to-3 times-per week, and do Rock Steady Boxing twice a week. I do jigsaw, sudoku, and solitaire games to challenge my brain and I started learning German last fall for our (July 2024) trip (to Italy). The biggest thing is just trying to have a positive attitude and enjoy life.’’
Prior to Rock Steady, Scott had already encountered the benefits of Rock Valley and its knowledgeable and compassionate team of therapists.
Searching for relief from hip pain, Scott sought Rock Valley’s help via physician’s referral in March of 2024. Her doctor recommended a Bike Fit appointment with cycling expert, Rock Valley’s Anna Perry, PT, DPT, Clinic Manager. The outgoing and ever-upbeat Perry is a Bike PT Bronze and Silver level Bike Fit Specialist.
“Kellie’s husband, a primary care physician in town, recommended she come to Rock Valley to see me for pelvic and hip pain as I have been able to successfully help several of his other patients with similar symptoms,’’ said Koenigs, a tremendous patient advocate.
For Scott, who trains for “active vacations,” finding Rock Valley was a blessing. The right clinic, right set of therapists, and the right time.
“I had seen a different therapy group for eight weeks without any progress. I was not allowed to walk or run, and my biking was limited. By March, I was starting to worry that I would not be able to do all the activities we had planned for our vacation in Italy. My sports medicine doctor strongly recommended Stacy (Koenigs). And he recommended I get a Bike Fit done by Anna (Perry). Within a month, my pain was reduced, and I was slowly able to return to the activities I enjoy and be pain free.’’ Scott said.
To great success, Koenigs focused on bettering Scott’s pelvis and core stability.
“Kellie is an active and energetic person,” Koenigs said of Scott. “She feels better when she is working out and keeping her body strong. We discussed her goals, what her current fitness plan included and what she felt success looks like. Next, we worked on figuring out the driver of her pain and discovered some areas of weakness in her pelvis and core stability. This allowed us to adjust her current exercise and to add key strengthening activities to improve her pelvic stability while reducing her pain.’’
Scott, whose vacation included hiking and paragliding, said Koenigs, Perry and McGown have had a wonderful – and positive – impact on her life.
“I’m a big fan of all three,’’ Scott said of Perry, McGown and Koenigs. “Stacy was my therapist that helped me figure out the source of my hip pain and helped me to return to walking, running, and biking so that I was able to be in the best shape possible for my trip.
Scott’s trip abroad was a success thanks to her hard work, her dedication, and Rock Valley Physical Therapy.
“I always like to make sure I am physically prepared for the activities we are doing so I can really enjoy them and not get injured,” Scott added. “We were going paragliding, and the start required sprinting a short distance. Being in better shape made the hiking more enjoyable even though the altitude still kicked my butt. I do not need to see a therapist for my hip or any Parkinson’s related issues, but Stacy and Kristen are always encouraging me and keeping an eye on me at (Rock Steady) boxing class and are always available for questions.’’
Koenigs says there will be challenges ahead for Scott in dealing with the effects of Parkinson’s but notes she is a battler, is certainly not afraid of a challenge, and that her amazing dedication to staying fit is a huge positive in her favor.
“Kellie knows that she must keep her strength to keep moving,” Koenigs said. “She and her husband enjoy traveling and exploring new areas. With the Parkinson’s diagnosis, she is working even harder to keep her strength and movement than she was previously. She is so encouraging to her fellow boxers, positive, happy, and caring. It’s awesome to see her joy and drive trickle down to her fellow boxers as they will push themselves harder during class. Kellie is a joy to be around, and I feel blessed to have been a part of her journey. I look forward to seeing her continue to fight back against Parkinson’s and how she will impact others along the way.’’
Kellie Scott…An inspiration to all.
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Physical Therapy Storyteller