Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Geymer.
Hi Alison, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Alison Geymer has been working with the Parkinson’s community since 2007. In 2017, she began coaching Rock Steady Boxing classes, which quickly expanded to include other Parkinson’s-specific exercise programs such as PWR! Moves, Balance, Pole Walking, Cardio, and Yoga. She coached classes at TCU until the pandemic, when a long-time client, Dick Frazier, graciously partnered with her to bring a new vision to life; a “one-stop shop” for people with Parkinson’s.
Together, they founded Big Heart Center for Parkinson’s Wellness in 2023, a place where individuals with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions can receive expert physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with group exercise classes tailored specifically for their needs.
Today, Big Heart has grown into a thriving multidisciplinary team with 2 Physical Therapists, 2 Occupational Therapists, 2 Physical Therapy Assistants, 1 Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, and 1 Speech-Language Pathologist. As our waitlist continues to grow, so does our commitment to expanding and serving more members of the neuro community with compassion, expertise, and heart.
Our Mission
At Big Heart, our mission is to provide holistic, ongoing therapeutic services to the neurological population. Parkinson’s doesn’t go away and neither should your access to top-notch therapy and exercise services.
In addition to therapy and fitness, we offer a variety of wellness services including:
Functional medicine (supplement review, lab work, and root-cause assessments)
Sleep interventions
Nutrition advice and education
Support groups for both clients and caregivers
Pelvic health services
We are continually expanding our offerings to include wellness programs proven to support brain health, overall wellness, and longevity.
Another key feature that sets Big Heart apart is our strong focus on cognitive functioning and freezing of gait. We offer specialized classes designed to target these challenges and will soon be adding new programs such as meditation and flow sessions and golf mobility classes — all designed to help our clients move, think, and live with confidence and vitality.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has not always been smooth but has always been an adventure. We are still working on finding that perfect spot between growth and creativity.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Big Heart, We Don’t Just Help People Move — We Help Them Move Forward.
When it comes to neurological rehabilitation, no two journeys are the same. At Big Heart, that truth is at the center of everything we do. Our approach goes beyond standard protocols or one-size-fits-all exercises. We see every individual as a unique system of movement, thought, and emotion.
Neurological recovery for conditions like Parkinson’s isn’t just about big movements or loud voices. These conditions touch every part of life: balance, fine motor control, gait, sensory integration, cognition, sleep, and even emotional and social well-being. At Big Heart, we understand these complexities on a systemic level, recognizing that true recovery means treating the whole person, not just the diagnosis.
Too often, people with Parkinson’s are referred to therapy for only two things: voice and amplitude training — and typically only after problems have already begun. But research is clear: by the time of diagnosis, most people have been living with Parkinson’s for five or more years, and are already moving differently than their peers. This is the time to act.
Every person newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s deserves, at minimum, a consultation with a knowledgeable rehab team — one that can help them understand:
What signs and symptoms to watch for
How and how often to exercise, and at what intensity to drive neuroplasticity
How to slow disease progression through proactive, personalized intervention
A truly effective plan goes far beyond standard protocols. It must address the whole person, including:
Sensory changes and risk factors for freezing of gait
Dual-tasking and cognitive challenges
Pain and musculoskeletal imbalances
Pelvic floor issues and constipation that impact medication absorption
Nutrition for neurological health
Sleep habits and recovery patterns
Our team of highly qualified therapists creates personalized therapy programs that adapt to each person’s unique needs and goals. Using evidence-based techniques blended with holistic, wellness-oriented methods, we focus not only on restoring function, but also on prevention, education, and long-term quality of life.
What truly sets Big Heart apart is our unwavering commitment to blending science with compassion, merging the rigor of rehabilitation with the creativity, connection, and care every person deserves. It’s a balance we cultivate every day: progress and presence, innovation and empathy, growth and heart.
At Big Heart, we believe people with Parkinson’s deserve more than just therapy.
They deserve a team that sees their whole story, their whole system, and their whole heart.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Our clients are at the heart of everything we do and they’ve been our biggest champions from the start. They spread the word about Big Heart to their doctors, families, and friends, sharing how our care has made a difference in their lives. We’re endlessly grateful for their trust and support. They are why we do what we do, and we truly couldn’t do it without them!
Pricing:
- 1-on-1 Therapy (PT, OT, ST) – We are in network with Medicare and BCBS. We are out of network for all other insurance plans but typically are able to accept even HMO plans since we are considered a specialty service.
- Class Memberships: Range from $75 – $250/month
- Wellness Services: Varies by Service
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bigheartwellnesscenter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigheartparkinsonswellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebrainptfightclub/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigheartbrainchange
