Our Story
In 2006, Jackie Russell and David Zid co-founded a nationally recognized group exercise program with the mission to help people improve their lives while living with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
They created this group wellness program from over 20 years of real-world experience and supportive research. “Regular, rigorous exercise can positively impact Parkinson’s symptoms. Exercise may slow disease progression, restore physical and mental control, and ultimately increase one’s independence. But most of all, exercise can provide hope in the face of a seemingly hopeless diagnosis,” states Russell. “Evidence-based outcomes from our program demonstrated improvements in functional mobility, gait speed, balance, and depression.”
Today, Total HealthWorks has expanded to also help those experiencing cognitive and memory issues, and help adults age healthier as they seek to maintain their physical and mental health. “Putting our programs online has broadened our reach and allows us to help people from anywhere in the country and internationally,” states Zid. “The COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportunity to help more people. The online platform was launched to provide exercise and social camaraderie to people at home struggling with social distancing and stay-at-home orders. Now, we have people participating from 26 different states and 5 different countries, serving hundreds of members on a weekly basis.”
Total HealthWorks offers a variety of services to meet our members needs. We offer live, online group classes most days of the week, with 100’s of on-demand classes and workouts that you can do anytime from your computer, tablet, phone, or TV. If you need more accountability or personalized care, we offer 1-on-1 and small group training and personalized workouts curated specifically to meet your needs.
David Zid
David Zid, a graduate of The Ohio State University, has been a professional fitness instructor since 1997. He is the owner of a personal training facility, David Zid’s Total HealthWorks, based in Columbus, Ohio. He is an energetic coach for hundreds of clients and personal trainers, and developed a special interest in the older adult client. With his colleagues Jackie Russell, he has created an online fitness and wellness platform targeting Parkinson’s and the Aging Brain – Total HealthWorks Online. Additionally he was co-founder of OhioHealth Delay the Disease™– an evidenced-based Parkinson’s Wellness program. Since 2006, Zid and Russell have grown their Parkinson’s-specific exercise classes throughout the United States and internationally. He has been a keynote speaker and educator at symposia, professional education courses, and is the author of 2 books and companion DVD’s based on this program. He has over 25 years of experience treating PD and has stood in front of more than 55,000 People with Parkinson’s helping and educating them on how to improve your life while living with PD. He believes in the dramatic positive impact of exercise on the course of Parkinson’s and is a leader and trusted resource in his field.
Jackie Russell
Jackie Russell, a graduate of The Ohio State University, is co-founder of the online neurofitness platform, Total HealthWorks Online – targeting Parkinson’s and the Aging Brain. Jackie and colleague David Zid also created OhioHealth Delay the Disease™– an evidence-based Parkinson’s wellness program. Founded in 2006, they have grown their Parkinson’s-specific exercise classes in 30 states, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. She has been a featured speaker and educator at symposia and professional education courses nationally. She has over 20 years of experience with exercise and Parkinson’s and led the growth of their Continuing Education Course, educating over 3,000 healthcare professionals throughout her career. Previously employed in a variety of nursing specialties (neurosurgery, orthopedics, critical care, and oculoplastics), Jackie’s current passion is bringing optimism and hope to a seemingly hopeless diagnosis. Regular exercise is the newest “drug” in the treatment of these diseases. In her spare time, Jackie enjoys, golf, paddle boarding, and playing with her grandchildren.