Successful Community-Based Wellness Programs with Brett Miller

In this episode, we discuss some key elements when designing successful wellness programs.  Learn how Brett started and grew 110 Fitness and tips to help you incorporate new wellness programs into your practice.
Key elements:

1. Licensed instructors with specialized continuing education.
2.  Evidence-based programs: (How to stay up to date and be part of research).
3. Versatility of classes/programs to serve different interests.
4. Community outings to connect and decrease loneliness.

Brett Miller, PT, Founder and Owner of 110 Fitness
Home | 110 Fitness | Rockland MA Brett is the founder and owner of 110 Fitness in Rockland, Massachusetts, an all-inclusive wellness center as well as the largest wellness center in the world for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. The mission of his wellness design is to set a new standard for the world in the “fight back” against Parkinson’s Disease through holistic and fitness-based approaches as well as breaking down all barriers for adults and children limited by disease or disability by sharing his exceptional mental and physical training and conditioning experience.  

Brett is a licensed physical therapist with 27 years of experience in all settings including sports therapy, acute and intensive care, long-term care, and wound care. He has worked in the fitness industry for 29 years with extensive experience in kickboxing, boxing, spinning, rowing, and strength and conditioning. He has worked as the strength and conditioning coach for world-class boxers and Olympic athletes focusing on injury prevention and rehabilitation. Additionally, he is the co-owner of Boston Orthotics, Inc. for the past 20 years. Brett also volunteered as an adaptive sports coach at New England Disabled Sports at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, New Hampshire for 18 years.    

Brett is a U.S. Army veteran and is proud to have served as a combat medic trainer for special operations.  He recently published, It’s A Beautiful Day To Save Lives: A Medic’s Journey to His Destiny. 

Brett serves as the co-chair for the Massachusetts Parkinson’s Registry as well as a Commissioner on the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission. He also serves as an ambassador for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the Davis Phinney Foundation. He is a research consultant for the Cleveland Clinic and for innovative United States research companies as well as prominent Boston hospitals. Brett is proud to serve as a Legacy Guardian for the Til Valhalla Project and is an ambassador mentor for Hives for Heroes 

Articles to support designing wellness programs for individuals with PD

1. Ernst M, Folkerts AK, Gollan R, Lieker E, Caro-Valenzuela J, Adams A, Cryns N, Monsef I, Dresen A, Roheger M, Eggers C, Skoetz N, Kalbe E. Physical exercise for people with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Jan 5;1(1):CD013856. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013856.pub2. PMID: 36602886; PMCID: PMC9815433.
2. Domingos J, Dean J, Fernandes JB, Massano J, Godinho C. Community Exercise: A New Tool for Personalized Parkinson's Care or Just an Addition to Formal Care? Front Syst Neurosci. 2022 Jun 30;16:916237. doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.916237. PMID: 35844246; PMCID: PMC9280427.
3. Moore A, Yee E, Willis BW, Prost EL, Gray AD, Mann JB. A Community-based Boxing Program is Associated with Improved Balance in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease. Int J Exerc Sci. 2021 Jun 1;14(3):876-884. PMID: 35096235; PMCID: PMC8758155.
4. Subramanian I, Farahnik J, Mischley LK. Synergy of pandemics-social isolation is associated with worsened Parkinson severity and quality of life. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2020 Oct 8;6:28. doi: 10.1038/s41531-020-00128-9. PMID: 33083522; PMCID: PMC7545190.