October 2021 – UPDATE from Robyn:
My co-founder and sister, Heidi “Sidetrack” Clarkson, who has been with me from the beginning of this amazing journey, will now be keeping IMPACT Parkinson’s alive! After much thought (mainly due to the repercussions of Covid-19 and having to close our centre) I have embarked on a new adventure – becoming a British Columbia Lighthouse Keeper! Gratitude and love to everyone who have supported IMPACT and to all of you who became part of our extended family. Keep FIGHTING! I will still be a board member.
Robyn “Buck Master” Murrell
Co-Founder of IMPACT Parkinson’s & Head Coach of ReSET Parkinson’s Exercise Program
After 30 years of working in the dental profession, I traded in my dental instruments for boxing gloves and pads and haven’t looked back!
While living in Ireland, I found my passion of Travel and Kickboxing and went on to fast track my way through to become a belted kickboxer. Traveling took me to Croatia, London, Paris, Scotland, Berlin, Tunisia, Rome, Tuscany and all over the Emerald Isle.
When I arrived back home in 2010, I couldn’t find a place to practice kickboxing in my hometown, so decided to teach it instead. This lead to the decision to become a Personal Trainer and focus on weight training. I found my niche when I took on a client with a major brain injury.
After hearing about Rock Steady Boxing in 2012 on the news, I knew I had found what I was meant to do. This then led me to become a Certified Coach for Rock Steady Boxing, a Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!) Certified Instructor, Level 1 International Boxing Coach, Certified ACTIVATOR Pole Instructor and Co-Founder of IMPACT Parkinson’s. I am now Head Coach of ReSET Parkinson’s, our new Parkinson’s exercise program.
My passion for understanding the body in sickness and in health and how it moves, led to my special interest and talent in working with those with Parkinson’s disease. I feel that my skill at designing and implementing tailored strength, balance and boxing programs has resulted in an extremely loyal and long tenured client base.
We are avid supporters of Parkinson Society British Columbia and participate in Society activities along with holding our own events and fundraisers for the Society. For the last four years we have been walking leaders for Step by Step New West, a free 12 week Parkinson’s walking program. And our Team Rock Steady New West raised just over $8000.00 in Parkinson SuperWalk BC 2017!
When not at work, you can usually find me puttering in my garden, cooking, silversmithing, reading and living with 3 crazy cats!
