How I became stronger than ever after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 62 – and the revolutionary workout that brings my focus back: CRAIG JAMES

Craig James has never been a man to lack focus.

The former chief economist at CommSec, who regularly shared his finance expertise on breakfast TV and the evening news, was at the top of his career game for decades, previously holding senior roles at Commonwealth Bank, Colonial, State Bank and Rural Bank.

He’s also always had a passion for physical fitness, running and strength training regularly and once even featuring in Men’s Health magazine as one of their top six ‘everyday men’.

‘I took health and well-being very seriously,’ the now 64-year-old tells me.

But in late 2021, he started to feel… off. His concentration began to dip.

‘I put it down to just work stress,’ the father-of-three says. 

But more strange symptoms followed. He’d find himself hunching over his desk, gazing blankly, drooling.

‘My hands were shaking,’ he says. ‘I struggled with small tasks like tying up my shoelaces.’

Craig James, one of Australia’s most prominent TV finance gurus, is battling Parkinson’s disease. (He is seen on the right during an appearance on Sunrise with host David Koch, left)

Craig, the former chief economist at CommSec, is pictured here with his wife Karen

The final straw came when Karen, his wife of 39 years, noticed a tremor in his left arm and involuntary facial movements. 

He went to see a doctor, then a neurologist.

In February 2022, aged 62, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system that cruelly robs someone of their bodily functions, known for causing shaking, stiffness and difficulty with balance.

Craig says he felt ‘a sense of shock and relief’ upon receiving his diagnosis.

‘Shock – as I didn’t know much about Parkinson’s,’ he says.

‘And relief that I had an answer, and that I could start all the various treatments to deal with the issue. Given that Parkinson’s disease varies so much from person to person, my wife and I I started working out what was best for me.’

At first, Craig was able to manage the progression of the disease with medication, speech therapy and physio exercises.

He continued to work and take television gigs.  

Craig was once named one of Men’s Health magazine’s top six ‘everyday men’

But in mid-2024, his symptoms became more pronounced, forcing him to take sick leave, before eventually retiring at the end of that year. 

‘It is difficult to stay ahead of something that is so unpredictable in its progression,’ he said at the time.

But as a man who’s always embraced healthy living and exercise, Craig wanted to remain as active as possible. 

Steadfastly, he continued his regular gym sessions – and as always, he wanted a focus.

‘I was looking for a challenge, but a dodgy Achilles as well as Parkinson’s mobility issues increasing prevented running goals being achieved,’ he says.

As Craig describes it, he ‘fell into’ powerlifting.

‘The idea being that stronger muscles will assist with mobility,’ he says.

While Craig has always lifted weights, honing in on deadlifts, bench presses and squats – the three ‘power’ lifts that make up the sport – allowed him to focus on something else besides the progression of the disease.

‘I contacted a few of the powerlifting groups and Robert Wilks at Powerlifting Australia was the only one to answer my request for information,’ he says.

Robert assigned Craig a coach and he began training in earnest. Due to his decades-long commitment to strength and fitness, he excelled at the sport.

Craig can deadlift 147kg (324lbs) despite the challenges he faces

‘Parkinson’s is no death sentence,’ Craig says, ‘but the path of the disease is not known’

In March last year, he won the Australian championships in the weight division for his age group, and has competed at seven other events since.

‘While the competition provides a form of stress, powerlifting has given me a goal. And the interaction with others also provided mental therapy. And they still do today,’ he says. 

Now, Craig says he has ‘good and bad days’. 

‘Parkinson’s disease is no death sentence,’ he says, ‘but the path of the disease is not known. 

‘Doctors say it’s difficult to give prognosis about timelines. But I plug away at all the things I can. Speech therapy, physio, changes in meds – it all helps.

‘But I continue to make PBs in powerlifting.’

And those personal bests are astonishing: 105kg (332lbs) for squat, 70kg (154lbs) for bench press, and 147kg (324lbs) for deadlift. Craig, who weighs 69kg (152lbs), is easily the strongest he has ever been, despite the challenges he faces.

Now he wants to ‘continue to get stronger, set new personal bests and climb world rankings’. 

Craig says wife Karen is his ‘rock’ and his three children are ‘super supportive’. 

‘For me, powerlifting has been a great focus. For others, it’s running or walking or even dance. Having a focus, interaction with others and having goals are all important,’ he adds.

‘And just trying to be positive. For myself and my wife together, we draw strength from each other and faith in God’s plan for us.’

Craig will be challenging the World Parkinson’s Deadlift Record at the Oceania Powerlifting Championships at AusFitness Expo at ICC 19-21 September

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