Why do we do it?

It's simple. We like to see that spark in people’s eyes when they put on a pair of boxing gloves. We love to watch people start to transform right before our eyes; watch them open up and move into what they’re really capable of. Most of all, we absolutely love the way the most unassuming person can walk up to a boxing bag and let a grin spread across their face. 

A fire is lit, frustrations are pounded out, beads of sweat start to form as the heart starts pounding. That’s the life our team craves and that’s the opportunity we like to provide. Walk in with Parkinson’s and walk out standing tall knowing that you are doing everything in your power to show Parkinson's who is boss!

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How it all started

Lisa Gombinsky Roach built Counterpunch Parkinson's from inspiration and experience. Her excitement grew from reading more and more research which clearly shows the benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson's Disease; but failing to see anyone implementing this research in New Zealand, Lisa took it upon herself to put her years of experience working with people with neurological conditions to work.

Gathering a small group of keen participants to try out a Parkinson's specific boxing class in a little room at the local YMCA, New Zealand's first boxing-based Parkinson's exercise group was born. The participants immediately felt the benefits and they told their friends about it. Soon the group outgrew their little room and Lisa gave Shane Cameron a call.

Head Coach
Lisa Gombinsky Roach
(aka Moose Jockey)

Shane Cameron

I was curious but didn’t know what to expect when Lisa asked if I’d come by to see what she was doing with her group of boxers with Parkinson’s. What I walked into was a room of enthusiasm and potential. I saw people transforming in an instant and couldn’t help but grab a pair of pads and jump in! If we could get these results in a room with minimal equipment, imagine the possibilities if we ran this program at my fully functional boxing facility!

Now look at us!

After a few short months running our little boxing group, we started to receive phone calls from around the country. There were health professionals, Parkinson's community educators, and fitness facilities wanting to offer their members the same thing. To help, we developed the Counterpunch Parkinson's Coach Certification Program. Our home is now open to all coaches so we can teach everything we know about running a boxing-based exercise group for people with Parkinson's. We are excited to see our national network growing!

Lisa Gombinsky Roach - Founder

• Post Grad (Community Rehabilitation)
• BA Hons (Conductive Education)
• Qualified Senior Conductor Status
• Australian Institute of Fitness (Master Trainer, special populations trainer)
• Counterpunch Parkinson's Head Coach 
• Rock Steady Boxing Coach
• Precision Nutrition Coach

Alexander Roach - Program Coach

• Australian Institute of Fitness (Master Trainer)
• ​Punch Fit Trainer
• C.H.E.K Scientific Core Conditioning
• C.H.E.K Scientific Back Training
• C.H.E.K. Program Design
• Certificate of Nutrition. Alexander.Roach@gmail.com

Alexis Pritchard - Head Physio and Boxing Coach

• Bachelor of Science (Sports Science)
• Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)
• Lecturer AUT (Certificate of Personal Training)
• Counterpunch Coach
• NZ Olympian #1196 (Boxing) 2012
• Commonwealth Games 2014