Keynote speaker at Kourage Health luncheon Tim Hague, Sr. speaks to attendees on Friday, September 15, 2023.

Parkinson’s disease advocate and winner of “The Amazing Race” Canada Tim Hague senior recently visited Tyler to serve as the keynote speaker of Kourage Health’s luncheon.

Hague, a Texas native who won season 1 of the Canada show, spoke to attendees about his diagnosis of Parkinson’s, “The Amazing Race” and the importance of staying active. He shared his advice to attendees and received a standing ovation at the end.

“Our commitment to the power and promise of medical exercise and our belief that courage is contagious,” Kourage Health Executive Director Jennifer Selman said. “As our keynote speaker will share, amazing things happen to those that stay in the race.”

Hague competed with his son, Tim Jr., on “The Amazing Race” Canada shortly after getting his Parkinson’s diagnosis. They consistently placed in last place, but in the end they kept going and won the season. He showed clips from the show of them arriving last during a task and still remaining in the competition. In one clip he is struggling to learn a dance. He kept failing but in the end they finished the task.

“We were that come-from-behind, Cinderella story that no one expected to happen,” Hague said. “We were error prone and chronically behind. We had multiple opportunities to roll over and die.”

Hague is the first person with Parkinson’s to ever run and win the “The Amazing Race” Canada. According to his website, Hague “has been thrust into the spotlight as an advocate for Parkinson’s. This is a role that he has embraced and continues to use to educate and raise resources toward the work of finding a cure and helping individuals living with Parkinson’s to live their best.”

In his book entitled “Perseverance,” Hague shares the details of his life story. He goes on to describe how perseverance is a discipline that can be learned and developed, according to his website.

Now in his early 50s, Hague is married to Sheryl and has four children and two grandchildren. He is the founder and executive director of U-Turn Parkinson’s, a registered charity and wellness center for people impacted by Parkinson’s. He continues to speak, advocate and raise awareness for Parkinson’s Disease while based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Kourage Health is the new organizational brand launched this year to unite its former names of “Cancer Foundation For Life” and FitSteps for Life.” Through the power of prescription medical exercise, the nonprofit organization provides renewed hope and health to individuals with serious health conditions.

Kourage Health is a supporter of the movement to help with diseases which is something that has helped Hague through his Parkinson’s. Kourage is hoping to expand its mission, Board President Greg Kimmel said they hope more people donate to the cause.

“Our dream has a price tag of $2 million,” Kimmel said.