This week our Shake It Up Hero is Todd Buttsworth. Todd was challenged by his mates to do what they thought was impossible, run a marathon. Read what inspired him to not only run a marathon but raised over $2000 for Shake It Up!

What Drives Your Commitment to find a cure for Parkinson’s?

My Dad. He’s had PD for over 15 years and the way in which he has handled it commands admiration.

Why Shake It Up Australia?

I was impressed by Shake It Up’s structure and objectives.

Tell us what you are doing to Shake Things Up?

A few months ago after a few too many beers, my mates bet me and my man boobs that I couldn’t run a marathon. After figuring out that I would end up just paying up so I didn’t have to do any exercise – my mates conceived a deal where if I completed the 42km they would give the cash to a charity of my choosing and if I failed I had to publicly donate to the political party that I loath. I chose SIU after looking at lots of organisations. When word got out about the bet through my mate setting up a Facebook page things quickly got out of hand and there was no way I was going to give up a couple of grand so I trained for a couple of months and on July 6 I ran my first marathon.

Greatest Reward?

Getting to prove my friends wrong is always fun, I lost a bunch of weight and also had a pretty good time…But raising money for such an awesome cause was really motivating – I never would have done it otherwise.

Best advice for people looking to Shake It Up?

Get amongst it… And use your negatives to your advantage! Me being overweight and unfit really got people getting their wallets out! Also, you never know what will come from it – I had such a good time I’m now planning to run another marathon.

If you have a loved one living with Parkinson’s show your support and join an athletic event to help find a cure.