Show Notes
What does it take to turn one father’s final request into a movement that is changing how the world thinks about dementia?
In this episode, Andrew Karesa sits down with Hassan Fadli, engineer, endurance athlete, filmmaker, and founder of the nonprofit initiative Five Ironmans Beat Alzheimer’s. After his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Hassan was asked to do something not just for his family, but for everyone affected by dementia. The very next day, he committed to completing five full Ironman triathlons in a single year, using endurance sport as a platform to challenge stigma, promote brain health, and inspire action.
Alongside the five Ironman races, Hassan and his team spent years filming a documentary across Europe, interviewing more than one hundred people including neurologists, caregivers, policymakers, researchers, people living with dementia, and even Queen Silvia of Sweden. Rather than searching only for the problems, the film asks a different question: what is already working, and how can we learn from it?
This is a conversation about Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving, endurance sport, advocacy, prevention, hope, and what becomes possible when one person’s purpose grows into a movement.
In this episode:
• The early signs of Hassan’s father’s Alzheimer’s disease and the family’s experience with denial • The conversation that inspired Five Ironmans Beat Alzheimer’s • Why Hassan chose to complete five full Ironman triathlons in one year • How endurance sport became a tool for dementia advocacy • What training 15 to 20 hours per week taught him about purpose over performance • What Hassan learned from interviewing more than 100 experts, caregivers, and people living with dementia across Europe • Dementia-friendly communities, caregiver education, and practical solutions families can use today • The role governments can play in better supporting family caregivers • Why Hassan believes there is more hope in dementia care today than ever before
Whether you’re living with dementia, caring for someone you love, passionate about brain health, or simply looking for hope in the face of one of society’s greatest health challenges, this conversation is a powerful reminder that meaningful change often begins with one person deciding to do something.
Learn more at: https://www.bluebellvillage.ca https://www.5ironmansbeatalzheimer.com/en
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Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., or any of its employees, contractors, or team members.
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