Shake Well Before Use: From Coastin' To Cure Parkinson's – Details, episodes & analysis

Tom Isaacs was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at just 27.

Seven years later, he set out to walk the entire coastline of Britain, 4,500 miles, with his trademark humour, honesty, and an unwavering belief that something better was possible.

His journey became a story far bigger than one man and a map. It helped start a movement. And it helped to create Cure Parkinson’s, inspiring countless more lives along the way.

In this series, we follow Tom’s footsteps through his original audiobook, Shake Well Before Use - told in his own voice, one chapter at a time.

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This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson’s in association with The Good Studio.  

Find out more about Cure Parkinson’s and how you can get involved with our goal to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson’s: https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/.  

Find out more about The Good Studio: https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk/.

In this special introduction episode, Tim Beynon from The Good Studio speaks about Tom, his Coastin' journey and the foudations of Cure Parkinson's with some of the people who knew him best:

• Lyndsey Isaacs, Tom’s wife, who met Tom just before he set off on Coastin’ and joined him at various milestones along the route. (02:00)
• Our CEO, Helen Matthews, who led the PR for his Coastin’ mission. (20:00)
• And Will Cook, childhood friend and former CEO of Cure Parkinson’s, who saw firsthand how his walk helped spark the charity that continues Tom's mission today. (41:10)

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This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson’s in association with The Good Studio.

Find out more about Cure Parkinson’s and how you can get involved with our goal to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson’s: https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/.

Find out more about The Good Studio: https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk/.

Chapter 18: From Kinlochbervie to Applecross, 207 Miles, August

Following a fairly disastrous day of walking, Tom, Peter and Alison decide to rest an extra day. When they do set back off, they follow the B869 – a remote, quiet road with incredible views – as well as some more difficult terrain to reach Ullapool and eventually Applecross.

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This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson’s in association with The Good Studio.

Find out more about Cure Parkinson’s and how you can get involved with our goal to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson’s: https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/.

Find out more about The Good Studio: https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk/.

Chapter 19: From Benevolence to Ben Nevis, 178 Miles, August – September

Tom reflects on the sense of community he’s experiencing in the Highlands, and he and Peter are joined by Lyndsey for four days of remote walking. He also takes a detour up Ben Nevis to achieve an extra goal within Coastin’; to walk the highest peaks of Scotland, England, and Wales.

Chapter 20: From Loch Leven to Loch Avich, 72 Miles, September (30:26)

Joined by more friends for the West Highland Way, Tom enjoys their company and has a wonderful day off in Oban. However, the future of Coastin’ comes into question when Tom receives some difficult news.

Chapter 21: From Happiness to Misery, September (38:44)

Tom is to be accompanied by his friend Greg (and Greg’s dog Fleabag) for the next few days. But following the news of his dad’s deteriorating health, Tom contemplates whether to make an unplanned trip home and, with Greg’s help and encouragement, races to travel south.

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This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson’s in association with The Good Studio.

Find out more about Cure Parkinson’s and how you can get involved with our goal to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson’s: https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/.

Find out more about The Good Studio: https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk/.

Chapter 22: From Argyll and Arran to a change in Ayr, 264 Miles, September – October

Following the devastating news of his dad’s death and an extended stay at home, Tom returns to Scotland with a newfound determination to complete Coastin’. However, the mental and physical burden of the challenge begin to weigh him down. He’s joined by Lyndsey once again, and Helen visits once Tom reaches the half way mark. With winter setting in, Tom also contemplates the tough stretch ahead.

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This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson’s in association with The Good Studio.

Find out more about Cure Parkinson’s and how you can get involved with our goal to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson’s: https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/.

Find out more about The Good Studio: https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk/.

Chapter 23: From Cumbria to Cambria, 297 Miles, October – November

Tom’s mum joins him for the final Scottish stretch of the walk and despite being just half way round Coastin’, Tom feels as though he’s on the home straight. It isn’t all smooth sailing though, with an encounter with some aggressive bullocks and a required trip up Scafell Pike ensuing.

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This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson’s in association with The Good Studio.

Find out more about Cure Parkinson’s and how you can get involved with our goal to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson’s: https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/.

Find out more about The Good Studio: https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk/.

Chapter 24: North Wales: From Three Castles and Two Saucepans to a Talking Sheep, 220 Miles, November

Now in Wales, Tom starts to feel worn down by it all but powers through. He meets some friendly locals, and by chance stays at the same hotel that John Merrill – the first person to walk the entire coastline of Britain – stayed in. Plus he completes his three peaks challenge.

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This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson’s in association with The Good Studio.

Find out more about Cure Parkinson’s and how you can get involved with our goal to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson’s: https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/.

Find out more about The Good Studio: https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk/.

Chapter 25: South Wales, from Clare Balding to the Countess of Cardiff, 496 Miles, November - January 2003

Still Coastin’ through Wales, Tom meets Clare Balding to record an episode of Ramblings, but his plans go slightly awry. He also looks forward to the way-marked stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, and keeps walking right up to Christmas Eve.

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This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson’s in association with The Good Studio.

Find out more about Cure Parkinson’s and how you can get involved with our goal to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson’s: https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/.

Find out more about The Good Studio: https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk/.

Chapter 26: From Newport to Newquay, 318 Miles, January 2003

Tom meets with the neurosurgeon Steven Gill to chat about his GDNF project and its potential for people with Parkinson’s. After crossing the border back into England Tom now knows he can finish the challenge, so decides to dedicate more time to the fundraising aspects to the walk.

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This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson’s in association with The Good Studio.

Find out more about Cure Parkinson’s and how you can get involved with our goal to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson’s: https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/.

Find out more about The Good Studio: https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk/.

Chapter 27: From Newquay to Poole, 494 Miles, January - March 2003

Enjoying the Cornish coastline, Tom pushes on to reach Land’s End, after which he strides along the south coast in a flurry of MP meet-and-greets, speeches, and interviews. He also embarks on one of his worst days walking, and a friend convinces him to take on another extra challenge.

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This audiobook podcast is produced by Cure Parkinson’s in association with The Good Studio.

Find out more about Cure Parkinson’s and how you can get involved with our goal to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson’s: https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/.

Find out more about The Good Studio: https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk/.