For years, I’ve worn “Shaky Leadership” like a badge of honour. It was my nod to both the literal and metaphorical tremors of life—a playful take on leading despite the wobble. But today, I sit here with a steadier hand and an ever evolving understanding of my story, I find myself standing at the crossroads of reinvention.
Let me explain.
For those who’ve followed my journey, you know I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. You’ve read about the ups and downs, the battles with medication, the experimental brain surgery, and the sheer willpower it took to stay upright—physically and emotionally. I wore the diagnosis as part of my identity, like a slightly itchy sweater that I’d grown used to.
But life, as it turns out, had a plot twist in store.
After years of living under the Parkinson’s umbrella, a neurologist brave enough to delve deeper discovered something new: Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). While that might sound like something conjured up in a medical thriller, it’s actually a condition rooted in how the brain and body communicate. Imagine if your brain were sending texts, but autocorrect kept changing “walk” to “wobble” or “rest” to “panic.” That’s FND in a nutshell.
Here’s the kicker: it’s not degenerative. No “worse with time” clause. No ticking clock. No medication. No brain stimulation. Just a chance to rewire, rebuild, and reclaim my life. It brings with it great relief and hope. Though hiding in the shadows of those two attractive pillars is a surprising swarm of guilt, shame and grief. A puzzling mix of emotion to be worked through as they eat away at my identity and test my resilience. It is some of the best news a ‘Parky’ can get – yet its not a cure, it is not a return to regular life, the sharp claws of its tight grip are perhaps even more invisible than ever before.
Parkinson’s may no longer define me, but the lessons it taught me—about perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of humour—are here to stay.
And so, “Shaky Leadership” must also evolve. After all, the shaky days are (mostly) behind me. There’s still the occasional metaphorical stumble, like when I attempt to assemble IKEA furniture, but those don’t count. Days are challenging no doubt, and my body remains unpredictable, but the shaky mind for one is returning to clarity, the smog of medication and electricity is lifting. I can’t describe to you the feeling of a mind returning to your control – when you hadn’t realised it had escaped in the first place! As such, this will likely be my last post to this page, as I retire it to the archives and turnover a new leaf.
This isn’t just a name change; it’s a mindset shift. A chance to focus on stability, on resilience, on the stories of overcoming that make us human. I’m trading in the shaky badge for something that better reflects the ground I now stand on—solid, albeit occasionally uneven, footing.
Advocacy and Community
Advocacy has always been close to my heart. My experience with Parkinson’s disease gave me a profound appreciation for the challenges faced by people living with disabilities, and I’ve worked hard to advocate for awareness and support in the Parkinson’s and broader disability communities.
Now, with this new diagnosis, I find myself at the start of another journey: exploring the world of FND. I know there must be communities out there—spaces where stories are shared, insights are exchanged, and advocacy thrives—and I’m determined to find them. Over time, I hope to use my voice in this space too, just as I’ve done for Parkinson’s. Advocacy isn’t just something I do; it’s a part of who I am.
I want to thank you for supporting ‘shaky leadership’ and my journey up ‘til now and hope I can repay that support into the future. I will continue to provide what I see as absolutely crucial support for parents and schools through my role with ‘Cybersafe Families’in 2025, whilst I also turn attention to a new venture…
Sharing my skill set with Murfitt Elevation
As I pivot into this new chapter, I’m excited to begin shaping Murfitt Elevation, a space where I’ll bring together my leadership experience and my personal journey of resilience to offer something truly unique: practical, human-centred support for leaders.
My focus will centre broadly on:
1. Leadership Strategy: Supporting principals and educational leaders to make informed, confident strategic decisions in a world where change is the only constant.
2. Leadership Wellbeing: Offering tools and insights into self-care, time management, reflection, delegation, and building sustainable habits to ensure you can lead effectively without losing yourself in the process.
Having faced some of life’s most complex challenges, I bring a trusted perspective that inspires and supports. I understand the pressures of leadership, and I know what it means to navigate uncertainty while staying grounded. My goal is to empower leaders to thrive—not just professionally, but personally.
If you’re ready to explore how we can work together, whether it’s through one-on-one coaching, team workshops, or strategic consulting, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s redefine what it means to lead with resilience, purpose, and wellbeing at the forefront.
So here’s to the future: advocacy, elevation, and a commitment to making every step forward meaningful.
Thank you again,
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Todd