Journey Guide
Operations Manual

This is your playbook. If you're reading this, you've been approved as a Journey Guide (JG), which means you've already proven something most people never will: that you can take the hardest chapter of your life and turn it into fuel for someone else's. That's not small. That's everything.

This manual is built from real-world mentoring frameworks, rewritten for how we actually do things at DLT. No fluff. No clinical detachment. Just the tools you need to show up, be real, and walk alongside another person living with Parkinson's (PwP).

1. Your Role as a Journey Guide

You're not a therapist. You're not a doctor. You're someone who gets it because you've lived it.

A Journey Guide is a peer mentor inside The Club who walks alongside a PwP (or their Care Partner) through the early, messy, overwhelming stretch of a Parkinson's diagnosis. You bring what no textbook can: real experience, honest conversation, and the proof that life doesn't stop.

What You Actually Do

• Listen first. Every PwP's journey is different. Your job isn't to prescribe. It's to be present.
• Share what worked (and what didn't). Your lived experience is your credential.
• Point them toward resources. DLT has built an entire ecosystem for this. Use it. (See Section 9.)
• Check in consistently. Bi-weekly meetings over six months. That's the commitment.
• Know your lane. If something feels clinical, emotional-crisis-level, or outside your scope, refer out. That's not failure. That's wisdom.

The Framework

Phase	Focus	Duration
Foundation	Build trust, assess needs, set expectations	Weeks 1–2
Education	PD basics, symptom management, building a care team	Weeks 3–6
Action	Exercise, nutrition, emotional resilience, social connection	Weeks 7–16
Independence	Long-term planning, advocacy, transition to self-management	Weeks 17–24

Tailoring to Their Needs

Before you launch into any curriculum, stop and assess:

• What does this PwP already know about PD?
• How do they learn best: conversation, reading, doing?
• What's scaring them the most right now?
• Are they solo, or do they have a Care Partner involved?

Every journey is unique. Your agendas are a guide, not a script.

2. The JG–PwP Relationship Structure

Establish the Foundation

• Let them tell their story. Don't rush it.
• Reassure them: they are not alone, and people live full, meaningful lives with PD.
• Emphasize self-compassion. A diagnosis brings grief, confusion, and fear. All of that is normal.

Educate on PD: Their Way

Cover the essentials, but meet them where they are:

• What PD is. The basics: dopamine, motor symptoms, non-motor symptoms. Keep it human, not clinical.
• Every PwP is different. Symptoms, progression, and responses to treatment vary wildly. That's not scary. That's just real.
• Early management matters. Exercise, medication (like levodopa), mental health support. The earlier they engage, the better.
• Holistic approach. Diet, sleep, mindfulness, stress reduction. It all connects.
• The support ecosystem. Family, friends, support groups, The Club, and now, you.

Build a Management Plan Together

Help them think about their healthcare team:

• Movement Disorder Specialist (MDS) or neurologist, non-negotiable
• Physiotherapist / occupational therapist
• Speech-language pathologist
• Dietitian
• Mental health professional

Help them think about a wellness plan:

• Regular physical activity tailored to them (yoga, tai chi, walking, Rock Steady Boxing, cycling)
• Introduce neuroplasticity, the science that says exercise can actually slow progression
• Explore DLT Music for therapeutic rhythm-based support → dolifetoday.com/music

Address the Emotional Side

Don't skip this. It's where the real work happens.

• Grief, fear, frustration, anger. All normal. Say it out loud.
• Share coping strategies: mindfulness, meditation, journaling, breathing exercises.
• Connect them to community: The Club, Inner Circle, local support groups, DLT events.
• If they're in crisis, step back and point them toward professional support. You're a guide, not a lifeline.

Long-Term Focus: Thriving, Not Just Surviving

• Celebrate small wins. Every. Single. One.
• Help them set realistic, short-term goals, and then celebrate when they hit them.
• Discuss adaptive tools, maintaining independence, and planning for progression.
• Encourage advocacy: getting involved in PD initiatives, research, or community.
• Point them toward DLT's Advocacy Bootcamp → dolifetoday.com/bootcamps

3. Managing Your Matches in The Club

Before you meet your first PwP, you need to know how the matching system works inside the app. This section walks you through every step — from getting notified about a new match to marking your partnership as complete.

3.1 How You Get Notified

When a PwP selects you as their Journey Guide, three things happen:

1. You get an email. It includes the PwP's name, any message they wrote when requesting you, and a link to the request.
2. You get an in-app notification. Open The Club and check your notification bell.
3. A badge appears on your "My Members" tab. The number shows how many pending requests are waiting for you.

3.2 Where to Find Your Matches

Everything related to your Journey Guide role lives in the Give Back section of The Club.

Go to Give Back → My Members. This is your home base. You'll see two sections:

Section	What's There
Match Requests	Incoming requests from PwPs who selected you. Shows a badge count if any are pending.
Active Matches	People you're currently matched with. Each one has a match card with status, actions, and notes.

3.3 Reviewing a Match Request

When you open a pending request, the request card shows:

• Their name and avatar
• When they requested you
• Their message (if they wrote one — this tells you what they're looking for)

Before you decide, ask yourself:

• Do I have capacity right now? (Check your max mentees setting in your profile.)
• Does their situation feel like something I can help with?
• Can I commit to bi-weekly meetings for up to 6 months?

3.4 Accepting or Declining

To Accept: Tap the Accept button on the request card.

• The match becomes active immediately
• The PwP receives an email letting them know you accepted
• The admin team is notified
• The match card moves to your Active Matches section
• A 48-hour clock starts for you to make first contact

To Decline: Tap the Decline button.

• The PwP is notified and placed back in the queue to be matched with another guide
• This is not a failure. If the timing isn't right, or you don't feel like the best fit, it's better to be honest now than to overcommit later.

3.5 Making First Contact (48-Hour Window)

Once you accept, you have 48 hours to make first contact. This is the most important moment — the PwP has been waiting, and your first message sets the tone for the whole relationship.

Where to reach out: Send them a Direct Message (DM) inside The Club. Go to your active match card and use the app's messaging. Keep it simple and warm:

Your match card shows your first contact status:

Badge	What It Means
First Contact Pending	You haven't marked first contact yet. The clock is ticking.
First Contact Made	You've reached out and marked it. You're on track.
First Contact Overdue	More than 48 hours have passed. A Program Leader will check in.

To mark first contact as made:

1. Go to Give Back → My Members → your active match card
2. Tap "Mark First Contact Made"
3. Add a brief note (optional but helpful): what you said, how they responded

3.6 Scheduling the Meet & Greet

After first contact, schedule your official Meet & Greet — your first real conversation.

1. Go to your active match card in Give Back → My Members
2. Tap "Schedule Meet & Greet"
3. Pick a date and time using the date/time selector
4. Add an optional note (e.g., "Video call — I'll send a Zoom link")
5. Save it

Both you and the PwP will see the scheduled date on the match card. To change it, tap "Update Meet & Greet".

Format options: Video call (recommended for first meeting), phone call, or in-person if local.

3.7 Your Match Card — What Everything Means

Once a match is active, your match card becomes your dashboard for that relationship. Here are the buttons:

Button	When to Use It
Mark First Contact Made	After your first DM or message. Do this within 48 hours.
Schedule Meet & Greet	Set the date/time for your first meeting. Changes to "Update" once scheduled.
Pause	Temporarily step back (vacation, health, personal). Match stays yours but flagged as paused.
Resume	Pick back up after a pause.
Complete	Partnership has run its course (typically after 24 weeks).

3.8 Match Status — What Each State Means

Status	What It Means	What to Do
Pending	Match just accepted, waiting for first contact	Send a DM within 48 hours
Active	You're meeting regularly	Keep showing up, log notes
Paused	Temporarily on hold	Let your PwP and Program Leader know
Completed	Partnership finished	Celebrate the journey

3.9 Managing Ongoing Matches

• Schedule recurring meetings. Bi-weekly is the standard cadence.
• Log check-in notes. After each meeting, leave a brief note on the match card.
• Update your availability. Pause in your Give Back profile to stop new requests.
• Communicate proactively. If you need to reschedule, let your PwP know early. Consistency builds trust. Ghosting kills it.

3.10 When a Match Isn't Working

1. Talk to your Program Leader first. Don't just disappear.
2. Be honest but kind. The program will handle the transition.
3. It's not personal. Not every pairing works. The goal is the best outcome for the PwP.

3.11 Quick Reference — The Full Match Lifecycle

4. First Contact: Introductory Meeting

Duration	30 minutes
Format	Video call, phone, or in-person
Goal	Connect, listen, and set the tone for the partnership

This isn't a lecture. It's a handshake. You're two people meeting for the first time, and the only agenda that matters is making them feel heard.

1. Warm Welcome & Purpose (5 min)

• Greet them warmly. Set a comfortable, safe tone.
• Explain why you're here: mutual support, shared experience, real conversation.
• Say it plainly: "Your Parkinson's journey is yours. I'm not here to tell you what to do. I'm here to walk with you."

2. Personal Introductions (10 min)

• You go first. Share your story: diagnosis, challenges, what's helped. Keep it honest and human.
• Then them. Invite them to share at whatever level they're comfortable.
• Don't push. Some people aren't ready to open up in the first meeting. That's fine.

3. Explore Needs & Expectations (10 min)

• Ask directly: "What do you hope to get from this?"
• Offer tailored suggestions based on what you hear.
• Provide reassurance: challenges are manageable with the right tools and support.

4. Wrap-Up & Next Steps (5 min)

• Summarize what you discussed.
• Share one or two resources they can explore before next time.
• Set expectations: how often you'll meet, how they can reach you, what to expect.
• End on a real note: "You're not alone in this. Keep showing up, keep being real, and keep doing life today."

5. Meeting a Newly Diagnosed PwP

Duration	~60 minutes (flexible)
Goal	Emotional support, foundational PD information, practical next steps, without overwhelming them

A newly diagnosed PwP is often in shock. They may be terrified, confused, grieving, or numb. Your job isn't to fix that. Your job is to sit in it with them and show them that the road ahead is livable.

1. Welcome & Introductions (10 min)

• Introduce yourself and your connection to PD. Keep it personal.
• Ask about their diagnosis journey: when, how, what symptoms, how they're feeling.
• Acknowledge whatever emotions come up. There's no "right" way to feel.

2. Understanding PD (10 min)

• PD affects every person differently. Say this twice.
• Cover motor and non-motor symptoms: tremors, stiffness, fatigue, anxiety, sleep issues.
• Clarify: PD is chronic but manageable. It's not a death sentence. It's a chapter.
• Reinforce: "You are not alone."

3. Exercise & Staying Active (10 min)

• Exercise is the single best thing they can do to slow progression. Period.
• Recommend starting points: walking, yoga, Rock Steady Boxing, stretching, cycling.
• Share your own experience with movement.
• DLT resources: Exercise & Movement Guide · DLT Music

4. Building a Healthcare Team (10 min)

• Ask: do they have a Movement Disorder Specialist (MDS)?
• If not, finding one is step one. Use the DLT Exchange.
• Explain the team approach: neurologist, physio, OT, speech therapist, mental health professional.
• Use Pathways in The Club to discover PD-specific providers.

5. The Power of Community (10 min)

• Encourage joining The Club.
• Explore Clubs and Circles for peer support.
• Share how community changed things for you. Be specific. Be honest.
• Mention the DLT Podcast for ongoing inspiration.

6. Moving Forward: Hope & Next Steps (10 min)

End with momentum, not fear. Give them three actionable steps:

1. Find an MDS (if they don't have one), use the Exchange
2. Start moving, even 15 minutes a day
3. Join The Club or connect with one support resource

Share the Newly Diagnosed Guide. Confirm the meeting cadence.

6. Bi-Weekly Meeting Agendas

Eight meetings spanning approximately four months. Each builds on the last. Adapt as needed. Your PwP's journey drives the agenda, not the other way around.

7. What a Completed Partnership Looks Like

A six-month JG partnership that's done right doesn't end with a finish line. It ends with a person who knows they can do this, and a guide who remembers why they started.

1. Clear Goals Were Set Early

At the start, you both agreed on what you were working toward: understanding symptoms, finding a healthcare team, building an exercise routine, coping with emotional weight, or connecting with community. Whatever it was, it was specific, and it was theirs.

2. Real Knowledge Was Shared

Your PwP now has a solid, practical understanding of PD, not from a textbook, but from someone who lives it: medication management, symptom strategies, how to build and work with a healthcare team, and where to find resources that are actually worth their time.

3. Emotional Growth Happened

They feel less alone. More empowered. They've had honest conversations about grief, fear, humor, and breakthroughs. They came out the other side with a sense of belonging.

4. Skills Were Developed

Your PwP can now advocate for themselves at appointments, ask the right questions, make informed treatment decisions, and navigate DLT resources and The Club independently.

5. Communication Was Consistent

Bi-weekly check-ins happened. They were meaningful, not performative. Discussions were tailored to what your PwP actually needed.

6. Real Changes Were Made

• Established a regular exercise routine
• Joined a support group, Club, or Circle in The Club
• Created a personalized plan for managing stress, sleep, or nutrition
• Built a "toolbox" of strategies for future challenges

7. You Grew Too

This isn't one-directional. As a JG, you've gained new perspectives, reinforced your own sense of purpose, and deepened your connection to the PD community.

8. They're Ready to Walk on Their Own

By the end, your PwP feels confident managing their condition and navigating their journey independently. The partnership may naturally conclude, or you may stay connected through The Club.

8. Your Secret Weapon: Lil Bryce

Lil Bryce is DLT's AI coach, built on Bryce Perry's voice, knowledge, and lived experience. It lives inside The Club and is available 24/7. Think of it as having Bryce in your back pocket.

As a Journey Guide, Lil Bryce is one of the most powerful tools you can point your PwP toward. Here's how to use it:

Understanding PD

Lil Bryce can explain PD in plain, human language: what it is, how dopamine works, what to expect early on. Point your PwP to Lil Bryce when they have questions between meetings. It won't replace you, but it fills the gaps.

Building a Positive Mindset

Lil Bryce shares real stories of people thriving with PD. Encourage your PwP to have honest conversations with Lil Bryce about fear, frustration, and hope. Pair with the DLT Podcast for ongoing inspiration.

Creating a Care Team

Lil Bryce can help your PwP understand what specialists they need and how to build a multidisciplinary team. Use it alongside the DLT Exchange to find providers.

Exercise as Medicine

Exercise is the single most effective tool against PD progression. Lil Bryce can recommend programs, explain the science, and help your PwP find what fits. Exercise Guide →

Symptom Management

Motor symptoms, non-motor symptoms, anxiety, fatigue. Lil Bryce covers them all with practical strategies. Encourage your PwP to ask Lil Bryce about specific challenges as they come up between meetings.

Nutrition & Lifestyle

Dietary guidance, sleep strategies, stress reduction. Lil Bryce can talk through all of it. Pair with DLT's Resource Hub for deeper dives.

Available 24/7

Your PwP won't always have a question during your bi-weekly meetings. That's the beauty of Lil Bryce. It's there at 2 AM when the anxiety hits, on a Sunday when they're spiraling, or right before a doctor's appointment when they need to organize their thoughts. Make sure your PwP knows it's there and how to use it.

9. DLT Resources & Quick Links

Your PwP has an entire ecosystem behind them. Use it.

★ Glossary of DLT Terms