The huge success of the TV show Heated Rivalry has done more than make its author, Rachel Reid, famous. For Reid, the show’s popularity has created a direct path to medical care that was previously out of reach, helping her manage her Parkinson’s disease. In a recent interview, the 45-year-old Canadian author explained how a television interview about the show led a top Parkinson’s expert to contact her, cutting through a five-year waiting list for specialized treatment.
Reid was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in August 2023. Around the very same time, she received a message from director Jacob Tierney about adapting her Game Changers book series for television. The timing was significant. “Getting that message at that time was pretty huge for me,” Reid shared. “It was exactly what I needed”. The show, which follows the secret romantic relationship between two rival professional hockey players, launched in North America in late November 2025 and quickly became a major hit. Its success set off a chain of events that would change Reid’s access to healthcare.
The CNN Interview That Changed Everything
The key moment happened when Heated Rivalry director Jacob Tierney was promoting the series on CNN. During the interview, the host asked Tierney about Rachel Reid’s Parkinson’s diagnosis. Reid initially found the question odd, but its impact was immediate and profound.
“But an amazing thing that’s come out of this though is Jacob was on CNN a few weeks ago. For whatever reason, the interviewer asked him about my Parkinson’s diagnosis,” Reid told Variety. “I thought it was kind of odd, but then the next day, one of the top Parkinson’s experts in the world reached out to me and asked if he could help me”.
This single act of public awareness led to a private offer of help. The expert connected Reid with a neurologist and secured her an appointment within weeks. This was a dramatic shift for Reid, who lives in a small Canadian town where specialist care is difficult to access. She had been on a local waiting list for five years.
Overcoming a Five-Year Wait for Treatment
The expert’s intervention provided Reid with two crucial forms of help. First, he found her a specialist and scheduled the appointment that could change her treatment plan. Second, he gave her immediate advice on managing her medication to address a severe symptom.
“I’ve never gotten to talk to a Parkinson’s expert,” Reid explained. “I’ve been on a five-year waiting list here because I live in a very small place. Now he’s found me a Parkinson’s expert, a neurologist, and I have an appointment in a couple weeks. That could change things for me because I’m not really getting the treatment that I should be getting. He also told me how to change my medication so I can sleep because I never slept. That change made me sleep through the night, which really helps with writing”.
Long wait times for neurologists are a common challenge for Parkinson’s patients. In the United States, average wait times can range from 90 days to over eight months, with some patients waiting much longer. Reid’s experience highlights how difficult it can be for people, especially those outside major cities, to get the specialized care they need.
How Parkinson’s Affects Rachel Reid’s Writing
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement. It occurs when the brain loses cells that produce dopamine, a chemical crucial for controlling motion. Symptoms include tremors, stiffness, and slow movement, all of which directly impact Reid’s ability to do her job as an author.
She has been open about the physical challenges she now faces daily. “It’s making it hard to write because I can barely control a mouse. I can’t type for very long. It’s hard for me to sit in a chair for very long,” Reid said. The condition forces her to rethink her entire creative process. She is exploring new methods, like voice-to-text software, though she admits it doesn’t feel natural to her. Finding a way to keep writing is essential, as she noted the process is now “taking me a very long time”.
The TV Show That Started It All: Heated Rivalry‘s Meteoric Rise
Heated Rivalry is based on Reid’s popular romance novel of the same name, part of her Game Changers series which began in 2018. The TV adaptation, developed by Jacob Tierney, tells the story of two NHL hockey rivals, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who begin a secret affair. Played by actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, their complex relationship has captured a large audience.
The show premiered in North America on the Crave streaming service and has been described as a “TV sensation” and one of the most talked-about new series. Its success was so immediate that it was quickly renewed for a second season. The series is set to expand its audience further, launching in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2026, on Sky and the streaming service Now.
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A Positive Outcome from a Public Diagnosis
Reid’s story shows a powerful link between public awareness and personal healthcare. By speaking openly about her diagnosis during the show’s promotional cycle, she inadvertently triggered the help she needed. Her experience underscores the importance of discussion and visibility for chronic illnesses like Parkinson’s, which affects over 10 million people worldwide.
The organizations often at the forefront of this work include the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the American Parkinson Disease Association. These groups provide education, support services, and fund critical research.
For Rachel Reid, the whirlwind success of Heated Rivalry is now intertwined with her personal health journey. The show that started with a message at a low point has grown into a phenomenon that is actively improving her quality of life. The expert care she is now receiving offers new hope for managing her symptoms and continuing her writing career.
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