What if aging well had less to do with marathons and more to do with small, steady moves you can stick to? We sit down with Yvonne Hanning of Willow Tree Studios to explore how online fitness for active agers turns consistency into confidence, balance, and real-world strength. Yvonne’s clients—ages 65 to 90—join live on Zoom or catch classes on their schedule, making fitness accessible for caregivers, travelers, and anyone who prefers exercising at home.

Yvonne shares how a pandemic pivot became a powerful model for connection and results. We dig into the biggest myths about older adult fitness and redraw the map between two unhelpful extremes: the mountaintop hero and the person who feels stuck. Most people live in the middle—and that’s where progress happens. From balance training and gentle strength to mobility and functional walks, Yvonne shows how even small increases in activity can improve heart health, reduce falls, and boost independence.

This conversation also moves beyond reps and sets. Yvonne opens up about a hard year marked by deep loss and how she found healing “walk by walk” in nature, with a community that showed up. We talk therapy dog training, the joy of pickleball and hikes, and the mental health benefits that grow alongside physical gains. If you’ve ever felt “too old” or “too far gone,” you’ll hear practical steps you can start today, plus smart ways to use Facebook and newsletters to stay connected and accountable.

Ready to rethink what strong looks like after 65? Press play, pick one small action, and build from there. If this story helps you or someone you love, subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review so more neighbors can find accessible, evidence-based ways to age well.