Winston, 77 – Improvement at Any Age

Meet Winston “Tuner” Hall, one of the 2026 Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes. He’ll be sharing updates on his health and wellness journey through the rest of this year. Tuner became drawn to fitness during his days in basic training in the Army. From there, he has explored additional aspects of wellness like plant-based nutrition, strength training, cycling, and bikepacking. Today, approaching 80, Tuner’s goal is to help other older adults rebuild strength, confidence, and belief in what they are still capable of becoming.

My interest in fitness and health has been developing over much of my life. It truly began when I discovered running during basic training in the Army and realized how much I enjoyed both the movement and the challenge. In college, I began bicycling because I needed transportation, but over time it became much more than a practical way to get around.

Then, in my late 40s, I discovered what we now call a whole-food, plant-based way of eating. At the time, I simply called it eating healthy. That shift had a powerful impact on my overall health, energy, and recovery, and it became another important turning point in my journey.

Movement = Motivation

I wanted to stay capable, active, and fully engaged in life, and that meant making my health a priority.

Like many people, I let career demands get in the way of being as consistent with my health as I wanted to be. Even so, I always found myself returning to running and cycling. Over time, I came to appreciate how much better I felt when I exercised. Running or cycling left me feeling stronger, clearer, and more energized, and that became one of the biggest motivators in my journey. I was also deeply influenced by watching my father’s health decline as he aged. That experience made it clear to me that I did not want to leave my own health to chance.

When I reached my late 50s, I realized I needed to stop treating health and fitness like something I would get to later. I wanted to stay capable, active, and fully engaged in life, and that meant making my health a priority. My fitness progression began with a realization that reshaped how I view aging. Much of what we often accept as “normal aging” is actually the result of deconditioning – what happens when we move less, challenge our muscles less, and gradually stop paying attention to our bodies. Once I understood this, my training took on a new purpose: helping others see that decline isn’t inevitable and that meaningful improvement remains possible at any age.

Discover What Feels Doable

When movement is accessible, meaningful, and repeatable, strength, stamina, and independence are built gradually and sustainably.

My weekly routine reflects this belief. I prioritize daily movement, weekly strength training, and practical whole food, plant-based nutrition to support an active, engaged life. Bicycling and bikepacking play a central role in my own fitness because they are enjoyable and sustainable for me, but I don’t believe everyone needs to bike or become an athlete. The real focus is helping people discover movement that feels doable and fits into their daily lives. When movement is accessible, meaningful, and repeatable, strength, stamina, and independence are built gradually and sustainably.

The pivotal moment in my journey came when I realized my role is not to demonstrate peak performance, but to model a process others can imagine themselves beginning. Through my website, stridesandrides.com, and my YouTube channel, @2ner, I share this approach to encourage others to take that first step.

As a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete, I hope to show that appropriately-scaled movement and adventure can be powerful teachers, helping older adults rebuild strength, confidence, and belief in what they are still capable of becoming. I want to meet people where they are, not where fitness culture says they should be.

Join Me to Learn Healthy Habits

I strongly believe that effective exercise programs must feel enjoyable rather than intimidating, realistic rather than overwhelming, and clearly connected to everyday benefits such as mobility, confidence, and independence.

I had the privilege last year of hosting two sessions as a guest during Senior Planet’s Wednesday Lunch & Learn series, and I’m excited to return this year as a Sponsored Athlete! Mark your calendars and join me on Zoom next Wednesday, March 18 at 1:30pm EDT. I’ll be sharing more about my wellness journey, and I’ll introduce five bodyweight movement patterns that support strength, mobility, balance, and independence. Come practice movements connected to real-life tasks like getting up from a chair, bending, pushing, and carrying. Click here for more info!

I strongly believe that effective exercise programs must feel enjoyable rather than intimidating, realistic rather than overwhelming, and clearly connected to everyday benefits such as mobility, confidence, and independence. When people can see themselves starting, they are far more likely to continue. This reflects a guiding belief that shapes my work: movement causes improvement – not all at once, but consistently – in ways people can feel in their daily lives.

In need of a little motivation to get moving? Join our daily health and wellness programs, stay tuned to the latest news and articles from SeniorPlanet.org by signing up for The Orbit weekly newsletter, and follow us on social media (Facebook | YouTube | Instagram) to get to know these awe-inspiring athletes. You might just find a new love for fitness along the way!

Images courtesy of Winston Hall