Movement, Aging, and Joy: Lessons from 20 Years of Massage and 4 Years of Walking Club
I’ve been a licensed massage therapist for over 20 years, and I’ve been hosting the Solaris Massage Walking Club for the past 4. Lately, I’ve been joking with clients about an unexpected side effect of Walking Club:
I’m really looking forward to my 70s.
As a massage therapist, I’ve worked on bodies of all ages, backgrounds, and activity levels. That hands-on experience offers a unique perspective. I’ve treated 25-year-olds who are sure their bodies are falling apart, and 50-something scientists who are also equestrians — incredibly strong, but with surprisingly little anatomy knowledge. I’ve helped desk workers dealing with chronic tension, and manual laborers in their 30s already showing signs of joint wear and tear.
And then there’s my mom. Now in her 80s, she gave up driving years ago and does most of her errands on foot. Her legs? Still impressively muscular.
The takeaway is simple:
Age alone does not determine health, vitality, or mobility.
I’ve seen it. I’ve touched it. And it’s shaped the way I think about aging — both personally and professionally.
The formula for wellness must include movement. There’s just no way to live a sedentary life and feel great, at any age. And while many of us do more when we’re younger, we’re not obligated to do less as we age.
When I started Walking Club in 2022, I wanted to offer a free way for people to get outside and move. I’ve always loved walking, and used to take daily walks with my dog from the shop — for his benefit and mine. Walking brings countless physical benefits, but also supports mental health, emotional clarity, and social connection — all things we especially needed after the pandemic.
Personally, I function best with weekly routines. And I know I’m not alone — many of us do better with a little structure, and a little accountability. So I invited others to join me.
As David Lee Roth once said:
“Nobody does anything good alone — well, maybe Prince.”
(MetalAddicts, 2019)
I also think of my mom again — years ago, after recovering from cancer, she would walk our neighborhood with friends. She had a list of 12 people she’d call. She needed the exercise, but I suspect she needed the camaraderie just as much.
For the first couple of years, attendance at Walking Club was sparse. Some weeks, I walked alone. But over time, it grew — and now we have a solid group of about six weekly members. Since we meet Mondays at 1 PM, many of our regulars are retired. I like to say:
You don’t need gray hair to join Walking Club — but you do need a free hour in the middle of your Monday.
We walk. We talk. We laugh, vent, swap recommendations on everything from home repair to colonoscopies. We share stories, art, and the occasional neighborhood gossip. It’s informal, welcoming, and totally uplifting. On hard weeks, it’s what gets me out of bed Monday morning.
Walking Club has become one of my favorite parts of the week — and it’s shifted how I think about getting older. Spending time with these active, curious, hilarious 70+ walkers has made me look forward to reaching that stage of life myself.
Going for a walk alone is great. But going for a walk with a smart, funny, silver-haired group of ne’er-do-wells who feel like role models? That’s something special.
I’ve always believed in walking. But Walking Club has given me something more:
Living proof that joy doesn’t fade with age — it evolves.
Just like in my massage work — where I’ve learned that age alone doesn't determine physical health — Walking Club has shown me that it doesn’t determine joy either.
Every stage of life has its challenges and perks. But thanks to this group, I’ve discovered an entirely new era to look forward to.