Promise, Purpose, and Practice: A Son’s Journey into Active Aging with Ruben P. Thickstun

Season 8 of the IDEAfit Pro Show continues the Meet the Authors series with Ruben P. Thickstun, fitness educator, active aging advocate, and the 2024 IDEA Emerging Trailblazer of the Year.Host Amy Boone Thompson welcomes Ruben back to the show for an emotional and inspiring conversation centered around his chapter in Inspire the World to Fitness®: Promise, Purpose, and Practice: A Son’s Career Journey in Active Aging.This deeply personal episode explores how a life-changing medical emergency involving Ruben’s father transformed his career path, redefined his understanding of fitness, and ignited his mission to help people age with dignity, independence, confidence, and joy.What began as a son’s promise to help his father regain his life evolved into a purpose-driven career focused on inclusive movement, active aging, and empowering individuals living with chronic pain and physical limitations.In This Episode, You’ll Learn• How Ruben’s father’s medical crisis changed the trajectory of his life and career• Why purpose became the missing piece in Ruben’s fitness journey• How caregiving shaped his approach to coaching and programming• The importance of empathy, inclusivity, and dignity in fitness• How movement supports independence and quality of life• Why language matters when working with older adults• How to create fun, engaging, and accessible active aging programs• Practical ways to design inclusive fitness experiences• How fitness professionals can overcome ageism in the industry• Why authenticity and passion are essential for long-term successFeatured GuestRuben P. Thickstun2024 IDEA Emerging Trailblazer of the YearFitness educator, speaker, and active aging advocateRuben is dedicated to creating purposeful, engaging, and inclusive movement experiences that help older adults and individuals living with chronic conditions maintain confidence, independence, and quality of life.A Father’s Fight That Became a Son’s PurposeRuben shares the devastating moment he received a call that his father had only a 10% chance of survival after developing necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria.The disease severely damaged his father’s arm and dramatically changed his long-term physical health, mobility, and quality of life.While sitting in a hospital waiting room during his father’s surgeries, Ruben experienced the moment that would redefine his purpose.He discovered an article about active aging and corrective exercise, and suddenly realized that his future in fitness was no longer about athletic performance—it was about helping people move better, recover, adapt, and live fully despite physical challenges.Purpose as the Missing PieceRuben reflects on how, despite already working in fitness, something always felt incomplete.Through his father’s rehabilitation journey, he discovered that purpose—not performance—was the missing piece.His mission shifted toward:• Corrective exercise• Active aging• Inclusive movement• Chronic pain support• Functional independence• Helping people regain confidence in their bodiesUsing Fitness to Restore IndependenceOne of the central themes of this episode is the role movement plays in preserving dignity and independence.Ruben explains how fitness is about far more than aesthetics or athletic ability—it’s about helping people:• Maintain autonomy• Improve confidence• Move safely and effectively• Enjoy daily life• Stay socially connected• Continue doing the things they loveThrough his father’s experience, Ruben learned how powerful movement can be when approached with empathy, creativity, and purpose.Lessons Learned from Coaching His FatherThroughout his father’s rehabilitation, Ruben used his father’s feedback to shape and refine his programming methods.His father became both his inspiration and his “test client,” helping Ruben better understand:• Exercise modifications• Cueing and communication• Accessibility• Program progression• Motivation and engagement• Music and energy preferences• Chronic pain considerationsThose lessons became the foundation of Ruben’s work with active aging communities today.“Stop Programming for Yourself”One of Ruben’s most impactful messages for fitness professionals is simple:“Stop programming for yourself.”He encourages coaches and instructors to:• Learn the needs of their audience• Research limitations and modifications• Ask clients for feedback• Create experiences based on the participant—not the instructor• Build programming that is inclusive, engaging, and adaptableHis philosophy centers on creating movement experiences that people genuinely enjoy and want to return to.Challenging Ageism in FitnessRuben also discusses the importance of addressing ageism within the fitness industry.He encourages professionals to rethink how they communicate with older adults and to avoid language that unintentionally diminishes or stereotypes them.His recommendations include:• Using empowering language• Avoiding patronizing terms like “cute”• Recognizing strength and capability at every age• Creating inclusive environments for all generations• Encouraging younger instructors to work with active aging populationsRuben also highlights that ageism can work both ways, noting that younger professionals entering active aging spaces are sometimes underestimated because of their age.Authenticity & Community MatterAnother major takeaway from the episode is the importance of authenticity.Ruben explains that his career accelerated when he stopped trying to imitate others and fully embraced his own personality, energy, and teaching style.His advice:• Be yourself• Lead with empathy• Build genuine community• Bring your personality into your programming• Stay connected to your mission and purposeHe believes people connect most deeply with instructors who are authentic, passionate, and truly invested in helping others succeed.Creative Programming for Active AgingRuben shares practical examples of how he creates fun and engaging movement experiences for older adults, including:• Brain games during strength exercises• Athletic-style movements adapted for all abilities• Low-impact, high-energy formats• Functional training for real-life movement• Cognitive engagement activities• Dance-inspired mobility workHis classes focus on helping participants feel energized, empowered, and capable.Practical Advice for Fitness ProfessionalsRuben encourages fitness professionals to:• Find their niche and purpose• Build programs around client needs• Ask for participant feedback• Combine creativity with education• Add a unique “twist” to their classes• Continue refining their teaching style• Focus on inclusion and accessibility• Remember that fitness is for everyoneCurrent Projects & ProgramsRuben shares updates about his growing work in active aging fitness, including:• RubenPThickstun.com — consulting and education• Functionally Evolved — on-demand active aging fitness platform• Move with Confidence workshops• Tools for Purposeful Aging education sessions• Low Impact, High Energy programming• Community-based active aging initiatives throughout SeattleKey Themes from Ruben’s Chapter• Purpose-driven leadership• Caregiving and compassion• Active aging and functional fitness• Independence and dignity• Inclusive programming• Empathy-centered coaching• Community and connection• Authenticity in leadership• Finding purpose through adversityPowerful Quotes• “Purpose was the missing puzzle piece.”• “Stop programming for yourself.”• “Fitness is for everybody.”• “You make that difference when you find your purpose.”• “I’m just trying to be Ruben.”• “When you drive with your heart, everything matters.”About Inspire the World to Fitness®Season 8 of the IDEAfit Pro Show accompanies the book Inspire the World to Fitness®, featuring stories from leaders shaping the future of fitness through education, advocacy, innovation, and service.Learn more:https://www.ideafit.com/inspire-the-world-to-fitness/Listen & ConnectExplore IDEAfit Pro Show episodes:https://www.ideafit.com/idea-podcasts/Learn more about IDEA:https://www.ideafit.com/Connect with Ruben:https://www.rubenpthickstun.com/CreditsIDEAfit PRO SHOW is hosted by Amy Boone Thompson, executive produced by Kent Lejarso, and engineered by Michael Hilding.About IDEA® Health & Fitness AssociationIDEA® Health & Fitness Association has served as the world’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals for more than 44 years....