About Us
Aging Stronger, Living Longer—Together.
About us
WHAT WE DO
At Fit To The Core Inc., we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to age with strength, confidence, and independence—regardless of income or background.
We provide free, community-based functional fitness programs that help older adults improve strength, balance, mobility, and overall well-being. Our programs are especially focused on reaching aging adults in under-resourced communities.
Through group fitness classes, healthy-aging workshops, walking programs, and community partnerships, we help participants build practical skills to move safely, prevent falls, maintain independence, and stay connected.
Our goal is simple: to help older adults live healthier, stronger, and more independent lives at every stage of aging.
Who We Are
Founded in July 2020, Fit To The Core Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making functional fitness and healthy-aging education accessible to older adults, especially those in under-resourced communities.
We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to age with strength, dignity, confidence, and connection—regardless of income, background, or ability.
Led by founder and CEO Tracie VanHook, MS, an exercise science professional with more than 35 years of experience, Fit To The Core develops inclusive, community-based programs that help older adults maintain mobility, build strength, improve balance, and preserve independence.
Our Story
Fit To The Core Inc. was born from a deeply personal belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to age with strength, dignity, and independence.
Founder Tracie VanHook’s greatest inspiration was her mother, whose influence helped shape her lifelong commitment to functional fitness and healthy aging.
Founded in July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fit To The Core began by inviting older adults, families, and community members to participate in free, outdoor functional fitness sessions. Understanding the risks of increased isolation and inactivity among older adults, Tracie also provided mini resistance bands for participants to take home so they could continue exercising safely between sessions.
From the beginning, the mission has been about more than staying active. Today, Fit To The Core continues helping older adults build strength, improve balance and mobility, maintain independence, and stay connected through functional movement and community.
Our Mission
Fit To The Core Inc. empowers older adults in under-resourced communities to age with strength, confidence, and independence through free, accessible, and culturally inclusive functional fitness programs and healthy-aging education.
Our evidence-informed, community-centered approach promotes mobility, balance, fall prevention, social connection, and healthier aging.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every older adult, regardless of income or background, has the opportunity to age with strength, dignity, independence, and connection.
Through accessible functional fitness and supportive communities, we strive to make healthy aging a possibility for all.
Core Values
Professionalism
We are committed to delivering safe, evidence-informed functional fitness programs led by experienced fitness professionals who understand the needs of aging adults.
Collaboration
We build meaningful partnerships with community members, volunteers, local organizations, and healthcare partners to expand access to healthy-aging programs.
Integrity
We operate with honesty, transparency, and accountability, honoring the trust of our participants, community partners, and supporters.
Compassion
We honor the dignity, experiences, and individual abilities of every older adult, creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels valued and supported.
Innovation
We embrace research, community feedback, and continuous learning to develop innovative functional fitness programs that help older adults maintain independence and age well.
Help Us Build Stronger,
Healthier Communities
At Fit To The Core, we believe every older adult deserves the opportunity to age with strength, confidence, and independence—regardless of income or background.
Your generosity helps us provide free, community-based functional fitness classes, balance and fall-prevention workshops, walking programs, and healthy-aging education for older adults in under-resourced communities.
Together, we can remove barriers to healthy aging, build meaningful connections, and help more older adults remain active, independent, and engaged in their communities.
