As we grow older, movement becomes more than just exercise — it becomes medicine. Staying physically active helps maintain strength, balance, and independence, but just as importantly, it nurtures our emotional and mental well-being. It gives us structure, purpose, and the chance to keep showing up, for ourselves and for others.
And when that movement happens in community, it becomes something even more powerful. The gym, the park, the group class, these places become anchors of connection and well-being. Especially for older LGBTQ+ folks, who often face increased isolation, they are spaces where connection thrives, where loneliness fades, and where visibility matters. They remind us that aging doesn’t have to mean isolation or decline, it can mean growth, laughter, and renewed energy.
I saw this firsthand when my mother had a stroke in her late 60s. Her recovery depended not only on physical activity, but also on staying socially engaged. On the days she connected with others in her living facility community, her mental and emotional state noticeably improved.
But my mother wasn’t a self-motivator when it came to exercise, and over time, that took a toll. She eventually spent her remaining years in a wheelchair. It was a hard reality, and it taught me something lasting: healing isn’t just about what your body can do — it’s also about who you’re doing it with, and how you see yourself in the process.
Every once in a while, you meet someone whose presence reminds you that joy, resilience, and purpose are not just ideals — they’re choices. They’re the product of hard-won experience and deep personal growth. My guest today, Ted Guice, is exactly that kind of person. His life and work reflect a quiet strength and generosity that leave a mark on everyone he meets. He’s one of those people in the LGBTQ+ community who uses his own challenges, even the darkest ones, as fuel to uplift others. Through honesty, vulnerability, and service, Ted has turned personal setbacks into powerful tools of connection and healing.
As a Fitness Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor, Ted brings over 35 years of experience to his work, with a special focus on senior fitness and the importance of staying visible, connected, and active as we age. But what makes Ted’s story remarkable is everything he’s carried with him to get here: a long-term HIV survivor of 46 years, Ted is also nine years sober and deeply engaged in supporting others through fitness, wellness, and recovery.
He’s the founder of G-Force, a popular group fitness class that found new life during COVID and continues to thrive in Ruth Hardy Park today. What began as a creative solution to gym closures quickly became a beloved community staple — with dozens gathering regularly to move, connect, and support each other.
Ted is a community leader, volunteering with organizations like The Trevor Project, AIDS Walk, the Palm Springs Health Run, and HARP-PS (HIV+ Aging Research Project), where he serves on the board.
And then there’s his unexpected chapter in wedding planning — Ted has officiated nearly 400 weddings, a path that began with a single flower delivery in Maui and evolved into becoming one of the island’s top wedding coordinators for years.
Ted speaks openly about addiction, self-worth, aging, and the need to keep moving — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He believes in staying connected, making people feel seen, and embracing this chapter of life as the most meaningful yet.
In this episode, we explore Ted’s incredible journey, his love of community, his belief in transformation, and the lasting impact of just showing up — for yourself and for others.
I hope you enjoy my conversation with my friend, the inspiring Ted Guice.
Thanks for listening. If you are interested in connecting with Ted you can find him on his website at TedGuice.com or on Facebook.
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