Meet Hargun Dhillon, an undergraduate student in the UBC School of Kinesiology with a passion for inclusive health promotion. Drawing from both personal experience and academic insight, Hargun founded a nonprofit organization, Age Strong Unity Wellness Society, that offers free, culturally sensitive exercise classes for older South Asian adults—creating space for community, movement, and belonging. See below to learn more about his work and vision for change.
Could you describe the exercise work you’re doing with the South Asian community in more detail?
I founded Age Strong Unity Wellness Society, a non-profit organization, in June 2022 after my grandfather underwent open-heart surgery due to severely blocked arteries. Doctors attributed this to physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary habits. Yet, like many Punjabi elders, my grandfather had never been taught the value of exercise, nor did he feel comfortable attending City of Surrey fitness classes due to language barriers and a lack of cultural familiarity. This experience opened my eyes to deeper systemic inequities in our healthcare system and inspired me to create a program where Punjabi and Hindi-speaking seniors could feel seen, supported, and empowered to take charge of their health. Backed by over $10,000 in government funding, this nonprofit offers free, culturally tailored group exercise classes to South Asian seniors facing mobility challenges, chronic illness, or social isolation. To date, we’ve served over 600 seniors through weekly exercise sessions at the Bear Creek Park Pavilion and the Cloverdale Athletic Park Centre, using equipment we provide—including yoga mats, dumbbells, and hand grip strengtheners.
Our program addresses both physical rehabilitation and social well-being, supported by partnerships with the City of Surrey, Surrey Police Service (who lead monthly cardio boxing sessions for our seniors), Fraser Health, and Surrey Memorial Hospital’s physiotherapy department. We are currently establishing a referral system with the Jim Pattison Outpatient and Surgery Centre so that patients can join our exercise sessions as part of their care. Participants include individuals with arthritis, histories of heart surgery, spinal cord injuries, knee replacements, depression, and dementia—and many report significant improvements in mobility, mood, and confidence. With support from volunteers, including Kinesiology students from UBC, SFU, Douglas, and Langara, our reach has expanded from Surrey to Abbotsford, Seattle, and Moga, India. Our primary goals are to promote preventive health, reduce social isolation, and address systemic health inequities through a culturally grounded model of care.
Importantly, I apply everything I’ve learned through my coursework at UBC’s School of Kinesiology directly to this community work. Courses like KIN 120, 150, and 160 gave me the theoretical and cultural foundations for why such programs are essential, while KIN 442 taught me how to implement them safely and effectively. From KIN 232, I now teach seniors about healthy eating within a South Asian dietary context—such as reducing salt, sugar, and trans fats often found in traditional dishes. I’m sincerely grateful to my professors and the UBC Kinesiology program for equipping me with the tools I use daily to grow this initiative.
How do you tailor your exercise programs to be culturally relevant and sensitive to the needs of the South Asian community?
Cultural sensitivity is at the core of our programming. We incorporate Punjabi music, bhangra dance, and the Punjabi language to create a familiar, welcoming environment where seniors feel emotionally and culturally connected. Classes are led by bilingual instructors who are attuned to South Asian health beliefs, religious norms, and gender dynamics. Given that many women do not feel comfortable exercising alongside men due to cultural expectations, we offer women-only sessions in addition to mixed-gender classes. We also consult healthcare providers and community organizations to ensure our programming is both medically appropriate and culturally aligned. This holistic, inclusive approach builds trust, fosters consistency, and empowers participants to take charge of their health.
What are your future goals and aspirations for your work in this area?
My vision is to scale this initiative globally, especially in under-resourced communities across Canada and internationally. Over 500 seniors from countries such as England, Italy, and Australia have already expressed interest in joining virtual, culturally relevant fitness classes. I am currently working to expand digital access to these programs. Equally, I am committed to contributing to academic and policy-level change. Through a Directed Studies project at UBC, I’ve conducted qualitative research through semi-structured interviews on how culturally tailored exercise programs impact the health and social inclusion of Punjabi immigrant women. I’m co-authoring a publication with a Kinesiology faculty member (Dr. Moss Norman), with findings that aim to inform more inclusive public health strategies.
What are some of the key successes or positive outcomes you’ve observed as a result of your work?
The impact has been transformative. Participants consistently report reduced pain, improved strength and balance, and a renewed sense of purpose—especially those managing chronic illness or recovering from major procedures. For many, this is the first time they’ve engaged in physical activity or received preventive care education. Our community events—such as cultural food gatherings, bhangra days, and game sessions—have become sources of joy, connection, and mental well-being.We’ve received coverage in local radio, newspapers, and magazines, and our formal partnership with the City of Surrey means our programs are now advertised across all municipal recreational facilities. We are proud to offer North America’s first culturally relevant, no-cost fitness program for Punjabi seniors. Beyond fitness, I’ve led free blood pressure screenings and health education at gurdwaras and large-scale events like the 2024 and 2025 Surrey Vaisakhi Parades, which each drew over 600,000 attendees. With a team of registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and students, we’ve conducted over 300 screenings per event and shared information on diabetes, heart health, and mental wellness in Punjabi.
Internationally, I’ve established three healthcare clinics in underserved villages in Moga, Punjab, where residents face extreme medical neglect due to poverty and systemic barriers. These clinics, operated weekly by volunteer nurses and medical students, serve nearly 200 low-income families, offering free medications, preventive screenings, and health education—including blood pressure monitoring to help combat widespread undiagnosed chronic illness. Together, these efforts represent a holistic model of culturally responsive, community-driven care—grounded in prevention, dignity, and trust.
How do you see your work contributing to broader goals of equity, diversity, and inclusion in health and fitness?
My work directly challenges dominant healthcare models that too often overlook racialized and immigrant communities. By fostering culturally affirming spaces where South Asian seniors feel respected and understood, we promote health equity rooted in language, tradition, and trust.
Whether it’s through bhangra-based fitness classes or diabetes education in Punjabi, our programs redefine what inclusion looks like in health and fitness spaces. As a community health advocate, I also work to normalize conversations about mental health and women’s health—especially breast and cervical cancer—within the South Asian community, aiming to reduce stigma and promote culturally informed preventive care. Every part of this work is shaped by my education at UBC’s School of Kinesiology, where I’ve learned not only the science of physical activity, but also the importance of listening deeply, leading ethically, and building solutions that matter.
Thank you to Hargun for sharing his journey with us. To learn more, check out the Age Strong Unity website and follow them on Instagram for frequent updates and stories.
