Walk Towards Health
Lifestyle Medicine Education for Hanover County, Virginia and Beyond
We are a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to helping you understand the why behind your chronic health conditions — and equipping you with the knowledge and strategies to prevent, treat, and even reverse them through the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine.
Our Mission
EDUCATE the community through DEMONSTRATION AND INSTRUCTION on how lifestyle modifications can prevent, treat, and reverse common chronic conditions.
“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.”
The Crisis — and the Opportunity
Chronic disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States. The numbers are alarming — but the science is equally clear about what is possible.
of US adults have at least one chronic condition
of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented through improvements in diet and lifestyle (WHO)
of all US healthcare dollars are spent on chronic conditions
Unlike preventive medicine, Lifestyle Medicine is primarily used to treat and reverse existing chronic diseases — not just prevent future ones. Learn how the Six Pillars make this possible →
The Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine
Each pillar is a pillar for a reason — they hold each other up. A deficit in one area ripples through all the others. Together, they form the foundation of your whole health.
Restorative Sleep
7–9 hours of quality sleep every night is not a luxury — it is the second most essential element for survival after oxygen. Sleep is when your body heals.
Learn MorePhysical Activity
Regular movement is medicine that doesn’t come in a pill. At Walk Towards Health, we meet you exactly where you are and coach you toward sustainable activity.
Learn MoreSocial Connection
Loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Positive relationships and community belonging are biological necessities — not nice-to-haves.
Learn MoreStress Management
Chronic stress damages every system in your body. Understanding and managing your stress response is a skill — and we teach it.
Learn MorePlant-Predominant Nutrition
Whole foods are the most powerful medicine available to you. We guide you through practical, affordable, and delicious approaches to nourishing your body.
Learn MoreAvoiding Risky Substances
What you choose not to put in your body is just as powerful as what you do. From alcohol to excess sugar, we help you understand the real impact.
Learn MoreWhy Being Coached Makes All the Difference
Information alone does not change behavior. You have likely known for years what you should be doing. What you need is someone who understands your specific situation, your barriers, your history — and who will walk alongside you as you change.
Every client is different. Your genetics, your culture, your stress load, your sleep history, your relationships — all of it is unique to you. That is why our coaching is never one-size-fits-all. We build a plan that fits your life.
“Together, we’ll create a plan that fits your life.”
See the 8-Session ProgramWhat Our Clients Experience
- Stop, manage, and in many cases reverse chronic conditions — including type 2 diabetes and hypertension
- More energy to live, laugh, and do what you love
- Healthier weight — without crash diets or expensive programs
- Reduced reliance on chronic medications
- Deeper, more restorative sleep
- Improved mental clarity and emotional wellbeing
- Practical skills that last a lifetime — grocery shopping, meal prep, stress tools, movement habits
Real People. Real Results.
Stopped blood sugar medication • Lost 45 pounds • Reduced blood pressure
“I was managing type 2 diabetes and hypertension. After completing the Walk Towards Health program I was able to stop taking my blood sugar medication, reduce my blood pressure, lose forty-five pounds, and improve my sleep. My energy and quality of life have completely changed.”
— Client A, Age 47 • No longer taking chronic medications
Headaches in remission after 28 years • Cholesterol normal
“I suffered from excruciating, rare headaches for twenty-eight years and had high cholesterol. Through the Walk Towards Health program, my headaches have been in remission for two and a half years. My cholesterol is now normal.”
— Client C, Age 65 • No longer taking chronic medications
Rooted in Legacy — Growing in Purpose
Walk Towards Health is located on nine acres of land in Ashland, Virginia — the same land farmed by our founder’s grandfather, William Dabney Winston Sr., whose name the surrounding roads still carry. The land has a pristine lake, beautiful walking paths, and a historic barn that we are in the process of converting into the Winston Barn Community Health Center — complete with classrooms, a working demonstration kitchen, a sleep education room, a meditation and stress recovery space, and a virtual conferencing room.
This is more than a health program. It is a legacy continued.
Our Story
William Dabney Winston Sr. and Nannie Ella Bradley
Ready to Walk Towards Health?
Your first 30-minute consultation is free. Let’s start by understanding where you are and where you want to go.