Good luck with the smoking. I hope you can do it!
I don't have "trouble" with hills. I just am a slower rider than you. In fact, I get up most hills that a lot of people walk. My technique, on long climbs and also on short, steep ones, is to just tick the pedals over. In other words, I can usually go faster than I am going, but, especially on rides where I don't know what the remaining terrain is like, i go very slowly, to conserve my energy.
I live on a pretty big hill and my driveway is even worse .
And, I am probably at least 20 (or 30) years older than you. I didn't start riding until I was 47, although I was pretty fit before that.