A 100-year-old woman who still dances every day has revealed the secrets to her longevity — and her advice may surprise you.
Shirley Goodman, who currently lives in Sarasota, Florida, candidly shared her top tips on how to thrive in old age.
These include doing daily yoga, performing the Tush Push line dance, and eating chocolate after every meal.
Speak against TodayShirley, who celebrated her milestone birthday in March, said: “I feel great – 100 is just a number to me.”
Shirley Goodman, who currently lives in Sarasota, Florida, candidly shared her top tips on how to thrive in old age
In 2019, at the age of 96, she went viral after performing the Tush Push – a variation of the country line dance suited to blues music – at her cousin’s wedding.
Shirley devoted much of her early life to dancing and even opened her own school when she was just 17, teaching ballet and ballroom dancing.
The great-grandmother shared her list of secrets to longevity – and the first is to stay physically active.
Shirley herself does yoga every morning via FaceTime with daughter Joan, who lives in Albany, New York.
But dancing is by far her greatest passion.
The centenarian, who has gained a legion of fans on social media wherever she is known as The Dancing Nana, was first taught to dance by her father when she was only eight years old.
Shirley devoted much of her early life to the activity, even opening her own dance school at just 17, teaching ballet and ballroom.
Although she made the decision to close the school after getting married, she continued to pursue her passion in her spare time.
In 2019, at the age of 96, she went viral after performing the Tush Push – a variation of the country line dance suited to blues music – at her cousin’s wedding.
Shirleywho also briefly took up tennis and golf recently told Today: “I would advise people, if they like music at all, to keep it in their lives and not just sit in a rocking chair at home.”
Shirley said she loved eating “anything cooked in batter” such as shrimp, but she also had a very sweet tooth
Shirley, whose husband was a pilot during World War II, has four children, ten grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren
The social media star said the second key to longevity was staying resilient despite life’s adversities.
Shirley, who suffers from a heart condition, has had two open heart surgeries and currently has both a pacemaker and a stent placed.
And despite also dealing with vision and hearing problems, she maintains a positive outlook.
My legs are still working. I am an optimist. I always try to think positively. That’s very important,” she said.
“I have a bracelet that says ‘positivity’ on it. I wear it every day and I try to stay positive.”
Shirley, who suffers from a heart condition, has had two open heart surgeries and currently has both a pacemaker and a stent placed
The 100-year-old’s other top tip is to eat what you like instead of obsessing over nutritional recommendations
The 100-year-old’s other top tip is to eat what you like instead of obsessing over nutritional recommendations.
Shirley said she loved eating “anything cooked in batter” like shrimp, but she was also very sweet.
She makes sure she always has at least one piece of chocolate after every meal, including a chocolate chip cookie for breakfast, according to the publication.
But she was keen to emphasize that she has never smoked and does not drink alcohol because she does not like the taste.
Her final piece of advice is to surround yourself with loved ones.
Shirley, whose husband was a pilot during World War II, has four children, ten grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
She concluded with praise for her “wonderful, devoted family.”