100-year-old Florida woman who still dances every day reveals the secrets to longevity

A 100-year-old woman who still dances every day has revealed the secrets to her longevity – and her advice might surprise you.

Shirley Goodman, who currently lives in Sarasota, Florida, has 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.

Speaking to Today, Shirley, who celebrated her milestone birthday in March, said: ‘I feel great – 100 is just a number to me.’

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 nephew’s wedding 

Shirley dedicated much of her early life to dancing and even opened her own school at just 17, where she taught ballet and ballroom

The great-grandmother has shared her list of secrets to longevity – and the first is to stay physically active.

Shirley herself does yoga over FaceTime every morning with daughter Joan, who lives in Albany, New York.

But dancing is by far her biggest passion. 

The centenarian, who has gained a legion of fans on social media where she is known as The Dancing Nana, was first taught how to dance by her father at just eight years old.

Shirley dedicated much of her early life to the activity and even opened her own dancing school at just 17, where she taught ballet and ballroom.

Although she made the decision to close the school after she got married, she continued to pursue her passion in her free 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 nephew’s wedding.

Shirley, who also took up tennis and golf for a short time, recently told Today: ‘I would advise people, if they like music at all, to keep it in their lives and don’t just sit home in a rocking chair.’

Shirley said she loved eating ‘anything that’s cooked in batter,’ such as shrimp, but had a very sweet tooth too

Shirley, whose husband was a pilot during World War II, has four children, 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren

The social media star said that the second key to longevity was remaining resilient despite life’s setbacks.

Shirley, who suffers with heart disease, has endured two open-heart surgeries, and currently has both a pacemaker and stent fitted.

And, despite also dealing with sight and hearing issues, she maintains a positive outlook.

‘My legs are still working. I’m an optimist. I try to do positive thinking all the time. 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 with heart disease, has endured two open-heart surgeries, and currently has both a pacemaker and stent fitted 

The other top tip from the 100-year-old is to eat what you enjoy rather than obsessing about nutritional recommendations

The other top tip from the 100-year-old is to eat what you enjoy rather than obsessing about nutritional recommendations.

Shirley said she loved eating ‘anything that’s cooked in batter,’ such as shrimp, but also had a very sweet tooth too.

She makes sure to always have at least one piece of chocolate after every meal, including a chocolate chip cookie with breakfast, according to the publication.

But she was keen to stress that she has never smoked and does not drink alcohol as 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, 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She concluded by praising her ‘wonderful, devoted family.’