‘I love a challenge,’ says 95-year-old former Radio City Music Hall dancer

Adam meets a 95-year-old who committed to keep moving forward after competing in marathons at 80 and dancing at Radio City Music Hall professionally.

Before we can appreciate where Delia Visscher is going, we need to know where the 95-year-old has been.

“I’m not the type to sit back and do nothing,” Delia smiles during one of her daily walks.

Then she unzips her jacket to show she’s wearing a T-shirt featuring Radio City Music Hall.

“I danced in New York City,” Delia smiles.

Although she didn’t start training to be a ballerina until the relatively late age of 13, by the time she was 20, Delia had risen the ranks to be a soloist.

“It was difficult, but I survived it” Delia laughs, before describing a gruelling schedule that included early morning rehearsals before performing four shows a day, for a combined audience of 16,000 people.

“It’s a bit mind blowing,” Delia laughs.

Delia danced at Radio City Music Hall for more than a decade before becoming a manager at Juilliard, and later other arts organizations.

“It was a wonderful stressful job,” Delia laughs.

Wonderful, because Delia relishes doing things that are difficult.

“I love a challenge,” Delia smiles. “If there’s something I’ve never done, go ahead and do it. See what you can make out of it.”

So, after raising her daughter, retiring from her career, and caring for her husband who had Alzheimer’s disease, Delia decided to try doing marathons when she was 80.

“That was when I had the time to do it you know,” Delia laughs when asked when she started doing long-distance challenges so late.

Delia made up for lost time, earning a wall-full of medals, and using her runs to raise more than $40,000 for charity.

“I love being able to say at my age, I can still do these things,” Delia says. “It’s wonderful!”

Now — at the age of 95 — Delia spends five days a week training physically (from weights to walking). During the other two days, her focus is more mental. Delia takes university courses online and connects with people of all ages in person.

“So, I can keep up with what the other generations feel about life today,” Delia explains.

And if you ask Delia what she’s learned is the most important thing in life, she’ll say practising kindness.

“Be kind and think of others,” Delia says.

Along with always treating other people the way you want be treated, Delia suggests to also be kind to yourself, by always challenging yourself to keep moving forward.