This first-person essay is adapted from an extended conversation with Aliya Brooks, a 25-year-old professional originally from Chicago and now based in Atlanta. Aliya, who divides her time between a career in medical device sales and work as a stretch and mobility instructor, shared memories of her grandmother, Mildred “Millie” Cruzat. The following narrative preserves her words while highlighting the profound intergenerational bond and enduring lessons passed down through Millie’s remarkable life. The story has been edited for clarity and scope.
From my earliest childhood memories, my grandmother Millie occupied a place of extraordinary importance in my life. Many people can relate to the deep affection of having one grandparent who seems to understand you at a level that surpasses even other close family relationships. For me, Millie was that singular figure—the person with whom I felt an almost intuitive connection. When I was only two years old, my mother endured a serious ankle injury that left her hospitalized for several months. During that time, my care fell entirely into Millie’s hands. Because we both lived in Chicago, it was natural for me to remain with her while my mother recovered. Even after my mother healed, the tradition of visiting Millie on most weekends remained steadfast throughout my youth until I eventually left for college. These visits often included not just me but my sister, my parents, and cousins as well, creating cherished gatherings filled with laughter, food, and movement.
Millie herself lived a life that consistently refuted the idea that age should limit possibility. At the age of 18, she ventured boldly to New York City with the dream of becoming a professional dancer. By 22, she had accomplished what many only imagine: performing on Broadway in the iconic production *Shuffle Along*. Around the same period, she also began teaching dance, a practice that remained one of her deepest passions throughout her life. While Millie officially stopped performing professionally around the age of 60, she did not abandon dance. Instead, she channeled her expertise into nurturing young talent, continuing to teach children’s ballet in Chicago until the age of 70. Even more astonishing, she offered ballet and stretching classes well into her early 90s, finally retiring around 93. Her commitment enriched the lives of countless people—from five-year-old beginners to students in their eighties. Millie also dedicated time to bringing dance instruction to children in Chicago’s housing projects, ensuring access to the joy of movement regardless of financial means.
Her approach to aging reflected a profound belief in mindset. To her, age truly was only a numerical marker but not a limitation. This philosophy even extended to how I addressed her. She insisted that I not call her “Grandma”—preferring simply “Millie”—because she believed that language shapes thought, and words can either reinforce or dismantle self-limiting beliefs. Although it might seem a small request, it captured the essence of her personality: energetic, progressive, and unwilling to let age define her identity.
Millie’s daily habits embodied discipline and vitality. She began nearly every morning with a seven-mile walk along Chicago’s Lakefront, and on many occasions, she ran the distance instead. Her physical capacity remained astonishing far beyond what most people would consider plausible. Astonishingly, she performed movements such as the splits until she was 92, only ceasing when her doctors advised her to ease up on intense activity. Apart from minimal health issues, she thrived well into advanced age, proving that consistent mobility and intentional lifestyle choices fuel longevity. Walking rather than driving, climbing stairs instead of taking elevators, and making movement non-negotiable were central aspects of her routine. She also loved playing tennis, a passion that she shared with my grandfather, mother, and uncle, embedding activity into family traditions.
Nutrition formed another cornerstone of Millie’s philosophy of wellness. Her diet was based largely on fresh produce, with particular affection for kale, broccoli, and blueberries. She encouraged daily smoothies made with fruits and vegetables, coupled with ample water consumption. Yet, she did not believe in unnecessary deprivation. Her mantra was always balance: she enjoyed Portillo’s chocolate cake or coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts—resolutely sweetened with five creams and five sugars. Her ability to combine discipline with moderation taught me that wellness need not be rooted in restriction; instead, it should foster joy while maintaining balance.
Beyond her physical example, Millie offered insights into personal growth and self-presentation. She once described herself as a shy and timid girl in her youth, but the Millie I admired was confident and self-assured. She credited this transformation to years of dance, posture work, and daily stretching. She understood that even simple choices—such as standing tall, rolling one’s shoulders back, or walking with one’s head held high—could project strength externally while nurturing confidence internally. These lessons profoundly influence the way I now guide my own mobility clients.
Inspired by her influence, I founded my own company, *Ageless Mobility*, in 2020. The idea emerged after the pandemic drove me back to Chicago, where I spent treasured time living with Millie again. Grateful for the chance to be near her, I began capturing videos of her routines—initially for posterity, not with the intention of starting a brand. But the more I documented her, the more I realized that others could be inspired by her profound example of what movement and determination can accomplish, regardless of age.
Millie passed away in 2021 from heart failure at the age of 94. One of her final wishes was to continue teaching, even imagining herself leading classes at my college, Spelman. While she did not live to fulfill that dream, I now carry her lessons forward through my business: we offer video subscriptions, in-person weekly mobility classes at Atlanta hotels, and now fresh-pressed juices to encourage healthy living. Plans for retreats and expansions into additional cities reflect the momentum of her legacy.
Through her guidance, Millie showed me and countless others that aging does not represent decline but rather the opportunity to continue growing, teaching, and shining. She remains a timeless testament to the idea that passion and vitality can persist throughout every decade of life, and I feel honored to extend her legacy of movement, nutrition, and confidence into the world.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/grandma-did-dance-splits-90s-diet-exercise-routine-2025-9
