My grandma taught ballet and did the splits in her 90s. She showed me how to eat and exercise &mdash; and that age is just a number.

My grandma taught ballet and did the splits in her 90s. She showed me how to eat and exercise — and that age is just a number.

Aliya Brooks

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Aliya Brooks, 25, about her grandmother, Mildred "Millie" Cruzat. Brooks is from Chicago and based in Atlanta. She works in medical device sales and as a stretch and mobility instructor. This story has been edited for length and clarity.

My grandma taught ballet and did the splits in her 90s. She showed me how to eat and exercise — and that age is just a number.

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My grandma taught ballet and did the splits in her 90s. She showed me how to eat and exercise — and that age is just a number.

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