She swam from Cuba to Florida — and says she’s stronger than ever at 76
A recent study of older adults found that nearly half of people improve after 65, cognitively or physically or both
When Diana Nyad was 60, she set her sights on an audacious goal: swimming 110 miles from Cuba to Florida. She succeeded four years later, the first person to do it without a shark cage. During the 53-hour swim, s...
**Steelman:** Diana Nyad’s story is a compelling counter-narrative to ageist stereotypes, demonstrating that physical and cognitive vitality can flourish in later life. The article strengthens its case by citing research that nearly half of older adults improve after 65, framing Nyad as an extreme but illustrative example. It avoids hyperbole by acknowledging individual variability—some 65-year-olds are "half dead," while others thrive—and emphasizes actionable advice: social engagement, physica...