The Midlife Movers started moving with an elegance and dexterity that belied their years as the opening rhythms of “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” filled the arena.

What began as a small group quickly grew to hundreds of performers engaging in the thrilling routine from behind the stage, down the aisles, and from what seemed like everywhere.

The sheer happiness and energy emanating from the stage quickly changed the judges’ minds from their original skepticism.

Their faces changed from blank to utter joy when they saw the Midlife Movers on the stage with their contagious zeal and energy.

The audience erupted in yells and acclaim as one of the women defied all expectations and performed a flawless split, but the true show-stopper happened towards the end of the performance.

The Midlife Movers, a group of 135 people over 40, demonstrated that getting your groove on is never too late and that age is just a number. Their performance,

which was set to the songs “Relight My Fire” and “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” was a tribute to the uninhibited joy of dancing and the strength of passion and perseverance.