Diana Nyad became the first person to not only swim without a shark cage from Cuba to Key West, Fla., but showed that at 64-years-old, anyone can achieve their dreams. Nyad clocked 53 hours to realize her 35-year dream to complete a 110-mile swim. She departed Havana waters Aug. 31 and returned to home shores after 1 p.m. Monday.

Sunburned, dehydrated, Nyad offered encouragement to fellow Baby Boomers.

Nyad told supporters that “you’re never too old to chase your dream,” said the endurance swimmer, who immediately rushed to the ambulance for re-hydration. It was her fifth time taking on the challenge. She tried last year and in 2011 but failed due to severe weather, currents and combating jelly fish stings. Nyad’s first quest was in 1975 after swimming the circumference of Manhattan Island in eight hours. Four years later she swam 102-miles to the Fla. coast in just over 27 hours from the Bahamas.

“There’s so much boldness in living life this way, and we did it all, and no one can take it away from us.”

Learn from Nyad:

• Kick age discrimination to the curb
• You’re never too old to dream
• Resist the critics even if they’re family members
• Remain focused and be bold
• Stick to positive affirmations