Laura Vikmanis refused to let her age get in the way of her dream when she became an NFL cheerleader well into her 40s.
Vikmanis had long dreamed of dancing for the Cincinnati Bengals but family life and her two children prevented her from doing so.
But following her divorce, the American looked at ways to boost her self-esteem and tried out for the Bengals. After failing to make the final cut in 2009, she became part of the team the following year.
Now aged 54, Vikmanis is seen as the trailblazer for women who still want to realise their dreams without age getting in their way.
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"I asked myself what makes me feel good, and it was dancing. I have danced since I was three. I went to a football game and saw the girls and thought 'I can do that!'," she told CBS in 2011.
"I asked myself if I was too old but I looked at the girls and realised we can all bring something different to the table.
"I hope there is one person out there who is inspired by my story, to not have fear rule their life and have their self-esteem broken down. You have to dream big or it is not going to happen."
Vikmanis even suggested dancing had made her a better mother for her two daughters, who also tried their hand at cheerleading and now compete competitively.
Vikmanis was a member of the Bengals cheerleading squad until she was 46 with Hollywood directors tipped to make a movie on her incredible story.
That is yet to hit the big screen but Vikmanis, who is now a dietician, did write the book It's Not About the Pom-Poms. in 2012.
She remains a Bengals fan and a historic name in NFL, although her record was almost broken by Sharon Simmons.
Simmons was 55 in 2012 when she tried out for the Dallas Cowboys but unfortunately failed to make the team.
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