For the past 50 years, Danny Neaverth has been on the airwaves entertaining Western New Yorkers with his quick wit and sense of humor. While most of his former colleagues are now retired, the broadcasting legend is still recording promos and commercials for WECK Radio (1230 AM).

When he’s not in the studio or spending time with his four sons and their families, Neaverth can often be found moving his fanny at the Southtowns Family YMCA in West Seneca. As an Independent Health Medicare Advantage plan member, he uses his free gym membership through the Healthy Benefits Fitness Program to access the facility’s many amenities, including cardiovascular equipment and weight machines.

According to the 81-year-old Neaverth, working out three days a week is a big reason why he’s stayed so sharp and energetic into his golden years.

“Being at the gym keeps me active and happy.”

Radio personality Danny Neaverth

“When you get to be my age, so many of us are on medications and are having problems with different parts of our bodies,” Neaverth said. “But exercise can really help. Even on days when I don’t feel like going to the gym, I still show up. I rarely miss it. By the time my workout is over, I feel mentally and physically great.

My late wife, Marie, used to say to me, ‘You’re getting a little crabby, you should go to the gym.’ That’s because she knew I was always in a better mood after a good workout.”

Keep rocking and moving

A native of South Buffalo and a longtime resident of Orchard Park, Neaverth is a member of the Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame and the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. He remains one of the most popular figures in Western New York, as evidenced by the overwhelmingly warm response he received when he attended a series of Independent Health Medicare Member Appreciation events earlier this year.

However, when it comes to his many accomplishments, Neaverth would refer to talk about push-ups than his career.

“I could drop and do 85 push-ups right now,” Neaverth proudly said. “Just a few years ago, I could probably do 35 to 40. Then one day, I asked my grandson (one of his nine grandchildren) how many he could do, and he said about 100. I thought, ‘Well, I better get to 100.’ So that became my goal. I can easily do 85 and have even got up to 110. There’s a lot of younger people who can’t do that.”

Whether it’s push-ups or taking a walk around the block, Neaverth encourages other older adults to “keep rocking and moving.”

“A lot of people when they retire, they retire from life. They stop being active and they get complacent. Unfortunately, that’s not going to make you happy,” Neaverth said. “Even if you don’t belong to a gym, there’s plenty of ways to keep your body moving at home and outside. Find something that interests you and just keep going.”