100-year-old Canadian swimmer Betty Brussel continues to defy odds and break records

After an incredible summer of Canadian success in the pool at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, there is another swimmer who continues to defeat the odds and break records: New Westminster, B.C.'s Betty Brussel.

Brussel turned 100 years old in July and has been a source of inspiration and delight for people all around the world. Her story has been featured in media in the United States, Europe, and of course, here at home.

She is also the subject of a documentary by two Canadian filmmakers, Hannah Walsh and Emma Puchniak, who began a Kickstarter campaign to fund the film.

I had the pleasure of finding out about Brussel and wrote of her briefly January in Joy Drop after she broke three world records in the pool. She was 99 at the time.

I have loved swimming since I can remember. But for someone who is more than twice my age to be winning swimming meets and creating a perfect storm of delight in the swimming world, is truly spectacular.

WATCH | Brussel breaks trio of swimming records at 99 years old:

I wanted to know from Brussel whether she had that deep connection, too, and what kept her going in and out of the pool. For the purposes of this column, I reached out to Brussel through her coach, Dr. Linda Stanley Wilson.

Stanley Wilson advised me that Brussel could certainly chat on the phone but was proficient in email. I sent my questions ahead of time and then called Brussel.

Between subpar cellphone service and my tendency to speak too quickly, I realized it might be easier to email. I asked her if that was okay and she quickly replied, "Yes, I'm at home."

I emailed Brussel not really knowing whether she would reply that day or that week. About an hour later I got a wonderful response from her answering all my