Shelby Copeland

I grew up as a non-athletic theater and art kid who was disinterested in organized sports yet always climbing up trees, building forts, or sitting on top of swing sets. It wasn’t until later in life that I discovered a whole world of movement that felt like the things I loved as a kid- solving puzzles with my mind and my body and discovering self-confidence through movement mastery. Climbing has taught me so many things- how to fail, how to measure progress, how to respect and work alongside fear, how to engage with challenge. As an instructor I’m stoked to witness and support folks on their own climbing journeys.

My journey with chronic pain and a season of illness helped me understand movement as an important tool for healing. The teachers, coaches and mentors who helped me through that time changed my life, and I wanted to help others the way I had been helped. I switched from a career in video production to coaching strength training and movement skills, becoming a NASM CPT and a Level 3 MovNat Team instructor. I currently teach the very young and the young at heart through various community partnerships that range from teaching parkour as falls prevention for older adults and ninja classes for elementary kids.

I have far too many hobbies, including: climbing, singing folk songs, writing, parkour, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Great Lakes surfing, ninja, and dancing like no one is watching. I’m married to the most supportive man named Joe and I have two unbelievably cool elementary school aged kids named Leland and Elida.