If commitment had a face, this month it would look a lot like Shelly Nibarger.
Shelly is a retired high school math teacher and the longtime head volleyball coach at Circle High School, having just wrapped up her 37th season on the sidelines. Her life has always revolved around teaching, coaching, and showing up fully - for her athletes and for herself.
Outside the gym, she’s a proud mom to two daughters, Andie (27) and Jessie (25), loves reading and spending time with friends, and shares her home with two cats, Kip and Grayson, plus her 13-year-old Dalmatian, Princess.
Staying active has always been part of Shelly’s identity.
“I’ve been an active person my entire life, and I just enjoy exercising and all the benefits, both physically and mentally.”
These days, that passion shows up most clearly on the pickleball court.
“I’m addicted to pickleball and play 3–4 times a week!” she says. She also gets in daily walks and lifts weights regularly.
For Shelly, the motivation is simple: “Exercising regularly has helped my pickleball game immensely, so it’s pretty easy to find the motivation to exercise daily.”
One of her proudest moments didn’t come from winning a match; instead, it came from resilience. After being sidelined for nearly five months due to injuries, Shelly made a strong return to the court. “Returning to the court after having to lay out for almost 5 months due to injuries” stands out as her biggest fitness accomplishment.
With the help of Dr. Kiersten, she didn’t just get back, she came back better. “I feel healthier and stronger than I have in years.”
Shelly’s story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning her communities—the people who keep her moving and motivated. From her pickleball crew at TapNPaddles (where she’s made over 30 new friends since August), to her mahjong group, to the Circle Volleyball Team and her assistant coaches, connection is a huge part of her wellness. It’s no surprise that someone who pours so much into others values those relationships deeply.
And if you need one more reason to be impressed, here’s a fun fact: “I experienced zero-gravity while flying on NASA’s ‘vomit comet’ while performing a science experiment with 2 other Circle teachers in 2006.” Yes, she literally defied gravity.
Shelly's advice for others is grounded, heartfelt, and classic: “Live each day to the fullest. Surrender your worries to God and trust Him. Be kind to others.”
Shelly, we love your energy, your resilience, and the way you lead by example - on the court, in the weight room, and in life. Congratulations on being our January Athlete of the Month!