--- title: "January Athlete of the Month: Shelly Nibarger" description: Meet Shelly Nibarger, our January Athlete of the Month, whose passion for fitness, resilience, and community shines both on and off the pickleball court. image: https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hubfs/natural_wellness_physiotherapy_pickleball_athlete.jpeg --- [Skip to main content](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/january-athlete-of-the-month-shelly-nibarger#main) [![Logos (1)-1](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1)-1.png?width=110&height=110&name=Logos%20(1)-1.png) ![Logos (1)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1).png?width=250&height=250&name=Logos%20(1).png) ![Logos (1)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1).png?width=250&height=250&name=Logos%20(1).png) ![Logos (1)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1).png?width=100&height=100&name=Logos%20(1).png)](https://www.teamnaturalwellness.com/) - [Home](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com) - [About Us](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/-about-us) - [Show submenu for Free Resources Free Resources](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/free-resources) - [Testimonials](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/resources/testimonials) - [Show submenu for Services Services](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services) - [Manual Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/traditional-manual-therapies) - [Dry Needling](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/functional-dry-needling) - [IASTM](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/iastm-graston) - [Myofascial Cupping](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/myofascial-cupping) - [Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/pelvic-floor-physical-therapy) - [Nutrition](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/nutrition) - [Pickleball](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/pickleball) - [Small Group Training](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/small-group-training) - [Affiliate Program](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/affiliate-program) - [Blog](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog) - [Events](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/events-workshops) - [Contact](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/contact) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com) - [About Us](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/-about-us) - Show submenu for Free Resources Free Resources - Free Resources - [Free Resources](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/free-resources) - [Testimonials](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/resources/testimonials) - Show submenu for Services Services - Services - [Services](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services) - [Manual Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/traditional-manual-therapies) - [Dry Needling](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/functional-dry-needling) - [IASTM](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/iastm-graston) - [Myofascial Cupping](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/myofascial-cupping) - [Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/pelvic-floor-physical-therapy) - [Nutrition](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/nutrition) - [Pickleball](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/pickleball) - [Small Group Training](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/small-group-training) - [Affiliate Program](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/affiliate-program) - [Blog](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog) - [Events](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/events-workshops) - [Contact](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/contact) - [Book an appointment NOW](https://intakeq.com/booking/wnvzjm) [Book an appointment NOW](https://intakeq.com/booking/wnvzjm) Blog Categories ### January Athlete of the Month: Shelly Nibarger 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. ![shelly_nibarger_circle_high_volleyball](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shelly_nibarger_circle_high_volleyball.jpeg?width=488&height=325&name=shelly_nibarger_circle_high_volleyball.jpeg) 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.![Shelly_nibarger_coaching](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Shelly_nibarger_coaching.jpeg?width=273&height=279&name=Shelly_nibarger_coaching.jpeg) “**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,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/-about-us)she didn’t just get back, she came back better. “**I feel healthier and stronger than I have in years.**” ![natural_wellness_physiotherapy_pickleball_athlete](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/natural_wellness_physiotherapy_pickleball_athlete.jpeg?width=303&height=400&name=natural_wellness_physiotherapy_pickleball_athlete.jpeg)Looking ahead, Shelly’s goals reflect the same mindset she’s instilled in athletes for decades: “**To continue to get stronger and also improve my quickness and agility. Commitment!**” And true to form, she’s already dreaming up her next challenge: “**I’d really like to get into mountain biking. I think it'd be an awesome experience and a great way to explore nature.**” 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](https://tapnpaddles.com/) (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!  ###### Tags: [wellness,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/wellness) [Athlete of the Month,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/athlete-of-the-month) [strength training,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/strength-training) [fit after 40,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/fit-after-40) [lifestyle,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/lifestyle) [volleyball,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/volleyball) [pickleball,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/pickleball) [walking](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/walking) ![Team Natural Wellness](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1)-2.png?width=50&height=50&name=Logos%20(1)-2.png) Post by [Team Natural Wellness](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/author/team-natural-wellness) Jan 27, 2026 9:11:46 AM ### Comments [![Team Natural Wellness](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/**NWPT.png?width=83&height=90&name=**NWPT.png)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com) - [Home](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com) - [About Us](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/-about-us) - [Free Resources](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/free-resources) - [Services](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services) - [Blog](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog) - [Events](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/events-workshops) - [Contact](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/contact) **Natural Wellness Physiotherapy ** (316) 290-9158 309 S. 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