Right Hook For The Win: Meet Kelby Shea

By Brogan Bennett

Brogan Bennett
The Herald
3 min readNov 16, 2023

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Kelby in her boxing gear

And standing in the left corner hailing from Niceville, Florida. Wearing blue and weighing in at a monstrous 106. 21 years old and she already holds a National Boxing Championship title and belt. Now training to compete in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA. Give it up for Kelby SHEA! “Honestly, there was so much adrenaline rushing through, but it was honestly such an amazing feeling because I also had my dad there, who taught me how to fight, and it’s just something we bind on, but i couldn’t tell you exactly what i was feeling other than overwhelmed with joy and excitement that i was able to accomplish something like that.”

Kelby and her dog Maximus

As a certified CrossFit trainer, while Kelby was attending SVU she taught a class: “It was just an opener for me to share my love and passion for fitness and get other people to enjoy it, as well and create a fun and loving community for anyone to join to just better themselves and learn to love fitness, since it can be a scary thing to start if you’ve never fully been into it.” Kelby is currently in graduate school at Bellevue University for Mental Health Counseling. Maximus, Kelby’s dog, may just be her biggest supporter. They have been together since she was 12 and he was 7 weeks old. “He is currently in training to be a therapy dog to work with people in hospitals, children and the elderly.”

Kelby (middle) holding her national championship belt

Kelby recently joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was baptized into the LDS church on the 26th of August of 2023. Her involvement in church activities deepened her connections with fellow members, and it was these relationships that sparked her interest in baptism. Many of Kelby’s friends were already part of the LDS Church, and her curiosity led her to ask them questions about it, and conduct her own research as well. Additionally a friend from work referred Kelby to the female set of missionaries known as the sisters in the LDS church. They wasted no time in making regular meetings with Kelby. Despite some initial skepticism that lessons with the sisters quelled, Kelby is currently on a journey to build and strengthen her testimony.

Kelby and the LDS missionaries at her baptism

In conclusion, Kelby Shea’s journey is a remarkable story of strength, determination, and faith. From her achievements in the world of sports to her participation in CrossFit and the LDS church, Kelby exemplifies the spirit of passion and perseverance. Kelby’s recent journey into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reflects her curiosity, her exploration of faith, and the connections she’s made along the way. In the end, Kelby Shea’s story is one of an individual who embraces diverse passions, cherishes meaningful relationships, and embarks on a spiritual journey, all while continuing to inspire and uplift those around her.

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