Already making waves in the CrossFit world, Shelby Neal from Wake Forest, NC, brings infectious enthusiasm to team INOV8. Whilst we know her as a talented athlete, she also works full-time as a chemical engineer. Read on to find out more about Shelby as she aims for the top!
ATHLETE PROFILE
Name: Shelby Neal Age: 23 (24 in May 2024)
Affiliate: 12th State CrossFit Favorite benchmark
WOD: (none of them lol) maybe.... 30 RMU for time or Nancy if you are making me pick.
Favorite movement in CrossFit: HSW
Least favorite movement in CrossFit: DU crossing variations
Favourite INOV8 product: F-Lite 245's white with the camo bottoms! So sick!
INTERVIEW
Where did you grow up, do you have any siblings?
I have one younger sister (2 years younger). Born in Framingham, MA and moved to Wake Forest, NC around second grade. I have lived here ever since!
What’s one of your favorite memories from childhood?
Probably snow days in NC. While they are rare, when it snows here EVERYTHING shuts down. I remember we had over a week off from school and all we did was meet our neighborhood friends at this super icy hill. All the families (kids + parents) would spend all day sledding down this hill. Then we would just come in by a fire afterward to warm up, drink hot chocolate and rest up for another day of sledding. Pretty fun!
What are three weird and wonderful facts about you?
- I have red hair and freckles everywhere! I got these from my Nana (dad's mom!) <3
- My dad is from Liberia (in Western Africa), which makes me half-black though most don't suspect it just from looking at me
- I have never broken any bones :)
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A paleontologist! Really rolls off the tongue - always been a BIG bone fan it seems.
How did you get into CrossFit?
My gymnastics coach was telling us about her CF workouts and how she got rhabdo and was hospitalized. Sounded like a good time and I gave it a try.
What’s your favorite thing that CrossFit has given you so far?
Opportunity to travel and meet so many cool people!
Looking forward, what are your goals within the sport of CrossFit?
Win the CF games.
If you weren’t a CrossFit athlete, what would you do?
I am a full-time engineer now. I work as a custom orthopedic implant design engineer. I would probably be doing that still + spending my time doing other things I love! As I hone in on my CF goals, I have had to put other interests and goals on the back burner for now as I pursue this one. I'm all in! After I retire from CF, I would love to travel more, maybe live abroad! Or start my own business :)
When looking at brands for sponsorship, what is important to you?
It’s important to me that I absolutely love and stand behind the product. I want to be able to brag about how sick they are! I also love to have a human relationship with the people I am involved with. I want them to know me as an athlete, my personality, and really be a part of my team.
What drove you towards team INOV8?
The love for the outdoors, the culture of INOV8, the wide plethora of options they provided in shoes (something for everyone!), the emphasis on foot health and longevity!
Do you have a favorite shoe so far?
- F-Lite 245’s, white with camo on bottom!
- I also love my runners SO much!! Trailfly Ultra G 280
Do you get involved with the ‘community’ aspect of CrossFit at all?
ABSOLUTELY. Everyday I train out of 12th State CrossFit and get the opportunity to help people learn how to move and begin their fitness journey. I do not coach classes officially anymore since I do not have the time. But I am floating around for all our afternoon classes (everyday) if anyone has a question or needs a little motivation :) Being a part of the community here in Raleigh, NC is really important to me. I always have waves of support from the people around me cheering me on every step of the way!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
In the words of my old gymnastics coach: “Stop feeling sorry for yourself”.
What motto do you live by?
Inhale belief, Exhale doubt: This is my current mantra that I live by! It came about during the 2023 CF Games when I had a sulking feeling of imposter syndrome. (See below)
“Inhale belief, Exhale doubt” was my mantra and self talk at 2023 CF Games. I would find myself repeating it multiple times over and over to myself throughout the weekend… especially when taking the floor. I would pair it with the actual action of: - breathing in: all the successes, all the wins, all the hard days we go through, reminding myself how I got here - exhaling out: all the failures, struggle, heartbreak, etc.
Realizing that those moments, even the bad ones, got me to this point and made me the athlete I am right now in this moment on the floor. “Inhale belief, exhale doubt” is a testament to loving ALL the moments that make you the person you are; and convincing yourself that you can do even impossible things :)
