PARIS, Maine — A typical day for Shelby Stevens begins at the gym, where her routine is a testament to her perseverance.
"The cool thing about weightlifting is you don't have to have coordination or balance if you choose the right exercises," Stevens said, chalking her hands as she prepared for her workout.
Shelby's story is one of extraordinary courage.
Diagnosed with a brain tumor at 4 years old, she faced a daunting path ahead.
The tumor left her with poor balance and coordination, but it never dampened her spirit.
Over the years, Shelby transitioned from a wheelchair to walking on her own, though the journey was fraught with physical challenges.
"I continue to struggle with anything athletic," she said. "It was very frustrating, because I am a hard worker. But if you don't have basic abilities, there are limits to what you can do."
At 16 years old, Shelby discovered weightlifting, a sport that allowed her to overcome some of these limitations and find a sense of accomplishment and pride.
"They think I'm good at something because I am good. It was really encouraging," Stevens said.
Now, Shelby is a contender for the title of Ms. Health and Fitness in the "Muscle and Fitness Hers" magazine. Her progress in the competition is a testament to her hard work and determination.
"Right now, I've made the top 15, and then it's going to top 10 in the next week," Stevens said.
To advance further in the competition, Shelby needs the public's votes.
Each vote brings her closer to sharing her inspiring story with a broader audience. Regardless of the outcome, Shelby remains steadfast in her mission to inspire others.
"The worst thing is not failing; it's not trying and never knowing if you could have succeeded," she said.
If you would like to support Shelby and help her share her message of hope and strength, you can vote for her here.