From a young age, Shelby Stanger was the antithesis of the ‘don’t talk to strangers’ ethos. But, Shelby’s parents fostered her curiosity. Jerry, the checkout guy at her local grocer, came to her sixth birthday party. In high school, Stanger realized she could turn her curiosity into a career when she pitched the idea of writing a surfing and adventure column to five local beach newspapers in San Diego—and they all said yes.
“I loved the thrill of deadlines, the fast-paced newsroom environment,” says Shelby. “The constant problem-solving was fun for me. Over time, I took the skills I developed in journalism—curiosity, communication, adaptability—and applied them to everything from marketing and sales to podcasting, writing a book, speaking engagements, and helping startups with partnerships and business development.”
Today, Stanger is an independent multimedia machine, but she also values being part of a team because she enjoys collaboration and engagement. “I’m endlessly curious about people who have carved their own paths through adventure and the outdoors,” Stanger says. “I’m fascinated by how they handle fear, failure, and self-doubt, and the choices they make to stay true to themselves. Their stories give me courage to keep pushing forward in my own journey and hopefully inspire others to do the same.”
Shelby’s belief that ‘everyone has a story to tell’ shines through in her podcast work. She’s adept at getting to the heart of the subject’s story quickly, allowing for deeper dives as the conversation develops. That mindset also translates to the businesses she works with. “I have a broad network and enjoy helping people make connections,” she says. “Which is why companies are now reaching out to me for partnerships or business development. After building and selling my own business, I have a lot of respect for other people’s time and resources, which clients seem to really appreciate.”
Stanger’s 2023 book, “Will To Wild: Adventures Great And Small To Change Your Life,” is considered an instruction manual to adventure, with Shelby as your fearless guide. “I hope I’ve inspired people to pursue their own wild ideas, made them laugh along the way, and showed them kindness,” she says.
