Shelby Stanger
Industry Expert
Areas of Expertise: Communications & PR, Journalism, Lifestyle, Media & Content Creation, Non-Profits, Nutrition, Podcasting Road Running, Social Media, Surfing + more
Services Offered
Things Shelby Can Advise On
Podcasting & Media
How to start and grow a podcast in the outdoor/adventure space
Interviewing techniques for compelling storytelling
Building an engaged audience and securing sponsorships
Writing & Journalism
Crafting adventure stories that resonate
Pitching articles to outdoor and mainstream media
Finding your unique voice as a writer
Mindset & Taking Leaps
Overcoming self-doubt and creative blocks
Balancing authenticity with business growth
Taking the leap into entrepreneurship and adventure-driven work
Award Winning Podcast Host
Host of Wild Ideas Worth Living—an REI Co-op Studios original podcast with millions of downloads and a global audience
Interviews bold thinkers, adventurers, and change-makers to inspire listeners to live wildly and authentically
Known for her energetic presence and ability to draw out vulnerable, impactful stories that motivate action
Author & Journalist
Author of Will to Wild—a bestselling book blending adventure stories, personal insight, and tools for living boldly
Featured in Outside, ESPN, and The San Diego Union-Tribune for her fresh, fearless storytelling
Delivers empowering, down-to-earth wisdom that resonates with readers seeking courage and clarity
Adventure Athlete
Lifelong surfer, endurance athlete, and outdoor explorer who’s hiked, paddled, and surfed her way around the world
Uses adventure as a lens for personal growth, mental health, and joy—and brings that ethos to every story she tells
Known for blending grit, humor, and heart—on the trail, in the ocean, and behind the mic
More about Shelby
Shelby Stanger is an award-winning journalist, podcast host, speaker, and the author of Will to Wild: Adventures Great and Small to Change Your Life, published in 2023 by Simon & Schuster. Through her storytelling, Shelby explores the transformative power of adventure—whether that means scaling mountains, chasing waves, or taking bold leaps in life and career.
A former journalist-turned-podcaster, Shelby's work has been featured on CNN, Outside Magazine, ESPN, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and more. In 2016, she launched the Wild Ideas Worth Livingpodcast, where she’s interviewed trailblazers like Alex Honnold, Cheryl Strayed, Scott Jurek, and Rebecca Rusch. The show, which she later sold to REI Co-op in 2020, continues to inspire listeners to embrace adventure and follow their wildest ideas. She has also hosted Lufthansa’s Life Changing Places podcast and created Vitamin Joy, a show about mental health and humor.
Beyond podcasting, Shelby is a sought-after speaker who has delivered keynotes at major events and spoken to organizations like TEDx, NPR, Creative Mornings, REI Co-op, the Girl Scouts, and GoPro. While she still contributes to journalism outlets, she also works with brands like Nike, PrAna, Vuori, and Vans to help them tell compelling stories, pitch creative ideas, and authentically connect with athletes and adventurers.
A lifelong surfer and outdoor advocate, Shelby serves as a board member for Outdoor Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through nature-based programs. Her belief that “a little adventure is life’s antidote” fuels everything she does, from writing and speaking to producing powerful conversations that encourage people to step outside their comfort zones and live boldly.
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