Shelby Estocado
Shelby Kawehi Estocado was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is proud of her Hawaiian and German roots. Athletics have always been at the center of her life. She excelled in softball and basketball at Bishop Gorman High School before continuing her softball career at the University of Tulsa, where she studied Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. From 2016 to 2019, she achieved a dream many only imagine, representing the United States as a member of the Women’s National Baseball Team.
In February 2020, at just 23 years old, Shelby’s life changed in an instant. A snowboarding accident at Lee Canyon left her with a broken sternum and a T-6 spinal cord injury, paralyzing her from the abdomen down. Through the support of the High Fives Foundation, she discovered adaptive sports and found her way back to competition, training, and community.
Shelby quickly became a full-time adaptive athlete, pursuing Para Alpine Ski Racing, sled hockey, surfing, crossFit, and powerlifting. Though she eventually had to retire from pursuing the U.S. Paralympic Alpine Ski Team due to her full-time career with New Horizons Medical Solutions, she continues to thrive as both an athlete and an ambassador. She was honored as Tender Belly Bacon’s Athlete of the Month in December 2024, and in 2025, she will be featured in TRWGEAR’s 2025 film tour under the theme “Switch,” highlighting her journey from able-bodied to adaptive athlete.
Shelby is also dedicated to giving back. She supports adaptive programs such as Lee Canyon, CrossFit Las Vegas, and the Sisters in Sports Foundation, along with other partnerships that give back to adaptive athletes and the disabled community. She holds adaptive certifications to teach and promote inclusive sports.
She also works with Physical Therapy students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and Occupational Therapy students at Touro University, alongside her mother, Nancy, a PT and wound care specialist, helping future practitioners better understand adaptive living. Through advocacy and example, Shelby continues to inspire others to try something new rather than sit life out on the sidelines
For Shelby, scuba diving is more than a sport—it’s a chance to connect with her family’s story. Her father grew up diving in Hawaii, and she remembers listening to his stories and watching his underwater videos. Now, with the Dive Pirates Foundation, she is eager to complete adaptive scuba training and experience the underwater world herself. Her parents are just as excited, knowing this new adventure brings Shelby full circle into a tradition that has always been part of her family.
To Shelby, diving represents discovery, independence, and the joy of exploring life without limits.
Every contribution, no matter the size, brings Shelby one step closer to achieving this goal. If you can’t donate, sharing this page helps just as much.
