Shelly, originally from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, has always maintained a close bond with her East Coast family, particularly drawing inspiration from her older brother Jon, a former college football player. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Stony Brook University, where she played soccer for four years, graduating in 2010 with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Biology. The friends she made at Stony Brook encouraged her to explore and travel.

Continuing at Stony Brook, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2013 and was immediately accepted into a prestigious one-year Emergency Department fellowship at Stony Brook University Medical Center. In January 2018, Shelly started her journey as a travel nurse, working in over 15 facilities across seven states, from critical access hospitals to Level 1 trauma centers, and building lifelong friendships along the way.

Shelly's adventures brought her to the Big Island in April 2023, where she fell in love with the community and lifestyle. Now newly scuba certified and learning to surf, Shelly continues to embrace new experiences.