Name: Shelby Newkirk 
CAN Fund #150Women Recipient
Hometown: Saskatoon, SK
Sport: Para-Swimming
On the National Team Since (Year): 2017
Best Result: Gold Medal in the S7 100 Back at the Para Pan Am championships 2018, Silver Medal in the 2019 Para Swimming World Championships, Current World Record Holder in the 50 Back, 100 Backstroke World Record Holder 2017-2019.
On the National Team Since (Year): 2017
Who is one woman who has significantly impacted your life/journey?
My first swim coach Karen Williams. Karen not only introduced me to Paralympic sport and to para swimming but she believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. She knew that I would compete on the world stage long before I even allowed myself to dream that big. She has helped me advance in sport but more importantly has helped me to come to terms with my disability and realize that my dystonia does not define me nor does it control me.
Tell us how she made a difference and share 3 words that describe who that person is to you.
Caring
Supportive/Encouraging
Inspiring
Our CAN Fund #150Women mantra is being EPIC, what does EPIC mean to you?
I think being epic means trying and doing things that you didn’t think you could. Being epic means not setting limits for yourself and dreaming as big as you can then going for it.
What are your words to live by or your motto?
Dream Big, Smile Bigger!
How did you get involved in your sport?
When I was 13 I was no longer able to play any of the sports I had previously loved because of my dystonia, so my mom started to look for other sports I could still participate in. We meet my first coach, Karen Williams, by chance and she invited me to come out to a practice and try swimming. I instantly fell in love with the sport and never wanted to stop swimming.
Best advice you have received?
Sometimes you can feel lost in this world and not know where you fit in, but then you just have to stop and look around you and realize that you are exactly where you are suppose to be. ~ Karen Williams
Instagram: @ShelbyLNewkirk
Twitter: Shelby_Newkirk