Shelby fell into the stunt business after graduating from Bryn Mawr College with a B.A. in English. She was living in New York City and learned more stunt people were needed for upcoming productions. After a few years and a number of big-budget shows, she decided to pursue stunt work and training in Hollywood. In the late '90s, Shelby returned to the corporate world as an editor and copywriter, focusing on high-tech communications for companies like HP Software and Cisco Systems. Years later, when called to double Jane Alexander on Terminator Salvation, she got back into the stunt business. In 2008, Shelby and her husband, Stunt Coordinator Michael R. Long, moved from Hollywood to Georgia following the film business expanding in the state. Mike and Shelby offered industry-leading training programs for stunt people and stunt actors through their company, L.A. Stunts. Shelby passed away in 2021 of cancer.