It can be difficult to take action in stressful circumstances- such as school, work and sports. By being “the hero of your own story,” a person can overcome those challenges. Ceramics, visual art journals and design teacher, Julie Shelton lives life to the fullest by being the hero of her own story.  

Shelton expresses that being the hero of your story also means having a positive attitude and taking care of yourself. Shelton has been teaching art to students for 13 years and has taught at Eagle High for 6 years. While she is teaching, she chooses to keep a positive attitude during work and at home by thinking about her passion for traveling.  

“[Traveling] gives me something to look forward to.” She travels all over the world as she hosts student trips to places like Costa Rica, France and Germany. 

Among her many challenges, including a neurological disorder in her muscles, she has explored a way to balance her life by wearing exercise trackers which allow her to try new experiences. Because of this, she can overcome any physical challenges that she wants to take on. 

“It [fit bits] kind of changed my mentality, like to take on physical challenges and be active and healthy so I can do adventures like white water rafting, and I can go zip lining… going hiking and different things like that.” Having perseverance through her muscular restrictions has helped her discover new and exciting things and not miss out on the fun activities that she loves. 

Aside from her traveling and new passion for adventure, Shelton is very creative and visual. She loves the meditative and calming aspect of clay and loves to journal and collage with things from her travels. She also loves to read, watch movies and play board games. 

Julie Shelton is the superhero of her story and always looks for ways to live life to the fullest.  

“If you’re always waiting to be rescued, then you might be missing out on life,” she said.