On June 9, 2021, Olympian & American Record Holder Shelby Houlihan was banned from the sport of running for four years. Over the past 11 months, Shelby has done anything and everything to prove her innocence. She’s done things that cost a fortune just to try and bring back the thing she loves: competing and training at the highest level possible.

Despite mounting evidence helping prove her innocence, the AIU ruled Shelby Houlihan guilty of taking a performance-enhancing substance. This takes out four critical years of her career. As her coach, Jerry Schumacher says, “She just might be the best 1500m runner in the world this year, but we will never get the opportunity to find out. And that’s a tragedy.” Shelby has devoted her whole life to reaching the pinnacle of the sport. She’s gotten to where she is through hard work, passion, dedication, and a mindset like no other. Nowhere along the way has Shelby ever taken shortcuts or done anything illegal. At the youngest of ages growing up in Sioux City, Iowa, Shelby would tell her mom, “Mom, I’m going to be the best. I’m going to be somebody someday.”

The one thing Shelby has not been able to do is to speak publicly about her ban due to not wanting to upset the AIU during her appeals process. Over the past 11 months, Shelby, her teammates, and her family have all been subject to extraordinary slander and hatred. This episode is Shelby’s side of the story. What actually happened behind the scenes and how this process has affected her life.

You may disagree or not believe in Shelby, but I sincerely ask you to listen to this episode. You will benefit greatly from hearing Shelby’s vulnerability, heart, and openness in sharing her story. We could be here endlessly debating all the different facts of the case, evidence on both sides, and much more. But that’s not what we’re here to do. All we’re here to do is give Shelby an opportunity to share her heart, give her side of the story in full, and give her the opportunity to answer every misconception about the situation.

As Shelby’s coach Shalane Flanagan stated, “We are living in a nightmare that we can’t seem to wake up from.” I will always stand for those who I believe in. I believe in Shelby Houlihan and you should too. Shelby Houlihan is a hill I’m willing to die on.

#justiceforshelby

S H O W    N O T E S

Shelby’s Website with additional info and all the studies and facts cited in today's conversation: https://www.clearshelby.com

Shelby’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/shelbo800?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Shelby Houlihan’s Suspension Is a Track & Field Tragedy: https://www.letsrun.com/news/2021/06/shelby-houlihans-suspension-is-a-track-field-tragedy/

You Don’t Know Shelby Houlihan: https://www.womensrunning.com/culture/people/you-dont-know-shelby-houlihan/

Statement From Coach Jerry Schumacher: https://www.bowermantc.com/new-blog/2021/6/14/statement-from-coach-jerry-schumacher

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en