FIT4MOM Fueled Her Passion—Now She’s Saving the Ocean

FIT4MOM Fueled Her Passion—Now She’s Saving the Ocean

August 7, 2025 FIT4MOM x Shelby Davoren

If someone had told Shelby Davoren a few years ago that she’d be training to row across the Pacific Ocean with three of her best friends—none of whom had ever rowed a boat before—she probably would’ve laughed and then immediately asked, “Wait, do I still get to bring snacks?”

But here we are.

Shelby is a mom of two (Quinn, 4, and Madison, 2.5), a dog mom to Hecate and Calypso, a Pilates instructor, a SCUBA diver, and now, a member of Team Rising Tide, a group of ocean-loving adventurers preparing to take on the World’s Toughest Row Pacific in 2027—a grueling, 2,800+ mile journey from California to Hawaii, powered by nothing but oars, grit, and a whole lot of heart.

But this story doesn’t start in the middle of the ocean. It starts on land, in Kailua, O‘ahu, during a pandemic, with a very pregnant Shelby looking for a reason to get out of the house.

Finding Her Stride—Literally

In June of 2020, when the world felt like it was standing still, Shelby discovered a lifeline: FIT4MOM’s FIT4BABY program, led by the amazing Kat Lazenby. Classes were small, held outdoors, and most importantly—they were safe. That little weekly escape gave her the chance to move her body, breathe fresh air, and talk to other moms. During a time of masks and mandates, it felt like gold.

When her family moved to San Diego in 2021, she didn’t skip a beat. Shelby joined Stroller Strides at Balboa Park, pushing baby Quinn in the stroller and making fitness, motherhood, and community all part of the same daily routine.

“It gave me a schedule when I needed it the most,” she says. “Especially after I had my son, FIT4MOM gave me a safe place to show up with a newborn and a toddler and not worry if things were messy, loud, or chaotic—because everyone got it.”

That’s the magic of FIT4MOM. It's not just about squats and bicep curls (though there are plenty of those), it’s about connection. About finding your people. And for Shelby, it was also the spark that helped her start dreaming bigger.

Reigniting a Passion for the Ocean

Before kids, Shelby lived and breathed the ocean. She worked as a SCUBA instructor and crew member aboard educational sailing ships in the Caribbean and South Pacific, teaching marine science to students while living out of a duffel bag and spending most of her days barefoot.

It was on those ships that she met the teammates who would eventually become Team Rising Tide: Tim, Steph, and Adi—all fellow SCUBA instructors with a passion for marine conservation and adventure.

But here’s the wild part: not one of them had ever rowed a boat.

Their inspiration came from a fellow ocean educator, Lauren, who completed an Atlantic crossing with Team Salty Science in 2023. Watching her journey lit a fire under them. They wanted to combine their shared love for the ocean with a cause that could make a lasting impact.

In 2024, they made it official. Team Rising Tide was born.

Big Goals. Bigger Mission.

The row itself is massive: four teammates in a 28-foot boat, taking turns rowing for 24 hours a day for over a month, with no outside assistance. But the mission is even bigger.

Team Rising Tide has committed to raising $500,000 for ocean-focused nonprofits, including:

🌊 San Diego Coastkeeper, which is tackling issues like the Tijuana Sewage Crisis and promoting healthy coastal ecosystems.

🌊 Heirs To Our Ocean, which empowers youth to become ocean change-makers.

🌊 Polynesian Voyaging Society, which keeps traditional Polynesian navigation alive while teaching stewardship through cultural connection.

“This isn’t just a race,” Shelby says. “It’s about protecting the ocean that shaped who I am. I want my kids to see me do something big for the planet I love.”

Training Through Toddlerhood

So… how exactly does one train to row across an ocean while also chasing two toddlers and managing preschool pick-up?

In Shelby’s words: time management, support, and a whole lot of flexibility.

Right now, training looks like staying active with Stroller Strides, just finishing her Polestar Pilates Instructor course, and prepping for a deep-dive training session with their coach in Vermont. There, the team will go through body assessments, perfect their rowing form, and kick off an 18-month training plan leading up to race day.

It’s a lot. But FIT4MOM laid the groundwork.

“FIT4MOM gave me the momentum when I needed it most,” she says. “After having a baby, just starting anything can feel huge. This gave me confidence physically, mentally, and emotionally. It reminded me I’m strong—even when I didn’t feel it.”

She’s also gotten strategic: working during preschool hours, involving the kids in daily chores, and learning to lean on her nearby parents when needed. “I’m still figuring it out,” she laughs. “But the goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress.”

For the Moms Who Want to Do Big Things

To any mom out there dreaming of something bold—whether it’s running a marathon, starting a business, or sailing across the sea—Shelby has one thing to say:

“Just start.”

“You don’t need to have it all figured out. Let your kids be part of the journey. There’s something powerful about them watching us stretch ourselves, face challenges, and grow. It becomes a family legacy of courage.”

On hard days (and let’s be honest, there are plenty), Shelby remembers this: tough days always end, and getting through them feels amazing. Whether it’s solo bedtime after a no-nap day or rowing through a storm in the middle of the ocean, the reward is always on the other side.

Want to Support Team Rising Tide?

You can follow Shelby and her team’s journey—and help protect the ocean in the process.

🌐 Website: www.teamrisingtide.org

📸 Instagram: @team_risingtide

📘 Facebook: Team Rising Tide

Donations of any size help them get one oar stroke closer to the start line (and ultimately the finish). They’re also seeking sponsorships, so if your company wants to get involved, this is a great cause to row behind.

Just Go For It.

That’s Shelby’s mantra. Whether it’s lacing up your shoes for your first Stroller Strides class or signing on to row across the Pacific, there’s something powerful in taking that first step—or stroke.

Because who says moms can’t do epic things?

Spoiler: we can. And we do.

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