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Bethany Hamilton – Turning Struggle Into Strength
4.2k Plays7 days ago
In this episode of Struggle to Strength, host Akoya Blake dives into the remarkable journey of Bethany Hamilton, the professional surfer who survived a life-threatening shark attack at the age of 13. Despite losing her left arm, Bethany didn’t just survive — she thrived, returning to the surf and becoming one of the most influential figures in the sport.
We explore how Bethany’s struggle transformed into strength, as she faced immense physical, emotional, and mental challenges. From relearning how to surf with one arm to overcoming the psychological trauma of the attack, her story is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of mindset.
Through personal reflections, stories of recovery, and the creation of the Bethany Hamilton Foundation, this episode shows how she turned her experience into a source of inspiration for millions. Join us for a powerful conversation about facing adversity, healing holistically, and using life’s toughest challenges to empower others.
Tune in for a story that will leave you motivated, empowered, and ready to conquer your own obstacles.
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Transcript
Introduction and Episode Focus
00:00:00
Speaker
Welcome back to Struggle to Strength, the podcast where we dive deep into the stories of people who have faced life's greatest challenges and emerge stronger than ever. I'm your host, Akoya Blake, and today we have a truly inspiring episode that will leave you feeling empowered, motivated, and ready to take on your own obstacles with a new mindset.
Bethany Hamilton's Early Life and Shark Attack
00:00:20
Speaker
Today, we're talking about Bethany Hamilton, the professional surfer who, at the age of 13, faced a traumatic shark attack that took her left arm. Yet, not only did she survive, she came back to the waves and became one of the most influential and accomplished surfers in the world.
00:00:37
Speaker
Her story is a powerful reminder that our struggles don't define us. We have the ability to choose how we respond. In this episode, we'll explore Bethany's journey from the devastating shark attack to her incredible comeback and how she turned her struggle into a source of strength.
00:00:55
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We'll dive deep into the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of her recovery and how she transformed her trauma into one of the greatest stories of perseverance the world has ever seen.
00:01:06
Speaker
Let's dive in. Bethany Hamilton's story didn't begin with the shark attack. She was born on February 8, 1990, in Kauai, Hawaii, into a family of surfers.
00:01:18
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From a very young age, she was introduced to the ocean. Her passion for surfing was ignited early on, and by the time she was eight years old, she was already participating in competitions.
00:01:29
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Growing up in Hawaii, where the ocean is both a way of life and a place of adventure, Bethany became one with the water. Her natural talent and dedication made her one of the most promising young surfers on the scene.
00:01:42
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Her love for surfing was not just a hobby, it was her identity. She was a rising star in the surfing world, winning competitions and gaining recognition. She had dreams of becoming a professional surfer, and everything was falling into place.
00:01:57
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Her story was about ambition, passion, and the relentless pursuit of a dream until October 31, 2003, when everything changed in the blink of an eye.
00:02:08
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Bethany's life would change forever when she was just 13 years old.
Journey of Healing and Adaptation
00:02:12
Speaker
On that fateful day in 2003, while out on a routine surf session with friends, a 14-foot tiger shark attacked her, biting off her left arm just below the shoulder.
00:02:23
Speaker
Despite the traumatic nature of the attack, Bethany remained calm and incredibly managed to stay conscious. With the help of her friend, she made it back to shore, but the damage was severe.
00:02:35
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She lost over 60% of her blood and was rushed to the hospital where doctors fought to save her life. The physical injuries were devastating, but the emotional and psychological toll was also immense.
00:02:47
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Here's where Bethany's incredible mental fortitude started to come into play. Instead of succumbing to fear, grief, or anger, she focused on healing. But the journey to recovery, both physical and emotional, was not simple or quick.
00:03:01
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Let's take a moment to explore something that's often overlooked, the mental health aspect of recovery. While physical healing is visible, emotional recovery is often hidden. Bethany's trauma wasn't just physical, it was psychological.
00:03:16
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There was the trauma of the shark attack itself, but also the overwhelming feeling of loss, the loss of her arm, the loss of her identity as a surfer, and the fear of facing the water again.
00:03:27
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She talks in interviews about how hard it was to return to the waves, knowing that it was there that her life had been forever changed. This fear wasn't just about the physical aspect of surfing.
00:03:38
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It was about confronting the emotional pain and trauma associated with the ocean. Bethany sought professional therapy during her recovery, something that many people forget to mention. She worked through her fears, her trauma, and the grief of losing her arm.
00:03:53
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She also leaned heavily on her family and her faith, both of which played pivotal roles in her emotional healing. Her mother, in particular, was a key support system during this time, providing constant encouragement, but also letting Bethany feel what she needed to feel without judgment.
00:04:10
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Here's something remarkable. Despite everything she had lost, Bethany chose to focus on what she still had her body, her family, and her mind. She didn't let her disability define her.
00:04:22
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In fact, she chose to see it as a challenge rather than a limitation. And that decision right there, the decision to keep going, is one of the key factors that set Bethany apart. She decided not to dwell on what had been taken from her, but to embrace the journey of learning how to live with one arm and still pursue her passions.
00:04:40
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Now, let's talk about the physical side of Bethany's recovery. As any athlete would tell you, returning to your sport after an injury, let alone a life-altering one, is never easy.
00:04:51
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For Bethany, it wasn't just a matter of healing her wounds. She had to completely relearn how to surf with one arm. She faced a lot of uncertainty in the beginning. Would she ever be able to surf at the same level again?
00:05:04
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Would she even be able to get back on the board? Bethany initially used a prosthetic arm to assist
Triumphant Return to Surfing
00:05:10
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with paddling, but she soon realized that it didn't give her the freedom she needed. She found that the prosthetic was actually limiting her.
00:05:17
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It wasn't the solution. It was an obstacle. So, she decided to embrace her new reality and stop using the prosthetic. Instead of relying on a mechanical arm, she learned to use her remaining arm and legs more effectively.
00:05:31
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She developed a unique style of surfing where she used her torso and lower body to create balance and control. Here's the important thing. It wasn't just about the physical aspects of surfing.
00:05:43
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Bethany had to develop a new relationship with the water, not as a place of danger, but as a place of healing. Surfing became a part of her recovery, both physically and emotionally.
00:05:54
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It was no longer just about winning competitions. It became a means of reconnecting with herself, her strength, and her purpose. Bethany's first major competition after the attack was the Roxy Pro event in 2004, where she finished 5th.
00:06:09
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Think about that. Just a year after a traumatic, life-threatening injury, she returned to competition and placed 5th. This wasn't just a personal victory. It was a testament to her determination, her belief in herself, and her ability to overcome what seemed like an impossible challenge.
00:06:26
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But it wasn't just about one competition. Over the next few years, Bethany continued to rise through the ranks of professional surfing. She competed against some of the world's best surfers and finished in the top ranks of major competitions.
Extending Influence and Global Inspiration
00:06:40
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By 2007, she was ranked in the top 10 female surfers globally, proving that setbacks don't have to mean failure, they can be the springboard to greater success. One of the most inspiring aspects of Bethany's story is how she used her experiences to help others.
00:06:57
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In 2012, she founded the Bethany Hamilton Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth, especially those with disabilities, through the sport of surfing.
00:07:08
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The foundation offers surf camps, mentorship, and support for young people who may face physical or mental challenges. Bethany has also been involved in other charitable efforts and organizations that focus on mental health, and she has spoken openly about the importance of mental resilience.
00:07:25
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She works to show young people that disabilities, whether physical or mental, don't need to limit their potential. Her impact extends far beyond the waves. Bethany's story has been shared through her memoir Soul Surfer, and her story was also adapted into a 2011 of the same name.
00:07:43
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The movie brought her story to an even broader audience, inspiring millions around the world who faced their own struggles. So, what can we take from Bethany Hamilton's story?
00:07:54
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Mindset is everything. Bethany didn't just face a physical injury, she faced a mental and emotional battle. But instead of giving in to fear and doubt, she chose to embrace her challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth.
00:08:08
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Adaptability is key. Life doesn't always go according to plan. But adaptability, the ability to adjust and evolve when things change, is what will help us move forward.
00:08:19
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Healing is a holistic process. Bethany's recovery wasn't just about physical healing. It was about addressing the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of her recovery.
00:08:30
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Healing involves the whole person, not just the body. strength lies in giving back. Bethany's greatest strength is not just in her surfing abilities, but in her commitment to help others find their strength.
00:08:44
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Her foundation and work with youth is a testament to how adversity can be used to empower others. Bethany Hamilton's story reminds us that struggles are inevitable, but how we choose to face them is entirely in our hands.
00:08:57
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She turned her struggle into strength, and in doing so, she became an inspiration to millions. No matter what challenges you're facing, remember that strength is not about never falling.
00:09:08
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It's about getting back up, learning from the fall, and rising even stronger. Thank you for joining me today on Struggle to Strength. I hope Bethany's story has inspired you to take your own struggles and turn them into something powerful.
00:09:23
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If her story resonated with you, please share this episode with someone who might need that extra boost of strength.
Conclusion: Embracing Struggles
00:09:30
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Until next time, keep fighting, keep pushing, and remember that your greatest strength is born from your greatest struggles.
00:09:38
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Stay strong. Stay resilient. And we'll see you in the next episode.