Professional Surfer Bethany Hamilton is interviewd on The BeachLifestyle Radio Show, with hosts Neil Haley, the Total Tutor, and entrepreneur GJ Reynolds, a Division of the Simply G Media Network.

Bethany Hamilton_EMBED
Neil Haley, The Total Tutor and co-host of the Beachlifestyle Radio Show with entrepreneur GJ Reynolds interviewed Bethany Hamilton to find out about her story and her latest projects, and her foundation.
Born to a family of surfers on February 8, 1990, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, Hamilton has become a source of inspiration to millions through her story of faith, determination, and hope. she began surfing at a young age and, at the age of eight, entered her first surf competition, the Rell Sun Menehune event on Oahu. She won both the short and long board divisions. According to Hamilton, this sparked a love for surf competition.
At the age of 13, while surfing off Kauai’s North Shore, Hamilton was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark and was left with a severed left arm. After losing more than 60% of her blood, Hamilton required several surgeries. In this interview, she discusses her story and how she persevered.
“I was recovering in the hospital and I was super scared and nervous about losing surfing,” Hamilton said. “In a few days, I was smiling. Now I am so stoked on life being able to surf with one arm.”
Miraculously, just one month after the attack, Hamilton returned to the water to continue pursuing her goal to become a professional surfer. Shortly thereafter, she made her return to surf competition; placing 5th in the Open Women’s division of that contest. With no intention of stopping, Bethany continued to enter and excel in competition. Just over a year after the attack she took 1st place in the Explorer Women’s division of the 2005 NSSA National Championships – winning her first National Title.
Hamilton explains that lifeguards and doctors believe her strong water sense and faith in God helped get her through the traumatic ordeal. Her positive attitude and hard work has made her an inspiration to kids all over the country.
“I am really blessed to be a role model for many girls,” Hamilton said.
In the interview, Reynolds told Hamilton, “You were able to touch and inspire so many people, and you are purposeful about your mission.”
Hamilton also discusses her her book—which she wrote because she wanted to share how she overcame odds and how God is so important to her and helped her get through it—why she started her foundation, and the movie shoot inspired by her life story.