Unstoppable (Bethany Hamilton)

Bethany Hamilton is an American surfer born in Lihue, Hawaii. Her story captivated me because she endeavored a shark attack on her left arm in 03' and had to learn to adapt and overcome the challenges of life from a different perspective and show resiliency when there are difficulties in your life and you're not so sure where the outcome is going to lead you to. She is now a mother of two (tobias and wesley) and still persists to surf and inspire millions of people around the world that anyone can achieve their dreams.

Bethany Hamilton  began surfing when she was 8 years old and gained her first sponsorship when she was 9 by (Rip Curl) and that was the start of her successful career as a professional surfer. She developed a passion for surfing from her parents (Thomas and Cherilyn) they were both surfers, not professionally as a hobby. Hamilton's mother used to sell magazines all around the island of Maui, so Bethany would surf among all the beaches of the island independently and gain experience of the sport. She was very persistent and ambitious that would out paddle the boys on the surfing competitions standing (1st place) She stood out among her swim coaches and representatives. At the age of 12, she won the (Open Women's Division of the NSSA National Champions)

On October 31, 2003 Bethany and her friend Alana Blanchard went surfing at (Tunnels Beach) and lost her arm when a 14 foot Tiger shark attacked her. She lost 60 percent of her blood but she survived the event by remaining calm. Her father used a surf leash as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Even though she lost an arm and surfing wasn't the same anymore she managed to adapt the the circumstances of surfing with one arm. The accident was vivid trauma and she would have nightmares of the incident, the fear of never surfing again was worse than encountering another shark attack. She returned to the ocean surfing one month after the accident. Two years later in (2005) she won the( NSSA National Champions) The entitlement as "disabled surfer" and "shark attack girl" hindered her state of mind and confidence in surfing, especially since the media always persisted how and why she had the ("attack in 03') she took off as a "celebrity figure" with gigs and interviews and even filmed a few movies. ("Soul Surfer") and ("Dolphin Tale 2") Her father was able to manufacture a standard short board with a small grip installed in the nose so she can obtain a better grip single handedly

On August 18, 2013 Bethany married her husband (Adam Dirks) a (Christian youth minister) Bethany persisted surfing while she was pregnant, claimed it was the best time of reflection and skill improvement vs. when she wasn't pregnant. She claimed it was a struggle in her career and mindset of undergoing "becoming a mother" when she was trying to revive her skill and career in competing surfing competitions. She was even called out to compete against a world record winner (Tyler Wright) in the World Surf League's Women's Pro as a wildcard contestant. Bethany won the title as the "best female surfer" rode out a 50 ft wave at Jaws. After that wave she gained the title as "most improved disabled athlete" this distilled her since she didn't want to be seen as "disabled" a adapted athlete, she continued to undergo huge waves "like mavericks" even if she got swept away from the currents of water it didn't shake her determination. She still surfs till this day, claims that the ocean is her love and that it is a place of peacefulness and retreat, she's won competitions in those waves, learned to have another perspective of life and flourished as a professional surfer, mother and wife.

Her story was unique because even when life was uncertain for her and she had the option to give up surfing, she didn't let fear get in the way of achieving her dreams. We all have struggles and hardships in life, it's about overcoming difficult situations and setbacks to always hope for the best and not give up when life seems unclear and uncertain.