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August 10, 2011 ?
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Action Sports? Most Influential Women: Bethany Hamilton, Professional Surfer

To say that Bethany Hamilton was the most influential woman in action sports this year is an understatement. In fact, considering her biopic film ?Soul Surfer? has grossed more than $43 million [at time of print] since it opened in April, it?s safe to say she?s been one of the most influential women in the sports world this year?period. But Bethany?s story is far more meaningful than its commercial success; it?s a reminder of how strong the human spirit really is.

TransWorld Business caught up with Bethany as she was returning from a surf trip to Indonesia, where she suffered a serious fin cut. Here, she explains that her religious beliefs are not only what carried her through losing her arm in a 2003 shark attack, but also what continues to guide her through life?s challenges and opportunities.

Tragedy is a part of life, but it?s not something we?re wired to handle or can ever be prepared for. How have you been able to accept what happened to you, and not only move on, but take that life experience and turn it into an incredible success story?
I felt that God had kept me alive for a purpose, and I wanted to dedicate my life to honoring Him by telling others about my story. It?s not always easy; I have hard days, but I?m thankful just to be alive. I set my mind to keep surfing, and I have no reason to be sad or have self-pity for what happened to me. Self-pity?drags us down and keeps us from achieving our hopes and dreams. I believe that in everything thrown at me in life there is opportunity.

When you reflect back on everything that?s happened, what was the most difficult aspect of the shark attack and injury to overcome? What empowered you to work though that?
Obviously I faced quite a few physical challenges with losing an arm-obstacles in the water surfing and in every?day life. There were lots of frustrating moments along the way. But honestly, I think the most challenging thing to overcome has been the mental side. Here I was, just a little [13-year old] surfer girl with hopes of standing on the podium at the next contest and one day turning pro, and now suddenly people from all over the world knew of me and were looking to me for advice. I often longed to have the simplicity that existed before; where I could just surf and quietly live my life, but I knew all the while that each time I share my story, someone would be inspired to overcome the difficulty in his or her life.

Your story has become a best?selling book and now a feature?length Hollywood film, touching millions of people around the world. As a young woman and surfer, what impact has this made on your life?
I?ve grown up a lot during this process, and had to learn a lot about life, business and how people operate? I?ve also learned a lot about my family and myself. It?s probably helped me figure out what my goals are and what my focus is. I?ve been challenged in ways that I never would have expected and tried to learn from each experience to become wiser for the future. It?s definitely helped shape me into the woman I am today. Not that I have everything figured out. I?m still learning.

If you could change things, would you?
I would definitely not change what happened. There has been so much good that has come out of it, that losing my arm seems so minor in comparison.

What companies have been your long?time sponsors and supporters? What role have these companies played in your story?
RipCurl has been sponsoring me since I was about nine. They made a commitment to stick with me after the attack, even when they didn?t know if I could surf again. Sambazon has been sponsoring me for several years, Channel Islands Surfboards, XTR Epoxy Pro, and Futures Fins are the companies that make up the boards I ride. Sticky Bumps has been a long time friend?Surf Co Hawaii has?graciously provided me with?the stick?on leash plugs that we use to stick the handles on my surfboards, which help me duck?dive one?handed. They?re now helping others in a similar way through my family?s foundation Friends of Bethany. FOB puts together ?handle kits? for other surfers who [have] a physical challenge like mine.

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Bethany Hamilton

How involved were you in making the film, and were you pleased with how the movie portrays your story?
My family was as involved as we could be ? from the script?writing phase throughout the filming, editing, and post?production phases. The filmmakers were very receptive because they wanted us to be pleased with the film.

Looking forward, what?s next? What are your plans for the future and what goals do you hope to achieve both professionally and on a personal level?
I have a lot of opportunities coming my way outside of surfing, and some very cool possibilities within the surfing world too. The plan right now is to keep surfing and looking for ways to improve and push myself as an athlete.

Out of everything that?s happened, what?s been the most satisfying or fulfilling moment to come from all of this?
There?s so many great waves and rides that I?ve had, but the most fulfilling moments are when I hear about someone?s life being greatly impacted by mine. There?s nothing really more rewarding than that.

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Source: http://www.curl.co.nz/2011/08/10/action-sports%E2%80%99-most-influential-women/

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