We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Hill and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
An affirmation I have come to live by, and also encompass in the work done at the Beautifully Flawed Foundation is finding purpose in your pain. I believe when you find purpose in your pain, you give pain a voice and a platform to inspire others. It doesn’t always answer the “why” question to the things we go through, but I find that when we stop asking the question why, we can then have eyes to see others who need inspiration in the midst of their struggles. Our past pain becomes a tool to inspire others to overcome.

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Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am the Executive Director of surfer Bethany Hamilton’s non-profit, The Beautifully Flawed Foundation. On the journey to finding purpose in my own story of overcoming abuse, many surgeries, and a broken neck and back, my greatest desire was to find a way to use the pain I endured for good in the lives of others. This led me to becoming a youth leader/counselor. I met Bethany at a young age (pre-shark attack), as she attended the activities at a youth group I led. When Bethany lost her arm to a shark attack at the age of 13, I spent a lot time in the hospital with her and her family and in the weeks following. Bethany had known a lot about my story, and so in some ways I think I was relatable to her in the midst of her story, knowing how I had to overcome so many hard things in my life. We spent a lot of time talking in those days following, and I was assured God had something huge in store for Bethany’s life in the future. None of us could have imagined just how huge that would be, and all the ways her faith and strength would inspire the world.
The organization was an idea that her dad had after the community came together raising money to help cover Bethany’s medical bills. The outpouring was so great, it had made such a huge impact on the family that Tom, Bethany’s dad, wanted to find a way to give back. So we started a non-profit. In the beginning, we were known as Friends of Bethany Hamilton (in 2021 we rebranded and became the Beautifully Flawed Foundation, a DBA of FOBH). I was a founding board member and fulfilled many roles at the organization over the years. In 2018 I became the Executive Director of the organization. This was all new territory for me, and at a time the organization desperately needed vision and funding to move forward. I took the love I have for the Hamilton family, and the passion to help others overcome, and moved full speed ahead to get us back on track. It was a lot of work, but thanks to an incredible team over the years, we have seen the organization grow so much!
The foundations hosts rehabilitative retreats for men and woman who’ve faced traumatic limb loss, or born with limb difference. In addition, we host conferences, youth events, and have a first response team that sends care packages to those who have faced a traumatic limb loss within days of their trauma. I love seeing how the work we do truly changes lives. It is so rewarding and breaths life into my soul.

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If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to the beach of course! I love the little beach front area of Del Mar. We do a lot of our retreats there, and the community has been nothing short of spectacular! We would get some surfboards and go for a surf to start. There is no better beach in my opinion for a long stroll at sunset. We would have to hit Jakes restaurant for sure! I also love Brockton Villa restaurant for breakfast and saying hi to the seals, I love a good hike through Torrey Pines, and you can’t not stop for a Better Buz Coffee. We would also have to take a drive to Julian and take in a day there to shop and enjoy some pie. The thing about California is there are so many amazing things to do. You would not have a dull moment while visiting with me!

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Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well first of all, I would not have anything without my faith in God, so that is my primary shoutout. In addition, I have had so many amazing people come alongside me over the years. Having solid friends, incredible mentors, business owners, and wise counsel has all been key to getting me where I am today. One book that changed my life was a book called, “Dancing in the Arms of God,” by Amy Carmichael. A dear friend, and wife of Miles McPherson a well known SD pastor, Debbie, gave me this book when I was in the hospital recovering from a broken neck. That book really helped me solidify that I did not want to be a victim to my past hurts, but victorious!

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