Sports Luncheon with Bethany Hamilton

PossAbilities and Quest Diagnostics had an amazing event for our Road2Rio program, a truly unique Sports Luncheon. I was emotional many times upon realization that everyone that came to that event were there to support us, to support our cause.

For a surfer turned triathlete like me it was extra special: they had shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton tell her story to us. It was very inspirational, and we all learned a lot that day. Her smile and her aura enlightened the whole room. I had met her 6 years ago, surfing in Hawaii (initially, it was not my plan to spend holidays in Hawaii but got inspired after reading about it in Live Your Aloha blog). Back then, I had 2 legs and told her she was very inspirational. Of course she didn’t remember me, this probably happens on a daily basis.

Another great guest was surfer and also shark attack survivor Mike Coots, he was Bethany’s interviewer. I follow him and we connected a couple times along the way. I have to take my hat off to a guy that lost his leg to a shark and today he defends them. He knows it’s not their fault. Truly inspirational stuff that makes you think.
A highlight of the event were the lei flowers they had us wearing, the aloha vibe in the air with a lot of people on flower shirts, Hawaiian style, and us athletes even had our own image printed on a surfboard key ring!! Those were given away as souvenirs.

That was a memorable day, it was a pleasure and an honor to be there. Another great memory I’ll forever have with me, thanks to Team PossAbilities and Quest Diagnostics.