Bethany Hamilton says 'strong is the new beautiful,' urges women to love their roles and abilities

"Soul Surfer" Bethany Hamilton is an athletic Christian wife and mother who wants to promote a strong and healthy lifestyle among women.

On her Instagram account (@bethanyhamilton), the passionate surfer likes sharing photos of her in action and words that will hopefully inspire women to get fit.

"It has been said STRONG IS THE NEW BEAUTIFUL," she writes. "To my fellow females, this pursuit to be 'The NEW beautiful or The STRIVE for perfection' or our culture's constant changing view of so-called beauty is exhausting and inauthentic."

According to Hamilton, there is no standard for beauty because each and every woman is beautiful in her own right. "I look at the women around me and I wish for a life of joy and true beauty and to love your roles and abilities. To love what you do whether you are student, a working woman, a mom (I'm bias[ed] it's the best role) and all the awesome roles out there," she says.

"Our body is our vessel to rock our talents and our roles in life. So whether you are strong, curvy, lanky, tall, or short; use that able body and mind to rock what you are good at and passionate about. I consider myself very strong, and I love this because my strength only makes me more able to do what I love to do—surf and care for my child!" she adds.

Hamilton says every person is unique in his or her beauty, talents and abilities, and it is important to live life "for your meaningful purposes" instead of adhering to society's standards. "Let's live authentic, we won't regret it," she urges.

Hamilton and her husband Adam Dirks embraced parenthood back in 2015. Their son Tobias Dirks will turn one on March 13.

related articles
Bethany Hamilton: I lost an arm to a shark but gained so much faith in God in return
Bethany Hamilton: I lost an arm to a shark but gained so much faith in God in return

Bethany Hamilton: I lost an arm to a shark but gained so much faith in God in return

Bethany Hamilton gushes about being a mother, says it\'s no big deal to change her son\'s diapers
Bethany Hamilton gushes about being a mother, says it's no big deal to change her son's diapers

Bethany Hamilton gushes about being a mother, says it's no big deal to change her son's diapers

Bethany Hamilton shares list of things she is grateful for in \'Week of Thankfulness\'
Bethany Hamilton shares list of things she is grateful for in 'Week of Thankfulness'

Bethany Hamilton shares list of things she is grateful for in 'Week of Thankfulness'

Bethany Hamilton honoured that she gets to encourage women to pursue healthy lifestyle
Bethany Hamilton honoured that she gets to encourage women to pursue healthy lifestyle

Bethany Hamilton honoured that she gets to encourage women to pursue healthy lifestyle

Bethany Hamilton talks about \'magical\' feeling of motherhood and its struggles
Bethany Hamilton talks about 'magical' feeling of motherhood and its struggles

Bethany Hamilton talks about 'magical' feeling of motherhood and its struggles

News
Afghanistan's first dedicated Christian TV channel launches despite Taliban restrictions
Afghanistan's first dedicated Christian TV channel launches despite Taliban restrictions

Mozhda TV, which its founders describe as the first Afghan Christian television channel, began broadcasting Saturday, Oct. 24, as church leaders, mission partners and Afghan believers gathered to mark its launch.

Yemen is key funding hub for Islamic State attacks on Christians - report
Yemen is key funding hub for Islamic State attacks on Christians - report

The report warns that Christians are seen as a particular target by the Islamic State. 

Christian widows in Nigeria hold fast to faith as they rebuild lives after violence
Christian widows in Nigeria hold fast to faith as they rebuild lives after violence

Hundreds of Christian widows in Nigeria’s Plateau State are putting their lives back together after losing husbands, homes and livelihoods to violence.

8 killed in attack on church in Jordan
8 killed in attack on church in Jordan

In response to the shooting, Church leaders vowed that Christians will not be driven from their homeland.