Podcast Summary: Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark

Episode: Inside Bethany Hamilton’s Life: Modesty, Motherhood, and The Diet That Fuels a Champion
Guest: Bethany Hamilton
Release Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Alex Clark, Turning Point USA

Episode Overview

In this episode, Alex Clark welcomes pro surfer, author, and mother Bethany Hamilton for an in-depth conversation about living out her faith and convictions in the world of professional sports and motherhood. They explore topics including modesty as a Christian athlete, raising children through homeschooling, standing up in controversial cultural moments, the pro-metabolic diet, and Bethany’s holistic approach to health, fitness, and faith. Bethany shares her journey from overcoming trauma to becoming a voice in women’s sports and a role model for intentional parenting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Modesty, Media, and Culture [02:03–06:14]

• Modesty as a Pro Surfer:

  • Bethany reflects on criticisms regarding modesty and her image as a Christian athlete:

    "I try to be more covered. I also like sunbathing and getting sun on my body... I'm raising two young boys and the porn culture is so aggressive..." — Bethany Hamilton [02:21]

  • She emphasizes the hyper-sexualization of young girls and navigating this as a mentor and mother.
  • Surf culture in Hawaii is more revealing compared to other areas; she aims to set a balance especially now as a mother with a daughter.

• Modesty and Social Media:

  • Bethany discusses measuring her choices due to her visibility online and in different global cultures.

2. Taking a Stand: Advocacy and Women’s Sports [06:14–14:53]

• Speaking Out on Transgender Policy in Surfing:

  • Bethany describes her opposition to the World Surf League (WSL) allowing transgender women to compete:

    "I was like, hey, I can't promote this to little girls. Like, I just can't. We're not going there. I can't stand for this. I'm out." — Bethany Hamilton [08:06]

  • Details the pressure to sign silencing contracts, the lack of support for speaking out, and her decision to part ways with her sponsor Rip Curl after ~25-year relationship.

• Cultural Risk & Silence in Sports:

  • She critiques the contract-enforced silence in the industry and the lack of male and even Christian allyship:

    "Where's the men? Where's the fathers? Where's the guys who are supposed to be protecting the girls?" — Bethany Hamilton [14:44]

  • Attributes silence to fear rather than wisdom, saying,

  "I do think that cowardice is such a big thing in our culture now, and it's... degrading the strength of the family..." [15:05]

3. Motherhood, Health, and the Pro-Metabolic Diet [21:47–33:38]

• Early Health Mindset & Learning Curve:

  • Bethany started a "no hydrogenated oil club" at 16 and engaged in health self-experimentation.
  • She cautions not to take health tips from athletes wholesale, since many may have depleted or imbalanced lifestyles:

    "A lot of athletes make a lot of mistakes. They're super depleted, they under eat... don't get your health advice from athletes." [23:06]

  • Describes hitting a wall after her second baby due to under-eating and overtraining while breastfeeding.

• Dietary Shift to Pro-Metabolic:

  • Transitioned to a high-protein, high-carb, mineral-focused diet with raw dairy, bone broth, bee pollen, magnesium, and healthy snacks—even ice cream before bed due to high caloric needs.

    "I probably doubled my calorie intake... my energy is better than ever. Now I have four children and I'm like ready to charge the day." [26:43]

4. Athleticism Through Pregnancy & Postpartum [28:06–43:42]

• Surfing While Pregnant:
  • Bethany typically surfs up until 7 months pregnant, crediting exercise consistency and listening to her body.
  • Lessons from her own mother’s health shaped her commitment:

    "Before I had my first child, I was like, you know, I'm going to take care of myself because I want to surf with my children." [30:32]

• Postpartum Recovery:
  • Emphasizes rest and self-love over rushing back, learning to balance ambition with proper recovery:

    “With my first two, I feel like I was really hard on myself... with my fourth baby I was the least pressured. I was in the most restful season...” [42:05]

• Functional Patterns Training:
  • Utilizes holistic exercise routines (functional patterns, walking, surfing) and focuses less on intense post-baby ‘bounce back.’

5. Family Wellness & Homeschooling [53:36–66:24]

• Faith & Parenting:

  • Bethany’s faith deepened after trauma, moving from a non-denominational to a more liturgical Lutheran tradition. Her family practices daily readings, prayer, and faith-centric living.

    "My faith is not rooted in my emotions or in the challenges of life, but it's rooted in God and His Word and His promises." [56:21]

• Choosing Homeschool:

  • Prioritizes sheltering her kids from negative influences and unhealthy socialization, emphasizing the importance of faith and family as primary influences:

    "In the young years, our children need to be raised by mom and dad and nobody else..." [58:20]

• Practical Homeschooling Tips:

  • Individualizes learning pace, practices “delayed learning,” and focuses on reading aloud for building comprehension and vocabulary.

6. Fueling a Champion—Food, Recovery, and Wellness Habits [43:42–53:28]

• Nutrition:

  • Focuses on raw dairy from her brother’s farm, red meat, and hydration.
  • Encourages listeners to build health gradually and not to be overwhelmed:

    “Just slowly stacking in new habits and eventually the habits just feel natural and you just do it and it just happens.” [51:58]

• Recovery:

  • Struggles with sleep, discovered children (and herself) have airway issues; finds bedtime snacks aid sleep during high output/lactation periods.
  • Health ‘stacking’ as a time-saving tip: combining sauna, red light therapy, Gua Sha, Bible reading.

7. Living Faith Out Loud & Impact [66:24–74:04]

• Legacy & Reflection:

  • Bethany aspires to be remembered for hope and perseverance:

    "I just really do love that my story is a story of determination and hope and perseverance and pushing through pain." [66:29]

• Advice to Teenage Self:

  "The Lord's going to provide everything that you need and to just lean on me no matter how hard it gets." [67:37]

• Encouraging the Next Generation:

  • Wants to inspire girls to look forward to motherhood and to find joy in family rather than fear or cultural negativity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I want to raise really healthy children. Like, if there's two things I give them, it's health and faith.” — Bethany Hamilton [00:08, 27:25]
• “It's very normal here for girls to surf in thongs... and then when I go to the Midwest, I'm like, whoa, I'm not very modest.” — Bethany Hamilton [02:21]
• “I kind of saw through the propaganda very early on.” — Bethany Hamilton on Covid health policies and vaccinations [00:00, 06:14]
• “If you could offer one remedy to heal a sick culture, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, what would it be? — Oh, Jesus Christ, for sure. And his grace... that's what can heal a sick world.” — Closing Q&A [73:48]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Modesty and Culture in Female Surfing: [02:03–06:14]
• Speaking Out on Women’s Sports and Sponsor Conflict: [06:14–14:53]
• Pro-Metabolic Diet & Health Revelation Postpartum: [21:47–33:38]
• Exercise through Pregnancy and Recovery: [28:06–43:42]
• Homeschooling, Faith, and Family Values: [53:36–66:24]
• Legacy, Faith, and Healing Culture: [66:24–74:04]

Tone & Style

Authentic, faith-driven, candid, and at times direct, both Alex Clark and Bethany Hamilton speak openly about controversial and personal topics. The conversation is rooted in conviction but offers empathy and encouragement, particularly towards mothers and young women.

Final Thoughts

This episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom for listeners interested in faith-centered living, intentional parenting, holistic wellness, and female athleticism. Bethany Hamilton shines as both a resilient athlete and a thoughtful culture-shaper, championing health, faith, and the courage to stand for one’s convictions.