Life After the Shark Attack & Why I'm Choosing Joy | Sadie Robertson Huff & Lulu Gribbin

Summary

WHOA That's Good Podcast: Life After the Shark Attack & Why I'm Choosing Joy

Host: Sadie Robertson Huff
Guests: Lulu Griffin, Ellie Griffin, Ann Blair Griffin (Lulu & Ellie’s mother)
Release Date: January 21, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this deeply moving and inspiring episode, Sadie Robertson Huff sits down with 16-year-old Lulu Griffin—who survived a shark attack in June 2024 that resulted in the loss of her arm and leg—her identical twin Ellie, and their mom, Ann Blair. The Griffin family shares the harrowing details of Lulu’s attack and extraordinary recovery, the role of faith and sisterhood in their healing, the founding of the Lulustrong Foundation, and Lulu’s renewed purpose in life as she chooses joy and advocates for amputees. The episode celebrates hope, perseverance, and the unbreakable bonds of family and community in the face of unimaginable hardship.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Best Advice Ever Given

[03:15] – [05:53]

• Lulu Griffin:

  • Best advice from her mom: "What you look like does not define you. It's who you are on the inside that defines who you are."
    • Lulu describes how this helped her while struggling with identity after the shark attack and loss of her arm and leg.
    • Kept her grounded during hospitalization and recovery.

• Ann Blair (Mom):

  • Advice from her own dad: "Always ask for what you want, and if it's a no, you aren't any worse off than before."
    • Emphasizes the importance of advocacy for oneself and others.
    • Connects her passionate work for “Lulu’s Law” and foundation to this advice.

• Ellie Griffin:

  • Inspired by a daily letter from her grandmother, which included a sunshine drawn with the phrase: "Let your light shine."
    • Tethered to Matthew 5:16—Sadie notes it’s her own family’s verse.
    • Encourages confidence, kindness, and being a light for others, especially when you don’t know what they’re going through.

Sadie [05:53]:
"When the night gets darker, the stars shine brighter. Most people, when life gets harder, don’t shine brighter—but those who are filled with the Spirit do. That is so you all."

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2. Life as Teenagers After the Attack

[09:48] – [12:01]

• Lulu:

  • Life is “definitely not a normal teenage girl lifestyle.”
  • Traveling often for media, speaking, and foundation work; attends school when possible.
  • Physical therapy and learning new routines; striving to regain “everything we’ve lost.”
  • Passed “Lulu’s Law” in Alabama to support amputees.
  • “I love public speaking and sharing my story and inspiring others.” —Lulu [11:02]

• Ellie:

  • “Mainly fully in school”; supports Lulu, helps manage family errands, works at church.
  • Maintains close bond with Lulu—described as “always super close, but very competitive.”

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3. The Shark Attack: Lulu’s Story

[14:44] – [19:20]

• Family trip to Inlet Beach, Florida (June 2024).
• Lulu, Ellie, and friends were diving for sand dollars, waist-deep in the water.
• Lulu’s friend screamed 'shark'; Lulu tried to stay calm.
• Lulu didn’t feel the bite but saw her arm was gone, “just flesh and bone.”
• Desperate swimming, rescued by strangers; one man punched the shark off, another carried her to shore.
• Immediate medical response: tourniquets, paramedics, rushed to hospital.
• “Looking back at it now, that was literally just God’s peace.” —Lulu [17:25]
• Recovered with intense therapy in Charlotte, relearning basic skills like walking, using her arm, and self-care.
• “First words I said were, ‘I made it.’” —Lulu [18:27]

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4. Faith, Miracles, and Perspective

[21:01] – [22:10]

• Lulu opened up about battling 'why me?'
  • After talking to her mom and posting Mark 10:27 ("With God, nothing is impossible") on her bed, her perspective shifted.
  • “Why not let God use me to share his amazing gospel and to just glorify him?” —Lulu [22:10]
• Lulu's peace: attributing survival and strength throughout her recovery to God.
• Ann Blair (Mom):
  • “It wasn’t God doing something to her. It was God saving her.” —[29:04]

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5. The Miracle on the Beach

[25:47] – [28:13]

• Shark severed Lulu’s femoral artery; bleeding out can be fatal in under a minute.
• A skilled doctor happened to be on the beach: literally held Lulu’s artery closed, saving her life.
• Tourniquets improvised from whatever was at hand; a nurse present had a dream about a shark attack the night before.
• The confluence of medical professionals, bystanders, and timely action widely described as miraculous.

Ann Blair [28:13]:
"She lost two thirds of her blood and she should not be alive. There’s no way, medically, she should be alive.”

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6. Sisterhood, Friendship, and Community

[29:47] – [34:31]

• Ellie’s twin perspective:
  • “I was just there for Lulu. I was holding her head…her other hand. There were, I want to say, six or seven nurses and doctors and just people there.”
• Ellie managed communication and prayers, making frantic calls to their dad and family.
• Visiting the same beach later was emotional and healing:
  • Returning to “the exact spot it happened” and reliving the memory as “victory—like you made it through.”
  • “Going back was very freeing…gave us such a sense of freedom and relief.” —Lulu [33:59]

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7. Choosing Joy & Moving Forward

[38:38] – [40:15]

• Lulu on shifting mindset:
  • “It’s not what I can’t do. It’s what I can do. Mom says it all the time: it’s not a disability, it’s an ability.”
  • Determined to walk out of the hospital and succeed in rehab; credits her faith and determination.
  • “You can do whatever you put your mind to, because if you fall, God is always there to pick you up…God stays the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
• The family saw other patients in worse situations, reinforcing a spirit of gratitude.

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8. The LuluStrong Foundation

[41:10] – [42:09]

• Mission: To fund technology, research, and resources to make advanced prosthetic care and rehab accessible to more amputees.
• Website: lulustrong.com
• Ann Blair: “Our mission is to help other amputees have the same experience Lulu got to experience, because most people don’t.”
• Merch available to support the cause.

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9. The Power of a Supportive Community

[48:10] – [49:46]

• Discovering the “limb different” community:
  • Bethany Hamilton’s Beautifully Flawed retreat, connection with other amputees and mentors.
  • Practical, hands-on help (how to do hair, go to the bathroom, etc) from peers and older mentors like Lauren Kennedy and Ally.
  • “They know your struggles and pain. It’s one of the best experiences ever.” —Lulu [48:38]

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10. Returning to the Ocean: Facing Fears

[50:43] – [52:33]

• Lulu surfing again at Bethany Hamilton’s retreat: overcoming fear, feeling “pure joy” and “free.”
• Humor as coping:
  • Stranger told her, unknowingly, “The worst that can happen is you get bit by a shark.”
  • Lulu: “Did he know I’d been bit by a shark?”
• Finding laughter to be healing; choosing joy over anxiety.

Sadie [53:01]:
“Joy is such a key—being able to laugh in the face of adversity. The Proverbs 31 woman—‘she laughs at the fear of the future.’”

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11. What’s Next for Lulu and the Griffin Family

[56:17] – [58:02]

• Official launch of the LuluStrong Foundation.
• Exploring Paralympic training at the Lakeshore Foundation, a specialized local resource.
• Lulu: “I really hope I can qualify for the Paralympics and see where I can go.”
• Ellie and Lulu both excited for future athletic and advocacy projects.
• The family awed by the “God thing” that such a Paralympic resource is nearby.
• Ann Blair: “Your group of friends is now sisters for life after going through trauma together.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lulu [03:21]:
  “What you look like does not define you. It’s who you are on the inside that defines who you are.”

• Ann Blair [04:23]:
  “Always ask for what you want. If it’s a no, then you aren’t any worse off than before.”

• Ellie [05:40]: (from her grandmother’s letters)
  “Let your light shine.”

• Lulu [22:10]:
  “Why not let God use me to share his amazing gospel and to just glorify him?”

• Lulu [19:57]:
  “Just grateful to be alive and that saved girl.”

• Ann Blair [28:13]:
  “She lost two thirds of her blood and she should not be alive. There’s no way, medically, she should be alive.”

• Lulu [39:22]:
  “You can do whatever you put your mind to, because if you fall, God is always there to pick you up.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Best advice & family values: [03:15] – [05:53]
• Day in the life post-attack: [09:48] – [12:01]
• Lulu’s shark attack story: [14:44] – [19:20]
• Faith & perspective after trauma: [21:01] – [22:10]
• Miraculous rescue details: [25:47] – [28:13]
• Twin sister perspective & healing: [29:47] – [34:31]
• Mindset shift: choosing joy: [38:38] – [40:15]
• Foundation mission: [41:10] – [42:09]
• Community support for limb differences: [48:10] – [49:46]
• Facing fears—return to the ocean: [50:43] – [52:33]
• What’s next & future dreams: [56:17] – [58:02]

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Tone & Atmosphere

• Warm, faith-filled, and candid.
• Mix of laughter and tears; embracing both deep pain and light-hearted moments.
• Emphasis on gratitude, intentional joy, and the power of community.

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Conclusion

This episode is a powerful testament to faith, resilience, and the strength found in family and community. Listeners walk away uplifted by Lulu’s courage, the Griffin family’s unshakable hope, and the practical ways anyone can turn tragedy into hope for others. Their story embodies living with purpose, seeing miracles in the ordinary, and choosing joy—not as a denial of pain but as a radical act of faith.

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For more on the Lulustrong Foundation, visit lulustrong.com.

Transcript

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

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[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

What's up? Everybody happy? Well, that's good. Wednesday. I hope you're having a great week, but per usual friends, it is about to get literally so much better because we have three guests on the podcast that I am thrilled to have. They are the cutest girls ever. So much fun with an incredible story. We have Lulu, Ellie, and am Blair Griffin, all on the podcast. So welcome, ladies.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Thank you for having us.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

We've been living up Louisiana, haven't we?

[Lulu Griffin]

It's been awesome.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

These girls are foodies, too. I just want everyone to know because we went to Parrish last night, and Parrish is like our local restaurant here. And these girls ordered the oysters duck rice. We were, like, straight up so good scented and we had tuna. I was impressed by, like, y' all ordering such big things for such little people. It was very impressive. But I'm so glad you all are here. Today is going to be so much fun. I've been looking forward to this forever. Really long time. First question I ask everybody who comes on the podcast, so we're going to go down the line, is what's the best piece of advice you've ever been given, Lulu?

[Lulu Griffin]

So the best piece of advice I've ever been given is from my mom.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Hey, shout out, shout out.

[Lulu Griffin]

And it's what you look like does not define you. It's who you are on the inside that defines who you are. And this was a very crucial piece of advice for me, especially while in the hospital, because I was struggling with my identity and because I had just lost my leg and my arm and I was struggling being like, do, am I going to be the weird girl? Like, are people still going to like me? Am I going to have friends? And then she told me that, and it kind of just rested in my mind, and I just have stuck with it throughout my whole journey.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

That's so cool. And you can tell you didn't just stick with it. Like, you walked in. So much confidence. And now, like, looking back, I bet it's wild to think about those thoughts. Those are very real thoughts. But I think, am I going to have friends? Am I going to be a war girl? And now you, year later, you're, like, thriving. It seems like your friendships are there and people adore you and love you. I've seen you modeling swimsuits and new clothing lines, and it's just really cool to see you take that advice and really take it to heart. So that's incredible. I love that girl. What about you, Ann Blair?

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

I think the best advice my dad ever gave me is always ask for what you want. And if it's a no, then you aren't any worse off than you Were before. And it may be a no right now. No for right now, but it may be a yes later. And so always ask whether it's for on behalf of your friends, yourself, your family. Just advocate for each other and always.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Ask, you know what? That's so cool to hear you say that. Because typically you do. When people say their best piece of advice, you can see that bleed through their whole life. And this morning, whenever I was just, like, looking up all the stuff y' all have done, I'm looking at the foundation that you guys started and how y'. All. The Lulu's Law thing that y' all have gotten passed and, like, y'. All, you guys have, like, put in some work and gotten some stuff done. But a lot of that probably comes from you and your heart to advocate for your daughter for. On behalf of other people. So it's really cool to know, like, your dad spoke that over you and to see how seriously you've taken it in life is amazing.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Yeah. Because you're not going to be any worse off than where you are right now.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

That's right. That's good. All right, Ellie, hit us.

[Ellie Griffin]

Mine's kind of starts.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Not.

[Ellie Griffin]

Well, it starts with a story, kind of. So every year, we go to camp for three weeks, and we get letters written by our parents. But this letter by my grandmother, she.

[Lulu Griffin]

Writes us a letter, like, every day.

[Ellie Griffin]

And she draws a sunshine, and it says, let your light shine. And so that's kind of just stuck with me. Just, like, be confident and be yourself all the time, because you're just helping other people. Like, you never know what other people are going through. So just smile always.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

That's great. Do you want me to read your verse?

[Lulu Griffin]

Yes.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

I love it. So we're going to Matthew 5, which I think we're going to. Matthew 5. Are we going. Verse 16. 16. That's literally our family verse. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father, who is in heaven. That literally is our family verse. My mom has, like, she has a pretty much anything she does, she, like, puts, like, a lighthouse on it to, like, remind us, like, we are the light of the world. So that is so cool. I was going to say this till the end, but I'm going to say it now, now that we're already reading Scripture. So this morning I was listening to a sermon, and it was such a good sermon. It was about, like, walking in the spirit. And it was from Ephesians 5, verse 20. But I'm going to back it up to verse 18 is what he was talking about. And this is going to sound so random to bring up, but hang with me, it says, and do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery. But be filled. The spirit addressing one another in psalms, hymn, spiritual songs, singing, making melody to Lord with your heart, giving thanks always for everything, to God the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. And the whole thing he was talking about, he's like, why did they compare, you know, getting drunk with wine to being filled with the spirit? He's like, why? Why did the writer, like, say that or even bring that up? And he was saying, because there actually are some similarities from the outside. When someone is drunk, they're more bold, more confident, seem to have joy, seem to be laughing, but it' based on something that's empty, that's temporary, that's fleeting. But when you're filled with the spirit, you have that same sense of, like, boldness that doesn't make any sense. Confidence, that's, like, unheard of, joy that doesn't. You're like, how are you so happy? But yet it's rooted in something that's so true. And he said. He goes down to verse 20, comparing that and says, giving thanks always and for everything. And he says, how could someone truly give thanks to God always and for everything? How could someone really have a smile on their face in every situation? Situation for everything. Only if they're filled with the spirit and only if they're in Jesus. And he gave the example of how when the night gets darker, the shot, the stars shine brighter. And he said, most people, when life gets harder, you don't shine brighter, but those who are filled with the spirit do. And when he was talking about that this whole morning, I was like, man, that is your family. Like, that is so you. Lulu, that is so you. Ellie, that is so you. And Blair, like, when life got dark, y' all shined brighter. And when you look at you and you go, man, like, that has to be so hard. But then I had dinner with you last night and we laughed our heads off. And you were like, you're so funny and you're so cute, and we'll be talking. Then you're like, I love your hair. And I'm like, thank you. Like, so filled with joy and so filled with the spirit. It even made me laugh whenever you said, where? How'd you and Christian meet? And I said, 38. And you said, everything happens in 38. And I was like, girl, you're funny. I was like, okay, you're laughing, but. But that's the joy of the Lord. That's, like, so your strength and your whole family strength. And so I just wanted to preface this podcast by saying I'm so excited that you're going to tell your story. I'm so excited to hear from all of you and talk about life. But that's the kind of people these people are. And I just want to say that because as you're listening to this, you might be like, how can a family have so much joy and have faced such hardship or such a, you know, hard situation? But these people love God. They love Jesus. And that's that bottom half of that verse where it says, have thanks always and everything to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. And that's because I know your faith is strong. So I'm excited to. To dive into everything. But before we do, you guys are high schoolers. Like, y' all are straight up in high school right now. Junior. So tell us a little bit about what's a day in the life look like for Lulu and Ellie.

[Lulu Griffin]

It's so. It's not. Definitely not a normal teenage girl lifestyle. We'll have days. I can't remember the last time I went to a full week of school because I will be traveling for speaking engagements, for podcasts, for, like, being on the news. I have had a lot of press with my foundation being launched. So I'll leave school and go, like, just be on the media. But typically we'll go to school the whole day. I have PT once a week, golf once a week. And so I'm trying to just live my normal lifestyle. Like, when everyone asks me, like, how am I, like, so determined? And I'm just living, like, I'm just trying to be my normal self. And obviously it's going to look a little different because there's a new spotlight on me and I have to live differently to be able to be fulfilled. But I'm just trying to be myself and do the things that I love. And whether that has a spotlight or it doesn't, being more active, just trying to regain everything that we've lost. And then we, like you said earlier, we've passed Lulu's law in the state of Alabama. And so that was awesome. And just a lot of press for my foundation has been fun right now.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

So cool.

[Lulu Griffin]

And I love public speaking and sharing my story and inspiring others.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

It's been so fun to see you, like, on social media, just following along. I'm like, okay, there she is, crushing it in golf. And then she's speaking emotion and like you're just doing so many amazing things. Like, your determination is so inspiring. Ellie, what's life look like for you right now? Are you fully in school? Are you traveling with your mom?

[Ellie Griffin]

Mainly fully in school. Lulu probably travels a lot more than.

[Lulu Griffin]

Me, but I do travel with her.

[Ellie Griffin]

So I was like, in the morning I wake up. We have Bible studies three, four times out of the five days a week. So go do that then. Go to school, pick up my siblings, run errands for the family. You know, runs lots of things.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

You're driving around here and there. Let's go, girl. Getting that score up.

[Ellie Griffin]

That's what we're trying, trying to. And I work at my church on Wednesdays, but just doing everything I can to help the family out.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

That's awesome. It's amazing. So y' all are identical twins?

[Lulu Griffin]

Identical.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Have, have they always been super close from your opinion?

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Oh, yeah, always super close, but very competitive.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Yep, I can see that. That's awesome. This year I've been focused on taking care of myself in small, consistent ways that are sustainable. And one of those things for me is Nutrafol. It's less like a resolution and more like self care. So every single postpartum that I've had, I started losing my hair at four months. And so I'm here five months and right under here, see, I'm losing my hair. But what I love is that Neutra Fall takes a proactive approach to hair health by addressing the root causes of hair loss like stress hormones, nutrition, and aging. With formulas designed specifically for different life stages. There's a reason Neutral is the number one dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement brand trusted by over one and a half million people. Their hair growth supplements are peer reviewed, NSF certified for sport and clinically tested to measure improvements in growth, quality and strength. Plus, Neutrophil makes staying consistent easy with automated deliveries, free shipping and extra support like one on one naturopathic doctor consults. It's really amazing how much they go into helping you with this because I know hair loss can cause a lot of just insecurity and it can just really be a frustrating thing to go through. But you can see thicker, stronger, faster hair growing with just. Sorry. But you can see thicker, stronger, faster hair growth with less shedding in just three to six months with Neutral for a limited time, Neutral is offering our listeners $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping when you nutrafol.com and enter the promo code.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Whoa.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Find out why Nutriful is the best selling hair growth supplement brand. That's nutriful.com n u t r a f o l.com promo code. Whoa. Again, that's nutrafol.com promo code. Whoa. Okay, so let's tell everybody because for those who don't know your story, they're sitting here like foundation what they've heard. Like, you're, you're crushing it. But like, what. What's the story here? And so let's take it back. Just act like the listener has never heard your story. And I just want us to kind of go there. And I just want to say too, last night I asked you if you were okay sharing your story. And I just thought, man, God made you so unique and God made you. I don't want to say, like, because we talked about this, like, why would he allow this to happen? And I love how you said for a little while it was like, why me? But then it was like, why not me? And I love your willingness to share your story. And so I'm so thankful and for you too, Ann, Blair and Ellie to be like, let's talk about it. And so Ellie said, Ellie's face is like, I'm not sure. But you guys were going on a vacation, mom and daughter trip. And tell us a little bit about.

[Lulu Griffin]

We were on a mother daughter trip in Florida and Inlet beach last June of 2024. And this was really like the first time we had ever like done this kind of trip. And we were, we had been there for like two nights or something. And it was the third night. Night or third day.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

You grew up going to the beach though, Just your first time to do a mother daughter.

[Lulu Griffin]

Yes, we grew up going to the beach. Just like, different kind. Anyways, so we were in the water just diving for sand dollars. And then we were riding the waves in and we were all just like body surfing and just like having fun, like diving, like, and stuff. We were waist deep and all of a sudden my best friend screamed, shark. And so I turned around and I didn't see like its head or its tail or fin or whatever. Saw its big shadow. And so we all just like were swimming for our lives. We didn't know what would happen. We didn't know what to expect. But in my head I was like, oh, we all need to calm down. Because I was thinking of like, what people do in movies and like, they stay calm to make sure, like the shark doesn't come after them. To like, I don't Know they're not like a fish in the water. And so I was like. I yelled, everyone stay calm. And I was the farthest back because I was, like, the only one that really stayed calm. Ellie and our other friend were already at the shore. And then there was a few other girls in the water, but I knew something was off. And so I raised my hand out of the water and there was just nothing there. There was. It was just flesh and bone. And I remember just being, like, shocked. Like, I didn't feel the shark bite it. And I made eye contact with one of my best friends who was still in the water and tried to call for help. No words came out. And so I was like, all right, she can't come help me. So I, like, looked around, and then there was this other man who came and. And, like, I just jumped into his arms, but he let go. And so I got really scared. And then there was this other man, and I was going into his arms while the other guy was punching the shark off of me, which, wow, I could never do that. And then I blacked out in the water. And I woke up on the shore. Ellie was there. There were strangers. And I leaned forward and I saw my right leg's toes. And I remember seeing the nail polish. I saw a little bit of the wound, but they pushed me back down so I wouldn't see it. And. And then, like, they had tourniquet in my arm, they tourniquet in my leg. And it was. I kind of remember I didn't feel like anything, basically, but, like, it was a slight pain, like, not very drastic of what you would think. And then paramedics came. They gave me IVs for, like, fluids and stuff and an oxygen mask. But the whole time, I didn't use the oxygen mask because I was so hot.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

And I would.

[Lulu Griffin]

So I would just hold it right like, next to me. And then they loaded me into a truck and a stretcher, and then they put me into this tarp bag and they carried me up flights of stairs and into the ambulance. And so I. When I was in the ambulance, I, like, felt safe because it was like, cold air. And I was like, all right, this is all going to be fine. And the paramedic asked me what my name was, and I mumbled out Lulu, but he thought I said Lucy. And so then I said Lulu again. And I was like, he heard me and he told me that everything was going to be all right. And then, like, looking back at it now, like, in that moment, I had no idea. But looking Back at it now. That was literally just, like, God's peace. Wow. And so, like, the whole time, like, my recovery, I've just had peace of, like, it's going to be all right. It might be a little different, but you just have to fight. And so I had that mentality of, everything's going to be fine. You just have to do your best to get by. And I woke up in the next day intubated, and they decided to amputate my leg.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

And.

[Lulu Griffin]

But the next morning, I was extubated, and the first words I said was, I made it. And then we transferred to Charlotte for a specialized hand surgeon, and they did specific surgeries on me and for, like, pain and to be able to control my phantom limbs and my brain. And it was a lot of cool technology that they had developed, and they had, like, this virtual reality headset, which was awesome. It helped me a lot. But in Charlotte, we spent, like, three months there because we did inpatient therapy there, which was. Was an awesome decision. And I relearned how to, like, put up my hair, how to put on clothes, brush my teeth, because I was in a bed for so long. And I, like, didn't know how to do any of it because I only had one hand now. And so it's stuff you never think twice about. And then I actually relearned how to walk in the hospital with my doctor's videos. It was awesome.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

You are incredible. Even just to, like, tell that story in so much detail. Like, you remember your nail polish, and.

[Lulu Griffin]

You remember the whole time, like, when the shark bit my leg, I didn't feel any pain. Just, I think that was my way. Like, I was in so much shock. And, like, God was just there.

[Ellie Griffin]

Like, he.

[Lulu Griffin]

I don't need to feel the pain.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Yeah.

[Lulu Griffin]

And then, like, I didn't need the oxygen mask because he was putting the breath in my lungs. And so it was really just like, everything, like, all the people on the beach, they were there because they were God's angels. And so everything worked out so perfectly, and I just. Just grateful to be alive and that saved girl.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Now I'm the one crying. You need attention. I need attention.

[Lulu Griffin]

Oh, my gosh.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

That was, like, so beautiful. Something you said last night really stuck out to me, and I was thinking about it this morning. You said that you wish you could remember more of it. You were like, everybody else has helped fill in my memory because they remember it. I wish I could remember it more. And I thought that's such an interesting perspective, because a lot of times when people Go through things, they wish to forget it, but you wish to remember it. And what you just said put context as to why. And that's what makes me cry. Because you're like, because God was so there. Because he was my breath and because angels were around me. So, like, your perspective is. I would have, I would have seen God more, you know, like. And you did see God, like so much. Like, your perspective is just so incredible. I want to ask, because I brought up the quote that you said, why not me? When did that, when did that kind of flip in your brain? Like, were you asking, why me? And then it flipped. And how did that happen?

[Lulu Griffin]

I woke up one night in Charlotte and I was just. I couldn't stop thinking, like, why do I have to go through this? Like, I have such a long road ahead of me. Like, why me? And so I was just crying, like silently in my bed. And finally, because mom was in the room and I, like, didn't want to wake her up. And then I just finally yelled. I was like, mom. And I was like, why me, Mom? Like, why do I. Like, why me? And so she just kind of like held my hand. She told me the advice that I shared earlier. And then we also. I can't, I think it was this night, but we put this Bible verse on my hospital bed and it's Mark 10:27, and it's with God, nothing is impossible. And so whenever I was like in pain, like when I was getting a shot in my stomach or like they were doing ultrasounds or whatever, I would just look over and read that Bible verse. And like all the pain would go away and I would just feel confident and so like, why not let God use me and to share his amazing gospel and to just glorify him.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Wow. It's beautiful. It's incredible. Friends, I want to share something that is really heavy on my heart. So new research is showing that millions of women carry deep, lasting emotional pain after an abortion. And my friends at preborn see this truth firsthand every single day. But women in impossible situations who are hurting, overwhelmed and unsure where to turn, are finding hope at preborn network clinics. And it all starts with just one powerful encounter. So when a woman sees her baby on an ultrasound, everything changes. In that moment, her baby's chance at life actually doubles. And it's for just 20, $28 that you can sponsor a life saving ultrasound, allowing a scared mother the chance to actually see her baby for the first time. I think this is an incredible thing that they're doing for me. I I just remember that first time hearing my baby's heartbeat and it definitely just kind of sets in the reality. And so I think it's such an amazing gift to get to give this to mothers who are scared and going through a lot. Preborn network clinics offer ultrasounds counseling, which I think this is why I love this so much, because you have someone to walk this out with you. And gospel centered support to mothers in cris, all free of charge. This is an incredible organization at preborn. They're saving babies and they're also healing hearts too. And this is what real health care looks like, actually walking alongside someone. So if you believe every child matters and no woman should walk through this road alone, then join us today. Sponsor an ultrasound preborn was honored with the 2025 Shining Light Award for financial integrity. So you can give it with confidence. To donate, dial pounds pound 250 and say baby. That's pound 250. Say baby or visit preborn.comSadie Again, that's preborn.comSadie.

[Lulu Griffin]

When I was laying down and I saw the wound.

[Ellie Griffin]

You thought her leg was still there?

[Lulu Griffin]

I saw like the wound, like, like my calf. And so I thought like the whole time the shark had been my calf. And so I thought I had my knee when I woke up. Like, I knew that they had amputated it, but the whole, like, for the whole, the whole first week while we were in Pensacola, I thought it was like below the knee. And then, like, they didn't tell me until we got to Charlotte that it was like above the knee.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Right. Wow. She.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

You thought your leg was still there?

[Lulu Griffin]

Yeah.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Wow.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

That's the craziest thing. Because I'd heard, I've read that before, like, when people get bit by a shark, they don't actually feel it because.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

You'Re in so much shock.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

You're in so much shock. But that is wild. That's a wild experience. So when was. How many days was that until you found that?

[Lulu Griffin]

Like, day, I think day five when we were transferring to Charlotte, maybe. Do you remember? Huh?

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Well, I remember after your surgery. So I, like, stayed up all night, like that night. And like, she woke up and, like, held my hand and then she sat. She, like my communication was like scissors and she motioned with scissors and I was like, I had to. I had to. And so then she knew that night, but I don't think she knew where it was. But the cool thing about that night was, I mean, yes, I told her she had her leg amputated, but we have in our family we say 1 4, 3, which means I love you. And so she said 1 4, 3 with her hands.

[Lulu Griffin]

But I couldn't talk because I was intubated. So I was like, I love you.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

And so that was like very emotional.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Well, I, I heard. I mean, I think I read this. I'm not sure where I heard it or maybe you shared it last night. But you mentioned she got bit in the thigh and wasn't there like an artery or something that.

[Lulu Griffin]

Yeah, so the shark had bit my femoral artery. And when that is cut or closed or whatever, severed. But when that's even like just like scratched or something, you can bleed out in under a minute. And it was such a blessing to have. Was Dr. Forbas. He is like this big doctor guy and he literally just held the artery with his hands, very muscular on the.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Hands on the beach. He was there and he saw them. Yes. Oh my gosh.

[Lulu Griffin]

I don't even. Like such a godsend.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

So that's what you mean by there were literally angels all around you?

[Lulu Griffin]

Yes.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Oh my God. Literal.

[Lulu Griffin]

Like there was like the tourniquets they use like there. It wasn't just like happened to be around. Like it was obviously in the right spot. Like they used like, wow, cookie board string.

[Ellie Griffin]

Someone story was like a wife and a husband and the wife just like went to the husband's bathing suit and.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Just ripped string out. So I told you, like, I read everything. I went deep whenever this happened and was like reading all of your Carrie Bridge. I was reading other people's posts and I remember reading the Nurse, which I brought up last night. Okay, do y' all remember the dream she had the night before?

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

That was crazy. So she came and visited us in Charlotte and she and her sister who were at the beach that day and she told us that story and she thought it was her younger sister who was being bit by a shark. She said she had this weird dream the night before.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Yeah, for context, tell that story. So the night before she had a dream that her younger sister was getting bit by a shark.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Yes. The night before she had had a dream. They were on like a bachelorette party for her sister getting married. Or maybe it was her sister in law, I can't remember which one. But she had had this dream about being at the beach and that something like a shark attack happened. And she had the dream that it was her sister, sister in law and that she needed to do something to save her. And it wasn't her sister, it was Lulu. And she, she. So when we talk about angels on the beach. So there were doctors, there were nurses. There were just so many people that were put in that spot. So. So it was. God saved her and had all the people in the right place that needed to be there for her. She lost two thirds of her blood, and, like, literally, she should not be alive. Like, there's like, if medically you say that, there's no way she should be alive.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

True miracle. It's like, you know the verse, faith is like the confidence and the things that you hope for and the assurance of things you cannot see.

[Lulu Griffin]

A girl.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

And I was thinking about your situation where you look at that and some people go, why would God let that happen? And we can't answer all those, like, why questions. But it's so evident that God was there and that he was so for you. He gave people dreams. There were doctors there, There were nurses. There's someone who knew to hold that artery. And it's like there's a faith aspect in it, and it's like, we're not going to ever understand it all. We can't really know for certain where he was and what his plan was. But, you know, he was there, and it's undeniable.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

So to me, it wasn't. I mean, yes, there's always questions, but looking, it's, you know, why did God do this to me? It wasn't God doing anything to her. It was God saving her.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

That's right. Come on. That's beautiful. It's beautiful. I just love Yalls family so much. Ellie, tell us a little bit from you as a twin sister, just being there for your sister. What's interesting, this podcast. So Wednesdays we call it, whoa, that's good. But on Mondays, we call it Sisters and friends. And they're the same podcast. They're just on a different day. But so much of the heart of Ello is to be a sister and a friend. And when I look at you all, like, you guys are the epitome of, like, sisterhood and friendship, of what, like, that should look like. And you guys literally went through this together. I mean, you were there that day and with her. And I know you were helping study your mom. So tell us a little bit about what God was doing in your heart.

[Ellie Griffin]

Give me nub, Give me nub. Give me n. When I was there, I got.

[Lulu Griffin]

I was obviously out of the water.

[Ellie Griffin]

Before Lulu, so I kind of just watched it play out from the shore. And then when she got to the shore, I kind of was the only person there because all of our friends, like, Dispersed. I don't know where they went. But one of our other friends also got bit on her ankle, so her sister was with her. But I was just there for Lulu. I was holding her head because she was still sort of in the water, so the waves were still, like, crashing on her. So I was just holding her head out of the water, and then I was holding her other hand, and then there was like, I. I want to say six or seven, but I don't want to say it.

[Lulu Griffin]

But that's how many you tried to avoid.

[Ellie Griffin]

Six, but that's how many, I think nurses and doctors and just people were there. I was the only person, I think, Lulu knew there. Our mom never really went up to Lulu, because when our mom got there, she was already blacked out. But when she got there, I was just, like, holding mom, and I was.

[Lulu Griffin]

Like, it's gonna be okay.

[Ellie Griffin]

And she was like, no, it's not.

[Lulu Griffin]

I was like, it's gonna be okay.

[Ellie Griffin]

But it was quite the scene. And we were just on the way to a hospital that we didn't even know what hospital we were in. I was, like, updating. Like, I had to call my dad and tell him, and he was like, what? And I was just like. I literally probably said, like, five words. I was like, oh, no. Like, you might not see her again. I love you.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Bye.

[Ellie Griffin]

But he ended up getting on a plane with our mom's best friend. But during that whole call ride, I was kind of just, like, praying on repeat and texting friends to keep. I had one friend that I would text, and she kind of kept everyone else updated. We called our priests, and just, like, our family members. I remember talking to my grandmother and being like, she's never going to play volleyball again. Like, I knew her leg was gone, but, like, I didn't want to admit it.

[Lulu Griffin]

So.

[Ellie Griffin]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

And then you guys, because that's so much to go through together. But I know you guys went back to 30A. I don't know when you guys went back, but when did y' all go back and sit on the sand together?

[Ellie Griffin]

That was the Ophelia trip.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Yeah, that's when I stayed up.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

I didn't realize that was that trip. This kind of small world. My. So Christian's cousin Blakely, for those who are listening, they. I know Blakely is awesome. They, you know, have a place down in 30A, and they also work with Ophelia, and we're running their socials, and I know you guys teamed up with them, and so it's crazy. Like, our worlds have kind of begun to collide in these, like, beautiful way. But I didn't realize it was that trip for y'. All. Tell us a little bit about what that was like going back together and. Cuz I feel like I've heard a quote before. It's really helped me. It says, God reveals things to redeem things. So, like, when you go back to a situation that's like, mimicking something really hard you walk through, he normally brings you back. Not to bring you back to the trauma and the pain of it, but to, like, redeem the trauma and the pain of it. Was that redeeming for y' all to.

[Lulu Griffin]

Go back to your.

[Ellie Griffin]

I guess, just like, healing to too.

[Lulu Griffin]

Especially because going back with all of our friends and because most of our friends were at the beach when all. Everything went down. It was definitely awesome. And we got to go with mom and it was dad. Dad.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Yeah.

[Lulu Griffin]

It was very freeing. And T dog. Yeah, and T dog. And on the last day, I remember, like, just we went back to the exact spot it happened, right?

[Ellie Griffin]

We were, like, leaving on the way out in our cars, and we just, like, drove probably 10 miles down the beach and, like, went to Sandy Shores, which is where we stayed. And we just went in the public parking area and, like, tried to find which boardwalk it was and, like, went.

[Lulu Griffin]

To the exact spot, like, where the.

[Ellie Griffin]

Public people were sitting. We went to the right of them and we just, like, stood and all took it in.

[Lulu Griffin]

And I, like, just. I. I wanted to, like, just lay in the sand and just, like, re. Like, it doesn't, like, try. Like, obviously it's traumatizing, but it doesn't traumatize me. I just wanted that feeling again. And I, like, forced Ellie to, like, hold my head and, like, just hold my hand. And it was very emotional, but it was also, like, gave us such a sense of freedom and relief life. And it was just an awesome day.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Wow. It reminds me so much of, like, even in that sermon, I was listening to something. The gospel is, like, bringing, like, death to life. And it's like you wanted to relive that experience of, like, being very close to death, but, like, being resurrected to life. And, like, you all came back and you're holding her head in your. In her hand as, like, a sign of. Of like, victory. Like, you made it through. Like you did. You made it. You made it. You made it.

[Ellie Griffin]

Life for sure.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Yeah. Of life. Okay. Real talk, fam. You don't need a huge yard, a greenhouse, or landscaping crew to have beautiful plants in your life. Whether you're in a dorm room, a tiny apartment, or your first house. Plants instantly make a space feel like home. That's why I have been loving Fast growing trees. They are actually the largest online nursery in the country, which means they have over 1600 unique options for literally every kind of space. And they show you exactly which plants and trees will thrive in your climate and space, which is awesome for people like me who have no green thumb, no matter how hard I try. We're very excited because we actually got an apple tree from fast growing trees and the girls love it. We planted our little tree together. We go look at it all the time, check on it, and we are hoping to have some apples. But we're committed to the process because it is a process. Your plants actually ship right to your door. That's the easiest part of the whole thing. Plus, I love that Fast Growing trees offers an alive and thrive guarantee so your plants arrive happy, healthy and ready to grow, which takes so much of the stress out of the process. So we chose something that has a process to it, like apples, but you can just choose a plant that has no process to it. It just looks beautiful right when it gets to you. This season, they have the best deals for your yard, including up to half off tons of plants and other deals and listeners to our show. Get 20 off your next purchase when using the code WHOA at checkout. That's 20 off your next purchase at fastgrowingtrees.com using code WHOA. WH O A at checkout. Now is the perfect time to plant. Use the code Whoa to save today. Offer is valid for a limited time. Terms and conditions may apply. Check out the link below or in the show notes and support the show. So I want to talk to you because I know you weren't with them in that moment, but then you came to them. I know it's really wild, but I've heard you say in the car ride, you kept just saying, like, breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe. What is like, I guess, what has that done for your prayer life since? Just seeing what God did in that moment. You're telling her to breathe now, to hear her say, God was giving me breath in my lungs. Like, has that. What does that mean to you?

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Well, I mean, the whole car ride, how many times did we say over and over, God, please let her breathe. God, please let her breath.

[Lulu Griffin]

The whole time she was like hyperventilating.

[Ellie Griffin]

So it's like, please breathe.

[Lulu Griffin]

Take your DNA to keep you humble.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

But knowing just like what we saw, like, I can still see it on the beach, like, see her there and, like, the leg and, like, knowing what I know, that she shouldn't be here. The power of prayers, very real. And the prayers that all of our community had. So Ellie mentioned that, like, our minister at our church, he prayed over us in the car. At our church in Birmingham, they all gathered while she was in surgery. Just the power of prayer is very real.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

So cool. Okay, so y' all are those people, though, that you don't just, like, get through something. You, like, power through and then make something good out of it. I've heard that you've say you want to be in the Paralympics. Y' all are, like, going for big dreams, big things starting foundations. You know, there's obviously a time where I'm sure it felt like, what is my life gonna look like now? Like, you said, you're grieving. Like, I'm not gonna be able to play volleyball again. I'm not gonna be able to. When did that shift happen for me, of, like, okay, I'm not gonna get my life back the way it was, but my life could be actually really good going forward. Do you remember that kind of shift in your brain where you started dreaming forward?

[Lulu Griffin]

For me, it was, like, in the hospital when I was, like, just, like, crying, and then it was like it hit, and I was like, okay, like, this isn't what I can't. It's not what I can't do. It's what I can do. And, like, mom says it all the time. It's not a disability. It's an ability. And so been given opportunities through the loss that I've had. And I've always grown up competitive, playing sports. And so in the hospital, like, my doctors were like, because normally it takes months to receive prosthetics and then to learn on the walk them. And I was like, nope, I'm going to learn. I'm going to walk out of the hospital. And you will see it with your own eyes of me walking out of the hospital, and I will make this happen. And they were like, okay, I'd love to see that happen. And I.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

We.

[Lulu Griffin]

Me and my physical therapist and occupational therapist, we made it happen. And lots of hard work goes into it. And just, like, the mindset of, you can do it, because obviously it's hard, and there's a lot of mental blocks of, like, just relearning how to walk on a piece of metal. But I was just so focused and so determined, and I did it. And I feel like that's how everything is. It's like, you can do whatever you put your mind to, and because if you fall, God's always there to pick you up. And like, even though, like, your life changes and. And you're like, life throws curveballs at us, it doesn't matter, because God stays the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow and forever. And I love that verse. And it's just. He is a cons. He is constant. And so if you want to get something done, you will. If you are willing to get it done, it's awesome.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

And I would say also, I think there's two pieces to that as well. When we were in inpatient rehab, like, on that floor, there were head injuries. There were people who would never be able to walk, that didn't have, like, paralysis. And so we saw, like, people that were worse off than where we thought we were. So it kind of put it in perspective of, like, I still have a sound mind. Like, I may be missing an arm and a leg, but my. She is still there. She's her same personality, regardless of what she looks like. And so with that, that, I think also Lulu's journey has been like, an anomaly from a amputee perspective. And so it was. It's kind of unfair for other amputees that go through it. So our mission really is to help other amputees have the same experience that she got to experience, because most people don't.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Well, so that's what the foundation is.

[Lulu Griffin]

To help others and kind of how the foundation evolves. Because I, like, I had this virtual reality headset. It elim. It eliminates, like, all the pain in my arm, and it helped me to control my prosthetic arm. And I got my prosthetics just two months after the accident. And normally it can take up to a whole year. And so, yeah, it is an anomaly that I got all of this, like, cool technology, and not everyone gets that right when their accident happens. And so our goal is to just fundraise that research and make it possible for other amputees.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

So how do people get of. Is there a website?

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Yeah, there's lulustrong.com.

[Lulu Griffin]

Okay.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

And there's a donate now button. But I think merch.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Well, that's good listeners. If you're not going there right now.

[Lulu Griffin]

There'S something wrong with you.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

But it truly was seeing, like, you know, this does not define you. It's what we do with it. Like, you ask why God? Well, God did it for her to do something bigger with it.

[Lulu Griffin]

And it's turning. Even though it is a bad circumstance, there's so much good that comes from it. And you just have to. It's a choice that we get to make, and we, like, we get the choice every single day of waking up with a smile and waking up with joy. And so you just have to make that choice to.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Just.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Because it could go the other way. I mean, a lot of people could go the opposite way.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Yes.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

And that's not really how we operate because, like, that would be miserable.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

That's y'.

[Ellie Griffin]

All.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

That's why I was saying, like, I love your family. Y' all are so, like, down to earth. Y' all love God. And what you said last night. My mom always says this. My mom. Mom's like. Because people ask my mom, like, how did your kids not go crazy just, you know, having a reality TV show at such a young age and all that? And a lot of families do go that route, and everybody, you know, moves away and loses their mind and all that kind of stuff. And mom was like, even though our life changed circumstantially, like, the things that matter stayed the same. And my mom's like, that's the key. Like, that's grounding. Like, our family stayed the same. We live in the same place. We're going to church on Sunday. Like, we didn't. It didn't change the things that really matter to us and our priorities. And that was so how, like, your husband kept it afloat. I mean, your village, you're talking about your church rallying, talking about your little brother keeping you humble. Last night, your little brother's like, get up and get your own water. And you're like, dude, I don't have a leg. Y' all are just, like, real. And I love how you said, like, you could act the other way. We talked about this last night. You were like, people kind of, like, have to be nice to me. Like, no, no, not every. Like, people have accidents all the time, and. And this doesn't happen to their life. You know, you. God, like, made you so wonderful when he knit you together in your mother's womb. He knew the kind of person you were going to be and how you were going to handle a situation like this. Not everybody looks at a doctor and says, I'm going to walk out of here, and you're going to see it with your own eyes. You know, not everybody talks about God being faithful yesterday, day and forever. Not everybody is a sister like you that says, hey, this was traumatizing, but I'm going to go back down to the beach, and I'm going to hold your head, because this is how we're going to heal together. Like, you guys have taken each step and leaned in to God instead of, like, ran away. And that's why y' all have, like, so much joy. And it's. It's incredible. It really is. I want to ask you because at ELO conference this year, there's. I actually is. Yeah, there's a picture. If there's not a picture, it's burned in my memory forever because I cried seeing it.

[Lulu Griffin]

I know.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

You and Michaela. No. Holding hands and worshiping, standing right beside each other. Michaela, for those who don't know, she's been on before, but she was paralyzed by a cheerleading accident. She was doing a flip, and it didn't go well, and she's paralyzed. She was a very competitive cheerleader, beautiful girl, and she's similar to you in that she's so determined and that she loves the Lord and she's using her platform for so much good. But y' all didn't know each other before conference, huh?

[Lulu Griffin]

So we had connected through social media, because once you, like, get in that world, it's just like, this own world of, like, you know, everyone knows everyone. And so we had connected, and we had just, like, chatted over social media, and I had no idea that she was going to be at conference. And then when we got there, we met her, and I was just, like, starstruck because she's, like, this awesome, cool social media influencer. And I was like, no way. And so I. We met her, and it was just awesome. Like, she is so filled with the spirit. And I think it's so important to, like, they're, like, have that inclusion, I guess, because there's so, like, it's so hard to, like, get focused on, like, the regular, everyday people. And then there's just us and Michaela. And so I think it was so awesome, just uniting and just showing that we can, like, be here. We can worship the Lord even though we have a disability. And we got to hold hands, and it was just very powerful and such a, like, emotional and moving night. And then Lauren Dagel spoke about, like, my friend Blakely, who just lost her arm, and then this other girl who got paralyzed, and it, like, hit us hard because, like, we had gone through it, and it was, like, all just, like, moment after moment after moment of just, like, God being with us. And it was just incredible, like, getting to meet her. And like, now we, like, text each other all the time, and we're just, like, friends, and it's like, so fun and so uplifting. That's so cool.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

That's one thing that's been cool about y' all story too is you talked about connecting with Bethany Hamilton, Lauren Kennedy, Ally. I don't know her last name. True it several different people and you said how the world gets kind of small. I feel like that is like the beauty of the body of Christ, the beauty of the church. Like when it comes to community, what has that meant to you? Just having other people that have gone through it. How is it, how's it helped all of you guys? I'm sure it's helped everybody. 2026 is here, y'. All. And this is a year to get started on those ideas you've been carrying around. It's time to start making your dreams a reality. One powerful move can change everything. And that move is starting your business with Shopify. Shopify gives you everything you need to sell online and in person, all in one place. Millions of entrepreneurs, from first time business owners to household names have already taken that leap. And hello online merch. My family's business, Duck Commander are both powered by Shopify. We love how easy it is to take care of our customers online orders our brands and keep everything moving smoothly behind the scenes. Shopify actually lets you choose from hundreds of beautiful templates. Customize them to match your brand and you can get set up fast with built in AI tools that help write product descriptions, headlines and even edits photos for you. Plus marketing is built in too, so you can reach people wherever they scroll. And as your business grows, Shopify grows with you all from one convenient dashboard in 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling [e-mail] Whoa. Go to shopify.com Whoa. Again that shopify.com Whoa. Hear your first this new year with Shopify by your side.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Well, we didn't know it before, but the limb different community is so very like helpful and wanting to give you advice like Bethany Hamilton. Like Lulu and Ellie went this past year and Lulu went last year to her retreat called the beautifully flawed retreat. And it's a retreat for limb different girls so that you can like be around other people that are like you. And so I think that was very helpful for Lulu. I don't know if you want to expand on how that helped you seeing.

[Lulu Griffin]

That just because you don't just come across like an amputee every day. And so just being in the community where everyone has experienced what you've gone through of loss of a limb or, like, just being born without a limb. They know, like, your struggles and your pain, and it's truly one of the best experiences ever. And then I have, like, friend, one. One of my friends in Georgia. She is so sweet. Like, she'll just, like, I'll ask her, like, how do you go to the bathroom? Like, in the beginning, And I was.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Like, she said, video.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

It. What's her name? Yeah, she's Passion. Yeah.

[Lulu Griffin]

That's awesome. She's amazing. And so, like, it's so, like, awesome. Like, they're so willing to help you. Like, they don't care. They're just like. Because they've been through it. They needed help. And so now it's like, that's what I want to do now. Just, like, help others go through, like, the hard times. We teach them how to do their hair, how to put on.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

That's right. Lauren Kennedy, we got a video from her being like, okay, this is how you use nub to put up your hair in a clip. Like, so super helpful.

[Lulu Griffin]

Wow, that is just, like, such an awesome community to be a part of.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Wait, that is so cool. I love that. You would never know that. Like, that is so cool how people rally around. That is what it's all about. Like, sisterhood and friendship. We're coming in. And, like, again, how do you go to the bathroom? Like, how do you put your hair up? Like, you gotta ask those, like, practical questions you don't think about. Man, that's. That is, like, so cool to hear. So I mentioned that. Well, first I gotta back it up because y' all went to the Bethany Hamilton thing and you both surfed. Yes. What was that like, getting. Being back in the water and actually surfing? Because we talked about this. I told you. I was like, I've always been scared of the water. My family has made fun of me because I'm the one that doesn't want to get in the water. Then I married a family from Florida who loves to get in the water. And I was like, okay, I'll overcome this fear. But you talked about how you were afraid to get in the water beforehand, just like everybody is. And then you actually got bit by a shark, and then you got back in the water. Like, talk about crazy confidence. What was that like?

[Lulu Griffin]

It was definitely hard getting back in the water, just kind of. Because that's, like, where my life completely shifted, Right? But, like. And the first time I got back in the water was in California, and we were surfing, and it was awesome. My mom was there, so she was talking me through it videoing. And, like, all the girls were cheering me on because they, like, knew how hard it was. But when I got on the surfboard, I was just, like, felt free, and, like, I just let the wind blow through my hair. I would fall in the ocean and split, and it was literally just pure joy. I could not stop smiling. And it was just so much fun. And it was. It would be scary. Like, it sounds scary, like, from an outside perspective of, like, getting back in the water. But, like, once I was in, I was. I was in, and there was just, like.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Just.

[Lulu Griffin]

I kept on surfing. I probably went, like, 20 times.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

So fun.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Tell her the story about the guy before you got on the.

[Ellie Griffin]

What story about how he's like, you won't get bit by sharks.

[Lulu Griffin]

The worst thing.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Sorry.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Okay.

[Lulu Griffin]

Yeah. Tell you a story. I mean, you know, it doesn't have to go.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

You don't have to go in there.

[Ellie Griffin]

But this is like, we were like.

[Lulu Griffin]

And before I went in, the. Before I. The first. I love.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

I see you wear it up. It makes me laugh.

[Lulu Griffin]

Before the very first I went in.

[Ellie Griffin]

Yes, that's true.

[Lulu Griffin]

That's true.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

So true.

[Lulu Griffin]

Before the very first time I went in, there were these, like. We had, like. These other people were just like. Because I was just looking out into the ocean, like, by myself, just, like, contemplating, like, my decision and just, like, thinking about it and, like, letting the nerves set in and, like, the fear and whatever, and just, like, thinking, like, I can do this. Like. And this other guy came up to me and was like, are you nervous? And I was like, yeah. And he was like, it's okay. The worst thing that can happen is you get bit by a shark. And I was like, did he know.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

You had gotten bit by a shark? Oh, my God.

[Lulu Griffin]

So his wife. Then I were like, did he really just say that? Yeah, his wife. I was like, bro, babe, she is.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

The one who got bit by the shark.

[Lulu Griffin]

He was, like, so embarrassed. I still got in after that, and I was like, I conquered it. And I was. All the nerves went away. It was just like, a brief.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

But I think that that story made us obviously laugh. So it was like more of, like, a calming thing.

[Lulu Griffin]

Definitely calming.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

You made me laugh last night when you were like, well, I mean, the odds of getting bit by a shark are, like, one in a million. And it happened to me when? Once. So what are the odds it would happen to me twice? And it's like, you're. You're just perspective. I think joy is such a key. Like, Being able to laugh in the face of, like, adversity and not laugh in a bad way. But it's like, you got a lot to keep from crying. Like, what does it say? Proverbs 31:Woman. Like, she laughs at the fear of the future. It's like, yeah, you could, you know, be scared and anxious and all the time and do that, and you have every right to be, but it's like, well, that's not a way to. That's not the way you want to live your life. Like, you choose joy.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Another. So when we were in the hospital, Ellie was in. Lulu was supposed to be in Orlando playing in nationals at volleyball. So I ended up flying, leaving the hospital, because I wanted to be there for Ellie, because Ellie was having a hard time. She was there by herself. So, anyway, there's two pieces to the story. The first game that they had, they were playing a team called the Sharks, and the team called the Sharks went to the wrong court and didn't end up showing up, so they had to forfeit. So you're like, there's, like, a weird sign right there. And then the next day, we had, like, clappers. You know, like, clapper things with, like, the hands. Well, I, like, clap behind, and one fell off, and I was, like, looked at, like, the parents.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

I was like, I only have one hand.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

And they were, like, mortified that I said that, but I'm like, this is so, like, funny. Like, one hand clapper. Lulu just lost her hand. They were like, it might be too soon for you to, like, joke about this. I was like, well, what are we gonna do? Like, you have to laugh about it. You have to laugh instead of be sad.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Yes. I think it brings so much. Again, it's like the comparison that Paul writes of, like, being drunk and being filled with the spirit because people look at you and you're like, how could you laugh? How could you smile? And it's like, it's not because I'm being drunk and loose and flippant. It's because I'm. I have a deep hope. I have an anchored source of hope in life. And we know resurrection, death. And so it's just amazing how rooted y' all are in Christ. You guys just are so filled with the spirit that so many Bible verses come out of your mouth. So much wisdom comes out of your mouth. And this whole podcast is centered around advice. Like, we always ask, what's the best piece of advice? And so much of that, for me, like, why I wanted to do that is because I've Gotten so much good advice from my mom, from my grandma, from my great grandmother. And I'm like, I want to give that to other people, because not everybody has that, but you two girls have that. Y' all have quoted your mom so much and gone so back to, like, the things she said to you in those times of struggle and those times of need. And I love how even today she sat in the middle and y' all were like, help us if we don't know what to say. Like, you're just an incredible mom, and you pour so much into your girls, and now y' all are little world changers. Like, I can't wait to see what's next. The sky's, like, literally the limit for. I mean, not. You're gonna bust past the sky. Like, I can't wait to see all you're gonna do. So tell us a little bit about what's next so we can start cheering y' all on. I know. We're gonna. We're all gonna go get. And then tell us about kind of, like, the Paralympic, what you're gonna start training if you want to, what your goals are, a little bit of what's next.

[Lulu Griffin]

So we just, like, had the official launch party for our foundation this past week, and that was super fun. Just getting to spread awareness and having my foundation, like, official, official, and, like, being able to just, like, see people supporting me and the foundation. And then we toured. We have this foundation, like, five minutes down the road from. It's called the Lakeshore foundation, and it's the Paralympic tr. And so we toured that the other day, and it just, like, opened my mind to so many sports. Like, there's so many opportunities, and so I definitely. We're going to. When we're going to move back in, me and Ellie are going to go train up there, but I don't know right now what sport I want to do. I'm kind of open to whatever suits me best and obviously which one I like the best. And so I'm just excited, and I really hope that I can qualify for the Paralympics and just to see. See, like, where all I can go.

[Ellie Griffin]

But the good thing about, like, the foundation, the Lakeshore foundation, is, like, I learned I didn't go on the tour, but Lulu, like, came and was like, they, like, can tell me, like, what sports I'm good at before I even, like, try them. So, like, they'll help her in, like, all the ways. They have a nutritionist. Like, they have so much stuff and so many, like, what's the word? Like, things accessible for her to use.

[Lulu Griffin]

And they, like, think of everything because obviously, like, the have people who are, like, paralyzed and, like, people who don't have limbs. And so they'll think, like, their gyms have to be more spacious. They have to have adaptations for people to be able to lift things, because there's so much. They're so accessible. And it is just awesome. And it is literally just, like, right down the door from us. And it is like, another God thing.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Like, not many people have, like, a Paralympic training center five minutes from them.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Like, I mean, how many times we passed that and never once been up?

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

That's crazy. God definitely has huge things for Yalls family. He already is showing y' all that, and you guys are stepping into it with so much faith and so much fullness. I love you guys. I'm so grateful to know y', all, and I'm so glad y' all did this podcast. Thank you. This is going to bless so many people listening, and we can't wait to continue following you along and cheering y' all on.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

So I also want to say, you sent Lulu, like, a big care package in the mail, like, with books and swag and letters, and that was, like, so meaningful and, like, so special.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

That's so sweet. That's so sweet. Well, from the minute it happened, we were like, how can we help in any way? And, you know, it's funny, when I spoke at Motion and I was talking to Mary Lauren, I totally thought I was going to be with y'.

[Sponsor Voice/Announcer]

All.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

And then it was all your friends, which was ended up being really, really sweet, getting to do the Bible study with all your friends. But what really struck me about your community is how much they really do love you guys and believe in y'.

[Ellie Griffin]

All.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

And we're so praying for y'. All. We're excited for you to be in school. And you guys are surrounded by some gems, for sure. But that speaks a lot to Yalls character. A lot. But thank you for saying that this is.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

No, we appreciate it. And the other thing you talk about, like, sisters, like, your sister podcast. So, like, their group of friends, like, they were close before, but now there will be, like, sisters for life. You know, you go through something, like, traumatic, like, their group of friends is not. They just become closer.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

Wow.

[Mom (Mother of Lulu, Ellie, and Ann Blair Griffin)]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly Sadie Robertson Huff)]

I feel like that's the thing with sisterhood. When we say, like, we want to be a sister and a friend. It's one thing to be a friend, it's another thing to be a sister, because, like, a sister, when you go through something, and you change. Like, your relationship doesn't change. It actually gets deeper, you know? Or with a sister, you can cry and you're not thinking twice about what you look like or what they're thinking. Are they judging you? Like, they're just here for it, you know, they're here for the whole thing. They're here again. So, like, in the mess of it, to get in the sand, to hold your hand, like, that's a sister. Whereas sometimes times, like, when it's just a surface level friendship, you second guess what you're saying, what you're looking. Like, are they going to be there? Is it going to change? But, like, I'm sure you probably not even question that with each other. Like, that's just. Of course you're going to be there. That's your sister. And the more I think, you know, in Christ, like, we're called to sisterhood. Like, we're a family. And so to love people like that is such a gift. So foreign to the world to go, like, I'm actually gonna, like, be there more for you. You're gonna go deeper. We're gonna cheer you on. I'm gonna get on a phone call or a video and teach you how to put your hair in a ponytail. I'm gonna show you whatever it is. I'm gonna. Last night, such a sister moment. You were eating the oyster. And then we realized it was because it was gonna be hard. And you're like, I'll feed you the oyster. Like, do you want the oyster? Like, this is a sister, you know, it's like, yeah, you can ask that.

[Lulu Griffin]

And so I'm glad you brought Sam.