Life and Work with Samantha Hull

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Hull.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m 26 years old, I work as a contract administrator for a healthcare staffing agency and I’m also a college student studying business. I moved to San Diego when I was 18 years old… but before I get into all of that, I’ll need to explain my earlier years.

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. I’m the eldest of three; I have two younger brothers. I guess from the outside looking in I was just a part of your typical suburban family with nothing out of the ordinary. Growing up, my brothers & I was always surrounded by family members and kids in the neighborhood. Although there weren’t any underlying issues, I just always felt a little out of place… like I didn’t fit in.

My dad’s side of the family is from Pittsburgh while my Mom’s side of the family is from San Diego. My earliest memory of my mom’s family was when we came out to San Diego when I was about six years old. My mom’s younger sister was getting married and I finally got to meet everyone – grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins – for the first time. Maybe it was the sunshine, beach, and palm trees… I’m still not sure, but I felt right at home. From that moment on we would come to California every three years and every year that we came out here, it was harder to leave. I knew that someday I’d move out here and it would only be a matter of time.

Fast forward to my first year of high school. I was looking forward to the start of everything new. Dances, proms, football games, sports, and boys, etc. However, shortly after the semester began, my family received news that turned our entire world upside down.

My mother was diagnosed with stage three cancer of the esophagus, lymph nodes, and stomach.

After years of fighting so hard and being in remission for quite some time, my mom passed away peacefully on January 14, 2010.

After graduating high school that following June, I applied to several universities and was accepted into Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) to pursue a degree in Psychology.

That summer, my family and I visited San Diego to be with my mom’s family for two and a half weeks. This time things felt different, I was homesick for San Diego and I knew I had to move here. Once I had that in my mind, it only took seventeen days to get out of going to IUP. Exactly one week before I was supposed to move into the dorms I broke the news to my dad that I was going to move to California instead.

Naturally, he thought I had lost my mind. Due to leaving my job when my mom was sick, I didn’t have any money saved up to move nor did I own a car. Despite that, I knew I had a room at my aunt’s place and that was all the assurance I needed to make my dreams come true. Eight years later, I’m still here and I’m forever grateful to my family and friends for helping me throughout my journey.

Has it been a smooth road?
No at all, and I say that with the biggest smile on my face.

I’ve had to overcome the death of my mother. Despite what everyone else wanted, I left my home, my dad, my two younger brothers, family, and friends behind at the age of 18. I’ve changed homes 1-2 times every year since moving to California. I’ve been let go of my dream job. I’ve changed career paths more times than I can count. I’ve experienced heartbreak more than once. However, these hardships are not my story. These struggles are only seasons throughout my journey and I’ve learned to accept them as much as I accept my happiest days.

My advice to young women who are facing anything that is heartbreaking, testing your faith, making you feel like you are unworthy of a happy life; I am here to tell you that you are so much stronger than you realize. We like to assume, believe the lies we tell ourselves, and think the worst of situations, but we hold the same power to change all of that. Believe in yourself, in your dreams, and if you fail at something, keep going!

Most importantly, focus your time and energy on creating positive experiences for yourself. You will never live a happy life if you rely on the outside world to create them for you.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sam Diego Living – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
In 2016, my lifestyle blog, Sam Diego Living, was created… originally because of my love for photography and writing. Ever since I can remember I’ve always had a journal or website of some sort floating around the internet; then, it was Myspace & Xanga. Sam Diego Living highlighted topics like travel, health/wellness, style, make-up, advice, etc. There were no limits to what I could write about and I loved the idea of that. Being creative is an outlet for me, it feels incredibly empowering being able to share that part of myself with everyone.

I started a lifestyle blog in hopes of sharing my story. My story of overcoming adversity and living life to the fullest despite all of the obstacles. Instead of letting what happened to me affect me in the worst of ways, I chose to let it be the fire & drive I needed to pursue a life I have always wanted. After all, it’s easy to become a victim of your own life but it is so fulfilling when you triumph over what was meant to crush you.

Unfortunately, blogging wasn’t bringing in the revenue I had hoped for so I decided after two years to close my site down, but instead, focus on sharing my stories and life on social media like Instagram and Facebook. Someday in the future I’d like to have another website but for now, I’m loving the simplicity of these social platforms.

Who have you been inspired by?
My mother, Donna, without a doubt.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 858-837-0984
• Email: samdiegoliving@gmail.com
• Instagram: samdiegoliving
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samdiegoliving/

Image Credit:
Niall Morga

Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.