Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Pico.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As I reflect on the last few years, I can’t help but start hearing Mat Kearney’s album “CRAZYTALK” replay in my head. This album dropped in April 2018 a few weeks before I boarded a plane to travel to Europe for a week-long business trip. At this point, I was working for Morgan Business Consulting for three years in Washington, DC in Security Cooperations – which in laymen’s terms is a role where I work for the military doing international diplomacy. The last few years had been both exciting in lots of ways and also very difficult. My family and some close friends had been in and out of the hospital with health problems, some recovered, some didn’t. While I didn’t suffer in the same capacity as those close to me, between taking care of family and friends, commuting almost three hours a day, and a stressful job I had a few health scares myself. The long hours in the car commuting to work snuck up on me and I found myself overweight, recurring knee issues, and regular asthma attacks. I always assumed DC was the heart of the US government, so I would call it home forever.
While DC is my heartbeat, it didn’t offer everything. I would prefer to “work hard, play hard” and I was simply working hard most days. About a year prior to boarding the plane to Europe, I joined a gym and started doing the hard work of being disciplined – one rep at a time. The result? I lost more than 40 lbs and got my health back. My doctor said I was one bad step away from needing a knee surgery but through consistency of training and discipline, my ACL had repaired itself. Losing weight, not only gave me my health back, but taught me that life’s challenges really can be fought one rep at a time. Sometimes, all you have to do is show up and extend yourself the grace to accept where you’re at and the discipline to take it a day at a time. I was starting to get my life back in lots of ways, but something was missing. My friend circle was dispersed across town and I couldn’t get over my love for the water and adventure. My company had offered me a job in San Diego a couple of times that year, but the timing wasn’t quite right. The day after I got back from Europe, the president of my company greeted me in my office and offered me a job in San Diego. For the first time, everything lined up and I was willing and able to take a risk at a fresh start in a new city where summer is forever and I could not only grow in my career but explore different parts of what made me feel alive outside of the work grind of our nation’s capital. I accepted the job and moved to San Diego in July 2018 and have no regrets.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Although I moved several times in my life, I knew that San Diego couldn’t fix some of the areas I struggled with – I knew I had to be intentional to build a life and make decisions that would bring out the best parts in me. I read Hannah Brencher’s book “Come Matter Here” and these words resonated with me as I began to build a new life: “I think we worship these stories of leaving it all behind and going somewhere new, but I’m beginning to see that every one of those stories has the same truth holding up this romantic idea of leaving: The stuff you’re not facing will follow you. Leaving isn’t the key; changing is. It’s not about the scenery changing or the person you say goodnight to. The traveler must be the one to change. That’s what makes the story good.” While I left behind difficult situations, I had to make peace with my past. One of the best decisions I made was to start going to counseling so I could get to know myself better – learn what made me tick, how to recognize patterns and to reflect on past failures and triumphs. Mostly what I learned in counseling (and continue to learn) is how to process my emotions. a gift to get to take the time to slow down each session and get to know yourself. I recommend that everyone takes the time to not only push themselves in their career and hobbies, but also find the beauty that you can offer to other people.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I’ve always had a passion to explore the world, be immersed in different cultures, and bring people together to celebrate the good things in life. I would say I have three jobs – one that pays most of the bills and allows me to be intellectually stimulated (shout out MBC), one that I have the opportunity to get to know the community better and serve it in a fun and exciting way (@
In the first month of moving to San Diego, I was scrolling through Instagram and found a page called @christiansurferspacficbeach. I literally knew nothing about surfing but the Instagram page looked like a fun group of people. I took a risk and walked up to the beach and was met by a group of friendly people having a bonfire under the stars. I was greeted by one of the leaders, Ashley, who later became a dear friend and she smiled so big and said, “I’m so glad you are here and found us on Instagram.” It reminded me in a digital world that there are real people posting behind the screen and sometimes it just takes showing up and putting yourself out there to meet new people. The following weeks, Ashley would send a personal invite to this fresh out of the east coast girl into this community of eclectic, adventurous, and vagabond crew who came together for their love of Jesus, surfing, and community.
My nights and weekends became filled with this tribe and I traveled to Mexico and camped under the stars, road-tripped to Yosemite and rented a big cabin, volunteered in Mexican orphanages, found the snow in Big Bear and cruised to the desert. I loved the community so much that I stepped into a leadership role where I could plan the Monday night meetups in Pacific Beach on Diamond Street beach where our focus was to live life to the full and share the stoke of Jesus and surfing. We do crazy things like take over the Pacific Beach pier with Costco foamies, storm the beaches after work with ridiculous inflatables, night surfing, and provide a platform to hear from speakers all over the world in the surfing community while we gather around a bonfire at sunset. The group not only does fun things but has helped several people take healthy steps towards recovering from substance abuse by creating a place where you can be vulnerable to deal with what life throws your way. I love meeting new people and get so excited when people find us. The group ranges from 30-50 people on any given night and it has been one of the best ways to build a life and community in San Diego.
The other passion project I am a part of is called “The Selah House.” Born from a dream of two of my friends, Devin Bowman, and Rachel Sherrill, we host a monthly concert on Dev’s rooftop the first Friday of the month where we bring in local artists to share their talent with us. I have the opportunity to use some creative juices to do the marketing and social media for the event. There is something magical about ending the week with hearing local artists share their talent. “Selah” means “Pause and Listen” and I love how music brings people together. So, if you don’t surf but love good music, I would love to see you guys at our next Selah House.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Life is all about who you know. I think everyone can offer something to someone. The best mentors I’ve had are people who are easily accessible and doing well in your field. I’ve realized people are always open to helping you out – you have to just ask.
Contact Info:
- Email: bpico91@gmail.com
- Instagram: @christiansurferspacificbeach, @theselahhouse, personal – @bgpico
- Twitter: bgpico
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