Carlin Isles

"If you have a vision, and it don't matter what anybody else sees or how dumb they think it is, make people see what you see!"(Carlin Isles) Carlin Isles took these words to heart, and constructed his own path to achieve his hopes and dreams. Isles was born on November 21, 1989 in Massillon, Ohio. He lived in different foster cares as a child with his twin sister. Whenever Isles would get frustrated or have some free time he would go to the track and run. Once he knew he was faster than the other kids, he knew that he had a gift. Isles got adopted and joined sports like football and track. As he got faster he was able to receive numerous awards and became the 36th fastest man in America in 2012. He broke an abundance of school records at Ashland University where he holds the record for kick returns, with 174 yards in one game. In Jackson High School in Ohio, where he holds school records in the long jump, 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter events to this day. He tried out for the Olympics, but never made it. That never stopped him from accomplishing his dreams of going to the Olympics. He discovered rugby and fell in love with the sport. Carlin Isles, the fastest man to play rugby is known throughout the world for his record beating times, but he is less well known for his determination in attaining his dream, his courage when fighting obstacles, and his willingness to help others. Carlin Isles example is one that can make a large impact on a person's life and to change it for the better.

Courage is a word that has multiple meanings, whether it be sticking up for what is right, enduring a tragic moment, or standing up to peer pressure. As a young boy Carlin Isles demonstrated the different ways in which one person could be courageous. As a child Carlin Isles endured the threatening violence of his neighborhood, and sticking up for what is right to protect his family: "Grew up in foster care until I was right, ran away from home got in fights to protect my twin sister and I" (Carlin Isles). When he said "Grew up in foster care" he elaborates the fact that he had little to no parental guidance in an unsafe environment for children. This tragic situation caused him to run away with his twin sister, and protect her by getting in fights. Isles describes, "right", he means the right moment to try to leave, and enter a better and safer environment. Carlin describes "got in fights to protect my twin sister and I" he protected his twin sister from the threatening violence that they had to endure. He got in fights so that he can make sure that his sister is fine and wouldn't have to protect herself. Isles also showed courage when he denied the Detroit Lions football contract: "It's still there if I want it to but I think my purpose is in rugby" (Carlin Isles). As he said "It's still there" he talks about the football contract that the Detroit Lions offered him. When he explained that his "purpose is in rugby" he shows that he isn't in the athletic business for the money, but for the thrill. From a young child to an adult, Isles demonstrated fearlessness in overcoming his humble beginning.

Carlin Isles' selflessness allowed him to reach greater heights with his friends, family, and others. Carlin Isles shows selflessness when he had an interview with IRB during sevens rugby, "Having good integrity and having a good name for myself is really important for me, because it not only reflects myself, but it reflects my teammates and the people around me" (IRB). Isles shows that even as a professional he does not think the world revolves around him when he said, "it not only reflects myself, but it reflects my teammates and the people around me" (IRB). This quote also describes how a caring, and unselfishness allows one to be adored by their peers, and reach greater heights. He also teaches any person who would like to get faster how to do so: "I teach all over the proper technique and whoever would like to get faster. I also plan to help some charities as soon as possible" (Carlin Isles). Whenever he can he shows anyone how to get better and faster with the proper running technique. When Isles said, "I also plan to help some charities," he described how he would soon benefit children or other people in need as he donates to charity. In his spare time Carlin Isles does deeds that would benefit peoples' daily lives and helps them to get better and stronger.

Isles determination allows him to achieve more than he ever imagined and to reach his dream. Carlin Isles worked his hardest even in his academics, "School system was so bad I couldn't even read and took me a while to be able to read on my age level. But I always knew God had a great plan for me" (Carlin Isles). Once he got adopted, he played football and track during middle school, but as the only black kid he battled in an unfamiliar environment, "But fought my way to end up reading and getting great grades. And I always worked hard in school and out of school. I found I had a gift which was running and I did and studied everything I could about getting faster so I could be the best" (Carlin Isles). Isles describes "But fought my way to end up reading and getting great grades" which tells the reader that Isles is not all about sports, and family, but he also cares a whole lot that he excels in his academics. "School system was so bad I couldn't even read" and in "I always worked hard in school and out of school. .... I did and studied everything I could .so I could be the best" Isles explains and demonstrates that anything is possible no matter what it is. Isles never gave up in what he did and always tried his best even when the odds were against him: "When I left college early, school was very important to me, but I just felt god had something better." (Carlin Isles). He left college and worked and trained whenever he could. "Felt like a failure and couldn't look myself in the mirror." (Carlin Isles). He later found a pastor who encouraged him. "I just had to believe in him and keep working hard and he paved the way!" (Carlin Isles). When Isles said, "Felt like a failure and couldn't look myself in the mirror," he describes himself as a failure if he did not work out or maintain his fitness. "I just had to believe in him and keep working hard and he paved the way!" shows his persistence, and how it later allowed him to achieve his dream. Carlin Isles did not get to where he is now by just walking in and becoming the fastest man to play rugby. He worked hard on his academics and also his athleticism to achieve new heights.

Carlin Isles created a better life for himself, his family, and others through his consistent focus and steadily making the right decisions for himself, and his decisions that he made. Although Carlin Isles has made amazing accomplishments, there is more to him than most of us know. He not only made an impact on my life, but an impact in the world. Carlin Isles shows an individual like me that if you keep persistent with your academics and what you love to do, opportunities will come your way. By example he shows the best of values in life and that persistence would help you in the long run. "Always work hard. Don't let anyone one give you ideas that may let get you off track" (Carlin Isles).