Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Carnes.
Hi Brandon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
The dream all started from watching the 2000 Olympics. A native of Bradenton, FL I always knew I was destined to break out from where I came from. I grew up playing football, and that was always my sport. It wasn’t until high school that I started running track.
I instantly fell in love with the sport and had success early on. I knew I was talented, but it wasn’t until my sophomore year I knew I could take it far in the sport. My dream was to make it to the NFL, but for some reason, the track is what stuck. I was learning a lot, and as I learned, I continued to progress, which kept me coming back for more. My main goal with the track was to make it to the Olympics, representing my country.
The track led me to the University of Northern Iowa, a small college town where success continued. My confidence also continued to build and allowed me to make history as the first athlete to win 16 Missouri Valley Conference Titles.
After my final collegiate season, at the USA Outdoor Championships, I signed up with my first agency to be a professional track sprinter. I learned a lot and faced many hardships during those first few years as a pro. However, that has molded me into the man I am today and how strong I am mentally, able to handle life as it comes. At an elite level, I had to remain focused, pivoting often, to get to where I wanted to be, but I never doubted my destiny.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road was definitely not a smooth one, but success doesn’t come without some bumps in the road.
Finances- My first contract as a pro was very small, and was only a 2-year contract. Trying to perform at an elite level, while also struggling to pay bills, pay for physical therapy/treatment/etc., was very difficult. It was often hard to find part-time work that understood that I may be gone for competitions for days, and sometimes weeks at a time. There were times I was overseas at a meet, and I had to ask for help to pay for a meal, or times when I had to ask my own coach to help me make rent that month.
Coaching changes- Throughout my professional career, I’ve had 3 different coaches. I started off with my college coach my first year, then went to an Adidas coach my second year where I faced injuries and the worst season I’ve ever had. Then, I went to another college coach who had experience with professional sprinters and got me back on the right track, but covid did not allow for that relationship to continue due to external factors. And finally, I am now back with my college coach from UNI and feel like my old self again. With each coaching change, my body had to adjust to a different training program, etc. However, I also learned what I needed in a coach.
Injuries- Injuries not only affect you in the obvious sense physically, but mentally as well. I faced plantar fasciitis in 2019 and continued to try and run on it throughout the season, only worsening that condition.
People think being a professional athlete automatically means you make good money and can focus 100% on your craft. What they don’t realize, is that we still have to answer to the real world and the mental toll that takes. Every time you step on the track you have to think about if you don’t perform, you might not get signed, or you might get cut by your sponsor, therefore without benefits, insurance, pay, etc. There’s a lot more than just a medal on the line.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional track sprinter for Team USA. I specialize in the 60 meters indoors, and the 100 and 200 meters outdoors.
What makes me the proudest is that I am still in the sport after 6 years as a professional, and have continued to set personal bests, and take advantage of opportunities of a lifetime.
What sets me apart from others is continuing to stay true to myself and where I came from with humble beginnings. I go into every situation trying to be the best I can be, and nothing less.
We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me means you have not allowed any obstacles/challenges to deter you from your goals. No matter what gets thrown at you, you’ve managed to overcome those obstacles.
Most would fail or quit given the circumstances I’ve faced, but I have managed to prevail through it all.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bcarnes_941
- Twitter: @BCarnes
- Youtube: @brandoncarnes9093
