Metaphorically speaking, modern day fire starters are those that “bring fire” to others. They are igniters, catalysts, that bring hot burning coals to our dim lives. Fire starters are human torches that carry light in the darkest of places. Sharing with others a much needed spark to cultivate change. What I have found in meeting these amazing souls is the spark they often strike, has a wildfire reaction. Not only do they impact one but by default, impart change to many. Fire starters see into the lives of those around them. They see the vision of what could be, they are leaders who don’t just encourage others, but create change in themselves first and then lead the way. They walk their talk.
One of these special people is Eric Castillo. Eric’s story is one of defying odds and overcoming adversity. Actually his adversity is what he used as a springboard to become more, do more and the evolution continues to this day. Eric is a football player for the Division 1 program at The University of the Incarnate Word. He had never played football before and oh, did I mention Eric is 30 years old? Eric’s story begins as a kid who loved playing sports, in fact all throughout high school he played basketball. With a hard work ethic and engaging personality, Eric found himself drawn to business. He was running his own landscape company and also performed well in real estate. He soon married and had two sweet little boys. At such a young age, Eric experienced the thrill of success and found himself running hard after the wrong things that led him down a path of regret. You see, Eric began drinking excessively. He soon found himself lost. Much had slipped away, his career, his family, and nearly his own life.
At 25, Eric made one of the most important decisions of his life. It was time to change the channel. He would not allow defeat to win any longer. So, he turned to fitness. Fitness for Eric became the avenue to finding himself again, spiritually, mentally, and physically. He soon realized strength that transcended all aspects of his life and made him feel whole again. Fitness was a vehicle that led him back to taking control. Adversity and fear had been in the driver’s seat for too long and Eric knew that it was time to take back the steering wheel. It became his outlet and helped him to shed the labels of his negative choices, helped him to overcome his addictions and it allowed him to begin meeting his own heart and dreams for the first time in his life. One of those dreams was to play collegiate football for the University of the Incarnate Word.
So, at the age of 27 with no prior football experience, remember Eric was a basketball player in high school, he began pursuing this lofty goal that seemed to many as too far out of reach. But Eric didn’t allow all the obvious reasons why people said he couldn’t to dictate to his heart that was beating for every reason why he should. He got his first break by being invited to UIW’s 2013 First Division Football Camp where only 95 guys were selected. Although Eric was not only the oldest but also the least experienced, his hard work and tenacity paid off in making his dream a reality. Eric became a member of the University of the Incarnate Word’s Division 1 Football Team.
His change did not stop there, Eric found that as he engaged with others as he became aware of others journeys, his heart grew exponentially. You see friends, when we are buried in addictions and feeding our demons, our focus is very self based. When we find freedom, when we meet our hearts for the first time, inherently we’re introduced to a world often times we didn’t even realize existed. For Eric, he began to have a burden for our city’s homeless population. He began considering their needs and one of them was the need for shoes. Metaphorically speaking, it was aptly named, “A Walk In My Shoes”. Eric founded this non profit organization in July of 2012 and has to date donated over 11,000 pairs of shoes. The vision he wanted to cast was putting shoes on the feet of the less fortunate so that they may get back on their feet, literally.
The most awe inspiring and beautiful part of Eric’s journey is that his two boys are now a huge part of Eric’s life and have front row seats to watching his dreams become reality. By overcoming the odds and taking back his life, Eric has birthed in them a legacy that will carry on for generations to come. Eric’s never give up attitude is contagious. His spirit is infectious and inspires and motivates countless people every opportunity he gets. Eric is a modern day “fire starter”. He is a catalyst that offers others hope and the fuel others need to light their own fires. He is currently working on a biography and movie to tell his story in the hopes of reaching more people and creating more light in a world that so desperately needs it.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to share Eric’s story. In the short amount of time I sat with him, the light that he brings was visible in not only his story, but in his passion for impacting others. I’m sure there are many of you out there that can relate to Eric’s story. Is today the day you change the channel? Is today the first time you decide for the first time you are worth so much more than the lies you’ve been telling yourself for too long? Is today the day that the next chapter of your life gets written? Is today the day your pilot light went from dim to turned up to a full blown bonfire so that you can bring fire to others?
