My Future Podcast

Mental toughness isn't something you're born with. It's actually something you train, one decision, one move, even one arrow at a time.In this episode of My Future Podcast, I reflect on the 2026 archery season and sharing five lessons about building mental focus, staying confident under pressure, and developing resilience both on and off the archery range. Thank you to my coaches, parents, teachers, and experts who I have had the gift of studying this last year. Amazing stuff. From the power of doing hard things to a simple 100-second mental workout, Carson explores how small daily habits can prepare you for life's biggest moments.Whether you're a competitive archer, student-athlete, or someone working toward a personal goal, this episode is a reminder that mental strength is built through practice, patience, and showing up.🎯 Follow Carson: @MeetCarson🏹 Support Charity Arrows: https://charityarrows.org#MyFuturePodcast #MentalToughness #Archery #MentalFocus #SportsPsychology #MentalTraining #StudentAthlete #GrowthMindset

Can you chase elite sports while building a future outside of competition?In this episode of My Future Podcast, Carson talks about one of the biggest questions young athletes face:Should you go to college while chasing elite sports… or go all-in on training?After finishing 5 AP exams and returning from the first outdoor USAT event of the year at Gator Cup, Carson reflects on balancing school, archery, stress, growth, and long-term goals while preparing for Salt Lake City.This episode dives into:• The reality of college vs. full-time training• Burnout, balance, and mental health• Why training smarter matters more than training longer• Building a future beyond sports• Olympic dreams, pressure, and personal growthInspired by insights from Trenton Cowles and Pierce McAdam’s recent Substack post, this conversation is for athletes, students, and anyone trying to figure out their future while chasing something big.Sometimes growth comes from being challenged.Sometimes happiness comes from doing hard things.Follow me:Instagram: @meetcarsonNonprofit: CharityArrows.org

Watching the Winter Olympics as an Athlete — And What Alysa Liu Taught MeWatching the 2026 Winter Olympics hit different this year.As I grow in my own journey as an archer, I’m not just seeing medals but rather, I’m seeing and noticing mindset. Pressure. Joy. Balance. And that’s what really stood out to me about Alysa Liu.In this episode, I share what her decision to step away, reset, and return on her own terms taught me (and maybe you!) and how it connects to my own changes in archery.This one’s about choosing alignment over pressure… and why joy might be the real gold medal.Thanks for tuning in! 🎯

Hey, it’s Carson and this episode is all about something that’s helped me grow faster than anything else: asking.I’m talking about the power of just putting yourself out there. Whether it’s asking for advice, feedback, an opportunity, or just a chance to connect: one brave, intentful, honest message can open doors you never imagined.I share how a cold LinkedIn message led to meeting a college coach I really admire, plus stories from people like Emma Chamberlain and Ben Pasternak who started their journeys the exact same way.We’ll also talk about why asking feels scary, but why people say yes way more than you think (like 89% of the time, according to Stanford). I break down how to ask the right way, what to say, and how to move past the fear of rejection.If you’ve ever held back because you didn’t want to bother someone, well, this episode is DEFINITELY for you.Let’s talk about how just one ask could change your life.Listen now & level up your game! 🎧Thank you for tuning in and your support, truly grateful! :) 🫶🕸️ CharityArrows.org🤝 Instagram @MeetCarsonNational Ranking: https://www.betweenends.com/nrs/RCMMedia Mentions:https://www.modernmom.com/earth-day-spotlight-meet-carson-with-charity-arrows/https://www.usarchery.org/article/rush-of-medals-for-u18-and-u21-on-the-final-day-of-the-usat-qualifier-series-openerhttps://www.usarchery.org/article/the-journey-continues-for-top-athletes-named-to-usa-archery-s-high-performance-programs

🎯 The Power of Fear How to Use It, Face It, and Overcome ItWhat if fear isn’t something holding you back... but something pointing the way forward?In this episode, Carson breaks down a mind-blowing story from Yahoo Finance about Steve Jobs and the creation of the first iPhone, and how one moment of fear almost stopped it all.But it’s not just about tech or business. This story hits really deep because fear shows up everywhere: in sports, at school, in relationships, and in the choices that shape our future.Carson shares how fear shows up in his own life as a nationally ranked teen archer and student, and how you can flip it from something that freezes you… into fuel for your growth.This isn’t just talk. It’s real. Relatable. And maybe exactly what you need to hear today.👉 Follow @meetcarson and support @charityarrows to see how archery and purpose can change lives.

🎙️ My Future Podcast — Representing Team USA at WAYC 2025 🇺🇸🏹Hello, it’s Carson, and I just got back from my first-ever international archery comp: the World Archery Youth Champs in Winnipeg, Canada!In this episode, I’m breaking down what it was like repping Team USA 🇺🇸, matching my PB in quals, shooting through wild wind, meeting archers from all over the world, and learning what international tournaments are really like.Spoiler: it was unreal. Totally life-changing!Hit play to hear the highs, the lessons, and the stories that made this trip one I’ll never forget.🎯 IG: @meetcarson🏹 Nonprofit: charityarrows.org

I’ll be honest — this episode got real.I break down a powerful quote from Olympic legend Apolo Ohno that shook me:“Every time we play someone else’s scoreboard, we trade a flicker of our life candle for applause that doesn’t last.”That hit deep.Because I’ve found myself chasing validation that didn’t even matter.In school.In sports.Even online.So in this episode, I dive into what really defines success... not for your friends, your followers, or your parents… but for you. Things I've learned from following the legend Apolo Ohno!What's on this episode:🔑 How to learn the “reward games” (like grades, likes, and status) — without letting them own you🔑 Why anchoring to your authentic self is the only path to long-term fulfillment🔑 How comparison is literally stealing your joy (been there)🔑 And how stepping away from the noise — even just for a day — can help you reconnect with what really mattersThis is the episode I wish I heard when I first started archery.So if you’ve ever felt behind, lost, or like you’re living someone else’s dream — this one’s for you.🎙️ Listen to Episode 37 of My Future Podcast: “Your Scoreboard or Theirs?”Let’s stop burning out for claps… and start building lives that mean something.Thank you for tuning in and your support, truly grateful! :) 🫶🕸️ CharityArrows.org🤝 Instagram @MeetCarsonNational Ranking: https://www.betweenends.com/nrs/RCMMedia Mentions:https://www.modernmom.com/earth-day-spotlight-meet-carson-with-charity-arrows/https://www.usarchery.org/article/rush-of-medals-for-u18-and-u21-on-the-final-day-of-the-usat-qualifier-series-openerhttps://www.usarchery.org/article/the-journey-continues-for-top-athletes-named-to-usa-archery-s-high-performance-programs

What’s up! I’m Carson Chan... high schooler, recurve archer, and yeah... a fan of graduation speeches.In this episode, I’m sharing 5 powerful commencement speeches from 2025 (and a couple all-time greats) that seriously left a mark on me. We’re talking lessons from Harvard, Stanford, Steve Jobs, Katie Ledecky, and more.Each one has something worth hearing, about finding your own rhythm, choosing kindness, and staying grounded in what really matters.🎯 If you’ve got 10 minutes and a YouTube tab open, you’re good to go. Let’s find a quote to live by this summer.Thank you for tuning in and your support, truly grateful! :) 🫶🕸️ CharityArrows.org🤝 Instagram @MeetCarsonNational Ranking: https://www.betweenends.com/nrs/RCMMedia Mentions:https://www.modernmom.com/earth-day-spotlight-meet-carson-with-charity-arrows/https://www.usarchery.org/article/rush-of-medals-for-u18-and-u21-on-the-final-day-of-the-usat-qualifier-series-openerhttps://www.usarchery.org/article/the-journey-continues-for-top-athletes-named-to-usa-archery-s-high-performance-programs

In this episode of My Future Podcast, I’m diving into one of the most exciting opportunities out there for teens like us which is Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Whether you're an athlete, a content creator, or just someone who loves building things online, NIL is changing the game by letting students earn money and build real businesses while still in high school. I've been reading a ton on this and gaining knowledge from timely research which you can read for yourself from the links below.I break down what NIL is, how it started, and why it’s not just for future NFL stars. From Shedeur Sanders making $6.5 million in college to a kid who went viral with a Popeyes meme and ended up signing a deal years later, these stories prove that you don’t need a million followers to make an impact. You just need passion, consistency, and a strong personal brand.As someone who’s been training hard in archery and recently qualified for Team USA and the World Archery Youth Championships, I’ve seen firsthand how niche sports can open unique doors. I’ll also talk about the business skills that come with NIL — contracts, branding, taxes — and why starting young gives us a major advantage. It's super exciting and I'm trying to learn as much as I can now for the future.If you're building something and wondering how to take it to the next level, this one’s for you. Let’s figure it out together.Sources cited: Sara Coello, ESPN, "What is NIL in college sports?" (March 24, 2025)https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/41040485/what-nil-college-sports-how-do-athlete-deals-workDr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, "How Young Adults Are Shaping The Future Of Work Through NIL and Branding" (April 27, 2025)https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianehamilton/2025/04/27/how-young-adults-shape-the-future-of-work-through-nil-and-branding/🎯 Follow me on Instagram @MeetCarson and check out my nonprofit @CharityArrows.org.Thank you for tuning in and your support, truly grateful! :) 🫶🕸️ CharityArrows.org🤝 Instagram @MeetCarsonNational Ranking: https://www.betweenends.com/nrs/RCMMedia Mentions:https://www.modernmom.com/earth-day-spotlight-meet-carson-with-charity-arrows/https://www.usarchery.org/article/rush-of-medals-for-u18-and-u21-on-the-final-day-of-the-usat-qualifier-series-openerhttps://www.usarchery.org/article/the-journey-continues-for-top-athletes-named-to-usa-archery-s-high-performance-programs