“I may not be able to help my current siblings since we're all adults. But I'm going to make sure that no other child that I've touched is going to be left behind..” - Carlina Shotwell

Overcoming Adversity: Carlina Shotwell’s Story of Resilience and Empowerment

Papay! Hello All.  Welcome to the Transform Your Future website where I dive into stories that inspire and transform lives. Please check out the Transform Your Future podcast where I sit down with entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and high achievers as they identify areas I can improve on and guide me to further my self-improvement practice. For more information and insights, join the Transform Your Future Newsletter, where I write about reinvention, personal growth and identity. I have included links to the audio/video version of TYF Ep 19, “Transforming Trauma into Triumph: Featuring Carlina Shotwell,” at the bottom of this page.  

I am thrilled to share Carlina Shotwell’s journey, she is a remarkable individual who turned her challenging experiences in foster care into a powerful force for change. Through resilience, empowerment, and personal transformation, Carlina has dedicated her life to helping foster youth overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. It is her passion and she is all in.

Carlina’s Early Life and Entry into Foster Care

Carlina Shotwell's story begins with a challenging start. She entered foster care on June 29th, 2001, as a child. This significant date is etched into her memory and is also the starting point of her journey toward empowerment. "The cover of my book 'Journey' features my first foster home," Carlina recalls. This moment marked the beginning of a series of life-changing experiences that would shape her future.

In her first book "Journey: A tale of a foster youth's journey home," Carlina provides a child's perspective on entering foster care. "I wrote the book as a way to serve as an icebreaker for children entering the foster care system," she explains. The book covers various themes, including foster care, adoption, and kinship care, and it reassures young readers that they are not alone.

Key Themes in "Journey"

Carlina's motivation for writing "Journey" was deeply personal. She wanted to create a resource that could help foster children understand their experiences and feel less isolated. "The themes in the book cover many facets of child welfare," she says. By providing a child's point of view, Carlina aimed to ease the minds of young readers and let them know that they are safe and cared for.

Becoming an Advocate and Educator

As Carlina grew older, her experiences in foster care fueled her passion for advocacy and education. "I always made sure that I was present in child welfare, advocating for young people," she shares. Her dedication led her to facilitate workshops, volunteer at child welfare events, and eventually create a curriculum and workbook for life skills education.

Developing the Empower Yourself Life Skills Curriculum

Carlina's personal journey of overcoming adversity inspired her to develop the Empower Yourself Life Skills Curriculum. "I created the curriculum and the workbook to educate foster youth on essential life skills," she explains. The curriculum covers critical areas such as decision-making, job readiness, housing essentials, and healthy relationships. It is designed to equip foster youth with the tools they need to succeed in adulthood.

Personal Resilience and Overcoming Adversity

Carlina's story is a testament to the power of resilience and personal transformation. "I knew since I was a little girl that I was going to be somebody," she says with determination. Despite facing numerous challenges, including moving through seven different foster homes, Carlina never gave up on her dreams. Her journey from survival to success is a powerful reminder that we can overcome any adversity with the right mindset and support.

Impact of Key Influences and Support Systems

One of the most significant influences in Carlina's life was her social worker. "My social worker, Shante Carson, has been a significant influence in my life," Carlina shares. Shante's unwavering support and guidance helped Carlina navigate the complexities of the foster care system and inspired her to give back to others. "She saw that little girl, that 17-year-old girl giving back, pouring into other people more than what I even do for myself," Carlina recalls.

Empowering Foster Youth and Future Goals

Carlina’s dedication to empowering foster youth is evident in her ongoing efforts to make a difference. "I may not be able to help my current siblings as we’re all adults, but ultimately I'm going to make sure that no other child that I've touched is going to be left behind," she says. Her work has already impacted hundreds of foster youth, helping them improve their credit scores, gain financial independence, and achieve their goals.

Actionable Tactics and Strategies to Overcome Adversity

Carlina's journey offers valuable lessons and actionable strategies for anyone facing adversity. Here are some tactics inspired by her story and insights on how to build a resilient mindset to overcome any adversity or challenges you face.

Set Clear Goals

Carlina’s Strategy: From a young age, Carlina knew she wanted to be somebody and impact lives. Setting clear goals provides direction and motivation.

Actionable Tip: Write down your goals and break them into smaller, manageable steps. It is amazing that there have been many references to studies on goal setting that are completely false. Often the study was actually never done.  Recent studies at the Dominican University in California which focused on how goal achievement is influenced by writing goals, committing to goal-directed actions and being accountable for those actions. Found that you are 42% more likely to achieve your goal if you write it down.  Additionally, those participants in the study that posted their goals somewhere they could see them everyday (visualization) and talked about it with their peers or support system (accountability) were even more likely to reach their goals.  Use this methods to “stack the deck” for yourself.

Celebrate each milestone you achieve. For instance, if your goal is to improve your grades, start by setting a study schedule and stick to it. Carlina said “Setting clear goals gave me the direction I needed to push forward, even when things were tough."

Seek Support

Carlina’s Strategy: Carlina benefited greatly from the support of her social worker, Shante Carson.

Actionable Tip: Surround yourself with supportive individuals who believe in you. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. Whether it’s a teacher, family member, or friend, having someone to talk to can make a big difference.

Stay Connected: Reach out to friends and family. They can offer support and perspective. Studies have shown that social support is crucial for psychological well-being. The most important qualification to consider is that you trust them and believe they have your best interest at heart.

Educate Yourself

Carlina’s Strategy: Carlina read books like "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," by Robert Kiyosaki, to improve her financial literacy.

Actionable Tip: Invest time in learning new skills. Read books, take online courses, and seek knowledge that will help you achieve your goals. For example, if you want to learn how to manage money, find resources that teach budgeting and saving.

Adapting to tough times also involves practical self-care practices. Taking care of your mental and physical health is paramount. Remember, resilience isn’t about avoiding stress but learning how to manage it effectively.

Stay Resilient

Carlina’s Strategy: Despite numerous challenges, Carlina remained determined and resilient.

Actionable Tip: Embrace setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. Keep pushing forward, even when things get tough. Remember, every challenge is a chance to become stronger.

Your mindset plays a crucial role in how you handle adversity. A resilient mindset sees challenges as opportunities for growth. I asked Tom Montelli (TYF Ep 14 - Stuck In Negative Patterns: Ultimate Playbook) how he views setbacks, and he said, "Being good at dealing with setbacks and using them as learning opportunities is vital." By adopting this mindset, you can transform adversity into a powerful catalyst for personal development.

Develop Life Skills

Carlina’s Strategy: Carlina created a curriculum to teach foster youth essential life skills.

Actionable Tip: Focus on developing practical skills such as decision-making, financial management, and job readiness. These skills will serve you well in the long run. Start by setting up a simple budget or practicing decision-making with real-life scenarios.

Quote from Carlina: "I created the curriculum and the workbook to educate foster youth on essential life skills."

In this process Carlina created the very thing that would have prepared her when she aged out of the system.  Her hard won experience turned into a life skills course.

Give Back

Carlina’s Strategy: Carlina’s advocacy work is driven by her desire to help others.

Actionable Tip: Find ways to give back to your community. Volunteering and helping others can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Look for local organizations where you can volunteer your time or skills.

Quote from Carlina: "I always made sure that I was present in child welfare, advocating for young people."

Stay Positive

Carlina’s Strategy: Carlina maintained a positive attitude and focused on her goals.

Actionable Tip: Practice gratitude and stay optimistic. A positive mindset can help you navigate challenges more effectively. Start a gratitude journal and write down things you’re thankful for each day.

Daily habits can significantly contribute to a resilient mindset. Here are some practical tips:

• Maintain a Positive Outlook: Focus on the positives in any situation.

• Set Realistic Goals: Break your goals into manageable steps.

• Practice Gratitude: Regularly reflect on things you are thankful for.

Be Willing to Pivot

Carlina’s Strategy: Carlina emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and willing to change course when necessary.

Actionable Tip: Be open to new opportunities and be willing to adjust your plans if needed. Flexibility can lead to unexpected successes. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to try a different approach.

Quote from Carlina: "Be willing to pivot. It doesn't mean the goal will not still be the same, but if you're willing to pivot a different route that will get you to that goal. Be willing to do it."

Build a Support Network

Carlina’s Strategy: Carlina surrounded herself with people who supported her journey.

Actionable Tip: Cultivate relationships with mentors, peers, and professionals who can offer guidance and support. Join clubs, organizations, or online communities that align with your interests.

Social support is crucial for resilience. Building a supportive network can provide the encouragement and assistance you need during tough times. In TYF Ep 11 “Reaching Beyond Your Network with Affiliate Partners” Chuck Anderson said, "The quality of your relationships can significantly impact your resilience." Here are some tips:

• Connect with Positive People: Surround yourself with supportive and positive individuals.

• Join Support Groups: Engage in groups that focus on personal growth and resilience.

• Seek Professional Help: Don’t hesitate to reach out to a coach or therapist if needed.

Focus on Personal Growth

Carlina explained that she is totally committed to lifelong learning and personal development.  I believe that everything green grows. So I want to keep it green and keep having a growth mindset and so does Carlina. We are kindred spirits in this way. Ripe things die.

Actionable Tip: Make personal growth a priority. Continuously seek ways to improve yourself and expand your horizons. Set aside time each week for self-improvement activities, such as reading, attending workshops, or learning new hobbies. Additionally, you can listen (or watch) the Transform Your Future Podcast to learn from entrepreneurs, thought leaders and high achievers.

Just remember that a growth mindset encourages viewing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than as insurmountable obstacles. This perspective builds resilience, enabling individuals to bounce back from setbacks and continue striving toward their goals.

Mental Toughness

Mental toughness is a key component of resilience. It involves staying strong and persistent in the face of adversity.Mental toughness is about persevering even when you don't see immediate results and despite negative thoughts. The more you stay focused on your true goals without letting your thoughts distract you, the stronger this mental muscle becomes. Each time you do this, new neural pathways are created in your brain.

A simple way to explain this is through the concept of "work ethic" or the principle of integrity. When you have integrity, you say what you mean and mean what you say. Regardless of how you feel. A person with a strong work ethic, shows up and does their best, even though he felt sick in the morning. Each time you overcome a negative thought like "I don't want to go" and go anyway, you're building mental toughness.

Training for Mental Toughness

Building mental toughness requires consistent effort and practice. Here are some exercises:

• Set Challenging Goals: Push yourself to achieve difficult but attainable goals.

• Practice Self-Discipline: Develop routines that require self-control and perseverance.

• Visualize Success: Use visualization techniques to imagine achieving your goals.

In TYF Ep 9 “Unlocking Personal Growth Featuring Gary Coxe,” Gary advised, "Mental toughness is about pushing through even when you don’t see immediate results." This advice emphasizes the importance of persistence and consistency in developing mental strength.

Overcoming Mental Barriers

Common mental barriers can hinder your resilience. Here are some strategies to overcome them:

• Identify Negative Thoughts: Recognize and challenge negative thought patterns.

• Practice Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations.

• Embrace Failure: View failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback.

In TYF Ep 12 “Goal-Setting Gone Wrong: Why You Keep Missing the Mark w/ Heather Barrie,” Heather noted, "Meditation helps in grounding yourself and seeing things from a clear perspective." This practice can be particularly effective in overcoming mental barriers and staying focused.

Conclusion

Carlina Shotwell’s story of resilience and empowerment is a powerful reminder that we all have the ability to overcome adversity and achieve our dreams. By setting clear goals, seeking support, educating ourselves, and staying resilient, we can transform our lives and inspire others to do the same.

If you are inspired by Carlina’s journey and want to learn more, join the newsletter at Transform Your Future website and  subscribe to our podcast. Together, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and those around us.

Read Journey: A tale of a foster youth's journey home  (First Book) https://amzn.to/3RGk5Mw
Read Empower Yourself: Life Skills Curriculum Workbook (2nd Book) https://amzn.to/3KYTWVu
Carlina Recommends reading Rich Dad Poor Dad https://amzn.to/3KZvQdc
Carlina On Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlina-s...

For more inspirational stories and practical tips, join our community at Transform Your Future. Let’s transform our lives and empower each other to reach new heights!

Audio and Video Versions of TYF Ep 19, “Transforming Trauma into Triumph: Featuring Carlina Shotwell,”

Audio Version of Episode 19 on Apple [] Spotify [] Amazon music [] Buzzsprout

Video Version of Ep 19, Transforming Trauma into Triumph Featuring Carlina Shotwell on Youtube.