Check Out Hansel Alexander Carter IV’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hansel Alexander Carter IV.

Hansel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always loved three things since I was a kid: running, acting, and being outside. I started running in middle school designing my own Amazing Race challenges in New Delhi, India for my neighborhood kids. I joined the Cross Country team leading to my first official 5k race in Dubai, UAE. Throughout school, I continued participating in international sports tournaments for XC and Track & Field in Vienna, Brussels, Munich, London, Bonn, and Muscat in Oman. Being an athlete has provided me with opportunities to see the world and build my sense of adventure.

It was difficult to stay motivated in athletics after organized sports ended with my education. I didn’t feel like pushing myself and I didn’t have anyone to push me. So I didn’t come back to it until I moved to New York City a few years ago. I found a run club in Astoria called Saints Run Club. They helped me stay disciplined and commit to growth and betterment of the self. And it was like everything fell into place. I picked up DSP work, brand ambassador gigs, and customer service roles to get by while pursuing acting and modeling. Since then, I’ve booked projects for Nudi Jeans, Dave & Busters, as well as play track athlete roles and soccer players in Hollywood films and on television productions. (The Family Plan, Apple TV’s Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed) I got to where I am from the help of my community and reminding myself what I’m here for.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth as a swedish princess cake for sure. There may have been some pitfalls and wheels rounding a cliff’s edge but one thing about me is I always find my way back on track. When I was younger I always made the choice to take whatever opportunities came my way. I grew up in New York for elementary school, India for middle school, and Egypt for high school. Throughout it all I tried my hand at everything: journalism, MUN, wrestling, visual art, culinary arts, environmental science, wildlife conservation, And I truly enjoyed it all. But at a certain point I thought about where my skill set lied and where my efforts for society are best placed. I have so many passions in this life and I spread so much of my time across everything to the point that I wasn’t growing anywhere. So I placed my focus on pushing the limits of my body with athletics and performing. And in doing so, showing other people how they can grow themselves in ways they didn’t know existed. To me that means trying new things, trying new roles, and seeing what the mind and body can do.

I have also struggled with finding a line between committing to my dreams and trying to make ends meet, paying off student debt, and making it to the next paycheck. When I started out I didn’t have a full belief in myself that I could do what I do. The first thing I had to overcome was limiting myself to what I saw in front of me. I’m a very structured and logical person and optimism doesn’t always fall in line with that but I learned that if you allow yourself possibility, it absolutely can. In half a month I would make what I need, then devote the other half to finding work I wanted to pursue. It’s a little chaotic and unstructured at times. But sometimes you have to open Pandora’s box and enjoy the chaos.

This also meant for me that I had to understand my body’s needs as I grew. I am training for my first marathon: The 2026 NYC Marathon, while working in my customer service roles AND booking sports modelling projects. It’s a lot to balance physically and mentally, but if you really want something you’ll do the work to make it happen. I had to relearn how to eat effectively, how to get ample rest, and learn what it means to take care of myself if I truly want to pursue this. If you have a dream, you need to make an abundance of hard choices. It’s tiring and it’s not easy but if it was easy, then everybody would be doing it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an entrepreneurial athlete. I seek to create opportunities for people to go out and try things for themselves with a fitness mindset in creative ways. I’m a Direct Support Professional, Youth Mentor, and Athletic Model. What I do 100% of the time is not something I can take a picture of and show direct evidence of an impact. I feel like the impact of my work is internal in myself and the people I’m able to reach every day. I guide people to make better decisions for themselves and reach their life goals. I believe in a sense of adventure and curiosity is integral to a fruitful human experience and that shouldn’t be lost because of limiting beliefs or fear of the unknown. I work to foster a better human experience. On a social media post I don’t even consider to be that significant, I had people reach out to me to tell me they teared up and feel inspired to do more with their lives, that they’ll change their ways, that they are inspired and that is what I share my life for. All I feel like I’m doing is being open, sharing myself, and hope that other people can wake up out of whatever system they’ve grown to believe they have to fit in.

I’ve been blessed to be offered help by local businesses and international companies to achieve my wildest dreams with this career. And with each project, there comes a greater one on the horizon. From collaborations with Hoka to promotional work for Ethan Zohn’s Reality Run Club, it has been an incredible journey. There is always opportunity in this line of work. If the opportunity you want doesn’t exist, you have to create it yourself. The people don’t know what they want so you have to throw everything you got at the wall. Look at Lucy Liu trying to get funding for her film ‘Rosemead’ or the saga of the Dr.Pepper turned VitaCoco jingle icon. Just share with the world what you love to do, and the right people will help you get there. Don’t try and meet some numbers or criteria. Just do it.

I’m most known for fostering experiences, building community in every sense of the term, and making sure people are moving FORWARD and not backward. I think what separates me is my ability to put myself into another persons perspective. I’ve met people from every possible background and mix of backgrounds you can think of. I know whats feasible for some is not at all for others. So I understand when and how to push people’s limits to the best of my and THEIR ability. Athletics is really important to me and I hope people can see that in the work I do!

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Running is an individual sport as much as it is a collaborative effort. With peers, you grow by being surrounded by skills across the board, you actively seek to grow and reach new heights with a support system at your side. I owe a huge thank you to Saints Run Club in Astoria. Alex Dakas. Eric Santiago. May Ann Santiago. Gabriela Dakas. Carlos Sandoval. They helped me actualize my goals for my body, my fitness, my health. There is a huge psychological effect of community and the positive propelling force of motivation. These individuals have just been major supporters of mine in more ways than one whether they know it or not.

My family is always at the foundation of my support. Mom, sisters, dad, all the aunts, uncles, and cousins, and grandparents that extend across borders. And more recently, Sabrina Carter, my aunt who is the author of Sticky’s Adventures, continues to support my endeavors and always reminds me to never stop dreaming of my next adventure.

Lastly, Brice Izyah and Wendell Holland. From Survivor players I watched on my TV screen to people I call my friends. They have pushed me to want more for myself and go big in life. And that’s what I intend to do. I’ve been blessed to be a part of special events like the Reality Run Club (where they turn fandom into philanthropy) and their coinciding Survivor events where I can combine my passions in a truly unique place and their support and openness to helping me pursue my dreams is why I will always be thankful for their support.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/hanselsandiego

Image Credits
Eric Santiago
May Ann Santiago
Saints Vision LLC