Marvin Phillip grew up in Trinidad & Tobago, one of the most southerly islands in the Caribbean, where track and soccer are sports that every child plays.
At age 12, Marvin couldn't qualify for his school teams. It was devastating to him. So, his mom got him into two clubs, each with a coach. Within one year — through coaching and hard work — he was able to become a junior champion on the track, and within two years, he was playing soccer on a national level.
"Sport was a big deal and so in my heart I felt like I could've been better, but I just didn't know how," Marvin says of the essential coaching he received playing club sports.
Marvin, who lives in Long Beach, California, now, credits coaching for a lifelong interest in learning and for his success in real estate, where he has had a Buffini & Company coach for over 18 years.
"I'm not the same person, I'm not the same real estate agent, I'm not the same friend, I'm not the same dad. You know, it has really changed my life from A to Z," he said.
The mindset also led Marvin to a tremendous act of selflessness as an Ironman. I don't want to give the story away, but the short of it is that Marvin gave up pursuit of a personal record to help a fellow athlete in major trouble on the course. Instead of a personal record, he achieved a different kind of success.
"For me it was probably the best race experience I ever had," he said.
Marvin's story helping someone else survive his own personal trial is racked with drama, selflessness, and the kind of ultimate satisfaction which we all aspire to achieve. By the way, that athlete is now one of Marvin's lifelong buddies (and a fellow Chiseled guest. You have to listen to find out who).
It's the feel-good story for your weekend. I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Chiseled.