Carter, an intern at the time, was struggling, to put it mildly. He was poor, overworked and had to use coins to buy milk—and the type of milk was based on which had the most calories, not which was best for him nutritionally.
Still, Carter always had a “focus on the finish line,” he said.
That rough period in his life “definitely shaped my personality,” Carter said. “I am now extremely self-sufficient and truly appreciate the smaller and bigger things in life. It taught me gratitude and humility.”
Carter’s career has skyrocketed, particularly over the past six years—and he’s already looking at retiring within the next 10 years.
Then he’ll further expand his passion for traveling, which now includes plans to visit Puerto Rico and Rio de Janeiro over the next year or so, and South Africa eventually.
“Finishing my training [in 2005 as a psychiatrist] was a challenge,” he said. “But finishing has helped shape me into the person I now am.”
“I’m expecting the best things to come in the next chapter of my life.”
THE STATS
Name
Paul Carter
Age
36
Relationship status
Single
Hometown
Milwaukee
Hobbies
Traveling, photography and gardening
Tattoos
Has two, including one on his right hip, and soon plans to add a third—a sea turtle on his back
Writings
Has long written poems and is planning to eventually write his life story
Green thumb
Has about 25 plants growing inside his two-story condo