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Competed in Survivor Panama-Exile Island first juror, voted off in episode 8
Modeled for clients such as: Hanes Underwear, John Deere, Wrangler Jeans, Kodak, and others
Author, Somewhere Beyond Here (2003)
Studied speech communication and public speaking at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va
Speaker at churches, youth rallies, conferences
Featured in People, US Weekly, In-Touch, Star, TV Guide, and Entertainment Weekly
Seen on Entertainment Tonight and One Tree Hill
CBN.com
– SURVIVOR: 'OUTWIT, OUTPLAY, OUTLAST'
Austin Carty went on the show Survivor: Panama-Exile Island hoping to win a million dollars. He didn’t win the money, but he did win the hearts of viewers. Because he wasn’t afraid to show his faith in God, after the show’s airing, Carty was inundated with countless emails and letters thanking him for his strong Christian witness under such worldly circumstances. Austin is quick to point to his friendship with Jesus as being the cause for his lifestyle and attitude.
Being a Christian and being competitive on Survivor don’t necessarily go well together, says Carty. The 25-year-old from North Carolina didn’t want to lie and cheat his way to the top; he wanted to win with integrity. While he didn’t ultimately win, he did make it far. He was voted out in Episode 8, making him the first member of the jury, who votes for the winner at the end.
His time on the show taught Carty a lot about life and faith. He recalls a few specific instances where he felt God’s presence. The first few days on Survivor, Austin and his teammates struggled to make fire, which they needed in order to boil water for drinking. During this time of need, Austin was often shown down by the water on his knees. He was praying for God’s help. In this case, it wasn’t a matter of getting caught up asking God for things he wanted, but instead he was going to God with a true physical need. “I needed something and when I began praying, there was no doubt that God would provide. There was also no doubt I was talking to someone,” Austin says of the experience.
Austin also felt God’s presence while secluded on Exile Island. It dumped rain for two and a half days. Austin and one person from production had no shelter, so they found shelter in a hollowed out tree. They sat shivering in that tree for 48 hours. Austin says he went back and forth from screaming to praying, hoping he and his companion didn’t get hypothermia. Finally, the rain stopped. When he stepped out of the tree, he made a realization, “Survivor’s not a game show, it’s a microcosm of life.” He says when you’re pushed against a wall, you are forced to either pray or doubt. “If I believe in myself, I know I can do a heck of a lot, but believe in Someone else, you can do even more,” he says about his reliance on God.
Carty quickly established that he was Christian on the show. He wasn’t using the show as a soapbox, and he wasn’t outwardly “preaching” to his opponents. Instead, he says he likes to let his lifestyle and actions show Jesus Christ. He believes that the ultimate way to witness is through living a life with God at the core.
AFTER THE SHOW
Because of the portrayal of his Christian faith on Survivor, Austin has become a highly sought after speaker at churches, youth rallies, ministry conferences, and similar Christian events. Public speaking is a good fit for Carty. Not only does he have experiences to speak of, he also has formal training. Carty studied speech communications and public speaking at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
In addition to speaking at Christian events, Carty has also been highly praised for his ability to relate to non-believers, and he enjoys exercising his ability to build relationships with people who are typically turned off by religion. Austin has been featured in magazines such as People, US Weekly, In-Touch, Star, TV Guide, and Entertainment Weekly. US Weekly recently dubbed Austin as one of the “Hottest Survivors.” He has been seen on Entertainment Tonight and also on WB’s One Tree Hill.
WHAT’S NEXT
Austin doesn’t want to be known as the “guy from Survivor forever.” Although he doesn’t mind being called the “Christian from Survivor,” he is also working to gain notoriety in the literary world. Austin is an author whose first novel, Somewhere Beyond Here, was released in 2003 to critical acclaim. New York Times bestselling author Jean Sasson called the book, “Compulsively readable and thoroughly convincing,” going on to say, “I predict great literary success for Austin Carty.” Austin has several completed fiction and non-fiction books nearing publication.
Austin is also a veteran of the modeling world and has been seen in numerous national and international ads for clients such as Hanes’ Underwear, John Deere, Wrangler Jeans, Kodak, and countless others.
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