Life & Work with Isaac Spradling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaac Spradling.

Hi Isaac, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
I was born and raised on the south end of Columbus. Coming from a great two-parent home with a stay-at-home mother and a mechanic father. Going from Parsons Elementary to Buckeye Middle and finally to Marion-Franklin High School where I graduated. I was not the biggest fan of school growing up. I rather be the class clown and skip class rather than get good grades. 

It was not until my Junior year of High School where I took a leap of faith and step outside my comfort zone by attending Columbus Downtown High School. Once I started there, I met a tremendous educator who took me under their wing and really showed me the value and importance of education. For the last two years of High School, I truly applied myself for the first time and came to love learning and bettering myself. I was having conversations about college, which was never really a reality for me as nobody in my family has been. 

I ended up getting accepted to Ohio University where I would attend and obtain my bachelor’s degree in Communications with a certificate in Diversity Studies. Ohio University taught me so much about what life is really all about. I was able to grow up and really discover who I really am. A true example of getting out of your comfort zone, stepping out of your environment to be able to really have some positive growth. 

While at Ohio University, I found a passion for wanting to make my community a better place. Specifically working with High School youth. As I recalled my time in High School and how influential it was on me, not only to that but you start deciding what path in life you want to go down. So, I then had a purpose and a vision to be a positive influence on youth just like I had. I was able to discover Impact Community Action and their Youth Department and see how their vision aligned with mine, and it was a wrap from there. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I come from a very blessed situation; all of my roadblocks were ones I created for myself. Life happened at times, but I always had a great support system to help me get through it. 

Some of the more specific examples were navigating how to get into college. Again, being a first-generation student, I had no real guidance or examples to look at. Thankfully, I was able to establish great relationships with teachers and advisors, who I still keep up with to this day. 

Also, when I first got to Ohio University, I planned to major in Sports Management, which was my first true love. However, after a semester of classes, I soon discovered that looking at sports through a business perspective put a bad taste in my mouth. I love sports for the competitiveness and entertainment, not business. So, I had to re-evaluate myself and what my passions were, which was more challenging than anticipated. After some time, I was able to find my real passion and drive for a career. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work for Impact Community Action in the Youth Services Department as an In School Youth (ISY) AMP Coach. AMP is a program within our department that stands for Achieve More and Prosper. It is a workforce development and pathways to self-sufficiency program. 

Mostly, my job is to be another individual in High School students’ corner who they can come to to figure out life. Who they are, what their skill sets are, what they enjoy, how they can improve, etc. 

Myself, I specialize in building genuine relationships with not only my participants but the staff and adults that surround them in and out of school. Building and maintaining relationships is something I hold near and dear to my heart. Also, being a consistent figure in their lives. Students grow up having people walk in and out of their lives, I make sure to be someone they can see and relay on week in and week out. 

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I also coach baseball at Marion-Franklin as a volunteer assistant. I played growing up and have a love for not only the game but the impact I have on the players and the role I play to developing young men. As when I played, the coaches I had played a part in who I am today. 

On top of that, I am an aspiring bodybuilder. Not only do I enjoy the lifestyle of a bodybuilder for the looks and the health, but the discipline and structure that comes with it. I am always one that wishes to challenge myself, and bodybuilding is a sport that requires the most amount of effort, discipline, and will to do properly. I plan to do my first natural show later this year. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaac.spradling/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacspradling/

Image Credits
Chan Chea