Meet Garrett
#6 of 15
Trail Name: Shortz
Salutations ladies and gentleman! My name is Garrett, but I'm more referred to as "Shortz" on trail. I'm 17 years old, the 6th kid in the family and the funny one out of all of us- the rest just steal my jokes. I'm powered by music and 5Gum because without them I don't think I would have made it this far.
I'm originally from west Texas but now in North Carolina. I'm the one who really didn't want to go on the trail. I've had quite a few chances to leave but I chose to stay and complete the AT. That said, all the haters saying the kids are forced on here can kiss my ass.
I wanted to stay home, work, make money and pursue my dreams of being a boxer. Even though I wanted to stay I'm not going to be ignorant and let that cloud my vision from the amazing things of this trail. The trail hasn't really been eye opening to me but definitely made memories I know I won’t regret.
Originally when my mom said we were doing the AT as a family I thought it was one of her wild ideas (she has a lot of them) and a phase that would blow over, but the closer it got the more serious she got and the more I didn't want to go. To be honest, I didn't even think we'd make it longer than 2 weeks out here, but here we are.
In the beginning the under 18 crew wasn’t given a choice so they could try out full time trail life and see what it was about before shitting on it. I was resistant to it for a long time but after awhile I began to make the best of it and realize the memories everyone is making. It’s brought us all closer to each other and reunited us like we used to be before our businesses closed, but in a much better way with none of the stress that we used to have.
NYC has definitely been my favorite memory and part of the trail. It was an unreal experience and completely different from how I live and what I'm used to so it was cool to see everything. It was exactly like the movies because I’ve wondered that too. it was also the first time I’d ridden on a train. It was definitely something I won't forget and a place I’d like to visit again at some point.
My goals in life spur from some of the people I’ve come to admire the most. I saw David Goggins around 4 or 5 years ago in 2019 running an ultra marathon. I saw how he changed himself with his own willpower, self discipline and determination. At that point he became my number one role model. I started getting up around 5-6am and started with 3 mile runs almost everyday, eventually building up to running 6-8 miles a day. I added in 2-3 hours of working out with the running. He showed me that I was making excuses and I can always do more and exceed the limitsI place on myself. He made me the stoic man I am today
I also look up to and respect Mike Tyson. I originally saw his fight against Ribalta in 2016 or so, and I loved the way he fought. At that point I began watching him more, his punching power and fighting style grew in me a love for boxing as I watched him more and more. Joe Rogan is my third role model. Our road trips are full of his podcast and the interesting topics and people he talks with. Some people shit on him but I’ve found that when you make your life public and available to the world there will always be haters and people that are unhappy with themselves or think you have to live a certain way for them to agree with what you are doing. My family and I are just out here walking and we’ve gained haters just walking a dirt path. I admire that he stays true to himself and how open minded he is to all topics. I feel like we have a lot in common and would get along great. He has a great philosophy on life and covers almost every category in how to be a man and getting out of depression. He’s had every one of my role models on his podcast and talked with them for hours. (put us on your podcast Joe rogan!!!!) As for goals and looking up to people, last and most importantly, myself. I have to have an ego and believe in myself because I'm the only one who's capable of getting it done for me and creating my own life
Some people would view this as arrogant but I think differently because I realize that without self respect and confidence most people underestimate themselves and their abilities in life and never reach their goals because they mentally limit what they can do.
My goal is to eventually be a renowned boxer that excels in the ring.
How did you get your trail name?
I never wore base layers in winter and I never wore a shirt in the summer. I’m pretty much just always in shorts even at -15°.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I'm a pretty big extrovert, which is pretty ironic because I used to be a huge introvert. I like talking to people and I'd invite myself into a group while they are talking. However, I'm not going to go out seeking attention and constantly trying to make friends, so I'm somewhere in the middle or just a mild extrovert.
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One thing on my bucket list?
Touring the world and seeing different traditions after making millions in the ring
What is one thing that makes me smile?Holding millions in my hand while wearing the world champion belt in boxing
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If i could go anywhere in the world where would it be?
In a ring holding the world champion belt... or Jamaica, that would be pretty cool too, I like their beaches
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Do you collect anything?
colognes, gotta smell fresh while I'm holding the world champion belt
What is your favorite trail snack?
Definitely gum (sponsor me 5gum or Extra!!) and ketchup with orange juice
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What three things do you think of the most each day or the most while you hike?
Water, my loved ones, and getting home so I can drink more water
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If you could live anywhere where would it be?
Good try but yall aren't getting my address
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If money were no issue what would you do all day and how would you spend it?
I would spend my day drinking water, touring the world with my loved ones and working out
My motto:
Live you own life. Do what makes you smile. Quit worrying about everybody else's decisions and life. You can control yours and that's it. It's entirely possible to create the life you want to live.
