Tit Jam 2017
"I've never been to Tit Jam even though I had plans last year, that was the year I tore my tibfib a few days prior while trying to create my first YouTube video (Not one that got uploaded to our channel) and wasn't able to go.
Packing for the trip I wanted to be extremely ready... so I over packed haha. Packing clothes for 14 days cause at the time I thought NAT Jam was still happening so I was prepared for the extra week stay. What I realized is that when you don't have a shower every morning and night you tend to not change and I ended up wearing a total of 3 shirts and 4 shorts the entire trip. But besides packing to survive the trip itself, I planned on trying to launch my team Tresk and our Tresk Clothing by selling on site with half of my full inventory of shirts, 50 articles, and all my wristbands. I'll discuss how that went later.
Arriving, I knew the old friends and family I would get to meet as well as how many people in total were going. I never guess how well I'd be received by most. I've been to a few jams in my time, none of which as organized or well hosted as Tit Jam, but I've been welcomed as soon as I arrive and made amazing lifelong friends but Tit Jam offered me people that made me feel like more than just a random guest who decided to come that year. Everyone made me feel at home and welcomed to point where I felt more loved than any other time in my life. People saying they know who Tresk is, asking where Alec is, considering me one of their favorite athletes, hugs from everyone, and me getting to enjoy how lively everyone was without judgement of each other. Still the reason I believe this is the best community in the world.
The first night I set up my table to sell the shirts and wristbands and surprisingly was rushed by people who wanted the shirts and I even heard some people saying, "Yes! I've been waiting for you to set this up." It was one of the most humbling moments of my life when that happened. I expected my friends to get excited and support me but there were people who I've never seen the face of before. By the end of the trip I sold all but 3 shirts.
This trip came with more opportunities than just the fact of almost selling out of my clothes, so lets go in order. Around the second day at my table I was approached by two guys asking what my clothing was and what Tresk was about in general. After terribly explaining it to them they said they liked what I was doing and wanted to make a promo/commercial for me. I didn't know who these guys where and just assumed they were amateurs looking for experience and if it turned out good I'd keep it and be able to promote them as well as have a commercial for my clothing, a win/win. So I agreed and throughout the week we filmed little pieces of action shots, aesthetic shots, and I made sure to tell them about my good friends I wanted in the video. They were amazing at working with me and going with their own ideas as well as taking outside influence.
Near the end of Tit Jam there was a film festival and they wanted to put the commercial in it so we had to finish up shots by the end of that night so they could edit late night and get it ready to present. For a dope shot they told me to get a bunch of people wearing the shirt and bring them into the forest for a group shot. I grabbed my good friends, some of my friends that are big athletes that I knew would have influence on people if they saw them in the video (was not my only reasoning, I love these guys), went up to people personally that I knew had purchased a shirt, and even lent some unsold ones out to friends so they could be a part of the video. We had to do plenty of retakes because we laughed so much and stumbled on sticks and rocks, it was such an enjoyable experience. From it came a beautifully and professionally made video from Thad Swiftand Colten Sweeney. I can't thank these guys enough, I'll link the video to this next photo and link their YouTube channels to their names. Check them out!
Anyone know what MUV Magazine is? Well that's who also approached me at my table and said they were interested in working with me to get me more exposure. I had 2 options, either take a photo shoot wearing the shirt or give them 2 shirts to make reviews over. So I did both. I can't tell you when this will come out or any other information but make sure to keep an eye out for it in the future!
Lastly, during the comp I was preparing a move I was sketched about for my first line and while walking over to a patch of grass to work on it I ran into the owners of WFPF which I've met before in Vegas for the Jump Off. They said hi and mentioned how they remember me from Vegas, they brought up how I was the "challenger" at the Jump off which meant I was the only non pro that could've been seen as a threat to the big dogs. Then they jumped straight into the point. "How would you feel about being a sponsored athlete with WFPF?" I was caught a little of guard haha not something I expected. This was my second competition ever, didn't even do my first run yet and they suddenly ask. It was cool feeling like I'm starting to get opened up to opportunities such as this.
I wasn't going to be rash and jump at the opportunity without asking questions such as, "Will I be available for other sponsors while sponsored by y'all?", "If there is a problem will I be able to drop out whenever I feel necessary and not be trapped in a contract?", "Will Tresk stay independent from WFPF and not be controlled in anyway?" and they answered everything how I wanted. I still told them I'd think about it because it didn't feel real to me to be honest. I guess at that moment I truly didn't feel as if I deserved it so I tried to push it away out of fear of embarrassing myself with the title of "Professional Athlete" when no one else would view me as that. Of course I tried to get over it, and in the end I accepted the sponsorship and now I'm currently in waiting.
Besides all the opportunities, the jam was just fun in general. I beatboxed while my good friend Sean Higgins freestyle rapped over it, I took part in karaoke night while horse with my closest friends I'm happy to call my family, learned so many new moves, finally got to meet friends I've known over Instagram or Snapchat in person for the first time, and I hopefully got to increase the experience of Tit Jam for others as well, cause they made my experience amazing.
All in all, I'm going back to Tit Jam every year and bringing Alec with me. It is by far the best Jam I've been to and an experience I wouldn't trade for anything. I recommend everyone who is interested to go to Tit Jam at least once because you never know what will happen, who you'll meet, and the opportunities that could come your way. Thank you Justin Shaeffer for hosting such an amazing event every year!"
