Athletic Footnotes had the privilege to talk with Tyler Garceau, a former Abercrombie and Fitch model, a personal trainer, and an aspiring WWE wrestler. I was able to get a brief look at his journey from playing hockey to training for the WWE. Hope you enjoy reading about his journey.
If I recall you were a hockey player when you were younger but at the age of 19
you moved to New York to become a model. How drastic of a difference was it to
go from playing an active sport to modeling? For example did your workouts change?
When I made switched from hockey to modeling it was definitely a huge change. I had just torn my ACL and meniscus. The 1st surgery did not go well, so I had to do it again. I had a TON of downtime, out of the blue I told my dad I'm going to NYC to become a fashion model. He was like who what why when where and then some - haha! He knows when I say I am going to do something I get it done (which I've picked up from him) so he trusted me and I moved to NYC.
Like anything it takes time to learn how to become great at something. We all had to crawl before we walk. I had some great help in my life that helped me with the modeling to make it successful. A funny part in my modeling career is my agent actually banned me from working out. I had to do daily check ins with him to see if i was getting bigger or smaller haha. I told him i had stopped going to the gym and he kept asking me why do i look bigger which i would tell him i was losing weight - I never stopped going (sorry Jason lol!)
Most people don't suddenly decide that they want to be a model. When did you first
start thinking about becoming a model and what pushed you towards wanting to pursue
modeling?
I think i answered some of this above! :P
What made me pursue it most was just that feeling inside we all have about something. I just wanted to go do it. I wasn't positive i could but i was willing to take the risk. As a kid I always wanted to be an abercrombie model. In just a few months that dream came true :).
Once you became a model, was there anything about modeling that took you by surprise?
Yes i was very surprised of the number of competition there was. There are soooooo many models showing up for the same exact job you are trying to get. Everyone who steps in the casting door was very good looking, we all had to learn quickly how to make yourself stand out! Usually its being funny or making a fool of yourself haha.
In August of 2010 you started to train to become a WWE wrestler.
What is it that drove you back to competing in a physical sport such as wrestling?
I have always loved professional wrestling since I was a kid. Modeling was great, fun, and opened many doors. I mean this in the most humble way - I believe I have a God given gift of above average strength and athleticism and I love to use it every chance I get. What better place than Professional wrestling.
Since you are in wrestling training now, have you got to meet any of your child
hood favorites and if so what was that experience like?
YES!! My childhood favorite was John Cena. We have a very close lifelong mutual friend. John and I met backstage at a monday night raw which our friend ED had set up for us in Milwaukee while WWE was checking me out. John was very helpful and polite. I am lucky enough to have his personal number where I can stay in touch with him! Thinking back its funny. I would of never thought that would happen, then again who would! Life can get crazy when you step out and go after something.
With you being a model for Abercrombi and wanting to join a business like the WWE,
What roles does your religion play in deciding what you are willing and not willing
to do when it comes to your professional career?
When you are open about your belief you tend to become put under a microscope and people will point out your flaws and mistakes. I am far from perfect. I do make mistakes. I am only a man. I don't call it a religion I call it a relationship. Just knowing and believing what Jesus did for us all. If I ever have any doubts or bad feelings about what I am going to do, I just pray about it and the signs come and then I better know what I should do.
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