Today we’d like to introduce you to Garrett Wood.
Garrett, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
What began as my own passion for fitness, combined with a thirst for self-improvement at a young age came a discovery that you *can* achieve the body you want, and live a balanced lifestyle. I studied, acquired some credentials and created the fat loss program known as the #DareToEat program. Since 2014 I’ve worked with 400 individuals to lose fat, get leaner or to get stronger.
In 2014 I moved to Boston for a real estate job. I didn’t want to leave my beloved Chicago, but knew I could do anything for a year. Well, the company asked me to commit to a second year just before they fired me so I was stuck in Boston unsure of what to do, and instead of getting another “real job” I embraced the portfolio lifestyle by pushing hard on my online business (above) and starting my novel, which is actually based on the whole move itself. The story is a coming of age novel, and is being described as a “very relatable, captivating and quick summer read.”
Here’s the synopsis:
Nicole Winston, 22, is a feisty go-getter itching to get into the Real World of Chicago. Despite coming from a family with money, she’s determined to make it on her own, juggling several jobs while chasing Mr. Wrong. When a real estate job seemingly comes out of nowhere offering a salary she can’t refuse, Winston ignores the persistent voice in her head wondering why her new boss is avoiding her and the CEO keeps inquiring about her father’s multi-million dollar business. Her life unravels when the job moves her to Boston, ripping her away from her new boyfriend with celeb connections and a large circle of friends. Midst seeking purpose and community in her new city, Winston finds herself trapped in a job she loathes, at odds with her father and stuck in a confidence-killing relationship until she realizes she alone must put her life– and sense of self– back together. Based on true events, this coming-of-age novel with “Sex and the City” elements tells the courageous story of a ballsy millennial navigating a male-dominated industry, hustling to pursue her dream job in fitness, and never relenting until she has it all: true love, job love, and self-love.
Here are two reviews:
Dare To Move blew me away! What an impressive piece of work, especially given that this is Wood’s first novel. As a young woman in my 20s trying to build my own company, forge my identity, date, stay active, stay social etc. this book spoke to me on a deep level. Wood articulates what I know a lot of women in my generation are feeling, but are too afraid to admit and own. I also loved how contemporary the book felt – no BS, no abstractions, just plainly what a lot of us are experiencing as young women in the modern age. Such a quick but hard-hitting read. Many of its beats are still sticking with me weeks later.
From the second I started this book, I could not put it down. What an incredibly written story, one that I could personally relate to on all different levels. This book has it all – the story about a young 20-something diving head first into the corporate role with more side hustles than I ever thought were possible. Garrett gets it. Her accounts of dating are spot-on, and I know many of us can relate to her trials and tribulations of dating in the 21st century. All I can say is, WOW. Such an incredibly written, honest story with underlying lessons and messages that really hit home. This is a must read.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. The crux of a portfolio lifestyle is the constant “life in flux.” Not only financially is it tough to balance all five jobs I have right now, (and writing a novel didn’t pay me for the three years I spent writing it), but my first two years in Boston were a struggle. I had a hard time making friends with a job wherein I worked from home and let’s not forget, I only kind-of knew two people before I moved here.
With regards to having five jobs, the most obvious struggle for the longest time was cash flow. But even more, when you are your own boss (outside of my part-time job teaching at Barrys Boot camp – there I do have amazing bosses- Hi Dustin and Brian!), it’s hard to know if you are “doing it right.” You create your own hours, set up your own work goals, etc. Crossroads of Fitness has been operating for four years and now has one other employee, and it’s something I started out of passion– without a firm, long-term business plan. Uncertainty can sometimes be crippling; but when you continue to chase passion, I think it all works out.
As for my novel, my “ready, fire, aim” personality trait shone through. Before my manuscript was finished (sitting at 80,000 words) I hired an editor and started looking for literary agents. Finding an agent can be more difficult than becoming a model (from what I’ve heard) so I decided to push through with my editor (for three years) to ultimately self-publish. The novel began as a true story, memoir and ultimately became a novel to be more entertaining, protect the ones I love and sell more books! I had no idea the project would take so long, but I’m glad that I stuck it out and paid all of the editor’s fees!
Crossroads of Fitness (business); “Dare To Move” (novel) – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I help women and men lose fat, and keep it off with the #DareToEat Program. With one-on-one programs including weekly phone calls and daily emails, I like to tell my clients I am in their pocket, support-wise. It’s a close relationship we build over 12 weeks and their lives are thus transformed. I am proud of the women who email me a year after their program concludes to tell me that they’ve not only lost the weight and kept it off, but they’ve lost more!!! The accountability component and the learning component of the #Daretoeat program is what sets us apart. We don’t spit out macros and send meal plans and yell, “good luck!” from afar. We are right there with our clients, teaching them how to make the lifestyle change.
My novel is brand new. The reviews have been super positive and I was very proud with how many people pre-ordered hard copies. It’s different in that I self-published, but, I am looking for an agent for my second novel, which I hope will be out next summer.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
One of my jobs is developing Caffè Nero coffee shops. Seeing the Southie location (which was my idea!) come to fruition was very exciting.
In fat loss, I am proud of my clients daily. I think getting to hire one of my best friends, Lauren Palm as a lead coach for Crossroads of Fitness was a highlight.
As for my book, it’s early, but landing a meeting with a NYT best-selling author and putting the book I created with the cover-art I commission was pretty epic!
Pricing:
- Dare To Move, on Amazon $19.99; Kindle $8.99
- Crossroads of Fitness Summer 12-Week Special $300
Contact Info:
- Website: www.crossroadsoffitness.com
- Email: gwcrof@gmail.com
- Instagram: @garrettnwood
- Facebook: Garrett Nicole Wood
Image Credit:
Jess McDougall, Andrew Weber, Brett Williams
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
