About Me

Profile

About:

I was born on February 5th, 1994 to Nina and Stephen Trejo in a quaint beachside community nestled in Southern California. My family lived in faculty housing complex at the University of California at Santa Barbara, where my father was an Economics professor. There I was surrounded by many curious and quirky offspring of academics that, like me, were more interested in spending our afternoons playing Magic cards than frying ants on the sidewalk. Unfortunately, there was trouble in paradise when my dad accepted a new job and I was pried away from the coast and thrown into Texas, of all places. No beach?! I thought life would never be the same. However, my outlook quickly began to change; twelve years later, I’m a proud Austinite. I have a core group of friends that I wouldn’t trade for the world, but I love meeting new people. I have the best and most supportive family a guy could ask for (just don’t tell them that). When I can find some spare time, I enjoy ultimate frisbee, mountain biking, and tech theatre. After I graduate, I hope to travel and explore the world!

Why I Ride

“Live every week like it’s shark week!” -Tracy Jordan, 30 Rock

Cancer is aggressive, relentless, and dispassionate. It is a pestilence that rips apart families. I ride for my grandfather, Norman “Nocky” Gross, but not to mourn his death. Instead, I ride to honor his life. He was my grandfather, my mentor, and above all, my hero. He ultimately passed away from complications of radiation, but fought his lung cancer bravely until the very end. His perseverance has been inspirational for me. When my grandfather began smoking cigarettes he was only 13. At the time there weren’t any established negative health effects. The instant new information came out, my grandpa made the decision to quit. It wasn’t easy, but through hypnotism, he was finally able to curb his addiction. Twenty years later, however, the smoking caught back up with him. He was diagnosed with lung cancer. He never got to seem me up, but I like to think he’d be proud of the man that I’ve become. I ride for my Zayde, who I love and miss very much, but I also ride because I know that Texas 4000 is bigger than just me. Texas 4000 about coming together, putting the individual self aside, to make a difference. Though my time with my grandfather was limited, his impact on me will last a lifetime. He makes me wake up and appreciate every day I have. I’m very fortunate to be blessed with good health and a plethora opportunities, and I need to put to good use the life I’m given. On my ride I hope to help others, learn more about myself, and have some fun along the way. At 19 years old, I’m adapting, growing, and changing as an individual being every day; I wouldn’t have it any other way. Call me cliché, but genuinely I believe life is just one long bike ride. It isn’t about where you’re headed; it’s about how you get there. And I’m ready to ride.