Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesus R. Garcia.
Hi Jesus, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My career as a professional automotive journalist/writer came about from having a lifelong interest in automobiles. Sepia-aged photo albums can prove that I was enthusiastic about cars before I could walk. This borderline obsession with transportation was instilled by my father, who also shares the same hobby and is a self-made entrepreneur.
The idea to transition a hobby into a career started in 2011. At the time, I was in my second semester of college and not entirely sure what I wanted to do in life. I knew I wanted a career in the automotive industry but no real plan or job title in mind. There was a moment when I seriously considered joining the Air Force or studying criminal justice.
However, that all changed when my college English professor, Mrs. Thompson, suggested I try out for the university school newspaper. She felt that writing came naturally to me and would enjoy working as a student reporter. Up until that moment, writing school reports and short stories was something that I took for granted as easy homework assignments. Mrs. Thompson was the first person to tell me that I was a “good writer” and gave me the idea to pursue it. Her comment became the pebble that rolled down the hill. Suddenly I found myself looking at my collection of automotive magazines and thinking, “why don’t I just do that? Write about cars.”
In 2015, after graduating from UTSA, I became the youngest member of the Texas Automotive Writers Association at the age of 23. This organization opened the door for me to step into the automotive industry and shake hands with car manufacture representatives and professional automotive journalists. The following year I started my website JesusBehindtheWheel.com as a platform to post my writings and automotive reviews. Since then, I’ve had opportunities to write for highly respectable companies and publications.
Locally, I’ve worked for Jeff Davis Law Firm as part of their marketing team from 2016-2017. I was also one of the first auto writers to join the internationally based website DriveTribe when it launched in late 2016. However, the most significant opportunity of my career happened in 2020 when I was hired to be the weekend editor for The Drive, one of the most popular automotive websites in the country. During my time at The Drive, I wrote over 110 articles.
Currently, I am the automotive content writer for XPEL Inc., based in San Antonio, Texas. XPEL is a car care provider specializing in paint protection film, window tint, and ceramic coating. In addition, I’m also a contributing editor for IMBOLDN.com, TXgarage.com. DriveTribe.com and continue to manage my brand site – Jesus Behind the Wheel. Moreover, I’ve recently started creating digital artwork, which is mostly automotive-themed.
My career started with a vague dream of finding a way to earn a living by writing and test-driving cars. When I started, I didn’t know anyone in the industry and was constantly in a state of self-doubt, worrying that I was pursuing something that didn’t exist. Now, ten years later, I look back and feel grateful that the younger me never gave up. If you work hard at something, you will eventually get somewhere. It’s never easy but always worth it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggle I had was getting started. Figuring out where to begin in a career many people never knew existed. The first vehicle reviews I wrote were first-impression write-ups based on ten-minute test drives.
I achieved this by visiting local car dealerships, explaining that I was writing for the university newspaper, and asking the sales manager if they could let me test drive a vehicle, any vehicle, in exchange for mentioning the dealership in the article. Everything is a learning experience, and from these early days, I learned that people are more likely to help you out if you dress professionally and practice polite manners. These are vital skills if you’re a young college kid asking to test drive a new Dodge Challenger.
Now, the main struggle is maintaining an audience. The demand for content is high, and the goal is to get the news, review, or story out as soon as possible before another publication grabs the reader’s attention. In an SEO battle, I cannot compete with media giants like Car and Driver and Motor Trend.
So, to counteract this, my work is not formatted as a straightforward car review. Instead, the article takes a more personal, story-like approach to captivate the reader into inserting their own needs and wants when researching a specific vehicle. It reads like a consumer review written by an expert.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What separates me from other automotive media influencers, writers, and artists is my brand name – Jesus Behind the Wheel. People always smile or chuckle when they first hear it, which is great for marketing and ensuring they remember me.
I specialize in automotive reviews and creative writing. However, recently I’ve started designing digital art. Like my writing style, these artworks have a unique look that people find aesthetically pleasing. The theme of my artwork is called “Highway Cowboy” and combines elements of the old west with automotive culture. I’m particularly proud of the several short automotive films I’ve made for my YouTube channel.
These are short-length car review videos showcasing the vehicle performing various stunts. Each video was filmed on a shoestring budget using my phone, free editing software, and doing my own stunt driving. I’m very proud of these videos because of the effort and considerable risk it took to make them.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
My personal library consists of authors like Hunter S. Thompson and Charles Bukowski, along with books about military history, automotive history, and crime thriller fiction. I enjoy reading history because it helps me learn how to convey facts and statistics in an interesting manner. Books written by eccentric authors fascinate me and assist in developing my own voice.
Lastly, I often read books that were later adapted into film to find out how the actions on screen were written in text. Anyone who calls themselves a writer understands that reading is like going to the gym – keeps you fit.
Apart from reading, I find music is a must-have and sometimes have it playing in the background when I work. Beyond that, I do not use apps and I don’t read many blogs and listen to podcasts apart from stand-up comedians like Bill Burr for entertainment.
Contact Info:
- Email: jesusbehindthewheel@gmail.com
- Website: https://jesusbehindthewheel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesus_behind_the_wheel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesusbehindthewheel
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JBehindtheWheel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnCVB3Hnju0krnenc4JdEaQ
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/auto.toonz/
Image Credits
Jesus R. Garcia
