Focus Skateboard Magazine

Words: Stephen Oliveira
Photos: Stephen Knight

Well lets start this out by letting everyone know who you are, how old you are, and where you’re from.
I’m TJ Harris, I’m 20 yrs old, and I’m from Orlando, Florida.

Wait, so you mean to tell me that you’re… not Theotis Beasley? I know I can’t be the first one to think that you guys look alike.
Hahahahaha nope.. Not Theo.. I get that so much. I’m just used to it now. I just laugh when I hear that now.

Haha not gonna lie, I actually asked Tommy if asking you that would offend you or not. But anyway, how did you first get into skateboarding?
Haha Tommy would let you ask me that. But yeah, I got into skating by just walking around my old neighborhood and I saw a kid on a skateboard and he did an ollie, and I asked to see it. I got on and after that, I couldn’t stop haha.

Haha that’s what’s up! So theot— I mean TJ, who’s hooking it up with the gear these days?
Hahaha you would.. But yeah, I’m getting hooked up by Expedtion One, Dc Shoes, Lrg, Venture trucks, and Midtown Skatepark.

Damn, getting hooked up all around. How’s it feel to have a park like midtown in your city? That place is like a legit training facility.
Man, I’m so thankful there’s guys like Chris Abbott who actually care about the skate scene and make places like midtown… That place has everything you need to get your tricks down.

I bet. That place is a blast to skate! What’s it like living out in Orlando though? Every time I head out there I get lost and end up by Wet N Wild, instead of Downtown…
Yeah I’m sure that happens to a lot of people haha. I mean Orlando’s tight to live in. There’s a lot of things to skate and stuff, but it gets old after a while.

Yeah, but that’s how it is for anyone and their hometown. Are you working anywhere, or just stacking clips and skating midtown all the time?
Yeah, I’m working at Publix Supermarket part time haha. It really sucks, but money is money. I wish all I could do is stack footy and skate the park though.

It could be worse, though. Publix is a lot classier than Wal Mart. On a better note, what’s the deal with F.L.O.? That promo was definitely an eye opener!
Hahaha Publix over Wal Mart any day. Yeah, my homie Tommy Bohn is making the video F.L.O. I’m really hyped. I think its gonna be sick.. With kids like Lam Le, Justin Lee, Onil Diaz, Kenny Day and Josiah Portillo, it has to be sick.. Don’t sleep on those guys haha.

The line up’s definitely packing some heavy hitters. Besides filming for F.L.O., are you working on anything else right now?
That’s about it at the moment. But there’s an Expedition video coming out by December hopefully, so I’m going to Cali this summer and hopefully film and get a couple clips in that.

Damn.. Expedition video, Cali trips, doing it big! If you see your brother Theotis out there, make sure to get a picture of you two together and send it to us just so we can clarify that you guys aren’t the same person. Alright, that was the last Theotis joke, I promise…Thanks for your time though TJ, it’s been good! I know you have some people you want to thank, and now’s the time.
Hahahaha I’ll for sure try to get that picture for you..Yeah, shout out to the homie Kevin Perez for basically getting everything started for me… All the guys that are hooking me up, Tyrone, Jake, Jason and Andy, Josh Roberston and Chris Abbott at Midtown Skatepark. Go check that place out! My brother Damien and all the homies. Stephen Knight and Tommy Bohn for filming and taking photos, and all the F.L.O homies! look out for the next promo/teaser! Thanks Stephen!