One Man, One Store, and One ATM

There are millions of inspirational books and movies that have flooded our minds. People that literally come from nothing and they work to become millionaires. Super athletes, geniuses, and speakers that are all born for with this gift that all of us wish we could have. These stories always seem so far fetched and yet we still try our best to connect with these inspirational figures. However, people like Jackie Robinson, Michael Jordan, Albert Einstein, Malcolm X, Conor McGregor, John Cena, Bill Gates, and even Mark Zuckerberg are once in a life time people who cannot be replicated. I know what you are thinking right now... who are you supposed to look up to then?

Well look no further than Shawn Myers. No, Shawn Myers is not a super athlete, nor is he a genius, and he is certainly no public speaker. Shawn Myers is your average guy who grew up just like anybody else here in America. Shawn Myers is a determined never quit American who decided the best way to fix his situation is to go out take what he wants. You could say Shawn Myers has what we all have but some of us fail to see, HUSTLE.

In May of 2001, Shawn Myers put that hustle to use when he drove his stolen pickup truck into Lynn's Market in Wellsville, Pennsylvania. When he crashed through the window Shawn Myers tried to steal the ATM machine by dragging it out with a chain attached to his vehicle. After lots of struggle and hustle the ATM would not budge. Shawn Myers would have to make the executive decision to live to fight another day.

After assessing what had went wrong, Shawn Myers decided to give the plan another go. A few days later Shawn Myers would return with another stolen vehicle. The only difference is this time plywood had been covering the broken window. This was not stopping Shawn Myers though. As he revved his engine Shawn Myers gave one big burst through Lynn's Market once again. In a haste Shawn Myers wrapped his chain around the ATM for what was surely to be the ultimate pull. However, after pressing the gas and the vehicle pulling with all it's might, Shawn Myers had failed once again.

Shawn Myers would lay in bed again, a defeated poor man, yet this did not stop Shawn's hustle. Not yet. Shawn decided Lynn's Market's ATM was just way too strong, but he then remembered another ATM located at Rutter's Farm Store. Shawn had a good feeling about this score. Shawn's sixth sense was telling him this was his moment.

After only a few days of planning Shawn Myers was back. Shawn revved his engine outside of Rutter's Farm Store. Shawn was dead set on taking this ATM. This one was surely coming out of the ground. This was Shawn's ATM and Rutter was only keeping it warm.

Shawn drove through the front window of Rutter's Farm Store shattering the glass all over his vehicle once again. Like a G, Shawn knew what to do as he quickly bolted out of the vehicle to wrap the chain around another ATM. Once Shawn was back in the vehicle he took a deep breath and pressed the gas. This time Shawn Myers did it. Shawn Myers had successfully pulled the ATM from Rutter's Farm Store. As Shawn drove through the parking lot with the biggest grin of achievement across his face a sudden thud changed everything. As Shawn turned around to check the commotion he found nothing but a limp chain following behind him. Shawn had lost the ATM by ramming it into a parked car.

For the next several months Shawn Myers walked defeated as he was forced to go back to his day job. Shawn could only look in disappointment of himself as he passed both Lynn's Market and Rutter's Farm Store on his way to work. Everyday for those next several months his failure ate at him. Nonetheless, this was not Shawn's ending.

Shawn would later return to Lynn's Market with yet another stolen vehicle. This time it was all or nothing for Shawn. With his passed failures fueling him Shawn rammed through Lynn's window again. Wrapping the chain around the ATM once more.

Shawn Myers could feel it this time. This was several months of pent up frustration. Shawn closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

And with a heavy foot the engine revved, the tires squealed, and the chain ringed tight. The vehicle pulled and pulled. Shawn Myers could not give up on this one. He could not go home empty handed once again.

Shawn Myers had done it! The ATM came bouncing off the ground as Shawn drove off. Shawn had actually done it this time as well. Making it passed all the parked cars. Shawn Myers had finally successfully escaped with the Lynn's Market ATM. However, Shawn's victory would only last a short time as when he brought the ATM home he discovered there was nothing inside it. Not one dollar. All the hustle and perseverance led to an empty ATM.

Shawn Myers would later be arrested and pled guilty to all of his crimes which took the judge 90 minutes to read off. Shawn was then order to pay thousands of dollars in restitution fees and sentenced to six years in prison.

So, maybe Shawn Myers is not an inspiration or someone you should look up to. Nonetheless, his story is very entertaining and that has to count for something right?