September 16, 2024 • 48 mins
Imagine transitioning to a completely new career at 41 and facing significant health challenges along the way. Meet Eileen Ward, a resilient trucker with over two decades of experience who not only faced mental health struggles and thyroid issues but also found ways to thrive. This episode promises to reveal her secrets for overcoming sleep problems, staying active, and maintaining a healthy diet while on the road. Eileen's story is a testament to the power of therapy, emotional resilience, and the unexpected support found in the trucking community.
We also dive deep into the delicate balance between a demanding truck driving job and prioritizing mental health. Hear about the personal journey of starting therapy amidst a hectic schedule, addressing the stigma around seeking mental health support in the trucking industry, and discovering camaraderie among fellow drivers. This episode emphasizes how addressing mental health can lead to better physical health and overall well-being, showcasing the interconnectedness of our minds and bodies.
Finally, we share practical tips for maintaining health on the road, even under extreme weather conditions. From the importance of nutrition and hydration to creative ways of staying active, this episode is packed with strategies that can transform your lifestyle. Learn how small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements and get inspired by Eileen's advice on making manageable adjustments over time. Plus, connect with other health-conscious drivers through platforms like Healthier Truckers and Enjoying Life OTR. Join us for a journey towards a healthier and happier life on the road, one mile at a time.
Enjoying Life OTR—because LIVING WELL is worth the effort. We’re sparking curiosity, adventure, & resilience while honoring drivers and embracing a healthier trucking life. Discover creative life hacks & practical strategies to make the most of your time on the road. Join the movement!Explore, enjoy the food, snap the pic, and share tips on saving money along the way.
This podcast is for new and veteran drivers looking to stay mentally, physically, and financially strong while embracing the freedom of the road. We bring you real stories, expert advice, & practical tools to help you thrive, not just survive, in the trucking life.
Connect with Us: Join the Enjoying Life OTR Facebook Group – Share your journey, find trip recommendations, & connect with fellow drivers. Follow our Facebook page – Get the latest podcast episodes, trucking tips, & entertaining content. Visit our website – Explore our journey, see community highlights, and access resources for a healthier, more balanced OTR life.
For questions or to be a guest, email our host, Cindy Tunstall at EnjoyingLifeOTR@gmail.com #HealthierTruckers #EnjoyingLifeOTR #TruckerWellness #OTRLife #WorkLifeBalance
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Dino Grigoriadis (00:00):
Hey there, road warriors.
This is Dino, your roadie andguide on the side.
Are you feeling sluggish behindthe wheel, struggling with
mental and physical health onthe road, wondering how to
balance your job with self-care?
Well, buckle up, becausetoday's episode is going to
tackle these common driverchallenges head-on.
We're driving deep into theinspiring journey of Eileen Ward
(00:21):
, a 64-year-old trucker who'sbeen in the game for over two
decades.
Eileen's going to share herexperiences with overcoming
depression, managing thyroidissues and transforming her
lifestyle on the road, fromdealing with sleep problems to
finding ways to stay active andeat healthy.
Eileen's story is packed withpractical tips and insights
(00:42):
that'll have you rethinking yourapproach to trucking life.
So stay tuned and get ready tolearn how you can take control
of your health and happiness onemile at a time.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Enjoying Life OTR Conversations that inspire
curiosity, adventure andresilience.
We're honoring drivers andsharing their adventures and
becoming healthier truckers Staytuned to discover creative life
hacks and practical strategiesfor enhancing our well-being and
making the most of our time onthe road.
Welcome to Enjoying Life, OTR.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (01:14):
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
I'm so glad you could join ustoday.
Would you like to introduceyourself to the audience and
kind of give like a briefhistory of your driving and what
you've driven, and then we'llgo from?
Eileen Ward (01:28):
there.
My name is Eileen Ward.
I'm 64 years old.
I started driving in 2001, so Iwas 41 at the time.
I had kind of exhausted all myjob skills and whatnot, you know
, working with people, which youknow didn't work very well.
I just kind of need to be bymyself, um and uh.
(01:52):
So I went to work for a company, um, that was fairly local, did
a lot of new england and it wasmostly um, refrigerated stuff,
salads, and then back halls allover the place, you know the
woods of Maine and New Hampshire, and that was beautiful, but
(02:14):
wintertime it was verychallenging.
And then so I drove for aboutseven and a half years.
I started having problems withsleeping and, um, you know,
motivation all kinds.
I had a lot of drama going onin my life at the time, but I
also had a thyroid issue.
Uh, as ladies get older I wasabout 49 at the time and, um, as
(02:40):
we get older, you know thatseems to be one of the things
that we run into.
You know I hadn't been to thedoctor, I hadn't really
considered it a problem, butthen it was.
So I've been on the medicationfor about what?
12, 14, 15 years now and I'mdoing really well with it.
(03:00):
She hasn't had to change themedication in quite a while.
So that's one thing that thatthat we need to look out for, as
as women, you know, when we'restarting to go through my
menopause and all that, that, um, that's one of the things that
shifts, uh is our thyroid, youknow, and and diet can help with
with fat and um medication.
(03:23):
So, so, so, anyway, I drove inbetween, in the middle of all
this, I also started therapy,because that's exactly what you
need to do when you're drivingup and down the road and there
is crying and trucking.
So, everybody, get over that,because it is going to happen.
You know, especially when we'renew and we have, you know,
(03:45):
things going on, it's uh, it'sgoing to happen.
Um, we make our mistakes andyou know, like I said, I had
drama going on at the house andit was like, uh, it's another
level.
So, uh, I got out of it in 2009and I uh, after a couple of
years, I started, started my ownbusiness uh, limo service.
(04:06):
Basically, I had a couple ofvehicles it was just me, though
and then the?
Um, the pandemic hit, andovernight, that was gone.
Um, I tried to keep all mypermits, um, and license going,
um, as long as I could, but thenfinancially it became, uh,
untenable and I didn't see anyend in sight.
So, uh, you know, now it's likepivot again.
(04:30):
Uh, what are we going to do?
And, um, I thought, well, I'min a better place, mentally,
emotionally, physically, um andum, let me.
Let me see about getting backinto truck driving.
I had let my CDL go because Iwas never going to do that again
.
And then I went back to thecommunity college, local
(04:52):
community college and got my CDLback and, like the, I don't
know, just like the third orfourth day, we got in the truck
just sitting there and I waslike, oh, I remember this, I
know how to do this.
It was, you know, it was aVolvo 10 speed that we, uh, that
we were training on, and itdidn't take but five minutes to
(05:13):
get the double clutch down.
And I was like, okay, I gotthis, went to work for a company
that's it takes me about 45minutes to get to, you know,
right off of Interstate 70, anda real good company and nice
people and good benefits and allkinds of stuff, and it's.
It's just, it's been almostthree years that I've been with
(05:36):
them and I'm really enjoying it.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (05:39):
Now do you do regional over the road
drive in reefer.
What kind of driving are youdoing right now?
Eileen Ward (05:48):
Yeah, we do.
It's a redistribution foodcompany so we go to a lot of
refrigerated stuff.
I do drive-in, so mostly I'msitting in front of a reefer it
is all of the above regional ofa reefer, it is all of the above
(06:10):
regional.
We have deep distributioncenters up in three of them up
in canada.
I haven't been to those yet.
But then we have out incalifornia, arizona since I'm in
maryland, you know, local, Irun, I do a lot of east coast up
and down, 81, 95, 70.
I'm getting tired of it.
So they started sending some ofus, uh, gave us the opportunity
(06:31):
to go out to Arizona,california we have a DC and
Idaho, um, and, and I reallyenjoy those trips, um, I do
those as often as I can.
I'm usually out 12, 14 days.
The other one, the more local,regional ones, are, you know, 24
, 36 hours out, out and back.
(06:53):
And then you got to do it againand I'm no touch.
So I'm fine with that.
I can open the doors, I'm backup to the dock and you put it on
or you take it off and that's,that's just fine.
And, and you know, I got themattress, uh, uh, memory foam
mattress, so I'm all set up inin my bunk and I sleep really
(07:14):
well.
So, and that's you know,obviously that's important.
So yeah, just trying to takecare of myself when I'm home and
when I'm on the road, it's alifestyle, it's a living
situation.
You know, if I get a layoversomeplace, it's like I'll get on
the internet and see what'sgoing on in the local area.
(07:35):
I have a bike that I brought, Ihave with me.
That's a folding bike.
There's a local bike trail.
I'll go ride that or I'll getout and go for a walk, um, just
see the area or whatever.
But it it, you know, it's inintegrated, it's not separate
exactly, you know, couldn'timagine, you know, doing that.
(07:56):
And so it makes it a lot easiermentally just be where I am and
and do a life than try andseparate the two and say, oh no,
that's a job.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (08:09):
And yeah , yeah, it's definitely a
lifestyle.
So I'm curious when you drovethe first time, you had a lot of
health issues and you had somemental issues going on.
So what are some of the biggeststruggle or pain points that
you had that you really haddifficulty with when you first
(08:31):
started driving, like, were youobese, were you overweight, were
you just exhausted?
What are some of the areaswhere you were at at that time?
Eileen Ward (08:48):
were at at that time.
Yeah, I think a lot of it, youknow, was the mental and
emotional stress that that I wasliving with.
You know I I started, like Isaid, I started therapy in the
middle of it, when I was driving, just because things that had
been building up, you know,which were causing, you know,
other health issues, just becametoo much.
So I went and got help.
(09:08):
I got a really good therapistand that helped a lot.
I had been running, startedrunning when I was in high
school and I kind of kept withthat a little bit.
I was, yeah, I weighed 120 nowand I was about 130, 135.
So I had a little bit extra.
(09:28):
I'm short, I'm like 5'3", so itmattered and I wasn't eating
well, I wasn't sleeping well.
I think a lot of the mental andemotional baggage that I was
carrying had a lot to do with itas well.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (09:43):
I'm curious on, because I love that
you're willing to talk I meanobviously not specifics, but in
general on the mental aspects ofit.
So when you decided to go totherapy and you were driving,
how were you able to juggle theboth?
Because I know as drivers it'shard to be home at a specific
(10:07):
time, for a specific day for adoctor's appointment, and that's
why a lot of our healths are sobad.
So how were you able to jugglethose two things?
Eileen Ward (10:16):
That job- you know what, and at a certain point I
went part-time.
Certain point I went part-time,um, even though I was still
putting a lot of, a lot of uhmiles, but I was technically
part-time.
So I, I just, you know, made itclear that I'm going to take.
You know, it's a lot easier nowwith the, the situation with
(10:41):
dispatch, and remember, this wasback in the 2000 we didn't
really have the cell phones,were useless.
Basically I had a flip phoneand no smartphones or anything
like that.
But it, you know, I made itclear to to um dispatch back
then that I I had theseappointments and I could call, I
(11:03):
could call her and talk to hera little bit.
And but, uh, I made that timebecause, honestly, I was at a
critical mass point where I hadto do it.
You know, I I struggled with alot of things for a long time,
but it was just to that pointwhere you're going to do this
(11:24):
positive thing or you're goingto do a really bad, negative
thing, and I, you know I went inthe right direction.
But, yeah, no, I had to makethat commitment.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (11:35):
Now another thing that I really want
to touch on, because I knowquite a few drivers don't seek
out help because of fear oflosing their CDL.
So I'm curious how were youable to juggle that?
Did you just kind of keep thatunseen therapy under the pillow
(11:56):
and didn't share it?
Eileen Ward (11:59):
I can't remember exactly.
I probably didn't tell themwhat the appointments were.
I just said I have anappointment, I have to be home
this time.
Um, and you know, and theyscheduled you know that that
particular job, I, you know itwas pretty much 24 hours out and
back.
(12:19):
You know it was only one or two, one, maybe two nights on the
road.
So, again, I, you know theycould work that into the
schedule and you know I was veryadamant about it.
Yeah, I don't, I probablydidn't tell them what you know.
I just said I had a doctor'sappointment.
But, honestly, if I was still intherapy today with the people I
(12:43):
work with, I'd be totallyhonest with them.
It's like, yeah, this is whatI'm doing and I need to do this,
and I mean I have my doctor'sappointments, but I, you know,
that's for my like proliainjection and and med, med check
, which is just the thyroidmedicine, pretty much blood work
and all that.
(13:03):
So, um, you know, tell themthat's what I'm doing.
But, um, yeah, I think I wouldbe more honest about it, um, now
as opposed to then.
But, um, Because I've actuallymet a couple of guys I've ridden
with in the job I have now andthey've talked about having to
(13:24):
go to therapy, which isinteresting because guys usually
don't do that.
But the couple of trips thatI've gone on and we've had those
conversations, I mean it's likewe go deep real quick and they
talk about the struggles thatthey've had and they talk about
the struggles that they've had.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (13:49):
When you was driving and you noticed
that you was having a lot ofmental issues, or was it
physical issues leading tomental issues?
How did you identify what youneeded?
Eileen Ward (13:56):
I've always suffered with depression, you
know, growing up and all thatkind of stuff.
So you know it up and all thatkind of stuff.
So you know it's always been anundercurrent.
So it was, you know, obviouslymental and emotional issues
manifest in the physical.
(14:16):
So it's, you know, lethargic,just you know, low energy and
concentration, paying attention,all the things that you need
when you're driving, especiallywhen you're distances in a big
truck, and it's like, you know,it's like these signs that
things are need to shift, thingsneed to change, and it's, you
know, you either take thatopportunity and listen or or you
(14:39):
don't.
You keep suffering and I, I,you know I was 45 by then and I,
I was, you know I was donesuffering.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (14:47):
So I went to, uh, you know, I got a
really good therapist and workedwith her for for several years
and in cohesion of working withher, you are also seeing medical
providers getting your hormonesevaluated and adjusted right
your thyroid hormones, and youalso mentioned menopausal, so
(15:08):
I'm assuming your estrogen andall those hormones.
So you are also getting thoseevaluated at the same time.
Is that correct?
Eileen Ward (15:16):
Well, I started the therapy and then things started
physically correct.
Well, I started the therapy andthen things, you know, started
physically.
You know it's it's odd how, youknow, once you start fixing one
thing, the other thing reallyfalls apart, you know, because
it's a balancing act.
So when I started the therapyand things just started
unraveling really, and I, youknow, I was getting answers and
(15:37):
I was asking questions and allthat, it's like the physical
really started to take a toll.
And then I went and got myblood work evaluated and by then
it was definitely time to getout of the truck and just just
kind of reboot and I got on athyroid medication and started
getting good sleep and gettingthe drama out of my life,
(15:59):
because you know, drama in yourlife is really stressful anyway
and uh, it's like it just, uh,it was necessary to move on in
that direction.
And always it's interesting that, even though I I did have all
that that going on, I alwaysfound solace in hiking or in
(16:20):
running and I I stopped runningafter a while because that was
just killing my neck betweenthat and driving a freaking
Peterbilt.
So I got into a Volvo and thatwas like driving a marshmallow
and that helped and I went to achiropractor and acupuncture and
got got my neck straightenedout.
(16:42):
But I always went hiking andand then I started really riding
my bike a lot.
It took like four or five milesof just running or you know,
walking hard or riding hard, andthen you know the energy, the
built-up energy negative,positive it just kind of
releases and then you can kindof just I can just, you know, be
(17:07):
in the moment and let go of therest of the stuff.
That's how you know exerciseworks.
For me today it's like I ridereally fast, really hard for a
while and then I can just kindof get into a groove.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (17:28):
It releases that energy which is
really good for me.
Yeah, so I did some researchinto it and getting in nature.
It has a lot to do with theenergy, but it also has a lot to
do with trees and plants andstuff.
You know they produce oxygen.
So when you're in nature you'regetting a richer concentration
of oxygen.
So, unconsciously, you'retaking those slower, deeper
breaths which in turn ismassaging your vagus nerve,
(17:51):
which is your main highway ofnervous communication, and so
and that's why it has it's likea ripple effect all the way
around.
It's really fascinating howthey're doing the science and
all that.
Eileen Ward (18:03):
It really is.
Yeah, no, and I, you know youcould.
Just you just feel it.
It just drops away and I'm in areally fortunate spot when I'm
home.
My house is two miles from theSino Canal, which runs along the
Potomac River.
It's the towpath and it's it'slevel, but it's not necessarily
(18:24):
flat.
Incrementally it increases inelevation, not huge, but enough,
and so I ride my bike down thehill and ride on the canal as
far as I want to, and then comeback.
And then I got to ride up thehill and I can still do it.
You know, it's like a 700 footincline, over less than a mile,
(18:47):
and I can get up that hillwithout having to stop.
So I'm I'm proud of myself forthat, you know.
Oh, yeah, that's fascinating.
Yeah, it's one of those.
Uh, you know, can I do it today?
Malinda Fox-Wellington (18:58):
and yep, sure so you take your bike out
on the road with you.
Now, do you have a collapsiblebike or do you strap it to your
truck?
How do you go about figuringout getting that bike out with
you, right?
Eileen Ward (19:14):
Well, I did some research and there's like these
really small little bikes thatare a thousand dollars and I'm
like I don't really want tospend a lot that much.
And then I found one on amazonand it's a columba and it, uh,
it's, it's a 26 inch wheel, it'san 18 speed and it folds up and
(19:38):
it's 33 pounds.
I got a case for it and I canlift it.
It's awkward, it's bulky, but Ican lift it up into the
passenger side and it just sitslike right on where the
passenger seat is and, you know,I have access to my mirror and
everything I need.
(19:58):
And then when I'm at a you know,a truck stop or rest area,
wherever I'm going to be, forfor a 34 reset because usually
when I'm doing a 10, it's likean awkward time and I'm not
going to pull it out.
And you know, get that into.
I mean, I get out and walk andthat kind of thing, but I'm not
going to pull the bike outunless I'm really going to go
(20:20):
for a ride.
And um, and then you know, comeback for my ride and fold it up
and put it back in.
So, um, yeah, it's really, itwas like 300 bucks.
If anybody's interested.
They're.
They're, you know they comepartially.
You have to do a little bit ofassembly.
There's no quick release forthe either wheel but, um, they
(20:42):
have these brackets that protectthe gears.
Uh, the pedals fold in.
So it's, you know it's.
If you can lift 33 pounds, it'sreally a good deal.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (20:54):
So when you're out on the road and
you're on a 34 and you pull thebike out, how do you decide
where you're going to go?
Do you use an app on the phone,or do you Google search like
biking trails near me, or what'syour process?
Eileen Ward (21:09):
Right, so I will.
Oh, you know, if I can getmyself in a spot like there was
this one place in Minnesota, Icouldn't get to where I was
going to deliver.
This was Sunday, I wasn't goingto deliver till Tuesday morning
.
I couldn't get really.
I mean, I could have gottencloser, but I saw that there was
this really cool bike trailright by the Love's truck stop.
(21:33):
So I thought, you know what Ineed fuel, it's my fuel stop.
Anyway, I stopped, fueled up,got a good night's sleep, pulled
the bike out and it was thisgreat state park that actually
the lady I stopped in the uh theranger station and she said, oh
well, they've extended the uh,the bike trail so that it
(21:53):
actually I didn't know it at thetime, but it comes out right
across the street from the lovestruck stop.
So, yeah, I rode back and youknow, I, I um, put the bike away
, went in, took a shower and gota good night's sleep and got on
the road the next morning.
So you know, those are thescenarios.
(22:14):
Now, obviously, when it's toohot, it's like I, I just I can't
.
I can't do it because I, I haveto pay attention to the fact
that that, uh, I'm not a kidanymore and the heat really
especially the heat and thehumidity, takes its toll on me.
And we have a distributioncenter out in Modesto,
(22:34):
california.
Sometimes I take a 34 there andI've, I've ridden, I've found a
loop around the DC, but I tellyou what it's more treacherous
than driving because they'rejust not paying attention to
bikers.
So you know, I try to get outand do that, but it's like
another stress level of who'sgoing to hit me.
(22:56):
But you know.
So you know I try to do that,um, as much as I can.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (23:03):
Yeah, so you walk normally, uh, whenever
like, mainly for like your 10hours so, but how much do you
think you walk a day on average?
Just ballpark?
Eileen Ward (23:14):
I get.
Well, I have, I have my um stepcounter, um, my samsung health
or whatever that said it like 6000 steps.
I don't get that every day, um,especially on the long days
when I'm driving, because I'lldrive out my you know, like 10
and a half to 10, 10 hours and45 minutes or something like
(23:34):
that.
So I don't necessarily.
But you know, I will park atthe, in the back of at the truck
stop so that I have to safelywalk to get a coffee or
something like that and thenjust walk around as as much as I
want to.
But, um, yeah, I'm I'm not bigon getting out at at truck stops
(23:57):
.
I've tried to get you know atat least 6 000 as often as I can
.
But then you know, when I'm atmy, my dc's, I'll I'll walk
around.
You know, they know I'm not, sothey'll just no, there she goes
again, but I'll just walkaround as much as I can and I
have other exercise equipment inin in the truck.
Um, my next question what elsedo you do while?
Malinda Fox-Wellington (24:19):
you're in the truck.
That's going to be my nextquestion.
What else do you do whileyou're in the truck, on the road
?
Eileen Ward (24:23):
I have this, really cool.
I found it on Amazon.
It's a cool hydraulic arm.
It's got resistance levels soyou can adjust the resistance,
but you can do all kinds of armexercises.
So that you know I'm getting myleg.
I do deep knee bend every dayjust because you know you get
(24:44):
stiff driving and it's a goodway to.
You know, after I've drivenI'll just do that and it's a
good way to get everythingloosened up.
But then I every day, one ofthe you know one of the things
about getting older, and prettymuch the only thing I'm vain
about is my arms.
I hate that old lady skin andso I've always been very fit and
(25:10):
so I got this machine.
But it's a hydraulic and you can, like I said, do as much
resistance as you want, so I canwork the biceps, triceps, all
of it and um, and then you, atthe same time you're working
your core because you're puttingstress on it.
So you know it's kind of a full, full upper body workout, um,
(25:31):
and it's it's low impact.
You know it's not.
It's not like doing a push-upwhere you're, you know, all
right, doing all that.
So, um, yeah, no, it's really.
It was like I don't know 35, 40bucks, so I got one for the
house and one for the truck yeah, isn't it funny how we get
duplicates when we can.
It just makes it so much easierexactly, yeah, I finally was
(25:55):
able to get my medication.
The different medications thatI have, which are the only one I
need, is the, the thyroid, butI have arthritis my thumb, so I,
you know, have that uhmeloxicam for that, but that's
no big deal.
But, uh, I was finally able toget 90 day uh supplies and so
now I have enough where I don'thave to split it anymore.
(26:18):
I can just now have one in thetruck and one at home.
But, yeah, lots of duplicates.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (26:28):
Now, how do you typically eat while
you're on the road, Because youknow nutrition is a huge asset
of it, Right?
Eileen Ward (26:36):
So I was for a while.
You know I was going throughthese phases that to try and
figure out what was best for me.
So I I was making sandwichesand I got a 12 volt.
Well, you can use a 12 volt orAC, but a 12 volt cooler rather
than fooling with the ice.
I was making sandwiches andputting them in there and that
(27:00):
that was fine.
I even made a couple grilledcheese sandwiches that I got a
hot plate for the truck and it'syou know, if I've got time I'll
get that out.
But then I went to these TaylorFarm prepackaged salads that
have cheese and I don't use thedressing, cause those are
usually what kicks the caloriesup and they're really, you know,
(27:23):
just basically fat.
So I got balsamic fat vinegarand it's got a bite to it but
it's really, uh, really good.
So I did that for a while andnow what I've gone to is I'll
get um, baby spinach, just thosepackages, plastic packages of
baby spinach, and then my ownsalad in the truck I'll get some
(27:47):
blue cheese and the balsamicvinegar and fruit cups of diced
peaches and put that in thereand just you know, it's all the
flavors I really enjoy.
I also, if you're a member ofSam's Club, probably at Costco
too, I get this big bag ofindividual packages of fruit,
(28:09):
nut combos, dried fruit and nutcombos that are like they have
on them that they're, you know,for um immune system or energy
or whatever, and I just, youknow, I'll have maybe one or two
of those a day.
And then, um, lara bar, littleprotein bars if I need a little
(28:31):
pick me up and you know, whileI'm driving, because that
they're clean, fairly cleansnacks as far as you know sugar
content.
They have like four ingredientsand they're tasty.
Don't get me wrong, I'll have apiece of cake if somebody's
having a birthday party, sure,but I don't eat cookies and
(28:53):
sugary things that that are justsugar and carbohydrates and
that kind of thing.
I I try to really be selectivewith what I'm eating.
You know, just because sugarand carbohydrates and that kind
of thing.
I try to really be selectivewith what I'm eating.
You know, just because sugarand it's it just makes me
sluggish and I get a hangoverfrom it.
But uh, so I try to eat asclean as I can.
And, um, you know, off thebeaten path, has um chips.
(29:17):
I guess you'd call them chips.
They're're really tasty butthey're made out of beets and
sweet potatoes and just that,that kind of thing, that that
and they're baked and um,they're.
They're just good littlemunchies during the day.
So again, I try to keep keep myfood as clean as possible,
(29:40):
except for Twizzlers.
I'm not going to lie.
I found a box of Twizzlers thatI, you know I'll just have
three of them a day or somethinglike that.
I limit it, you know, butthat's my go-to.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (29:55):
Yeah, mine's gummy worms.
I love my gummy worms.
Yeah, gummy worms, I love mygummy worms.
Yeah, but I like how you say.
You know it took you a while tofigure out what worked for you,
and that's one of my keyphilosophies is really focusing
on the individuality, taking thetime to experiment what works
(30:16):
for you, because you know somepeople can digest carbs and some
people can't.
Some people, um, have noreactions to doing nothing but
carnivore, whereas other peoplethat would just totally drain
them out, and it's reallyimportant on finding that
individuality and what works foryou.
So I love that you.
(30:36):
That was your primary focus.
Eileen Ward (30:39):
Yeah, yeah, no, definitely, and something that
you know, that you know, when Iam making my salad because I
make it every time when I stopand I'm going to, you know, have
the meal it's like I make thesalad, I put the you know the
parts together and it's like, oh, this is going to be so good,
you know, but it's not.
Yeah, I'm not heavy on meat.
(31:00):
When I'm out on the road andusually when I'm home, it's it's
more chicken, um, that I thatI'll eat.
So, you know, I don't thinkI've had a burger in years, you
know.
So it's, it's convenientbecause I can put everything,
take everything with me, butit's also, um, you know, things
that I really, really I like toeat.
So that makes it.
(31:21):
That makes it, you know, not afocused diet, you know.
It's like, nah, this is yummy,so it makes it easy.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (31:31):
Yes, and that's what I really like to
try to tell everybody too.
You know, sometimes it could bejust one ingredient that can
make it from being extremelyunhealthy to just being a little
bit healthier, but yet youstill enjoy it and it still
feeds not only your tummy but itfeeds that part of the
emotional side of you too.
(31:51):
So that's huge for you to stickto anything.
Eileen Ward (31:57):
Absolutely, you know, cause I I mean, especially
in our, you know, we're sosedentary.
Even though it's as high stress, it's still, you know.
Then then we've got thecortisol going on when we get
tired and stressed out, and allso it it.
For me, that's just one ofthose elements that, okay, I can
control this, you know, to thebest of my ability.
(32:18):
And I mean I'm not drinkingcoffee all day long or anything
like that either.
I have, you know, two mugs inthe morning.
I have a tea kettle that I heatwater up, and I don't know if
the only instant coffee thatI've found that's even tolerable
is.
Starbucks has one, and so I getthat.
(32:41):
You know, I get a subscriptionon Amazon, so I get that three,
three little cans every everymonth.
You know, I make it that, youknow, getting ready in the
morning and sip on that, andthen stop 10 times to go pee and
that's done, and I just sip on,uh, water, water bottles, and I
(33:04):
use propel, um, it's made bygatorade, but it doesn't have
any sugar in it, but it justadds, it's the electrolytes and
everything, and it adds a littleflavor to the water and, um,
you know, I'll sip on that allday long.
So you know, I try, try to stay.
Obviously we have to stayhydrated, but it's a balance,
(33:25):
that's another balancing act.
The more you drink, the moreyou got to stop, and so it's
like okay yeah, so I.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (33:33):
I have some clients, you know, after we
experiment and play around withit, they do better actually
doing, you know, like a smallsip every 15, 20 minutes and
they just sit on it all day long.
I have some that do betterwhere they time it.
Okay, well, if I drink a bottleof water, I'll have to go to
(33:53):
the bathroom in about 30 minutes.
So they kind of time it tofigure out how long it takes for
it to go through them.
And then they okay, I'm goingto be taking a break here.
In 30 minutes, Let me go aheadand chug a jug of you know a
thing of water.
So while I'm stopped I can usethe bathroom, since I know it
takes about 30 minutes for it togo through me.
Eileen Ward (34:17):
So it's part of the individually.
Gina, just figuring out whatworks for you, right, exactly,
yeah, because lately I've been,when I stop, I mean I'll sip,
you know, like a half literwhile I'm driving, and then when
I stop I'll I'll chug, like youknow, three bottles, and then I
know that I'll be up.
You know a few times when I'mtrying to go to sleep.
(34:37):
But you know the way I driveanymore, especially when I'm
going out west, is I try todrive like, uh, start at like
one or two in the morning, um,so that by the time I'm ready to
shut down I don't have to worryabout parking.
And you know it's it's daytimestill, so sleeping it's not my
(35:01):
normal schedule.
So, um, you know, I know I'mgoing to be up for a little bit
and uh, I don't have a problemwith it, and if I get like five,
six hours of deep sleep I'mgood to go.
Um, and then I, you know I'llstop during my half hour break
and, uh, take a power nap.
And that boy, you know it'slike amazing how, how well those
, those help out.
(35:21):
You know you can get up downthe road a little bit longer.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (35:24):
So yeah, I gotta say some power naps.
I felt like I slept eight hours.
I'm just like oh, what happenedhere?
Why can't I sleep like this allthe time?
Eileen Ward (35:34):
I know, I know it's crazy, yeah, and every now and
then I'm doing a power nap andI'll I'll wake my myself up
because I'm I realize I'msnoring, but it's.
It's interesting to find outall the little nuances of what
works and what doesn't.
You know, it's like I do docarry five hour energies with me
(35:57):
, but I have learned that I canonly have like half a one.
You know, I'll take a power napand then just have half of one
of those.
And you know what?
I'm alert, I'm well, I'm, Ifeel good.
That's fine.
But I don't do that every day.
If I, if I need it, I'll do it.
If I don't, I don't.
(36:17):
It's not a habit or anythinglike that.
But yeah, I've learned thatDon't, don't, don't take a whole
one.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (36:26):
I really appreciate you sharing your
journey with us.
I mean from you know the firsttime you were driving and the
mental health and health issuesthat you were having to.
You know coming back into thegame and actually taking those
strategies that you learned andjust adapted them and made them
more powerful for you.
(36:46):
So I really appreciate yousharing your journey with us.
Eileen Ward (36:50):
Sure, no, no problem.
I mean, I like my job.
I'm almost addicted to it.
It's like I can't wait to goout, but I like to be home too.
It's nice, but yeah, no, it's awhole new mindset, a whole new
attitude.
I really enjoy it now.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (37:07):
Yeah.
So if you had to leave onestrategy for somebody who is
wanting to look to becomehealthier while on the road,
what would be your number one?
Go-to try this first, see if itworks for you.
Strategy Wow.
Eileen Ward (37:27):
Get out and move is a good go-to, especially if
you're being intentional aboutit, because then you know you're
being intentional about it,because then you know you're
you're committing to doingsomething different, you know, I
mean you could start with food,you could start with, you know,
just taking that one thing thatthat makes makes you feel
(37:49):
sluggish, and you know it.
But I think it's justrecognizing what, what are the
things that don't sit well withyou and what are the things that
you don't like about yourlifestyle or how you're feeling,
and say what can I do different?
And then just try that.
(38:09):
I think a lot of people getstuck with getting overwhelmed
with everything all at once, butthat's not the case.
You just do one thing one timeand you realize, oh, that feels
better, so I want to do thatagain, or do it more, or
whatever.
(38:29):
And then you don't have tostart out walking a hundred, you
know, 100 miles a day.
You just start out walking, you, you know.
Or or just moving, uh, exercisein your truck.
If you don't want to get out,then, uh, you don't feel safe or
whatever.
You know, I mean most of thesetrucks anymore have plenty of
(38:49):
room to to do all kinds ofexercises, get some bands, get
that machine that I was talkingabout.
It's very compact, very small,and then you know it's just
about doing something.
If you're not feeling 100%, Iguess that would be my best
(39:12):
advice to anybody about anythingreally.
You know, if you're feelingwhatever, just try doing one
thing different one time.
You know, go from there.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (39:20):
Yes, I love it Kind of like one of the
main rules that I have in myFacebook group, healthier
truckers Take what you need,tweak what you can, share what
works for you and just toss outthe rest because it doesn't
matter.
Eileen Ward (39:35):
Nope, in fact.
Fact, I was just talking to mygranddaughter about that, you
know.
I said you know, because shewas telling me about school.
She's, she's going into 10thgrade.
But she was telling me aboutschool and I said you know what?
There's a lot of junk out there, a lot of junk everywhere.
Get used to it.
Number one and number two justtake what you can use and just
(39:57):
ignore the rest, because it'sjust noise, you know.
So, yeah, and I think that's uhpretty much how I try to live,
yeah, perfect well.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (40:06):
Thank you so much.
I'm so glad we were able toactually connect and get this
done, and I so appreciate yousharing your journey.
Sure, sure, no problem.
Dino Grigoriadis (40:19):
All right, truckers, let's recap the golden
nuggets we've uncovered intoday's episode.
With Eileen Ward, we learnedthat it's possible to overcome
mental and physical healthchallenges while driving.
Even later in life, wediscovered the importance of
finding the right balance innutrition, exercise and sleep
that works for you individually.
We explored practicalstrategies for staying active on
(40:41):
the road, from folding bikes toin-cab exercises.
We saw how small, consistentchanges can lead to significant
improvements in overallwell-being.
Remember, as Eileen said, justdo one thing different one time
and go from there.
It's not about overhauling yourentire lifestyle overnight, but
about making small, manageablechanges that add up over time.
(41:03):
Want to keep the conversationgoing and connect with other
drivers who are committed toenjoying life on the road?
Join our Healthier TruckersFacebook group and the Enjoying
Life OTR Facebook group.
Share your own tips, learn fromfellow drivers and be part of a
community that's dedicated tomaking life better for all of us
out here on the open road.
(41:25):
Until next time, this is Dino,reminding you to keep on rolling
towards a healthier you, onemile at a time.
No-transcript.
Hey there, road warriors.
This is Dino, your roadie andguide on the side.
Are you feeling sluggish behindthe wheel, struggling with
mental and physical health onthe road, wondering how to
balance your job with self-care?
Well, buckle up, becausetoday's episode is going to
tackle these common driverchallenges head-on.
We're driving deep into theinspiring journey of Eileen Ward
(00:21):
, a 64-year-old trucker who'sbeen in the game for over two
decades.
Eileen's going to share herexperiences with overcoming
depression, managing thyroidissues and transforming her
lifestyle on the road, fromdealing with sleep problems to
finding ways to stay active andeat healthy.
Eileen's story is packed withpractical tips and insights
(00:42):
that'll have you rethinking yourapproach to trucking life.
So stay tuned and get ready tolearn how you can take control
of your health and happiness onemile at a time.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Enjoying Life OTR Conversations that inspire
curiosity, adventure andresilience.
We're honoring drivers andsharing their adventures and
becoming healthier truckers Staytuned to discover creative life
hacks and practical strategiesfor enhancing our well-being and
making the most of our time onthe road.
Welcome to Enjoying Life, OTR.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (01:14):
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
I'm so glad you could join ustoday.
Would you like to introduceyourself to the audience and
kind of give like a briefhistory of your driving and what
you've driven, and then we'llgo from?
Eileen Ward (01:28):
there.
My name is Eileen Ward.
I'm 64 years old.
I started driving in 2001, so Iwas 41 at the time.
I had kind of exhausted all myjob skills and whatnot, you know
, working with people, which youknow didn't work very well.
I just kind of need to be bymyself, um and uh.
(01:52):
So I went to work for a company, um, that was fairly local, did
a lot of new england and it wasmostly um, refrigerated stuff,
salads, and then back halls allover the place, you know the
woods of Maine and New Hampshire, and that was beautiful, but
(02:14):
wintertime it was verychallenging.
And then so I drove for aboutseven and a half years.
I started having problems withsleeping and, um, you know,
motivation all kinds.
I had a lot of drama going onin my life at the time, but I
also had a thyroid issue.
Uh, as ladies get older I wasabout 49 at the time and, um, as
(02:40):
we get older, you know thatseems to be one of the things
that we run into.
You know I hadn't been to thedoctor, I hadn't really
considered it a problem, butthen it was.
So I've been on the medicationfor about what?
12, 14, 15 years now and I'mdoing really well with it.
(03:00):
She hasn't had to change themedication in quite a while.
So that's one thing that thatthat we need to look out for, as
as women, you know, when we'restarting to go through my
menopause and all that, that, um, that's one of the things that
shifts, uh is our thyroid, youknow, and and diet can help with
with fat and um medication.
(03:23):
So, so, so, anyway, I drove inbetween, in the middle of all
this, I also started therapy,because that's exactly what you
need to do when you're drivingup and down the road and there
is crying and trucking.
So, everybody, get over that,because it is going to happen.
You know, especially when we'renew and we have, you know,
(03:45):
things going on, it's uh, it'sgoing to happen.
Um, we make our mistakes andyou know, like I said, I had
drama going on at the house andit was like, uh, it's another
level.
So, uh, I got out of it in 2009and I uh, after a couple of
years, I started, started my ownbusiness uh, limo service.
(04:06):
Basically, I had a couple ofvehicles it was just me, though
and then the?
Um, the pandemic hit, andovernight, that was gone.
Um, I tried to keep all mypermits, um, and license going,
um, as long as I could, but thenfinancially it became, uh,
untenable and I didn't see anyend in sight.
So, uh, you know, now it's likepivot again.
(04:30):
Uh, what are we going to do?
And, um, I thought, well, I'min a better place, mentally,
emotionally, physically, um andum, let me.
Let me see about getting backinto truck driving.
I had let my CDL go because Iwas never going to do that again
.
And then I went back to thecommunity college, local
(04:52):
community college and got my CDLback and, like the, I don't
know, just like the third orfourth day, we got in the truck
just sitting there and I waslike, oh, I remember this, I
know how to do this.
It was, you know, it was aVolvo 10 speed that we, uh, that
we were training on, and itdidn't take but five minutes to
(05:13):
get the double clutch down.
And I was like, okay, I gotthis, went to work for a company
that's it takes me about 45minutes to get to, you know,
right off of Interstate 70, anda real good company and nice
people and good benefits and allkinds of stuff, and it's.
It's just, it's been almostthree years that I've been with
(05:36):
them and I'm really enjoying it.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (05:39):
Now do you do regional over the road
drive in reefer.
What kind of driving are youdoing right now?
Eileen Ward (05:48):
Yeah, we do.
It's a redistribution foodcompany so we go to a lot of
refrigerated stuff.
I do drive-in, so mostly I'msitting in front of a reefer it
is all of the above regional ofa reefer, it is all of the above
(06:10):
regional.
We have deep distributioncenters up in three of them up
in canada.
I haven't been to those yet.
But then we have out incalifornia, arizona since I'm in
maryland, you know, local, Irun, I do a lot of east coast up
and down, 81, 95, 70.
I'm getting tired of it.
So they started sending some ofus, uh, gave us the opportunity
(06:31):
to go out to Arizona,california we have a DC and
Idaho, um, and, and I reallyenjoy those trips, um, I do
those as often as I can.
I'm usually out 12, 14 days.
The other one, the more local,regional ones, are, you know, 24
, 36 hours out, out and back.
(06:53):
And then you got to do it againand I'm no touch.
So I'm fine with that.
I can open the doors, I'm backup to the dock and you put it on
or you take it off and that's,that's just fine.
And, and you know, I got themattress, uh, uh, memory foam
mattress, so I'm all set up inin my bunk and I sleep really
(07:14):
well.
So, and that's you know,obviously that's important.
So yeah, just trying to takecare of myself when I'm home and
when I'm on the road, it's alifestyle, it's a living
situation.
You know, if I get a layoversomeplace, it's like I'll get on
the internet and see what'sgoing on in the local area.
(07:35):
I have a bike that I brought, Ihave with me.
That's a folding bike.
There's a local bike trail.
I'll go ride that or I'll getout and go for a walk, um, just
see the area or whatever.
But it it, you know, it's inintegrated, it's not separate
exactly, you know, couldn'timagine, you know, doing that.
(07:56):
And so it makes it a lot easiermentally just be where I am and
and do a life than try andseparate the two and say, oh no,
that's a job.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (08:09):
And yeah , yeah, it's definitely a
lifestyle.
So I'm curious when you drovethe first time, you had a lot of
health issues and you had somemental issues going on.
So what are some of the biggeststruggle or pain points that
you had that you really haddifficulty with when you first
(08:31):
started driving, like, were youobese, were you overweight, were
you just exhausted?
What are some of the areaswhere you were at at that time?
Eileen Ward (08:48):
were at at that time.
Yeah, I think a lot of it, youknow, was the mental and
emotional stress that that I wasliving with.
You know I I started, like Isaid, I started therapy in the
middle of it, when I was driving, just because things that had
been building up, you know,which were causing, you know,
other health issues, just becametoo much.
So I went and got help.
(09:08):
I got a really good therapistand that helped a lot.
I had been running, startedrunning when I was in high
school and I kind of kept withthat a little bit.
I was, yeah, I weighed 120 nowand I was about 130, 135.
So I had a little bit extra.
(09:28):
I'm short, I'm like 5'3", so itmattered and I wasn't eating
well, I wasn't sleeping well.
I think a lot of the mental andemotional baggage that I was
carrying had a lot to do with itas well.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (09:43):
I'm curious on, because I love that
you're willing to talk I meanobviously not specifics, but in
general on the mental aspects ofit.
So when you decided to go totherapy and you were driving,
how were you able to juggle theboth?
Because I know as drivers it'shard to be home at a specific
(10:07):
time, for a specific day for adoctor's appointment, and that's
why a lot of our healths are sobad.
So how were you able to jugglethose two things?
Eileen Ward (10:16):
That job- you know what, and at a certain point I
went part-time.
Certain point I went part-time,um, even though I was still
putting a lot of, a lot of uhmiles, but I was technically
part-time.
So I, I just, you know, made itclear that I'm going to take.
You know, it's a lot easier nowwith the, the situation with
(10:41):
dispatch, and remember, this wasback in the 2000 we didn't
really have the cell phones,were useless.
Basically I had a flip phoneand no smartphones or anything
like that.
But it, you know, I made itclear to to um dispatch back
then that I I had theseappointments and I could call, I
(11:03):
could call her and talk to hera little bit.
And but, uh, I made that timebecause, honestly, I was at a
critical mass point where I hadto do it.
You know, I I struggled with alot of things for a long time,
but it was just to that pointwhere you're going to do this
(11:24):
positive thing or you're goingto do a really bad, negative
thing, and I, you know I went inthe right direction.
But, yeah, no, I had to makethat commitment.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (11:35):
Now another thing that I really want
to touch on, because I knowquite a few drivers don't seek
out help because of fear oflosing their CDL.
So I'm curious how were youable to juggle that?
Did you just kind of keep thatunseen therapy under the pillow
(11:56):
and didn't share it?
Eileen Ward (11:59):
I can't remember exactly.
I probably didn't tell themwhat the appointments were.
I just said I have anappointment, I have to be home
this time.
Um, and you know, and theyscheduled you know that that
particular job, I, you know itwas pretty much 24 hours out and
back.
(12:19):
You know it was only one or two, one, maybe two nights on the
road.
So, again, I, you know theycould work that into the
schedule and you know I was veryadamant about it.
Yeah, I don't, I probablydidn't tell them what you know.
I just said I had a doctor'sappointment.
But, honestly, if I was still intherapy today with the people I
(12:43):
work with, I'd be totallyhonest with them.
It's like, yeah, this is whatI'm doing and I need to do this,
and I mean I have my doctor'sappointments, but I, you know,
that's for my like proliainjection and and med, med check
, which is just the thyroidmedicine, pretty much blood work
and all that.
(13:03):
So, um, you know, tell themthat's what I'm doing.
But, um, yeah, I think I wouldbe more honest about it, um, now
as opposed to then.
But, um, Because I've actuallymet a couple of guys I've ridden
with in the job I have now andthey've talked about having to
(13:24):
go to therapy, which isinteresting because guys usually
don't do that.
But the couple of trips thatI've gone on and we've had those
conversations, I mean it's likewe go deep real quick and they
talk about the struggles thatthey've had and they talk about
the struggles that they've had.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (13:49):
When you was driving and you noticed
that you was having a lot ofmental issues, or was it
physical issues leading tomental issues?
How did you identify what youneeded?
Eileen Ward (13:56):
I've always suffered with depression, you
know, growing up and all thatkind of stuff.
So you know it up and all thatkind of stuff.
So you know it's always been anundercurrent.
So it was, you know, obviouslymental and emotional issues
manifest in the physical.
(14:16):
So it's, you know, lethargic,just you know, low energy and
concentration, paying attention,all the things that you need
when you're driving, especiallywhen you're distances in a big
truck, and it's like, you know,it's like these signs that
things are need to shift, thingsneed to change, and it's, you
know, you either take thatopportunity and listen or or you
(14:39):
don't.
You keep suffering and I, I,you know I was 45 by then and I,
I was, you know I was donesuffering.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (14:47):
So I went to, uh, you know, I got a
really good therapist and workedwith her for for several years
and in cohesion of working withher, you are also seeing medical
providers getting your hormonesevaluated and adjusted right
your thyroid hormones, and youalso mentioned menopausal, so
(15:08):
I'm assuming your estrogen andall those hormones.
So you are also getting thoseevaluated at the same time.
Is that correct?
Eileen Ward (15:16):
Well, I started the therapy and then things started
physically correct.
Well, I started the therapy andthen things, you know, started
physically.
You know it's it's odd how, youknow, once you start fixing one
thing, the other thing reallyfalls apart, you know, because
it's a balancing act.
So when I started the therapyand things just started
unraveling really, and I, youknow, I was getting answers and
(15:37):
I was asking questions and allthat, it's like the physical
really started to take a toll.
And then I went and got myblood work evaluated and by then
it was definitely time to getout of the truck and just just
kind of reboot and I got on athyroid medication and started
getting good sleep and gettingthe drama out of my life,
(15:59):
because you know, drama in yourlife is really stressful anyway
and uh, it's like it just, uh,it was necessary to move on in
that direction.
And always it's interesting that, even though I I did have all
that that going on, I alwaysfound solace in hiking or in
(16:20):
running and I I stopped runningafter a while because that was
just killing my neck betweenthat and driving a freaking
Peterbilt.
So I got into a Volvo and thatwas like driving a marshmallow
and that helped and I went to achiropractor and acupuncture and
got got my neck straightenedout.
(16:42):
But I always went hiking andand then I started really riding
my bike a lot.
It took like four or five milesof just running or you know,
walking hard or riding hard, andthen you know the energy, the
built-up energy negative,positive it just kind of
releases and then you can kindof just I can just, you know, be
(17:07):
in the moment and let go of therest of the stuff.
That's how you know exerciseworks.
For me today it's like I ridereally fast, really hard for a
while and then I can just kindof get into a groove.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (17:28):
It releases that energy which is
really good for me.
Yeah, so I did some researchinto it and getting in nature.
It has a lot to do with theenergy, but it also has a lot to
do with trees and plants andstuff.
You know they produce oxygen.
So when you're in nature you'regetting a richer concentration
of oxygen.
So, unconsciously, you'retaking those slower, deeper
breaths which in turn ismassaging your vagus nerve,
(17:51):
which is your main highway ofnervous communication, and so
and that's why it has it's likea ripple effect all the way
around.
It's really fascinating howthey're doing the science and
all that.
Eileen Ward (18:03):
It really is.
Yeah, no, and I, you know youcould.
Just you just feel it.
It just drops away and I'm in areally fortunate spot when I'm
home.
My house is two miles from theSino Canal, which runs along the
Potomac River.
It's the towpath and it's it'slevel, but it's not necessarily
(18:24):
flat.
Incrementally it increases inelevation, not huge, but enough,
and so I ride my bike down thehill and ride on the canal as
far as I want to, and then comeback.
And then I got to ride up thehill and I can still do it.
You know, it's like a 700 footincline, over less than a mile,
(18:47):
and I can get up that hillwithout having to stop.
So I'm I'm proud of myself forthat, you know.
Oh, yeah, that's fascinating.
Yeah, it's one of those.
Uh, you know, can I do it today?
Malinda Fox-Wellington (18:58):
and yep, sure so you take your bike out
on the road with you.
Now, do you have a collapsiblebike or do you strap it to your
truck?
How do you go about figuringout getting that bike out with
you, right?
Eileen Ward (19:14):
Well, I did some research and there's like these
really small little bikes thatare a thousand dollars and I'm
like I don't really want tospend a lot that much.
And then I found one on amazonand it's a columba and it, uh,
it's, it's a 26 inch wheel, it'san 18 speed and it folds up and
(19:38):
it's 33 pounds.
I got a case for it and I canlift it.
It's awkward, it's bulky, but Ican lift it up into the
passenger side and it just sitslike right on where the
passenger seat is and, you know,I have access to my mirror and
everything I need.
(19:58):
And then when I'm at a you know,a truck stop or rest area,
wherever I'm going to be, forfor a 34 reset because usually
when I'm doing a 10, it's likean awkward time and I'm not
going to pull it out.
And you know, get that into.
I mean, I get out and walk andthat kind of thing, but I'm not
going to pull the bike outunless I'm really going to go
(20:20):
for a ride.
And um, and then you know, comeback for my ride and fold it up
and put it back in.
So, um, yeah, it's really, itwas like 300 bucks.
If anybody's interested.
They're.
They're, you know they comepartially.
You have to do a little bit ofassembly.
There's no quick release forthe either wheel but, um, they
(20:42):
have these brackets that protectthe gears.
Uh, the pedals fold in.
So it's, you know it's.
If you can lift 33 pounds, it'sreally a good deal.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (20:54):
So when you're out on the road and
you're on a 34 and you pull thebike out, how do you decide
where you're going to go?
Do you use an app on the phone,or do you Google search like
biking trails near me, or what'syour process?
Eileen Ward (21:09):
Right, so I will.
Oh, you know, if I can getmyself in a spot like there was
this one place in Minnesota, Icouldn't get to where I was
going to deliver.
This was Sunday, I wasn't goingto deliver till Tuesday morning
.
I couldn't get really.
I mean, I could have gottencloser, but I saw that there was
this really cool bike trailright by the Love's truck stop.
(21:33):
So I thought, you know what Ineed fuel, it's my fuel stop.
Anyway, I stopped, fueled up,got a good night's sleep, pulled
the bike out and it was thisgreat state park that actually
the lady I stopped in the uh theranger station and she said, oh
well, they've extended the uh,the bike trail so that it
(21:53):
actually I didn't know it at thetime, but it comes out right
across the street from the lovestruck stop.
So, yeah, I rode back and youknow, I, I um, put the bike away
, went in, took a shower and gota good night's sleep and got on
the road the next morning.
So you know, those are thescenarios.
(22:14):
Now, obviously, when it's toohot, it's like I, I just I can't
.
I can't do it because I, I haveto pay attention to the fact
that that, uh, I'm not a kidanymore and the heat really
especially the heat and thehumidity, takes its toll on me.
And we have a distributioncenter out in Modesto,
(22:34):
california.
Sometimes I take a 34 there andI've, I've ridden, I've found a
loop around the DC, but I tellyou what it's more treacherous
than driving because they'rejust not paying attention to
bikers.
So you know, I try to get outand do that, but it's like
another stress level of who'sgoing to hit me.
(22:56):
But you know.
So you know I try to do that,um, as much as I can.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (23:03):
Yeah, so you walk normally, uh, whenever
like, mainly for like your 10hours so, but how much do you
think you walk a day on average?
Just ballpark?
Eileen Ward (23:14):
I get.
Well, I have, I have my um stepcounter, um, my samsung health
or whatever that said it like 6000 steps.
I don't get that every day, um,especially on the long days
when I'm driving, because I'lldrive out my you know, like 10
and a half to 10, 10 hours and45 minutes or something like
(23:34):
that.
So I don't necessarily.
But you know, I will park atthe, in the back of at the truck
stop so that I have to safelywalk to get a coffee or
something like that and thenjust walk around as as much as I
want to.
But, um, yeah, I'm I'm not bigon getting out at at truck stops
(23:57):
.
I've tried to get you know atat least 6 000 as often as I can
.
But then you know, when I'm atmy, my dc's, I'll I'll walk
around.
You know, they know I'm not, sothey'll just no, there she goes
again, but I'll just walkaround as much as I can and I
have other exercise equipment inin in the truck.
Um, my next question what elsedo you do while?
Malinda Fox-Wellington (24:19):
you're in the truck.
That's going to be my nextquestion.
What else do you do whileyou're in the truck, on the road
?
Eileen Ward (24:23):
I have this, really cool.
I found it on Amazon.
It's a cool hydraulic arm.
It's got resistance levels soyou can adjust the resistance,
but you can do all kinds of armexercises.
So that you know I'm getting myleg.
I do deep knee bend every dayjust because you know you get
(24:44):
stiff driving and it's a goodway to.
You know, after I've drivenI'll just do that and it's a
good way to get everythingloosened up.
But then I every day, one ofthe you know one of the things
about getting older, and prettymuch the only thing I'm vain
about is my arms.
I hate that old lady skin andso I've always been very fit and
(25:10):
so I got this machine.
But it's a hydraulic and you can, like I said, do as much
resistance as you want, so I canwork the biceps, triceps, all
of it and um, and then you, atthe same time you're working
your core because you're puttingstress on it.
So you know it's kind of a full, full upper body workout, um,
(25:31):
and it's it's low impact.
You know it's not.
It's not like doing a push-upwhere you're, you know, all
right, doing all that.
So, um, yeah, no, it's really.
It was like I don't know 35, 40bucks, so I got one for the
house and one for the truck yeah, isn't it funny how we get
duplicates when we can.
It just makes it so much easierexactly, yeah, I finally was
(25:55):
able to get my medication.
The different medications thatI have, which are the only one I
need, is the, the thyroid, butI have arthritis my thumb, so I,
you know, have that uhmeloxicam for that, but that's
no big deal.
But, uh, I was finally able toget 90 day uh supplies and so
now I have enough where I don'thave to split it anymore.
(26:18):
I can just now have one in thetruck and one at home.
But, yeah, lots of duplicates.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (26:28):
Now, how do you typically eat while
you're on the road, Because youknow nutrition is a huge asset
of it, Right?
Eileen Ward (26:36):
So I was for a while.
You know I was going throughthese phases that to try and
figure out what was best for me.
So I I was making sandwichesand I got a 12 volt.
Well, you can use a 12 volt orAC, but a 12 volt cooler rather
than fooling with the ice.
I was making sandwiches andputting them in there and that
(27:00):
that was fine.
I even made a couple grilledcheese sandwiches that I got a
hot plate for the truck and it'syou know, if I've got time I'll
get that out.
But then I went to these TaylorFarm prepackaged salads that
have cheese and I don't use thedressing, cause those are
usually what kicks the caloriesup and they're really, you know,
(27:23):
just basically fat.
So I got balsamic fat vinegarand it's got a bite to it but
it's really, uh, really good.
So I did that for a while andnow what I've gone to is I'll
get um, baby spinach, just thosepackages, plastic packages of
baby spinach, and then my ownsalad in the truck I'll get some
(27:47):
blue cheese and the balsamicvinegar and fruit cups of diced
peaches and put that in thereand just you know, it's all the
flavors I really enjoy.
I also, if you're a member ofSam's Club, probably at Costco
too, I get this big bag ofindividual packages of fruit,
(28:09):
nut combos, dried fruit and nutcombos that are like they have
on them that they're, you know,for um immune system or energy
or whatever, and I just, youknow, I'll have maybe one or two
of those a day.
And then, um, lara bar, littleprotein bars if I need a little
(28:31):
pick me up and you know, whileI'm driving, because that
they're clean, fairly cleansnacks as far as you know sugar
content.
They have like four ingredientsand they're tasty.
Don't get me wrong, I'll have apiece of cake if somebody's
having a birthday party, sure,but I don't eat cookies and
(28:53):
sugary things that that are justsugar and carbohydrates and
that kind of thing.
I I try to really be selectivewith what I'm eating.
You know, just because sugarand carbohydrates and that kind
of thing.
I try to really be selectivewith what I'm eating.
You know, just because sugarand it's it just makes me
sluggish and I get a hangoverfrom it.
But uh, so I try to eat asclean as I can.
And, um, you know, off thebeaten path, has um chips.
(29:17):
I guess you'd call them chips.
They're're really tasty butthey're made out of beets and
sweet potatoes and just that,that kind of thing, that that
and they're baked and um,they're.
They're just good littlemunchies during the day.
So again, I try to keep keep myfood as clean as possible,
(29:40):
except for Twizzlers.
I'm not going to lie.
I found a box of Twizzlers thatI, you know I'll just have
three of them a day or somethinglike that.
I limit it, you know, butthat's my go-to.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (29:55):
Yeah, mine's gummy worms.
I love my gummy worms.
Yeah, gummy worms, I love mygummy worms.
Yeah, but I like how you say.
You know it took you a while tofigure out what worked for you,
and that's one of my keyphilosophies is really focusing
on the individuality, taking thetime to experiment what works
(30:16):
for you, because you know somepeople can digest carbs and some
people can't.
Some people, um, have noreactions to doing nothing but
carnivore, whereas other peoplethat would just totally drain
them out, and it's reallyimportant on finding that
individuality and what works foryou.
So I love that you.
(30:36):
That was your primary focus.
Eileen Ward (30:39):
Yeah, yeah, no, definitely, and something that
you know, that you know, when Iam making my salad because I
make it every time when I stopand I'm going to, you know, have
the meal it's like I make thesalad, I put the you know the
parts together and it's like, oh, this is going to be so good,
you know, but it's not.
Yeah, I'm not heavy on meat.
(31:00):
When I'm out on the road andusually when I'm home, it's it's
more chicken, um, that I thatI'll eat.
So, you know, I don't thinkI've had a burger in years, you
know.
So it's, it's convenientbecause I can put everything,
take everything with me, butit's also, um, you know, things
that I really, really I like toeat.
So that makes it.
(31:21):
That makes it, you know, not afocused diet, you know.
It's like, nah, this is yummy,so it makes it easy.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (31:31):
Yes, and that's what I really like to
try to tell everybody too.
You know, sometimes it could bejust one ingredient that can
make it from being extremelyunhealthy to just being a little
bit healthier, but yet youstill enjoy it and it still
feeds not only your tummy but itfeeds that part of the
emotional side of you too.
(31:51):
So that's huge for you to stickto anything.
Eileen Ward (31:57):
Absolutely, you know, cause I I mean, especially
in our, you know, we're sosedentary.
Even though it's as high stress, it's still, you know.
Then then we've got thecortisol going on when we get
tired and stressed out, and allso it it.
For me, that's just one ofthose elements that, okay, I can
control this, you know, to thebest of my ability.
(32:18):
And I mean I'm not drinkingcoffee all day long or anything
like that either.
I have, you know, two mugs inthe morning.
I have a tea kettle that I heatwater up, and I don't know if
the only instant coffee thatI've found that's even tolerable
is.
Starbucks has one, and so I getthat.
(32:41):
You know, I get a subscriptionon Amazon, so I get that three,
three little cans every everymonth.
You know, I make it that, youknow, getting ready in the
morning and sip on that, andthen stop 10 times to go pee and
that's done, and I just sip on,uh, water, water bottles, and I
(33:04):
use propel, um, it's made bygatorade, but it doesn't have
any sugar in it, but it justadds, it's the electrolytes and
everything, and it adds a littleflavor to the water and, um,
you know, I'll sip on that allday long.
So you know, I try, try to stay.
Obviously we have to stayhydrated, but it's a balance,
(33:25):
that's another balancing act.
The more you drink, the moreyou got to stop, and so it's
like okay yeah, so I.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (33:33):
I have some clients, you know, after we
experiment and play around withit, they do better actually
doing, you know, like a smallsip every 15, 20 minutes and
they just sit on it all day long.
I have some that do betterwhere they time it.
Okay, well, if I drink a bottleof water, I'll have to go to
(33:53):
the bathroom in about 30 minutes.
So they kind of time it tofigure out how long it takes for
it to go through them.
And then they okay, I'm goingto be taking a break here.
In 30 minutes, Let me go aheadand chug a jug of you know a
thing of water.
So while I'm stopped I can usethe bathroom, since I know it
takes about 30 minutes for it togo through me.
Eileen Ward (34:17):
So it's part of the individually.
Gina, just figuring out whatworks for you, right, exactly,
yeah, because lately I've been,when I stop, I mean I'll sip,
you know, like a half literwhile I'm driving, and then when
I stop I'll I'll chug, like youknow, three bottles, and then I
know that I'll be up.
You know a few times when I'mtrying to go to sleep.
(34:37):
But you know the way I driveanymore, especially when I'm
going out west, is I try todrive like, uh, start at like
one or two in the morning, um,so that by the time I'm ready to
shut down I don't have to worryabout parking.
And you know it's it's daytimestill, so sleeping it's not my
(35:01):
normal schedule.
So, um, you know, I know I'mgoing to be up for a little bit
and uh, I don't have a problemwith it, and if I get like five,
six hours of deep sleep I'mgood to go.
Um, and then I, you know I'llstop during my half hour break
and, uh, take a power nap.
And that boy, you know it'slike amazing how, how well those
, those help out.
(35:21):
You know you can get up downthe road a little bit longer.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (35:24):
So yeah, I gotta say some power naps.
I felt like I slept eight hours.
I'm just like oh, what happenedhere?
Why can't I sleep like this allthe time?
Eileen Ward (35:34):
I know, I know it's crazy, yeah, and every now and
then I'm doing a power nap andI'll I'll wake my myself up
because I'm I realize I'msnoring, but it's.
It's interesting to find outall the little nuances of what
works and what doesn't.
You know, it's like I do docarry five hour energies with me
(35:57):
, but I have learned that I canonly have like half a one.
You know, I'll take a power napand then just have half of one
of those.
And you know what?
I'm alert, I'm well, I'm, Ifeel good.
That's fine.
But I don't do that every day.
If I, if I need it, I'll do it.
If I don't, I don't.
(36:17):
It's not a habit or anythinglike that.
But yeah, I've learned thatDon't, don't, don't take a whole
one.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (36:26):
I really appreciate you sharing your
journey with us.
I mean from you know the firsttime you were driving and the
mental health and health issuesthat you were having to.
You know coming back into thegame and actually taking those
strategies that you learned andjust adapted them and made them
more powerful for you.
(36:46):
So I really appreciate yousharing your journey with us.
Eileen Ward (36:50):
Sure, no, no problem.
I mean, I like my job.
I'm almost addicted to it.
It's like I can't wait to goout, but I like to be home too.
It's nice, but yeah, no, it's awhole new mindset, a whole new
attitude.
I really enjoy it now.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (37:07):
Yeah.
So if you had to leave onestrategy for somebody who is
wanting to look to becomehealthier while on the road,
what would be your number one?
Go-to try this first, see if itworks for you.
Strategy Wow.
Eileen Ward (37:27):
Get out and move is a good go-to, especially if
you're being intentional aboutit, because then you know you're
being intentional about it,because then you know you're
you're committing to doingsomething different, you know, I
mean you could start with food,you could start with, you know,
just taking that one thing thatthat makes makes you feel
(37:49):
sluggish, and you know it.
But I think it's justrecognizing what, what are the
things that don't sit well withyou and what are the things that
you don't like about yourlifestyle or how you're feeling,
and say what can I do different?
And then just try that.
(38:09):
I think a lot of people getstuck with getting overwhelmed
with everything all at once, butthat's not the case.
You just do one thing one timeand you realize, oh, that feels
better, so I want to do thatagain, or do it more, or
whatever.
(38:29):
And then you don't have tostart out walking a hundred, you
know, 100 miles a day.
You just start out walking, you, you know.
Or or just moving, uh, exercisein your truck.
If you don't want to get out,then, uh, you don't feel safe or
whatever.
You know, I mean most of thesetrucks anymore have plenty of
(38:49):
room to to do all kinds ofexercises, get some bands, get
that machine that I was talkingabout.
It's very compact, very small,and then you know it's just
about doing something.
If you're not feeling 100%, Iguess that would be my best
(39:12):
advice to anybody about anythingreally.
You know, if you're feelingwhatever, just try doing one
thing different one time.
You know, go from there.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (39:20):
Yes, I love it Kind of like one of the
main rules that I have in myFacebook group, healthier
truckers Take what you need,tweak what you can, share what
works for you and just toss outthe rest because it doesn't
matter.
Eileen Ward (39:35):
Nope, in fact.
Fact, I was just talking to mygranddaughter about that, you
know.
I said you know, because shewas telling me about school.
She's, she's going into 10thgrade.
But she was telling me aboutschool and I said you know what?
There's a lot of junk out there, a lot of junk everywhere.
Get used to it.
Number one and number two justtake what you can use and just
(39:57):
ignore the rest, because it'sjust noise, you know.
So, yeah, and I think that's uhpretty much how I try to live,
yeah, perfect well.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (40:06):
Thank you so much.
I'm so glad we were able toactually connect and get this
done, and I so appreciate yousharing your journey.
Sure, sure, no problem.
Dino Grigoriadis (40:19):
All right, truckers, let's recap the golden
nuggets we've uncovered intoday's episode.
With Eileen Ward, we learnedthat it's possible to overcome
mental and physical healthchallenges while driving.
Even later in life, wediscovered the importance of
finding the right balance innutrition, exercise and sleep
that works for you individually.
We explored practicalstrategies for staying active on
(40:41):
the road, from folding bikes toin-cab exercises.
We saw how small, consistentchanges can lead to significant
improvements in overallwell-being.
Remember, as Eileen said, justdo one thing different one time
and go from there.
It's not about overhauling yourentire lifestyle overnight, but
about making small, manageablechanges that add up over time.
(41:03):
Want to keep the conversationgoing and connect with other
drivers who are committed toenjoying life on the road?
Join our Healthier TruckersFacebook group and the Enjoying
Life OTR Facebook group.
Share your own tips, learn fromfellow drivers and be part of a
community that's dedicated tomaking life better for all of us
out here on the open road.
(41:25):
Until next time, this is Dino,reminding you to keep on rolling
towards a healthier you, onemile at a time.
No-transcript.
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