November 15, 2024 • 47 mins
Have you ever wondered how a lifelong dream can blossom into a fulfilling career, even amidst life's challenges? Meet Joe Lee, a passionate trucker whose journey from carpentry to the open road is a testament to perseverance and transformation. Joe's heartfelt poem, Living the Dream, encapsulates his unwavering love for trucks—a passion ignited in his childhood and reignited in his 40s. Join us as Joe shares his story of overcoming personal losses and initial resistance to chase the trucking dream, proving that small, consistent steps can lead to big changes.
Joe opens up about maintaining a healthy lifestyle on the road, highlighting challenges like DOT physicals and lifestyle adjustments. His candid discussion on managing blood pressure through better food choices and small changes offers practical insights for others navigating similar hurdles. By prioritizing home-cooked meals, Joe's approach underscores the mental and physical benefits of committing to healthier living, even in a demanding profession like trucking.
Discover strategies for a healthier, happier life on the road, from reusable kitchenware to managing grocery shopping on the go. Joe's story resonates with anyone striving for long-term lifestyle improvements, emphasizing mindset shifts over rigid diets. Learn how a positive outlook and new motivations can sustain progress beyond initial goals. This episode inspires those eager to pursue dreams while embracing healthier choices, mile by mile, and finding joy in the journey.
Joe Lee, a member of the Enjoying Life OTR Facebook group and a valued Lead Team member, reflects on the trucking community, encouraging others to pursue their goals.
Living the Dream, a touching poem by Joe Lee, reflects the journey of rekindling a childhood passion:
"Living the Dream" When I was a young boy eight, maybe nine I helped to fix a big truck that was down for a time, when the last bolt was tightened and the fluids were all filled. Then came the moment it was time for the key. The man in the shop said hey boy, and he tossed it on over to me. So I climbed in the cab and fired it up, with the hum of the motor, the smoke and the smell. I'll never forget it. I remember it well.
As I sat there in the cab just holding the wheel, I thought to myself man, I love how I feel. I pretended to drive it with ex
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 (00:03):
Welcome to Enjoying Life OTR.
We are building a movement fora healthier, more adventurous
lifestyle across every mile.
Hey, truckers, this is Dino,your roadie and guide on the
side.
Ever feel like healthy livingand trucking?
Just don't mix.
Well, buckle up, becausetoday's episode is going to
change your mind.
(00:23):
I've got Joe Lee in the virtualpassenger seat and let me tell
you his story is exactly whatyou need to hear From one-year
medical cards to a completelifestyle transformation.
Joe's going to show us howsmall, consistent changes can
lead to massive results.
No fancy diets, no complicatedworkout routines, just real,
(00:43):
practical solutions that work ina truck.
Stay tuned, because this is oneride you don't want to miss.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (00:51):
Hey everybody, welcome to Enjoying
Life OTR.
I'm your host, melinda FoxWellington, and today we have a
very special guest, joe Lee.
Now Joe has an inspiring storyof transformation.
Now, joe has an inspiring storyof transformation, focusing on
the small, constant changes thathelped him reclaim his health
and well-being.
Now, before we dive into ourconversation, joe would like to
(01:15):
share a poem that holdssignificant meaning to him and
it truly just sets the tone forthis journey.
Joe the floor is yours.
Joe Lee (01:24):
The poem is called Living the Dream.
When I was a young boy eight,maybe nine I helped to fix a big
truck that was down for a time,when the last bolt was
tightened and the fluids wereall filled.
Then came the moment it wastime for the key.
The man in the shop said heyboy, and he tossed it on over to
(01:45):
me.
So I climbed in the cab andfired it up, with the hum of the
motor, the smoke and the smell.
I'll never forget it.
I remember it well.
As I sat there in the cab justholding the wheel, I thought to
myself man, I love how I feel.
I pretended to drive it withexcitement and joy, and a dream
(02:06):
came alive inside that young boy.
Well, I've done many things inmy life since that day, and
although that dream faded, itnever went away.
Every time a rig passed me androlled on its way, there was a
voice in my head that said Maybesomeday.
Well, here I am, over 40, witha brand new career, and I can
(02:27):
hardly believe it.
As I look in the mirror,checking my trailer and the road
left behind, here I am livingmy dream, a mile at a time.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (02:39):
Oh, I absolutely love that.
I would love to put it in theshow notes, because that is
wonderful.
Joe Lee (02:47):
Thank you.
What kind of started it is.
Just as the poem said, I fellin love with trucks and driving
and stuff when I was just a kidand my older brother he always
told me I don't know why youdon't just do it.
And he said you talked about itfor years and he said I could
see you in a truck and I justnever did.
But he ended up with a braininjury after a motorcycle
(03:10):
accident in 2004.
And so I took care of him.
He was in a vegetated state for21 months before he passed away
.
And I told my wife I said Jeffalways thought that I should do
it.
And I said when things are donewith Jeffrey, I'm going to, I'm
going to drive a truck.
And she'd heard me say itbefore, so she didn't think much
(03:31):
of it.
But and the other thing is withwith taking care of him you
know he was in and out of a lotof different medical facilities
and we're trying to get him outof that vegetated state.
And I seen these people and Ithought I don't want to grow old
(03:53):
and end up in a place like thisand see a truck go by and think
, god, I wish I'd have done that, but I did it, and now I've got
some stories to tell.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (04:04):
That's one of the best parts of the job
, isn't it?
Joe Lee (04:07):
Yeah, that poem was written in a truck stop in North
Carolina or Virginia, virginiaI think it was.
It was during my first year oftrucking and driving for one of
the big box companies.
It just popped into my head andI sat down and wrote it and it
(04:27):
was a life changer.
I was, I was a carpenter for 15years.
I had been married for 15 yearsand, adjusting to that, like my
, my wife actually told me I'mnot going to be married to a
trucker when she realized I wasserious about doing this and I
said I'm sorry to hear thatbecause that's what I'm going to
do now and you know so it was,there was.
(04:48):
There was an adjustment and itwas.
It was a struggle.
You don't have to be at homeevery night.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (04:53):
For 15 years, all of a sudden, yeah,
that's part of uh trucking thata lot of people don't understand
when they get into it.
That it truly is.
It's a lifestyle and it's not ajob, it's not a career, I mean,
it's a full encompassinglifestyle yeah, I was three
(05:14):
weeks into my training and I hadto go home.
Joe Lee (05:16):
My mother had decided that she was going to refuse all
further medical care and thatmeant she would be dead within a
week and, uh, she had beendoing dialysis for a few years
and so company got me home and Ispent uh four days with her,
five days with her before shepassed away.
But that that was another, um,I guess, uh key issue, you know,
(05:42):
or a struggle.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (05:45):
So when you started driving, you started
driving right after yourbrother passed, and then, three
weeks into your training, yourmother passed.
Joe Lee (05:57):
Yep, yep, it was in November of the day that we
buried my brother, because itwas actually on my anniversary,
june 15th of 2006.
We buried my brother because itwas actually on my anniversary,
june 15th of 2006.
And my mother had had a strokeabout two months before that and
I was his guardian and hishealth care power of attorney
(06:21):
and she just told me.
She said I won't rest in peace,knowing my son is not, and so
it was decided to remove lifesupport from him, you know, and
let him, just let him go.
He wouldn't have liked what washappening to his body.
And I people tell me that and Isay yeah, yeah, I know he
wouldn't want to live like that,but he wouldn't give up without
a fight either.
So the first trainer that I had,he told me something one time
(06:45):
and it didn't sit well with meand I didn't know if I could
agree with him.
We were talking about food andlife on the road and he said
it's impossible to live healthyout here or eat healthy, and I
thought I don't know if I agreewith that.
It's difficult because there'sso much fast food and so much,
you know, garbage that you pickup at the truck stops.
(07:07):
But my first two years I thinkit was difficult.
I had a 12-volt cooler and Icarried my own food, but you
know, I had no means of cookingand I didn't have an inverter,
so I couldn't have a microwave,and you know.
So eating right was a challenge, so I couldn't have a microwave
.
So eating right was a challenge.
(07:30):
And I put on a lot of weightover the years and got to where
I was actually pretty miserable.
Well, I've been driving 18years now and it was about eight
years ago.
My wife and I were planning acruise and I was.
I was getting pretty heavy thenand I wanted to look good you
(07:52):
know, there's our 25thanniversary and I wanted to get
closer to the way that was whenI got married and I did.
I lost about 55 pounds backthen and then, uh, once I
reached my goal you know, we didour cruise I kind of slipped
back, you know.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (08:10):
As we do .
Joe Lee (08:12):
Yeah, for me, if I have a reason for doing it, it's a
little bit easier to do.
But, like I say, once I reachedthat goal you know looking good
on the cruise I got back intothe buffets again and eat all
the fast food and junk and Igained it right back.
There was three years in a rowwhere I got a one year medical
(08:37):
card because of high bloodpressure and the last two cards.
I did manage to get a two yearcard, and the truck that I'm
driving right now is going to bemine next August, and so my
(08:58):
goal was to get another two-yearcard so I can at least fulfill
my obligation for this truck andhave it be mine, and so that's
what sent me on it again.
In January I went on that dietjust to get my blood pressure
under control and to feel better.
I mean, I'd get out of thetruck and any amount of
strenuous activity I'd bebreathless.
Even walking my dogs was achallenge.
(09:21):
Sometimes I didn't feel good, Ididn't like the way I felt, I
didn't like the way I looked,but I'm liking me a lot better
now.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (09:33):
That was one of my motivations was I
wanted to be able to walk acrossthe parking lot without getting
out of breath.
So I know exactly what you meanon that one.
Joe Lee (09:43):
Well, if I had to climb a flight of stairs or something
you know, you go to the Walmartdistribution centers and the
bathroom is always upstairs andyou walk in the 30 steps or
whatever it is up there, I'd behuffing and puffing a little bit
.
It's like, my God, I'm out ofshape.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (10:04):
So the second time you said that pretty
much your your turning pointwas because you got a couple of
years where you only got aone-year medical certification
and your goal was to get atwo-year.
Um, so was that kind of likeyour your turning point to?
I gotta be serious about itthis time.
Joe Lee (10:25):
Yeah, yeah, I just I wanted to get that blood
pressure down.
And I realized one other thingwith my DOT physicals it was a
lot of the white coat syndromeand you know I did struggle with
the blood pressure.
You know that that wassomething that was real.
I was actually on medicationfor a year one time, but I had
quit doing that and decided tojust try with diet and exercise.
(10:47):
But uh, yeah, that was my goaland for this time is to get get
that two-year card and and I did.
Typically what would happen isI'd go in there in the in the
physical, and for 10 years nowI've had a bit.
I've had a hearing aids fordriving, and so I always worried
(11:08):
that I was going to fail thathearing test or that whisper
test and I struggled with it andso I would get nervous about
that.
I would go into there and myblood pressure would be high.
We'd get all through everythingelse and I'd pass the hearing
test.
My blood pressure would go backdown.
'd get all through everythingelse and I'd pass the hearing
test.
My blood pressure would go backdown.
They'd give me the second checkand then I was fine.
(11:31):
Figuring that out I think madea big difference, you know, is
what caused my blood pressure tospike when I went into the
doctor's office.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (11:41):
Yeah.
So there's a lot of factorsthat actually can make your
blood pressure spike.
I mean, obviously, anxiety,nerves, pain can make it do it.
If you're in, you know, prettysevere pain that can make it
spike.
A lot of people don't realize.
If you're cold, that canactually make your blood
pressure go up, because yourvessels will dilate and gets I
(12:02):
mean, constrict and get smallerand therefore your heart has to
pump harder.
So therefore it can increaseyour blood pressure.
So there's the nerves, thetemperature.
It's not just food, like a lotof people think it is.
Dino Grigoriadis (12:22):
There's a lot of factors that can affect your
blood pressure.
Hey guys, it's Dino Just wantto jump in on this blood
pressure segment.
I had a friend who went for hisphysical and his blood pressure
was very high.
Doc asked if he had just smokeda cigarette before coming into
the appointment.
He did.
Doc was kind enough to let himsit down and rest for a little
while before taking his bloodpressure again.
I didn't know smoking wouldcause the blood pressure to jump
(12:44):
like that.
Obviously, smoking has lots ofnegative side effects, but he
was lucky that he passed hisphysical that day.
It's good to know there are somany factors that affect our
blood pressure.
We want to do all we can topass our physical and also
become healthier, like Joe Okayback to Joe.
And Melinda Okay back to Joeand Melinda.
Joe Lee (13:04):
A lot of my problem too was my food choices.
You know I did eat a lot offast food and you know, get
those breakfast sandwiches andthey're always like two for four
or two for five, so you can'tget just one right.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (13:18):
Right, yeah, exactly, that's how they
get you.
Joe Lee (13:21):
Mm-hmm.
You know, two weeks ago I wasbroke down up in Wisconsin.
The truck was in the shop forthe night, so I was in a hotel.
There was nothing around.
The store that was across thestreet had closed down and it's
like what am I going to eat outhere?
Malinda Fox-Wellington (13:35):
And all that was there was Burger King
and McDonald's, and so I wentover to McDonald's and I had a
Big Mac and I thought this is amajor cheat, but I hadn't had
one since January.
Yeah Well, and because of ourlifestyles, I really don't
consider it a cheat and I reallybelieve in the 80-20 rule.
(13:56):
You know, 80% of the time dothe best you can and 20% of the
time it's going to be oh well,this is trucking.
I mean, you know, sometimesyour hands are tied, it's not a
big deal.
Joe Lee (14:10):
Yeah, as long as I don't slip into the constant
everyday routine again.
And that's what happened eightyears ago when I lost all that
weight, you know, because I hadreached that goal and I just
slipped back.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (14:25):
So what were some of the small things
that you started doing,incorporating, changing to start
your healthier journey?
Joe Lee (14:35):
Well, getting to the point where I actually committed
myself to doing it was a bit ofa struggle and that took some
doing and finally I just I gotto the point where I'm going to
do this and once I made up mymind, then the rest of it came
easy.
But it was little things likenot eating an hour before bed.
(14:57):
You know, cause with ourlifestyle, we drive 10, 11 hours
, we get out, walk our dogs, dowhat we do, eat, go to sleep and
that had a chance.
So I guess that was one littlestep is to make sure that I
stopped for my dinner like twohours before I was going to park
for the night, and that, Ithink, made a difference.
(15:18):
And mentally, once the weightstarted coming off, I felt great
about doing what I was doingand it really wasn't a struggle.
What I eat is another thing.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (15:30):
What are some of the changes that you
made in what you eat and how doyou incorporate that in your
driving schedule?
Joe Lee (15:38):
Well, every morning, just about every morning, I'll
get up and make my breakfast,have my coffee and start my day
that way, and it's usually athree-egg omelet.
I got rid of most of the beef,you know, because that's a
higher calorie and a higherdollar.
I ate a lot of fish, a lot ofchicken, pork, a lot of
(16:00):
vegetables, fruits and you knownothing, processed, and that was
a change, also because you knowit's so easy to go into a place
and pick up processed food, youknow, frozen stuff and pre-made
, and so I don't do any of thatanymore.
That's probably about it, butyou know, the mental part of it
(16:22):
is what I got to take care of ona daily basis.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (16:26):
So what are some things you do to take
care of that on a daily basis?
Joe Lee (16:30):
My dogs help an awful lot.
I've got three dogs in thetruck.
They're a motivation.
I refer to them as my exerciseprogram because without them
dogs I probably wouldn't walkhalf of what I do, so I do it
for them.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (16:48):
They help out a lot.
Your dog just agreed, yes, yes.
But you know, I've even hadpeople say, oh, I need to get a
dog so I can get out of thetruck more, and I'm like you can
get a treadmill and put it in atruck.
You don't need a dog just forthat, because there's so many
dogs that get turned in becausethey end up being more than what
they imagine and there's otherways to work around it besides
(17:11):
getting a dog.
Uh, because, trust me, there'ssome days I I'll be honest, uh,
I'm like I just want to chunkyou out the window.
I would never do that.
But yeah, I'll be honest,there's some days I'm just like
definitely makes a hugedifference, not only in, you
know, the motivation to get outand walk and stuff, but in the
(17:31):
companionship they have a sense,I think, and if they know if
I'm having a bad day.
Joe Lee (17:37):
You know I've got one dog in particular and he's a
kind of a doofus.
You know, he's just a big oldbully dog and he'll just come up
, sit next to me you know I'mdriving and just look up and get
me with his paw like hey, how'sit going?
And but he, uh, he's no, he'sonly been with me since march
(17:58):
and I thought his, his uhpicture was posted on a local
facebook uh group where I live.
Yeah, and I said I sent ananimal control lady a message.
I said how does he like ridingin a truck?
The rest is history.
She said he loves rides.
I've had him since March andhe's a great truck dog.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (18:21):
That's awesome.
Joe Lee (18:22):
The other two was actually the little chihuahua
that I've got.
I found him through a truckingfor a baby group him through a
trucking fur baby group and itwas somebody that was, uh,
looking for a friend of hers togive re-home this dog because
she was suffering from cancer.
And anyway I got him throughthat group.
And then the other one.
I wasn't looking for anotherdog, but I pulled up for the
(18:44):
night in barstow, california,parked at a walmart and there
was four of them running around,a lot I think they were dumped
there and so I get out rightaway and I got to feed them, I
got to pet them and play withthem a little bit.
Well, I got back in my truckand I got something to eat and I
looked out before I went to bed.
I looked out and he was sittingright there by my step and I
(19:05):
thought I can't leave him.
So that's Max.
He's like a pit bull lab mix,but I've always had dogs on my
truck.
I got my first one was aSpringer Spaniel right after I
finished training.
I got home and took a littletime off before getting my own
(19:28):
truck and heading out and Ifound him and he was a faithful
companion for eight and a halfyears and the company that I'm
with right now.
There's certain places where wedeliver where animals can't be
in the truck and there's strictregulations with security.
But anyways, I told my boss.
I said I can't be with all mydogs.
(19:50):
So he called me up a couple ofweeks later and said well, you
know, we don't need you all thetime for these loads and and.
But I've been with him now for10 years and if, if, if I end up
having to go to a place wherethe dogs can't be, he'll get me
home, I'll drop the dogs off, godo those loads and then he gets
(20:11):
me back to the house to pickthem up, and so it's worked out
really good with him.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (20:16):
Oh, that's awesome.
Joe Lee (20:19):
Yeah, yeah, he's a great guy.
Luckily, things have worked out.
I've been with him for actually11 years now.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (20:26):
That's phenomenal.
You got really fortunate withthat.
Yeah, really did.
So I'll just talk to yourjourney of yours.
Some of the small changes youmade was just really changing
how you ate, making sure youdidn't eat two hours before you
went to bed and then you saidyou pretty much cut out all your
(20:47):
processed foods.
So how are you juggling gettingfood, cooking your food,
driving Because a lot of driversstruggle with that concept of
washing dishes so how are youmanaging juggling everything?
Joe Lee (21:11):
Because, like I said, a lot of drivers, that's a big
barrier for them.
Yeah, dishes, you mentioneddishes.
Yeah, that's a challenge.
And them yeah, dishes, youmentioned dishes.
Yeah, that's a challenge andI'm sure you're aware of it.
But I've got three spray bottles.
I've got one with Dawn dishsoap in it, I've got one with
vinegar and water and then onewith just straight water.
A lot of stuff I will wash withjust the vinegar and water,
(21:31):
like the bowls and storage bowls, stuff like that I've got to
wash with the Dawn.
But it was a struggle learninghow to do that.
I used to use all plastic.
You know disposable forks,knives, spoons.
You know paper bowls and paperplates, and I've since learned
to do things.
I've got an appliance that Ipicked up at a yard sale I think
(21:54):
I gave you $15, $20 for it, butit's a new wave cooker and it's
basically a convection oven andit'll sit on the countertop.
I took out my passenger seat, Iput two cabinets there and I've
got an actual countertop on topof that and so I do all my food
prep and everything on thereand I've got the electric
(22:17):
skillet.
I've got that new wave cooker,microwave and coffee maker and a
lot of the things that makelife a little bit more easier
and enjoyable here.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (22:27):
Yes, yes , absolutely so.
Do you typically schedule tomake sure you swing by Walmart
like every other day, once aweek, or just whenever you get a
chance and you happen to benear one, you just swing in
there and stock up?
Joe Lee (22:44):
Well, if I just need a few things, you know I'll swing
in on the way by, but Itypically it seems like I can't
go into Walmart without being inthere for an hour.
It's a bad habit, but Itypically try to do it on my
10-hour break.
I try to hit Walmarts wherethey're truck-friendly and we
(23:05):
can park there.
One little thing that I've beendoing for years and I see so
many drivers, you know,neglecting, I guess, not
respecting the privilege ofparking here, and they leave
their trash.
So I kind of go out of my wayto put carts in the cart corral
and, you know, pick up trash ortake trash out of the thing and
(23:25):
put it in the dump, in the canwhere it belongs.
Little things like that to makeit a little bit easier for a
manager to allow us to park.
You know Right, but that's anadjustment there too, you know,
getting the groceries, becausewe don't always get to areas
where you can get them.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (23:46):
Yeah, I've heard a lot of drivers use
like Walmart Plus Plus, wherethey actually have it delivered
to them.
I've tried it a few times.
However, I keep.
Every time I enter in theaddress where I happen to be at,
most of the time it says notvalid address.
So I can't get it deliveredanyway.
So I'm just like, well, thatblows.
Joe Lee (24:10):
I've never tried that.
I guess I've heard of otherdrivers doing it, but I've never
tried that.
I guess I've heard of otherdrivers doing it, but I've never
tried it.
I did the uh like a door dash,I think they call it.
One time when I was in a hotelI was stuck out in reno for a
week while the truck was in theshop and I did have some stuff
delivered at the hotel.
That's another thing that a lotof people don't think about.
(24:32):
Especially if you got dogs.
You know if you break downyou're really in a spot and you
know luckily I, with the way myboss is.
You know he's I mean he's allabout, uh, his employees and you
know he.
He views us more like familyand he knows what my dogs mean.
He's been very accommodating asfar as helping me get into
(24:55):
hotels and allow them.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (24:58):
Yes, so a really good app that I keep on
my phone that might bebeneficial is called Bring Fido.
Joe Lee (25:06):
I've seen that.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (25:09):
Yes.
So what you do is you enter inthe zip code of where you are or
where you're going, and it willnot only tell you hotels that
are pet friendly in that zipcode, but it'll tell you if
there's any restaurants that arepet friendly, uh, dog parks, uh
, anything that is dog related,that you can bring your dog with
(25:31):
you.
It will be listed in there.
Joe Lee (25:41):
And it's been hugely valuable out on the road.
I know Red Roof Inn is onethat's always had pet friendly
policies.
As far as I know, they stilldon't charge deposits.
A lot of people want you to payextra, but you do what you got
to do.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (25:57):
Yeah, yeah, we have used Red Roof
quite many times out on the roadwhen we've had breakdowns or
when I had my wreck, so they'vebeen hugely a benefit, for sure.
Joe Lee (26:13):
Yeah, yeah, you had mentioned, I think, before about
the food and stuff that's.
One other thing that I totallyeliminated was bread and partly
because the sugar is added,that's to me it's just wasted
(26:35):
carbohydrates.
But um, that was.
That was one other small thingand I think made a difference
and I doctor actually agreedwith me one time I had mentioned
about, uh, when I lost myweight the first time, one of
the things that I did waseliminate bread.
He said well, you need to dothat again.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (26:53):
Yes.
So for the ones who don't wantto eliminate bread because
that's like their go-to comfortfood, if you put your bread in
the freezer and just take acouple slices out and let it
defrost and then do it, thatactually produces a resistant
starch, which therefore it willnot spike your blood sugars as
much.
Joe Lee (27:14):
Oh, okay.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (27:15):
You can do that with any of your
starches, that's, your breads,your pastas, your potatoes, your
rice.
Joe Lee (27:25):
I eat a fair amount of potatoes.
I don't eat much for pastaanymore.
I made a chicken thing in thecrock pot yesterday and I did
put some egg noodles in there.
So I do get some, but it's notlike I used to.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (27:42):
Oh yeah, and there's nothing wrong with
carbs.
I mean, it's a fuel source justlike car.
Gasoline is a fuel source.
It's a fast-burning fuel source, whereas diesel is a really
slow-burning fuel source thatlasts longer, just like fats are
(28:03):
a really slow-burning fuelsource that lasts longer.
So that's all there is betweenthose two is the way it burns in
the body, but they're both justenergy sources.
Just recap your journey youwere at your worst.
Uh, you was overweight, withhigh blood pressure, and you was
only getting one year medicalcertification cards and that
(28:25):
kind of was your motivatingfactor to healthier journey.
And you started making smallchoices uh, not eating two hours
before you went to bed and then, you know, just kind of
eliminating the processed foodsand stopping and buying your
groceries.
Now, did you incorporate anykind of exercises or purposeful
(28:47):
movements or anything?
Joe Lee (28:48):
pretty much just walking the dogs.
Um, I started walking a lotfurther.
I know that when I was at myheaviest weight I found myself
just standing out there with mydogs.
I wasn't really walking much atall and so I made it a point to
kind of guesstimate.
My goal was like three to fourmiles a day and you know, I
(29:13):
would make it like if I wasparked at a Walmart, like I am
right now.
You know, do two laps.
I take out two dogs the firsttime my big one and one little
one and then I do our walk andthen I come back and get Drake
the big brown one that I've got,drake the big brown one that
(29:35):
I've got.
So I would walk around thewhole Walmart two times with the
first two and then come backget Drake and I'd walk around
Walmart twice more.
That's a pretty good walk.
Most of the lots are a prettygood size and if I do that at
least three times a day withthem, that's a lot more walking
than what I would normally do.
Other than that, it's justgoing and getting our bills and
(29:58):
checking in and stuff.
That's about it.
And I tried having a bike onthe truck.
I've seen other drivers do it,and it just never worked well
for me.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (30:09):
I just had to use it for a little while
and then kind of forget aboutit and I got to rush it up like
I hang out the back of my truckyeah, um, you know and that's
why I like doing these isbecause you know what works for
one is not going to work foreverybody, and so it's good to
(30:29):
hear what different and I lovehow simple yours was.
It was just mainly justchanging how you ate and watch
what you ate.
Now, where are you now on yourjourney?
You know, compared to how youfelt getting short of breath
just walking to turn in yourbills, and where you are now,
(30:52):
how would you say your energylevel is and your mental clarity
.
You know all those littlefacets.
Joe Lee (31:02):
Since January I've lost 60 pounds and I've gone from a
42 waist down to a 34 waist.
I think I'm in a good placeright now.
I feel good about myself.
I do have a lot more energy,and one thing I really like is I
(31:22):
can reach down and tie my shoeswithout a struggle.
You know, it used to be thatI'd have to take a breath before
bending over to tie my shoes,because I couldn't breathe when
I was bent over, and that's notthere anymore.
And you know, just my gut beinggone makes a big improvement in
my mental state.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (31:43):
Yes, I love.
I call those non-scalevictories and I absolutely love
those.
Those are my favorite things.
That just makes me want to do alittle jiggle Cause I just like
oh, that's so good, I love thatso many people focus just on
the weight, and I think beingable to tie your shoes
comfortably is more importantthan what the scale says.
(32:05):
That's just my personal beliefs.
Joe Lee (32:09):
Yeah, it's funny, but it's one of the things that I
really like about being thinner.
It was a real struggle, realstruggle.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (32:29):
So if you had something to say to
somebody who's thinking aboutstarting a journey and is like a
year trainer who says it'simpossible to be healthy on the
road and they truly believe itwhat would be your two or three
sentences that you would like tosay to them?
Joe Lee (32:48):
I guess just do it and you know if they're sitting on a
fence, you know you got to go.
You know you either do it oryou don't.
And a lot of times making upyour mind is the hardest part.
It's the first step that yougot to do and a lot of people
(33:09):
quit, you know cause.
They don't see immediateresults.
But you just know that it's alittle by little, bit by bit,
and you know weight loss is yourgoal.
It just few, few, small changescan make a difference.
But you're not going to see itovernight, so you can't get
discouraged right away.
You weight is just not droppingoff like you think it should.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (33:31):
Yeah, because your second journey has
been about 10 months long.
Is that correct?
Joe Lee (33:36):
Yeah, and it took me a little bit in January to get
going.
I knew what I wanted to do andI used to.
You know, new year's has kindof my.
It wasn't a new year'sresolution per se, but it was
kind of the time practicebecause my uh DOT physical was
coming up in June.
I'm like, okay, I can sixmonths, I can take care of this,
(33:57):
I can, I can beat this.
Yeah, but getting going it was.
It was just just hard.
So the first couple of weeks Ijust dabbled with it and then I
said you know what I'm going todo this.
And then I got determined OnceI just made up my mind, put down
my foot and said no, we're notgoing to do this anymore, just
(34:18):
get it done.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (34:19):
And then it got a little bit easier, but
it's just getting over thathump and making up your mind and
telling yourself this is whatI'm going to do.
Yeah, and that's a really goodpoint, because you know
(34:50):
something to remind you whyyou're on the journey, which
yours was your medicalcertificate card.
So I mean, you had access tothat anchor without realizing
that's what was holding you toit to make you say no, I got to
do this, you know.
So that's a really good point.
Joe Lee (35:06):
Yep, but you know I will say that I'm happy.
I'm happy where I'm at rightnow.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (35:15):
That's fabulous Because not a lot of
drivers can say that they'rehappy where they're at, so
that's huge.
Very huge drivers can say thatthey're happy where they're at,
so that's huge.
Joe Lee (35:26):
Very huge.
Well, there's.
There's a lot of discouragingthings.
You know, in the truckingindustry, you know, and I, I see
things that if, if I focus onthe problems out here, I'm
miserable and I, you know, Ihate myself, I hate my job, I
hate my life.
And what if I can find one ortwo small things that are
positive and focus on them?
(35:47):
Life is just a lot morebearable and it's more enjoyable
in general to get involved withpolitical matters, and I had
made some strong politicalopinions and I was stuck with it
(36:08):
and I got so stressed outwatching everything that was
going on in politics.
It's like you know what?
I don't care, whatever happenshappens.
You know it's.
I really have no control overthis, but I was allowing it to
eat me up and I don't do thatanymore.
That's another thing in mymental journey that has improved
(36:31):
since I just made up my mind.
I don't watch the news, I don'twant to hear about this, I
don't want to hear about that.
I'm just going to look forsomething positive, and there's
always something there.
It just sometimes takes alittle more effort to see it
than others, but if you look forit, you'll find it.
Malinda Fox-Wellingt (36:50):
Absolutely , and I love that.
Your journey has been moremindset, with just minor dietary
changes, and really a lot ofpeople believe you have to have
the exercise and a specific dietand you really did neither of
those and I love that well, I, Ithought that I should, you know
(37:13):
, I feel like I should, but, um,you know, I was in
weightlifting.
Joe Lee (37:17):
You know, many, many years ago, I was like 20 years
old and I got pretty involved inthat, you know, know, but I
just I've never been a real, Iguess, uh, physical kind of guy,
you know, I just, um, I didwhen I played football, I did a
lot of running and you know, alot of sit ups, pushups, things
(37:38):
like that, but I've never, never, been a fan of working out.
So, you know, going, so goingto a gym is just not me.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (37:47):
Right, and that's what I love about
exercise snacks, because thatjust gives you one movement to
do a couple minutes three tofive times a day and that's
really a 15-minute workout thatyou're doing throughout the day,
which makes it very easy withdriving schedules, yep, which
makes it very easy with drivingschedules Yep.
Joe Lee (38:05):
At one point I got wrist weights, thinking that
would make a difference, and sowhen I was driving.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (38:14):
I got tired of that real quick.
Joe Lee (38:18):
Yeah, I would imagine.
Yeah, as much as we do.
You know, shifting, steering,things like that.
I thought, if I just put twopounds on each wrist, I'm
getting that much more exercise.
But it didn't last long.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (38:31):
Well, I love your journey I really do
and I'm so grateful that you arewilling to share it and that
you're happy where you're at now, because that in itself is
phenomenal.
Joe Lee (38:45):
I appreciate that.
I'm glad that I got the chanceto do this podcast with you.
It's been very interesting andthe last few days, you know,
I've been kind of gearing up mymind for this and thinking that
it's kind of brought's broughtbrought the whole last 18 years
all all fresh and new again,like facebook memories, you know
(39:07):
yes, and it's hard to you know,articulate.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (39:11):
The whole journey, especially, you
know, when it's been such a longone and, you know, in these
last 10 months, has just beenreally phenomenal for you.
Joe Lee (39:20):
It's amazing and I hope that I don't lose that.
And that's, that's my nexthurdle, I guess, is you know,
I'm past my, my, my goal forthat medical card and I, I just
hope I don't slip back.
I've, I've told, I tell myselfI'm not gonna.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (39:42):
It's always easier said than done.
So a couple things that you cantry.
Definitely, just experiment One, find another reason why, why
do you want to stay where you'reat?
Joe Lee (39:55):
Usually that will help Again, finding some sort of
anchor that you can refer backto to remind you of your why
those usually those two thingsright there usually will work
well, I I think right now it'sthe fact that I I really do feel
good about me and that's that'sthat's my biggest motivator
(40:18):
right now, and because Iremember what it was like and I
remember gaining all that weightback after the first time and
that made it even more miserablebecause I was there and I had
to let it go.
And I don't want to go thatroad again and I'm just going to
do what I can do and I'm goingto keep eating the way I eat and
(40:39):
I want to maintain this weight.
I weighed myself when I washome I was like 197.
Want to maintain this weight.
I'm right, I weighed myselfwhen I was home.
I was like 197.
But it seems like that 200 markis just where I'm kind of
stalled out at and I'm okay withthat.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (40:50):
you know , I'd like to see 194, but I'm
okay with 200 because it's not260 exactly, exactly, and you
know it's always just you know,finding those small little
healthier choices when you can,and it seems like you've really
found a method that works foryou and that is phenomenal.
Joe Lee (41:12):
Yeah, and it's the whole package.
You know, it's mental, physical, emotional and they're all tied
together.
Once I started feeling goodabout myself and looking in the
mirror and seeing differences,and you know, especially when
I've had to punch a new hole inmy belt, it's like yes, and I'm
headed in the right and I ain't,I ain't going back and buying
(41:36):
your new pants that are smallersize.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (41:40):
I mean, that's a huge non-scale victory
too.
Joe Lee (41:43):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, I couldn't believe it.
I was up in Wisconsin a fewweeks back and they had jeans on
sale and I thought I'm justgoing to try these on because my
36s were feeling a bit loose.
So I grabbed a couple pairs of34s and I tried them on before I
bought them and they fit Likeoh my god.
I haven't been in a size 34since I was probably 25 years
(42:05):
old, 26 years old well.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (42:08):
Thank you so much, joe, for sharing
your journey.
It's been an honor and um, justkeep them, you know,
encouraging and motivating andsharing your story, because you
never know who's listening well,thanks for having me on.
Joe Lee (42:22):
I I appreciate it.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (42:24):
You enjoy your evening and enjoy
those little fire babies you got.
Joe Lee (42:29):
I'm going to get them outside right now, and then
we're going to put on a couplehundred more smiles tonight, I
think.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (42:35):
You be safe out there and take care.
Joe Lee (42:38):
All right, you too.
Thanks again.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (42:40):
You're welcome.
Bye, Joe.
Joe Lee (42:42):
Bye.
Dino Grigoriadis (42:46):
Wow, what a journey that Joe just took us on
.
This is Dino again, and I don'tknow about you, but I'm feeling
pretty inspired right now.
Joe just showed us thathealthier living on the road
isn't just possible.
It's absolutely doable.
Joe Lee (43:01):
Let's recap what worked for him.
Dino Grigoriadis (43:03):
Avoiding food within two hours of bedtime.
Cutting out processed foods.
Simple meal prep in the truck.
Walking his dogs for exercise,eliminating bread and focusing
on whole foods.
Using spray bottles for easydish cleaning so he can cook
healthier meals in the truck.
Making smart choices at truckstops.
(43:24):
What have you got to lose?
Give some of these a try, seeyou guys next week.
Cindy Tunstall (43:32):
Whoa, whoa, whoa .
Not so fast, dino.
I've got one more thing to add.
Hey you guys, this is Cindy.
I just have to tell y'all wehave a fantastic show coming up
next week, y'all.
I interviewed this guy.
His name is Wayne Spalding andhe says that he has a way to
quit smoking.
The easy way Also applies tovaping and drinking alcohol.
(43:54):
Whatever you're trying to giveup, he has this technique.
It's an Alan Carr's method ofquit smoking the easy way.
Honestly, I quit smoking anddrinking years ago and it was
not easy.
I had a very strong addictionto both and it was very
difficult for me.
So I went into this interviewwith him very doubtful is a good
(44:14):
way to describe it, but he haswon me over.
He gave so many practicalthings that we could do
differently to break that cycleof addiction.
So whether you've tried manytimes or you're just starting to
toy with the idea that youmight be ready to give it up,
you have to tune into nextweek's episode.
It's a game changer, y'all.
(44:35):
I'm not exaggerating.
So if you know somebody thatstruggle with addiction or
cigarettes, vaping, alcohol Iguess you could probably even
apply some of these techniquesto you know binging sugar,
overeating or fast food orwhatever.
I think there's lots ofapplications for all of us.
I personally was veryenlightened and inspired by the
(44:57):
things that he said.
So I also have some driversthat are going to be coming on
that have also quit using thiseasy way method, and I just
can't.
My mind is blown.
I wish I had known about thisyears ago, when I was about to
chew my arm off to try to quitsmoking Anyway.
So y'all stay tuned for that.
(45:17):
Okay, we're going to end thisepisode with Joe.
Um Lee is going to share hispoem again.
I absolutely love this poem.
I think it speaks to this heartof a driver where it just gets
in your blood and you just can'tlet go of that desire to get
out there on the open road.
I know many of you can relateto this poem, so I wanted y'all
to hear it one more time.
(45:38):
So I'm going to turn it backover to Joe and let him share it
with us one more time in thisclosing and I'll see y'all next
time.
Joe Lee (45:45):
On Enjoying Life, otr, the poem is called Living the
Dream.
When I was a young boy eight,maybe nine I helped to fix a big
truck that was down for a time,when the last bolt was
tightened and the fluids wereall filled.
Then came the moment it wastime for the key.
The man in the shop said heyboy, and he tossed it on over to
(46:09):
me.
So I climbed in the cab andfired it up, with the hum of the
motor, the smoke and the smell.
I'll never forget it.
I remember it well.
As I sat there in the cab justholding the wheel, I thought to
myself man, I love how I feel.
I pretended to drive it withexcitement and joy, and a dream
(46:29):
came alive inside that young boy.
Well, I've done many things inmy life since that day, and
although that dream faded, itnever went away.
Every time a rig passed me androlled on its way, there was a
voice in my head that said maybesomeday.
Well, here I am, over 40, witha brand new career, and I can
(46:51):
hardly believe it.
As I look in the mirrorchecking my trailer and the road
left behind.
Here I am living my dream, amile at a time.
Welcome to Enjoying Life OTR.
We are building a movement fora healthier, more adventurous
lifestyle across every mile.
Hey, truckers, this is Dino,your roadie and guide on the
side.
Ever feel like healthy livingand trucking?
Just don't mix.
Well, buckle up, becausetoday's episode is going to
change your mind.
(00:23):
I've got Joe Lee in the virtualpassenger seat and let me tell
you his story is exactly whatyou need to hear From one-year
medical cards to a completelifestyle transformation.
Joe's going to show us howsmall, consistent changes can
lead to massive results.
No fancy diets, no complicatedworkout routines, just real,
(00:43):
practical solutions that work ina truck.
Stay tuned, because this is oneride you don't want to miss.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (00:51):
Hey everybody, welcome to Enjoying
Life OTR.
I'm your host, melinda FoxWellington, and today we have a
very special guest, joe Lee.
Now Joe has an inspiring storyof transformation.
Now, joe has an inspiring storyof transformation, focusing on
the small, constant changes thathelped him reclaim his health
and well-being.
Now, before we dive into ourconversation, joe would like to
(01:15):
share a poem that holdssignificant meaning to him and
it truly just sets the tone forthis journey.
Joe the floor is yours.
Joe Lee (01:24):
The poem is called Living the Dream.
When I was a young boy eight,maybe nine I helped to fix a big
truck that was down for a time,when the last bolt was
tightened and the fluids wereall filled.
Then came the moment it wastime for the key.
The man in the shop said heyboy, and he tossed it on over to
(01:45):
me.
So I climbed in the cab andfired it up, with the hum of the
motor, the smoke and the smell.
I'll never forget it.
I remember it well.
As I sat there in the cab justholding the wheel, I thought to
myself man, I love how I feel.
I pretended to drive it withexcitement and joy, and a dream
(02:06):
came alive inside that young boy.
Well, I've done many things inmy life since that day, and
although that dream faded, itnever went away.
Every time a rig passed me androlled on its way, there was a
voice in my head that said Maybesomeday.
Well, here I am, over 40, witha brand new career, and I can
(02:27):
hardly believe it.
As I look in the mirror,checking my trailer and the road
left behind, here I am livingmy dream, a mile at a time.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (02:39):
Oh, I absolutely love that.
I would love to put it in theshow notes, because that is
wonderful.
Joe Lee (02:47):
Thank you.
What kind of started it is.
Just as the poem said, I fellin love with trucks and driving
and stuff when I was just a kidand my older brother he always
told me I don't know why youdon't just do it.
And he said you talked about itfor years and he said I could
see you in a truck and I justnever did.
But he ended up with a braininjury after a motorcycle
(03:10):
accident in 2004.
And so I took care of him.
He was in a vegetated state for21 months before he passed away
.
And I told my wife I said Jeffalways thought that I should do
it.
And I said when things are donewith Jeffrey, I'm going to, I'm
going to drive a truck.
And she'd heard me say itbefore, so she didn't think much
(03:31):
of it.
But and the other thing is withwith taking care of him you
know he was in and out of a lotof different medical facilities
and we're trying to get him outof that vegetated state.
And I seen these people and Ithought I don't want to grow old
(03:53):
and end up in a place like thisand see a truck go by and think
, god, I wish I'd have done that, but I did it, and now I've got
some stories to tell.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (04:04):
That's one of the best parts of the job
, isn't it?
Joe Lee (04:07):
Yeah, that poem was written in a truck stop in North
Carolina or Virginia, virginiaI think it was.
It was during my first year oftrucking and driving for one of
the big box companies.
It just popped into my head andI sat down and wrote it and it
(04:27):
was a life changer.
I was, I was a carpenter for 15years.
I had been married for 15 yearsand, adjusting to that, like my
, my wife actually told me I'mnot going to be married to a
trucker when she realized I wasserious about doing this and I
said I'm sorry to hear thatbecause that's what I'm going to
do now and you know so it was,there was.
(04:48):
There was an adjustment and itwas.
It was a struggle.
You don't have to be at homeevery night.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (04:53):
For 15 years, all of a sudden, yeah,
that's part of uh trucking thata lot of people don't understand
when they get into it.
That it truly is.
It's a lifestyle and it's not ajob, it's not a career, I mean,
it's a full encompassinglifestyle yeah, I was three
(05:14):
weeks into my training and I hadto go home.
Joe Lee (05:16):
My mother had decided that she was going to refuse all
further medical care and thatmeant she would be dead within a
week and, uh, she had beendoing dialysis for a few years
and so company got me home and Ispent uh four days with her,
five days with her before shepassed away.
But that that was another, um,I guess, uh key issue, you know,
(05:42):
or a struggle.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (05:45):
So when you started driving, you started
driving right after yourbrother passed, and then, three
weeks into your training, yourmother passed.
Joe Lee (05:57):
Yep, yep, it was in November of the day that we
buried my brother, because itwas actually on my anniversary,
june 15th of 2006.
We buried my brother because itwas actually on my anniversary,
june 15th of 2006.
And my mother had had a strokeabout two months before that and
I was his guardian and hishealth care power of attorney
(06:21):
and she just told me.
She said I won't rest in peace,knowing my son is not, and so
it was decided to remove lifesupport from him, you know, and
let him, just let him go.
He wouldn't have liked what washappening to his body.
And I people tell me that and Isay yeah, yeah, I know he
wouldn't want to live like that,but he wouldn't give up without
a fight either.
So the first trainer that I had,he told me something one time
(06:45):
and it didn't sit well with meand I didn't know if I could
agree with him.
We were talking about food andlife on the road and he said
it's impossible to live healthyout here or eat healthy, and I
thought I don't know if I agreewith that.
It's difficult because there'sso much fast food and so much,
you know, garbage that you pickup at the truck stops.
(07:07):
But my first two years I thinkit was difficult.
I had a 12-volt cooler and Icarried my own food, but you
know, I had no means of cookingand I didn't have an inverter,
so I couldn't have a microwave,and you know.
So eating right was a challenge, so I couldn't have a microwave
.
So eating right was a challenge.
(07:30):
And I put on a lot of weightover the years and got to where
I was actually pretty miserable.
Well, I've been driving 18years now and it was about eight
years ago.
My wife and I were planning acruise and I was.
I was getting pretty heavy thenand I wanted to look good you
(07:52):
know, there's our 25thanniversary and I wanted to get
closer to the way that was whenI got married and I did.
I lost about 55 pounds backthen and then, uh, once I
reached my goal you know, we didour cruise I kind of slipped
back, you know.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (08:10):
As we do .
Joe Lee (08:12):
Yeah, for me, if I have a reason for doing it, it's a
little bit easier to do.
But, like I say, once I reachedthat goal you know looking good
on the cruise I got back intothe buffets again and eat all
the fast food and junk and Igained it right back.
There was three years in a rowwhere I got a one year medical
(08:37):
card because of high bloodpressure and the last two cards.
I did manage to get a two yearcard, and the truck that I'm
driving right now is going to bemine next August, and so my
(08:58):
goal was to get another two-yearcard so I can at least fulfill
my obligation for this truck andhave it be mine, and so that's
what sent me on it again.
In January I went on that dietjust to get my blood pressure
under control and to feel better.
I mean, I'd get out of thetruck and any amount of
strenuous activity I'd bebreathless.
Even walking my dogs was achallenge.
(09:21):
Sometimes I didn't feel good, Ididn't like the way I felt, I
didn't like the way I looked,but I'm liking me a lot better
now.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (09:33):
That was one of my motivations was I
wanted to be able to walk acrossthe parking lot without getting
out of breath.
So I know exactly what you meanon that one.
Joe Lee (09:43):
Well, if I had to climb a flight of stairs or something
you know, you go to the Walmartdistribution centers and the
bathroom is always upstairs andyou walk in the 30 steps or
whatever it is up there, I'd behuffing and puffing a little bit
.
It's like, my God, I'm out ofshape.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (10:04):
So the second time you said that pretty
much your your turning pointwas because you got a couple of
years where you only got aone-year medical certification
and your goal was to get atwo-year.
Um, so was that kind of likeyour your turning point to?
I gotta be serious about itthis time.
Joe Lee (10:25):
Yeah, yeah, I just I wanted to get that blood
pressure down.
And I realized one other thingwith my DOT physicals it was a
lot of the white coat syndromeand you know I did struggle with
the blood pressure.
You know that that wassomething that was real.
I was actually on medicationfor a year one time, but I had
quit doing that and decided tojust try with diet and exercise.
(10:47):
But uh, yeah, that was my goaland for this time is to get get
that two-year card and and I did.
Typically what would happen isI'd go in there in the in the
physical, and for 10 years nowI've had a bit.
I've had a hearing aids fordriving, and so I always worried
(11:08):
that I was going to fail thathearing test or that whisper
test and I struggled with it andso I would get nervous about
that.
I would go into there and myblood pressure would be high.
We'd get all through everythingelse and I'd pass the hearing
test.
My blood pressure would go backdown.
'd get all through everythingelse and I'd pass the hearing
test.
My blood pressure would go backdown.
They'd give me the second checkand then I was fine.
(11:31):
Figuring that out I think madea big difference, you know, is
what caused my blood pressure tospike when I went into the
doctor's office.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (11:41):
Yeah.
So there's a lot of factorsthat actually can make your
blood pressure spike.
I mean, obviously, anxiety,nerves, pain can make it do it.
If you're in, you know, prettysevere pain that can make it
spike.
A lot of people don't realize.
If you're cold, that canactually make your blood
pressure go up, because yourvessels will dilate and gets I
(12:02):
mean, constrict and get smallerand therefore your heart has to
pump harder.
So therefore it can increaseyour blood pressure.
So there's the nerves, thetemperature.
It's not just food, like a lotof people think it is.
Dino Grigoriadis (12:22):
There's a lot of factors that can affect your
blood pressure.
Hey guys, it's Dino Just wantto jump in on this blood
pressure segment.
I had a friend who went for hisphysical and his blood pressure
was very high.
Doc asked if he had just smokeda cigarette before coming into
the appointment.
He did.
Doc was kind enough to let himsit down and rest for a little
while before taking his bloodpressure again.
I didn't know smoking wouldcause the blood pressure to jump
(12:44):
like that.
Obviously, smoking has lots ofnegative side effects, but he
was lucky that he passed hisphysical that day.
It's good to know there are somany factors that affect our
blood pressure.
We want to do all we can topass our physical and also
become healthier, like Joe Okayback to Joe.
And Melinda Okay back to Joeand Melinda.
Joe Lee (13:04):
A lot of my problem too was my food choices.
You know I did eat a lot offast food and you know, get
those breakfast sandwiches andthey're always like two for four
or two for five, so you can'tget just one right.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (13:18):
Right, yeah, exactly, that's how they
get you.
Joe Lee (13:21):
Mm-hmm.
You know, two weeks ago I wasbroke down up in Wisconsin.
The truck was in the shop forthe night, so I was in a hotel.
There was nothing around.
The store that was across thestreet had closed down and it's
like what am I going to eat outhere?
Malinda Fox-Wellington (13:35):
And all that was there was Burger King
and McDonald's, and so I wentover to McDonald's and I had a
Big Mac and I thought this is amajor cheat, but I hadn't had
one since January.
Yeah Well, and because of ourlifestyles, I really don't
consider it a cheat and I reallybelieve in the 80-20 rule.
(13:56):
You know, 80% of the time dothe best you can and 20% of the
time it's going to be oh well,this is trucking.
I mean, you know, sometimesyour hands are tied, it's not a
big deal.
Joe Lee (14:10):
Yeah, as long as I don't slip into the constant
everyday routine again.
And that's what happened eightyears ago when I lost all that
weight, you know, because I hadreached that goal and I just
slipped back.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (14:25):
So what were some of the small things
that you started doing,incorporating, changing to start
your healthier journey?
Joe Lee (14:35):
Well, getting to the point where I actually committed
myself to doing it was a bit ofa struggle and that took some
doing and finally I just I gotto the point where I'm going to
do this and once I made up mymind, then the rest of it came
easy.
But it was little things likenot eating an hour before bed.
(14:57):
You know, cause with ourlifestyle, we drive 10, 11 hours
, we get out, walk our dogs, dowhat we do, eat, go to sleep and
that had a chance.
So I guess that was one littlestep is to make sure that I
stopped for my dinner like twohours before I was going to park
for the night, and that, Ithink, made a difference.
(15:18):
And mentally, once the weightstarted coming off, I felt great
about doing what I was doingand it really wasn't a struggle.
What I eat is another thing.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (15:30):
What are some of the changes that you
made in what you eat and how doyou incorporate that in your
driving schedule?
Joe Lee (15:38):
Well, every morning, just about every morning, I'll
get up and make my breakfast,have my coffee and start my day
that way, and it's usually athree-egg omelet.
I got rid of most of the beef,you know, because that's a
higher calorie and a higherdollar.
I ate a lot of fish, a lot ofchicken, pork, a lot of
(16:00):
vegetables, fruits and you knownothing, processed, and that was
a change, also because you knowit's so easy to go into a place
and pick up processed food, youknow, frozen stuff and pre-made
, and so I don't do any of thatanymore.
That's probably about it, butyou know, the mental part of it
(16:22):
is what I got to take care of ona daily basis.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (16:26):
So what are some things you do to take
care of that on a daily basis?
Joe Lee (16:30):
My dogs help an awful lot.
I've got three dogs in thetruck.
They're a motivation.
I refer to them as my exerciseprogram because without them
dogs I probably wouldn't walkhalf of what I do, so I do it
for them.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (16:48):
They help out a lot.
Your dog just agreed, yes, yes.
But you know, I've even hadpeople say, oh, I need to get a
dog so I can get out of thetruck more, and I'm like you can
get a treadmill and put it in atruck.
You don't need a dog just forthat, because there's so many
dogs that get turned in becausethey end up being more than what
they imagine and there's otherways to work around it besides
(17:11):
getting a dog.
Uh, because, trust me, there'ssome days I I'll be honest, uh,
I'm like I just want to chunkyou out the window.
I would never do that.
But yeah, I'll be honest,there's some days I'm just like
definitely makes a hugedifference, not only in, you
know, the motivation to get outand walk and stuff, but in the
(17:31):
companionship they have a sense,I think, and if they know if
I'm having a bad day.
Joe Lee (17:37):
You know I've got one dog in particular and he's a
kind of a doofus.
You know, he's just a big oldbully dog and he'll just come up
, sit next to me you know I'mdriving and just look up and get
me with his paw like hey, how'sit going?
And but he, uh, he's no, he'sonly been with me since march
(17:58):
and I thought his, his uhpicture was posted on a local
facebook uh group where I live.
Yeah, and I said I sent ananimal control lady a message.
I said how does he like ridingin a truck?
The rest is history.
She said he loves rides.
I've had him since March andhe's a great truck dog.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (18:21):
That's awesome.
Joe Lee (18:22):
The other two was actually the little chihuahua
that I've got.
I found him through a truckingfor a baby group him through a
trucking fur baby group and itwas somebody that was, uh,
looking for a friend of hers togive re-home this dog because
she was suffering from cancer.
And anyway I got him throughthat group.
And then the other one.
I wasn't looking for anotherdog, but I pulled up for the
(18:44):
night in barstow, california,parked at a walmart and there
was four of them running around,a lot I think they were dumped
there and so I get out rightaway and I got to feed them, I
got to pet them and play withthem a little bit.
Well, I got back in my truckand I got something to eat and I
looked out before I went to bed.
I looked out and he was sittingright there by my step and I
(19:05):
thought I can't leave him.
So that's Max.
He's like a pit bull lab mix,but I've always had dogs on my
truck.
I got my first one was aSpringer Spaniel right after I
finished training.
I got home and took a littletime off before getting my own
(19:28):
truck and heading out and Ifound him and he was a faithful
companion for eight and a halfyears and the company that I'm
with right now.
There's certain places where wedeliver where animals can't be
in the truck and there's strictregulations with security.
But anyways, I told my boss.
I said I can't be with all mydogs.
(19:50):
So he called me up a couple ofweeks later and said well, you
know, we don't need you all thetime for these loads and and.
But I've been with him now for10 years and if, if, if I end up
having to go to a place wherethe dogs can't be, he'll get me
home, I'll drop the dogs off, godo those loads and then he gets
(20:11):
me back to the house to pickthem up, and so it's worked out
really good with him.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (20:16):
Oh, that's awesome.
Joe Lee (20:19):
Yeah, yeah, he's a great guy.
Luckily, things have worked out.
I've been with him for actually11 years now.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (20:26):
That's phenomenal.
You got really fortunate withthat.
Yeah, really did.
So I'll just talk to yourjourney of yours.
Some of the small changes youmade was just really changing
how you ate, making sure youdidn't eat two hours before you
went to bed and then you saidyou pretty much cut out all your
(20:47):
processed foods.
So how are you juggling gettingfood, cooking your food,
driving Because a lot of driversstruggle with that concept of
washing dishes so how are youmanaging juggling everything?
Joe Lee (21:11):
Because, like I said, a lot of drivers, that's a big
barrier for them.
Yeah, dishes, you mentioneddishes.
Yeah, that's a challenge.
And them yeah, dishes, youmentioned dishes.
Yeah, that's a challenge andI'm sure you're aware of it.
But I've got three spray bottles.
I've got one with Dawn dishsoap in it, I've got one with
vinegar and water and then onewith just straight water.
A lot of stuff I will wash withjust the vinegar and water,
(21:31):
like the bowls and storage bowls, stuff like that I've got to
wash with the Dawn.
But it was a struggle learninghow to do that.
I used to use all plastic.
You know disposable forks,knives, spoons.
You know paper bowls and paperplates, and I've since learned
to do things.
I've got an appliance that Ipicked up at a yard sale I think
(21:54):
I gave you $15, $20 for it, butit's a new wave cooker and it's
basically a convection oven andit'll sit on the countertop.
I took out my passenger seat, Iput two cabinets there and I've
got an actual countertop on topof that and so I do all my food
prep and everything on thereand I've got the electric
(22:17):
skillet.
I've got that new wave cooker,microwave and coffee maker and a
lot of the things that makelife a little bit more easier
and enjoyable here.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (22:27):
Yes, yes , absolutely so.
Do you typically schedule tomake sure you swing by Walmart
like every other day, once aweek, or just whenever you get a
chance and you happen to benear one, you just swing in
there and stock up?
Joe Lee (22:44):
Well, if I just need a few things, you know I'll swing
in on the way by, but Itypically it seems like I can't
go into Walmart without being inthere for an hour.
It's a bad habit, but Itypically try to do it on my
10-hour break.
I try to hit Walmarts wherethey're truck-friendly and we
(23:05):
can park there.
One little thing that I've beendoing for years and I see so
many drivers, you know,neglecting, I guess, not
respecting the privilege ofparking here, and they leave
their trash.
So I kind of go out of my wayto put carts in the cart corral
and, you know, pick up trash ortake trash out of the thing and
(23:25):
put it in the dump, in the canwhere it belongs.
Little things like that to makeit a little bit easier for a
manager to allow us to park.
You know Right, but that's anadjustment there too, you know,
getting the groceries, becausewe don't always get to areas
where you can get them.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (23:46):
Yeah, I've heard a lot of drivers use
like Walmart Plus Plus, wherethey actually have it delivered
to them.
I've tried it a few times.
However, I keep.
Every time I enter in theaddress where I happen to be at,
most of the time it says notvalid address.
So I can't get it deliveredanyway.
So I'm just like, well, thatblows.
Joe Lee (24:10):
I've never tried that.
I guess I've heard of otherdrivers doing it, but I've never
tried that.
I guess I've heard of otherdrivers doing it, but I've never
tried it.
I did the uh like a door dash,I think they call it.
One time when I was in a hotelI was stuck out in reno for a
week while the truck was in theshop and I did have some stuff
delivered at the hotel.
That's another thing that a lotof people don't think about.
(24:32):
Especially if you got dogs.
You know if you break downyou're really in a spot and you
know luckily I, with the way myboss is.
You know he's I mean he's allabout, uh, his employees and you
know he.
He views us more like familyand he knows what my dogs mean.
He's been very accommodating asfar as helping me get into
(24:55):
hotels and allow them.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (24:58):
Yes, so a really good app that I keep on
my phone that might bebeneficial is called Bring Fido.
Joe Lee (25:06):
I've seen that.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (25:09):
Yes.
So what you do is you enter inthe zip code of where you are or
where you're going, and it willnot only tell you hotels that
are pet friendly in that zipcode, but it'll tell you if
there's any restaurants that arepet friendly, uh, dog parks, uh
, anything that is dog related,that you can bring your dog with
(25:31):
you.
It will be listed in there.
Joe Lee (25:41):
And it's been hugely valuable out on the road.
I know Red Roof Inn is onethat's always had pet friendly
policies.
As far as I know, they stilldon't charge deposits.
A lot of people want you to payextra, but you do what you got
to do.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (25:57):
Yeah, yeah, we have used Red Roof
quite many times out on the roadwhen we've had breakdowns or
when I had my wreck, so they'vebeen hugely a benefit, for sure.
Joe Lee (26:13):
Yeah, yeah, you had mentioned, I think, before about
the food and stuff that's.
One other thing that I totallyeliminated was bread and partly
because the sugar is added,that's to me it's just wasted
(26:35):
carbohydrates.
But um, that was.
That was one other small thingand I think made a difference
and I doctor actually agreedwith me one time I had mentioned
about, uh, when I lost myweight the first time, one of
the things that I did waseliminate bread.
He said well, you need to dothat again.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (26:53):
Yes.
So for the ones who don't wantto eliminate bread because
that's like their go-to comfortfood, if you put your bread in
the freezer and just take acouple slices out and let it
defrost and then do it, thatactually produces a resistant
starch, which therefore it willnot spike your blood sugars as
much.
Joe Lee (27:14):
Oh, okay.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (27:15):
You can do that with any of your
starches, that's, your breads,your pastas, your potatoes, your
rice.
Joe Lee (27:25):
I eat a fair amount of potatoes.
I don't eat much for pastaanymore.
I made a chicken thing in thecrock pot yesterday and I did
put some egg noodles in there.
So I do get some, but it's notlike I used to.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (27:42):
Oh yeah, and there's nothing wrong with
carbs.
I mean, it's a fuel source justlike car.
Gasoline is a fuel source.
It's a fast-burning fuel source, whereas diesel is a really
slow-burning fuel source thatlasts longer, just like fats are
(28:03):
a really slow-burning fuelsource that lasts longer.
So that's all there is betweenthose two is the way it burns in
the body, but they're both justenergy sources.
Just recap your journey youwere at your worst.
Uh, you was overweight, withhigh blood pressure, and you was
only getting one year medicalcertification cards and that
(28:25):
kind of was your motivatingfactor to healthier journey.
And you started making smallchoices uh, not eating two hours
before you went to bed and then, you know, just kind of
eliminating the processed foodsand stopping and buying your
groceries.
Now, did you incorporate anykind of exercises or purposeful
(28:47):
movements or anything?
Joe Lee (28:48):
pretty much just walking the dogs.
Um, I started walking a lotfurther.
I know that when I was at myheaviest weight I found myself
just standing out there with mydogs.
I wasn't really walking much atall and so I made it a point to
kind of guesstimate.
My goal was like three to fourmiles a day and you know, I
(29:13):
would make it like if I wasparked at a Walmart, like I am
right now.
You know, do two laps.
I take out two dogs the firsttime my big one and one little
one and then I do our walk andthen I come back and get Drake
the big brown one that I've got,drake the big brown one that
(29:35):
I've got.
So I would walk around thewhole Walmart two times with the
first two and then come backget Drake and I'd walk around
Walmart twice more.
That's a pretty good walk.
Most of the lots are a prettygood size and if I do that at
least three times a day withthem, that's a lot more walking
than what I would normally do.
Other than that, it's justgoing and getting our bills and
(29:58):
checking in and stuff.
That's about it.
And I tried having a bike onthe truck.
I've seen other drivers do it,and it just never worked well
for me.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (30:09):
I just had to use it for a little while
and then kind of forget aboutit and I got to rush it up like
I hang out the back of my truckyeah, um, you know and that's
why I like doing these isbecause you know what works for
one is not going to work foreverybody, and so it's good to
(30:29):
hear what different and I lovehow simple yours was.
It was just mainly justchanging how you ate and watch
what you ate.
Now, where are you now on yourjourney?
You know, compared to how youfelt getting short of breath
just walking to turn in yourbills, and where you are now,
(30:52):
how would you say your energylevel is and your mental clarity
.
You know all those littlefacets.
Joe Lee (31:02):
Since January I've lost 60 pounds and I've gone from a
42 waist down to a 34 waist.
I think I'm in a good placeright now.
I feel good about myself.
I do have a lot more energy,and one thing I really like is I
(31:22):
can reach down and tie my shoeswithout a struggle.
You know, it used to be thatI'd have to take a breath before
bending over to tie my shoes,because I couldn't breathe when
I was bent over, and that's notthere anymore.
And you know, just my gut beinggone makes a big improvement in
my mental state.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (31:43):
Yes, I love.
I call those non-scalevictories and I absolutely love
those.
Those are my favorite things.
That just makes me want to do alittle jiggle Cause I just like
oh, that's so good, I love thatso many people focus just on
the weight, and I think beingable to tie your shoes
comfortably is more importantthan what the scale says.
(32:05):
That's just my personal beliefs.
Joe Lee (32:09):
Yeah, it's funny, but it's one of the things that I
really like about being thinner.
It was a real struggle, realstruggle.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (32:29):
So if you had something to say to
somebody who's thinking aboutstarting a journey and is like a
year trainer who says it'simpossible to be healthy on the
road and they truly believe itwhat would be your two or three
sentences that you would like tosay to them?
Joe Lee (32:48):
I guess just do it and you know if they're sitting on a
fence, you know you got to go.
You know you either do it oryou don't.
And a lot of times making upyour mind is the hardest part.
It's the first step that yougot to do and a lot of people
(33:09):
quit, you know cause.
They don't see immediateresults.
But you just know that it's alittle by little, bit by bit,
and you know weight loss is yourgoal.
It just few, few, small changescan make a difference.
But you're not going to see itovernight, so you can't get
discouraged right away.
You weight is just not droppingoff like you think it should.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (33:31):
Yeah, because your second journey has
been about 10 months long.
Is that correct?
Joe Lee (33:36):
Yeah, and it took me a little bit in January to get
going.
I knew what I wanted to do andI used to.
You know, new year's has kindof my.
It wasn't a new year'sresolution per se, but it was
kind of the time practicebecause my uh DOT physical was
coming up in June.
I'm like, okay, I can sixmonths, I can take care of this,
(33:57):
I can, I can beat this.
Yeah, but getting going it was.
It was just just hard.
So the first couple of weeks Ijust dabbled with it and then I
said you know what I'm going todo this.
And then I got determined OnceI just made up my mind, put down
my foot and said no, we're notgoing to do this anymore, just
(34:18):
get it done.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (34:19):
And then it got a little bit easier, but
it's just getting over thathump and making up your mind and
telling yourself this is whatI'm going to do.
Yeah, and that's a really goodpoint, because you know
(34:50):
something to remind you whyyou're on the journey, which
yours was your medicalcertificate card.
So I mean, you had access tothat anchor without realizing
that's what was holding you toit to make you say no, I got to
do this, you know.
So that's a really good point.
Joe Lee (35:06):
Yep, but you know I will say that I'm happy.
I'm happy where I'm at rightnow.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (35:15):
That's fabulous Because not a lot of
drivers can say that they'rehappy where they're at, so
that's huge.
Very huge drivers can say thatthey're happy where they're at,
so that's huge.
Joe Lee (35:26):
Very huge.
Well, there's.
There's a lot of discouragingthings.
You know, in the truckingindustry, you know, and I, I see
things that if, if I focus onthe problems out here, I'm
miserable and I, you know, Ihate myself, I hate my job, I
hate my life.
And what if I can find one ortwo small things that are
positive and focus on them?
(35:47):
Life is just a lot morebearable and it's more enjoyable
in general to get involved withpolitical matters, and I had
made some strong politicalopinions and I was stuck with it
(36:08):
and I got so stressed outwatching everything that was
going on in politics.
It's like you know what?
I don't care, whatever happenshappens.
You know it's.
I really have no control overthis, but I was allowing it to
eat me up and I don't do thatanymore.
That's another thing in mymental journey that has improved
(36:31):
since I just made up my mind.
I don't watch the news, I don'twant to hear about this, I
don't want to hear about that.
I'm just going to look forsomething positive, and there's
always something there.
It just sometimes takes alittle more effort to see it
than others, but if you look forit, you'll find it.
Malinda Fox-Wellingt (36:50):
Absolutely , and I love that.
Your journey has been moremindset, with just minor dietary
changes, and really a lot ofpeople believe you have to have
the exercise and a specific dietand you really did neither of
those and I love that well, I, Ithought that I should, you know
(37:13):
, I feel like I should, but, um,you know, I was in
weightlifting.
Joe Lee (37:17):
You know, many, many years ago, I was like 20 years
old and I got pretty involved inthat, you know, know, but I
just I've never been a real, Iguess, uh, physical kind of guy,
you know, I just, um, I didwhen I played football, I did a
lot of running and you know, alot of sit ups, pushups, things
(37:38):
like that, but I've never, never, been a fan of working out.
So, you know, going, so goingto a gym is just not me.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (37:47):
Right, and that's what I love about
exercise snacks, because thatjust gives you one movement to
do a couple minutes three tofive times a day and that's
really a 15-minute workout thatyou're doing throughout the day,
which makes it very easy withdriving schedules, yep, which
makes it very easy with drivingschedules Yep.
Joe Lee (38:05):
At one point I got wrist weights, thinking that
would make a difference, and sowhen I was driving.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (38:14):
I got tired of that real quick.
Joe Lee (38:18):
Yeah, I would imagine.
Yeah, as much as we do.
You know, shifting, steering,things like that.
I thought, if I just put twopounds on each wrist, I'm
getting that much more exercise.
But it didn't last long.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (38:31):
Well, I love your journey I really do
and I'm so grateful that you arewilling to share it and that
you're happy where you're at now, because that in itself is
phenomenal.
Joe Lee (38:45):
I appreciate that.
I'm glad that I got the chanceto do this podcast with you.
It's been very interesting andthe last few days, you know,
I've been kind of gearing up mymind for this and thinking that
it's kind of brought's broughtbrought the whole last 18 years
all all fresh and new again,like facebook memories, you know
(39:07):
yes, and it's hard to you know,articulate.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (39:11):
The whole journey, especially, you
know, when it's been such a longone and, you know, in these
last 10 months, has just beenreally phenomenal for you.
Joe Lee (39:20):
It's amazing and I hope that I don't lose that.
And that's, that's my nexthurdle, I guess, is you know,
I'm past my, my, my goal forthat medical card and I, I just
hope I don't slip back.
I've, I've told, I tell myselfI'm not gonna.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (39:42):
It's always easier said than done.
So a couple things that you cantry.
Definitely, just experiment One, find another reason why, why
do you want to stay where you'reat?
Joe Lee (39:55):
Usually that will help Again, finding some sort of
anchor that you can refer backto to remind you of your why
those usually those two thingsright there usually will work
well, I I think right now it'sthe fact that I I really do feel
good about me and that's that'sthat's my biggest motivator
(40:18):
right now, and because Iremember what it was like and I
remember gaining all that weightback after the first time and
that made it even more miserablebecause I was there and I had
to let it go.
And I don't want to go thatroad again and I'm just going to
do what I can do and I'm goingto keep eating the way I eat and
(40:39):
I want to maintain this weight.
I weighed myself when I washome I was like 197.
Want to maintain this weight.
I'm right, I weighed myselfwhen I was home.
I was like 197.
But it seems like that 200 markis just where I'm kind of
stalled out at and I'm okay withthat.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (40:50):
you know , I'd like to see 194, but I'm
okay with 200 because it's not260 exactly, exactly, and you
know it's always just you know,finding those small little
healthier choices when you can,and it seems like you've really
found a method that works foryou and that is phenomenal.
Joe Lee (41:12):
Yeah, and it's the whole package.
You know, it's mental, physical, emotional and they're all tied
together.
Once I started feeling goodabout myself and looking in the
mirror and seeing differences,and you know, especially when
I've had to punch a new hole inmy belt, it's like yes, and I'm
headed in the right and I ain't,I ain't going back and buying
(41:36):
your new pants that are smallersize.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (41:40):
I mean, that's a huge non-scale victory
too.
Joe Lee (41:43):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, I couldn't believe it.
I was up in Wisconsin a fewweeks back and they had jeans on
sale and I thought I'm justgoing to try these on because my
36s were feeling a bit loose.
So I grabbed a couple pairs of34s and I tried them on before I
bought them and they fit Likeoh my god.
I haven't been in a size 34since I was probably 25 years
(42:05):
old, 26 years old well.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (42:08):
Thank you so much, joe, for sharing
your journey.
It's been an honor and um, justkeep them, you know,
encouraging and motivating andsharing your story, because you
never know who's listening well,thanks for having me on.
Joe Lee (42:22):
I I appreciate it.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (42:24):
You enjoy your evening and enjoy
those little fire babies you got.
Joe Lee (42:29):
I'm going to get them outside right now, and then
we're going to put on a couplehundred more smiles tonight, I
think.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (42:35):
You be safe out there and take care.
Joe Lee (42:38):
All right, you too.
Thanks again.
Malinda Fox-Wellington (42:40):
You're welcome.
Bye, Joe.
Joe Lee (42:42):
Bye.
Dino Grigoriadis (42:46):
Wow, what a journey that Joe just took us on
.
This is Dino again, and I don'tknow about you, but I'm feeling
pretty inspired right now.
Joe just showed us thathealthier living on the road
isn't just possible.
It's absolutely doable.
Joe Lee (43:01):
Let's recap what worked for him.
Dino Grigoriadis (43:03):
Avoiding food within two hours of bedtime.
Cutting out processed foods.
Simple meal prep in the truck.
Walking his dogs for exercise,eliminating bread and focusing
on whole foods.
Using spray bottles for easydish cleaning so he can cook
healthier meals in the truck.
Making smart choices at truckstops.
(43:24):
What have you got to lose?
Give some of these a try, seeyou guys next week.
Cindy Tunstall (43:32):
Whoa, whoa, whoa .
Not so fast, dino.
I've got one more thing to add.
Hey you guys, this is Cindy.
I just have to tell y'all wehave a fantastic show coming up
next week, y'all.
I interviewed this guy.
His name is Wayne Spalding andhe says that he has a way to
quit smoking.
The easy way Also applies tovaping and drinking alcohol.
(43:54):
Whatever you're trying to giveup, he has this technique.
It's an Alan Carr's method ofquit smoking the easy way.
Honestly, I quit smoking anddrinking years ago and it was
not easy.
I had a very strong addictionto both and it was very
difficult for me.
So I went into this interviewwith him very doubtful is a good
(44:14):
way to describe it, but he haswon me over.
He gave so many practicalthings that we could do
differently to break that cycleof addiction.
So whether you've tried manytimes or you're just starting to
toy with the idea that youmight be ready to give it up,
you have to tune into nextweek's episode.
It's a game changer, y'all.
(44:35):
I'm not exaggerating.
So if you know somebody thatstruggle with addiction or
cigarettes, vaping, alcohol Iguess you could probably even
apply some of these techniquesto you know binging sugar,
overeating or fast food orwhatever.
I think there's lots ofapplications for all of us.
I personally was veryenlightened and inspired by the
(44:57):
things that he said.
So I also have some driversthat are going to be coming on
that have also quit using thiseasy way method, and I just
can't.
My mind is blown.
I wish I had known about thisyears ago, when I was about to
chew my arm off to try to quitsmoking Anyway.
So y'all stay tuned for that.
(45:17):
Okay, we're going to end thisepisode with Joe.
Um Lee is going to share hispoem again.
I absolutely love this poem.
I think it speaks to this heartof a driver where it just gets
in your blood and you just can'tlet go of that desire to get
out there on the open road.
I know many of you can relateto this poem, so I wanted y'all
to hear it one more time.
(45:38):
So I'm going to turn it backover to Joe and let him share it
with us one more time in thisclosing and I'll see y'all next
time.
Joe Lee (45:45):
On Enjoying Life, otr, the poem is called Living the
Dream.
When I was a young boy eight,maybe nine I helped to fix a big
truck that was down for a time,when the last bolt was
tightened and the fluids wereall filled.
Then came the moment it wastime for the key.
The man in the shop said heyboy, and he tossed it on over to
(46:09):
me.
So I climbed in the cab andfired it up, with the hum of the
motor, the smoke and the smell.
I'll never forget it.
I remember it well.
As I sat there in the cab justholding the wheel, I thought to
myself man, I love how I feel.
I pretended to drive it withexcitement and joy, and a dream
(46:29):
came alive inside that young boy.
Well, I've done many things inmy life since that day, and
although that dream faded, itnever went away.
Every time a rig passed me androlled on its way, there was a
voice in my head that said maybesomeday.
Well, here I am, over 40, witha brand new career, and I can
(46:51):
hardly believe it.
As I look in the mirrorchecking my trailer and the road
left behind.
Here I am living my dream, amile at a time.
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