#54 Resilience on the Road: Malinda Fox-Wellington's Journey from Crisis to Triumph

Ever felt like life's challenges were too much to bear? Hear Malinda Fox Wellington recount the day her truck spiraled out of control on I-55, leaving her questioning her resolve and strength as a truck driver. This episode isn't just about a harrowing crash—it's about the incredible journey of recovery and resilience that followed. Inspired by Jess Graham's powerful story of rebuilding her life after an abusive relationship, Melinda's raw and honest narrative will resonate with anyone who's ever faced a defining moment of fear and doubt.

Join Cindy Tunstall and Malinda as they explore the themes of resilience and connection on the road. From the heart-stopping moment of the crash to the emotional aftermath and ultimate triumph, Melinda shares practical strategies for finding inner strength and staying connected with loved ones despite the miles. Whether you're a seasoned driver or just starting out, this episode promises to offer insights and inspiration that will empower you to thrive on the road, not just survive. Get ready for a story that challenges, inspires, and transforms your outlook on life behind the wheel.

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

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Enjoying Life OTR Conversations that inspire curiosity, adventure and resilience. We're honoring drivers and sharing their adventures and becoming healthier truckers. Stay tuned to discover creative life hacks and practical strategies for enhancing our well-being and making the most of our time on the road. Welcome to Enjoying Life, OTR.

Cindy Tunstall: 0:23

Hey there, this is Cindy Tunstall coming at you with a special mini episode of Enjoying Life OTR. That's going to stick with all of us. Great show coming up. I can't wait for you to hear it. Today we're diving deep with our incredible co-host, melinda Fox Wellington, and, trust me, you've never heard her like this before. Melinda's about to take us on a heart-pounding journey down I-55 that'll have you gripping your steering wheel a little tighter.

Cindy Tunstall: 0:48

But this isn't just another trucker's tale. It's a short story about resilience that's going to resonate with anyone who ever faced a moment that made them question everything. Have you ever felt like giving up on your dreams, wonder how to stay connected to your loved ones when miles apart, or struggle to find strength to keep going when life throws you a curveball? Well, melinda's got answers, and they come from a place of raw, real life experience. She's not just talking the talk. She's walked the walk, from her healthier journey while OTR to rebuilding after a crisis. Melinda's insights are a game changer for anyone in this industry. So, whether you're a seasoned driver or just starting out, stay tuned. This episode is a roadmap for not just surviving but thriving in the trucker life. Get ready to be inspired, challenged and maybe even transformed. Let's hit the road with Melinda Fox Wellington. Melinda Fox.

Malinda Fox-Wellington: 1:42

Wellington. Hey everyone, it's Melinda Fox Wellington, one of your hosts for Enjoying Life, otr, and I am so glad you're tuning in today. I wanted to take a few minutes in this mini episode to reflect on some powerful things that have come up recently, which are resilience and connection. Things that have come up recently, which are resilience and connection. These two things are vital for all of us, especially for those who spend so much time out on the road Now. Last week, we had the privilege of hearing from Jess Graham, who shared her incredible journey of escaping an abusive relationship and rebuilding her life as an independent owner-operator. And rebuilding her life as an independent owner-operator. Jess's story is a testament to the power of resilience, and it really got me thinking about how important it is for all of us to find that inner strength, no matter what challenges we're facing, and I wanted to share a personal experience that really ties into what Jess talked about when it comes to resilience. And boy is it a day I will never forget.

Malinda Fox-Wellington: 2:47

It was a moment that shook me to my core and I didn't think I would ever get back on the driving again. I was driving southbound I-55 in Mississippi, miles away from home, on just another load and everything just changed in an instant. My steer tire got caught into a groove and it pulled me onto the shoulder. Well, the shoulder just happened, at that precise moment, to end in a narrow bridge and I clipped the guardrail of the bridge. Bridge, and I clipped the guardrail of the bridge. So as I was trying to regain control of the steering wheel, it happened to also be in an area that had uneven lanes, and the uneven lane pushed me back into the guardrail, and I did what I call guardrail surfing and ended up laying my fully loaded rig down and slid down the highway. On the driver's side, I could just feel everything just spiraling out of control. And when I finally came to a stop and the realization hit me that, yeah, I just totaled my truck, but luckily Tia and I both walked away, we had to crawl out of the windshield and the weight of it all crashed down on me, I was completely shaken, both physically and emotionally.

Malinda Fox-Wellington: 4:28

The road, which has always felt like a second home to me, now felt like a threat, and I was miles from anywhere familiar, sitting there in the middle of the interstate, and I remember feeling utterly defeated and the thought of getting back into that driver's seat felt impossible. The fear, the self-doubt, the emotional triggers, they were all overwhelming and I kept thinking is this, it Is this the end of my time on the road? Road? But then, as I sat there in the aftermath, something deep inside of me started to stir. I thought about all the challenges that I faced before and all the times that I've been knocked down and managed to get back up, about how the road has healed parts of me that I never even knew that was broken. And I realized that this was just another one of those moments, a moment where I had to make a choice, where I could either let this wreck define me or I can find that inner strength that Jess talked about and push through it. The road was screaming my name and I knew I couldn't just walk away from it, so I made the decision to dig deep, to muster up every ounce of resilience that I had left.

Malinda Fox-Wellington: 5:52

There were days during those first few weeks when I was back on the road where the fear just crept back in and the thought of getting behind that wheel was terrifying. But I knew I couldn't let the fear win. And resilience isn't just about bouncing back. It's about learning from every setback and coming out stronger on the other side. I made the necessary calls, got the support I needed and slowly started taking the steps to get back on track. It was a journey, one that required me to comfort my fears head on and remind myself of the passion that I have for that open road. And when I finally to get back into that driver's seat, it wasn't about driving a truck again. It was about reclaiming my life, my confidence and my purpose out here on the road. And that's the kind of resilience that Jess was talking about. It's about finding that strength within yourself, even when you feel like you've got nothing left to give. It's about recognizing that, no matter how hard you fall, you have that power to get back up, dust yourself off and just keep moving forward. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the road, with all of its challenges and uncertainties, is where we discover just how strong we really are.

Malinda Fox-Wellington: 7:15

Now let's talk about connection, which is another critical piece of the puzzle, and Jess touched on the importance of staying connected with loved ones and finding a supportive community, and I could not agree with her more. It can be so tough to maintain those connections when you're out on the road, but it is essential for our well-being. One thing that's helped me immensely is setting up a routine for communication, whether it's a morning check-in with my spouse or an evening video call with my kids. Having that routine in place makes it easier to stay connected and it's something that I look forward to each day, and it helps me feel grounded no matter where I am. Another tip is to make the most of the time you have when you're home. It is so easy to get caught up in all the tasks and chores that pile up, but making time for quality moments with your loved ones is so important, whether it's a family dinner, a movie night or just sitting down and having a real conversation. These little moments go a long way in strengthening your bonds. These little moments go a long way in strengthening your bonds, and if you're looking for a community on the road, don't underestimate the power of social media. There are so many groups out there where you can connect with other drivers, share experiences and get support when you need it. Two of my favorite groups, obviously, is Enjoying Life OTR. There's some great drivers out there that share tips on things to do in different cities where rigs can fit, and we just really support each other. And then the other group is Healthier Truckers, and it's where we can find encouragement, advice, a place where we can work out tips, trips and strategies on how to be healthier out on the road, because it's drivers who understand exactly what you're going through.

Malinda Fox-Wellington: 9:22

Now, finally, self-care. This is another aspect of staying connected no, not with just others, but with yourself, and I've learned that taking care of my mental and physical health is critical for staying connected with my loved ones. If I'm feeling burnt out or run down, I'm not going to be as present or as engaged as I want or need to be for them. That's why I make it a point to incorporate little acts of self-care into my daily routine. Whether it's just a stretch in the morning or a quick walk during a break, some deep breathing exercises at a red light or just listening to a favorite podcast or audio book while I'm driving. These small things can make a big difference on how I feel and how I interact with others.

Malinda Fox-Wellington: 10:14

Now, looking ahead, I'm really excited to share what's coming up next on Enjoying Life, otr, because our next episode is going to be a special one that I cannot wait to share it with you Now, as we wrap up this mini episode, I want to leave you with this thought no matter where you are on your journey, both physically and in life, remember you have the strength to overcome any challenge and the power to stay connected with the people who matter most to you, whether it's through resilience or building those connections, you have those tools needed not just to survive, but to thrive out here on the road. Thank you so much for spending this time with me today, and I hope you will join me for our next episode, embracing healthier habits, one load at a time. I'm Melinda Fox Wellington and keep enjoying life out on the road.

Cindy Tunstall: 11:21

Hey, this is Cindy Tunstall again wrapping up another eye-opening episode of Enjoying Life OTR. Today, melinda Fox Wellington navigated us through the challenging terrain of resilience and connection in the trucking world. Remember these key takeaways from this episode Resilience isn't just about bouncing back. It's about coming back stronger after every setback. Establishing communication routines with loved ones can be your anchor in the storm on this life on the road. Don't underestimate the power of online communities, support and connection. I've't underestimate the power of online communities, support and connection. I've made great friends in our online communities that continue to be important part of my social life while out on the road, so online communities can be very helpful. Also, remember self-care isn't selfish. It's essential for maintaining strong relationships and staying at the top of our game.

Cindy Tunstall: 12:17

Now let's get ready to shift gears, because next week's episode is going to be a game changer for all of you long haulers out there. We're going to be talking with Eileen Ward. She's a veteran trucker who's been through it all and came out stronger on the other side. She'll be sharing her journey about overcoming health challenges, managing stress and finding balance in this demanding lifestyle. You want to know how to stay fit and lead a healthier life along the road without missing a beat. Are you curious about how to juggle therapy appointments with your tight schedule? Or maybe you're just looking for practical tips on eating clean and staying active even when you're out living out of your cab? Eileen's got answers and, trust me, you won't want to miss this one. Make sure you tune in. Next week Dino's going to be back and another great episode from Melinda Fox Wellington with down to earth strategies that could change your life on the road. Well, until then, my name is Cindy Tunstall. Y'all take care out there and by all means, enjoy the journey.