Enjoying Life OTR

#59 Pursuing the Trucking Dream: Joe Lee's Journey to Health and Happiness on the Road

• Malinda Fox-Wellington, Joe Lee, Dino Grigoriadis, Cindy Tunstall • Episode 59

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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

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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



Dino Grigoriadis:

Welcome to Enjoying Life OTR. We are building a movement for a healthier, more adventurous lifestyle across every mile. Hey, truckers, this is Dino, your roadie and guide on the side. Ever feel like healthy living and trucking? Just don't mix. Well, buckle up, because today's episode is going to change your mind. I've got Joe Lee in the virtual passenger seat and let me tell you his story is exactly what you need to hear From one-year medical cards to a complete lifestyle transformation. Joe's going to show us how small, consistent changes can lead to massive results. No fancy diets, no complicated workout routines, just real, practical solutions that work in a truck. Stay tuned, because this is one ride you don't want to miss.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Hey everybody, welcome to Enjoying Life OTR. I'm your host, melinda Fox Wellington, and today we have a very special guest, joe Lee. Now Joe has an inspiring story of transformation. Now, joe has an inspiring story of transformation, focusing on the small, constant changes that helped him reclaim his health and well-being. Now, before we dive into our conversation, joe would like to share a poem that holds significant meaning to him and it truly just sets the tone for this journey. Joe the floor is yours.

Joe Lee:

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 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.

Joe Lee:

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 excitement and joy, and a dream came alive inside that young boy. Well, I've done many things in my life since that day, and although that dream faded, it never went away. Every time a rig passed me and rolled on its way, there was a voice in my head that said Maybe someday. Well, here I am, over 40, with a brand new career, and I can hardly believe it. As I look in the mirror, checking my trailer and the road left behind, here I am living my dream, a mile at a time.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Oh, I absolutely love that. I would love to put it in the show notes, because that is wonderful.

Joe Lee:

Thank you. What kind of started it is. Just as the poem said, I fell in love with trucks and driving and stuff when I was just a kid and my older brother he always told me I don't know why you don't just do it. And he said you talked about it for years and he said I could see you in a truck and I just never did. But he ended up with a brain injury after a motorcycle accident in 2004. And so I took care of him. He was in a vegetated state for 21 months before he passed away.

Joe Lee:

And I told my wife I said Jeff always thought that I should do it. And I said when things are done with Jeffrey, I'm going to, I'm going to drive a truck. And she'd heard me say it before, so she didn't think much of it. But and the other thing is with with taking care of him you know he was in and out of a lot of different medical facilities and we're trying to get him out of that vegetated state. And I seen these people and I thought I don't want to grow old and end up in a place like this and 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:

That's one of the best parts of the job, isn't it?

Joe Lee:

Yeah, that poem was written in a truck stop in North Carolina or Virginia, virginia I think it was. It was during my first year of trucking and driving for one of the big box companies. It just popped into my head and I sat down and wrote it and it was a life changer. I was, I was a carpenter for 15 years. I had been married for 15 years and, adjusting to that, like my, my wife actually told me I'm not going to be married to a trucker when she realized I was serious about doing this and I said I'm sorry to hear that because that's what I'm going to do now and you know so it was, there was. There was an adjustment and it was. It was a struggle. You don't have to be at home every night.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

For 15 years, all of a sudden, yeah, that's part of uh trucking that a lot of people don't understand when they get into it. That it truly is. It's a lifestyle and it's not a job, it's not a career, I mean, it's a full encompassing lifestyle yeah, I was three weeks into my training and I had to go home.

Joe Lee:

My mother had decided that she was going to refuse all further medical care and that meant she would be dead within a week and, uh, she had been doing dialysis for a few years and so company got me home and I spent uh four days with her, five days with her before she passed away. But that that was another, um, I guess, uh key issue, you know, or a struggle.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

So when you started driving, you started driving right after your brother passed, and then, three weeks into your training, your mother passed.

Joe Lee:

Yep, yep, it was in November of the day that we buried my brother, because it was actually on my anniversary, june 15th of 2006. We buried my brother because it was actually on my anniversary, june 15th of 2006. And my mother had had a stroke about two months before that and I was his guardian and his health care power of attorney 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 life support from him, you know, and let him, just let him go. He wouldn't have liked what was happening to his body. And I people tell me that and I say yeah, yeah, I know he wouldn't want to live like that, but he wouldn't give up without a fight either.

Joe Lee:

So the first trainer that I had, he told me something one time and it didn't sit well with me and I didn't know if I could agree with him. We were talking about food and life on the road and he said it's impossible to live healthy out here or eat healthy, and I thought I don't know if I agree with that. It's difficult because there's so much fast food and so much, you know, garbage that you pick up at the truck stops. But my first two years I think it was difficult. I had a 12-volt cooler and I carried my own food, but you know, I had no means of cooking and 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.

Joe Lee:

And I put on a lot of weight over the years and got to where I was actually pretty miserable. Well, I've been driving 18 years now and it was about eight years ago. My wife and I were planning a cruise and I was. I was getting pretty heavy then and I wanted to look good you know, there's our 25th anniversary and I wanted to get closer to the way that was when I got married and I did. I lost about 55 pounds back then and then, uh, once I reached my goal you know, we did our cruise I kind of slipped back, you know.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

As we do.

Joe Lee:

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 reached that goal you know looking good on the cruise I got back into the buffets again and eat all the fast food and junk and I gained it right back. There was three years in a row where I got a one year medical card because of high blood pressure and the last two cards. I did manage to get a two year card, and the truck that I'm driving right now is going to be mine next August, and so my goal was to get another two-year card so I can at least fulfill my obligation for this truck and have it be mine, and so that's what sent me on it again.

Joe Lee:

In January I went on that diet just to get my blood pressure under control and to feel better. I mean, I'd get out of the truck and any amount of strenuous activity I'd be breathless. Even walking my dogs was a challenge. Sometimes I didn't feel good, I didn'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:

That was one of my motivations was I wanted to be able to walk across the parking lot without getting out of breath. So I know exactly what you mean on that one.

Joe Lee:

Well, if I had to climb a flight of stairs or something you know, you go to the Walmart distribution centers and the bathroom is always upstairs and you walk in the 30 steps or whatever it is up there, I'd be huffing and puffing a little bit. It's like, my God, I'm out of shape.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

So the second time you said that pretty much your your turning point was because you got a couple of years where you only got a one-year medical certification and your goal was to get a two-year. Um, so was that kind of like your your turning point to? I gotta be serious about it this time.

Joe Lee:

Yeah, yeah, I just I wanted to get that blood pressure down. And I realized one other thing with my DOT physicals it was a lot of the white coat syndrome and you know I did struggle with the blood pressure. You know that that was something that was real. I was actually on medication for a year one time, but I had quit doing that and decided to just try with diet and exercise. But uh, yeah, that was my goal and for this time is to get get that two-year card and and I did.

Joe Lee:

Typically what would happen is I'd go in there in the in the physical, and for 10 years now I've had a bit. I've had a hearing aids for driving, and so I always worried that I was going to fail that hearing test or that whisper test and I struggled with it and so I would get nervous about that. I would go into there and my blood pressure would be high. We'd get all through everything else and I'd pass the hearing test. My blood pressure would go back down. 'd get all through everything else and I'd pass the hearing test. My blood pressure would go back down. They'd give me the second check and then I was fine. Figuring that out I think made a big difference, you know, is what caused my blood pressure to spike when I went into the doctor's office.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Yeah. So there's a lot of factors that actually can make your blood pressure spike. I mean, obviously, anxiety, nerves, pain can make it do it. If you're in, you know, pretty severe pain that can make it spike. A lot of people don't realize. If you're cold, that can actually make your blood pressure go up, because your vessels will dilate and gets I mean, constrict and get smaller and therefore your heart has to pump harder. So therefore it can increase your blood pressure. So there's the nerves, the temperature. It's not just food, like a lot of people think it is.

Dino Grigoriadis:

There's a lot of factors that can affect your blood pressure. Hey guys, it's Dino Just want to jump in on this blood pressure segment. I had a friend who went for his physical and his blood pressure was very high. Doc asked if he had just smoked a cigarette before coming into the appointment. He did. Doc was kind enough to let him sit down and rest for a little while before taking his blood pressure again. I didn't know smoking would cause the blood pressure to jump like that. Obviously, smoking has lots of negative side effects, but he was lucky that he passed his physical that day. It's good to know there are so many factors that affect our blood pressure. We want to do all we can to pass our physical and also become healthier, like Joe Okay back to Joe. And Melinda Okay back to Joe and Melinda.

Joe Lee:

A lot of my problem too was my food choices. You know I did eat a lot of fast food and you know, get those breakfast sandwiches and they're always like two for four or two for five, so you can't get just one right.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Right, yeah, exactly, that's how they get you.

Joe Lee:

Mm-hmm. You know, two weeks ago I was broke down up in Wisconsin. The truck was in the shop for the night, so I was in a hotel. There was nothing around. The store that was across the street had closed down and it's like what am I going to eat out here?

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

And all that was there was Burger King and McDonald's, and so I went over to McDonald's and I had a Big Mac and I thought this is a major cheat, but I hadn't had one since January. Yeah Well, and because of our lifestyles, I really don't consider it a cheat and I really believe in the 80-20 rule. You know, 80% of the time do the best you can and 20% of the time it's going to be oh well, this is trucking. I mean, you know, sometimes your hands are tied, it's not a big deal.

Joe Lee:

Yeah, as long as I don't slip into the constant everyday routine again. And that's what happened eight years ago when I lost all that weight, you know, because I had reached that goal and I just slipped back.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

So what were some of the small things that you started doing, incorporating, changing to start your healthier journey?

Joe Lee:

Well, getting to the point where I actually committed myself to doing it was a bit of a struggle and that took some doing and finally I just I got to the point where I'm going to do this and once I made up my mind, then the rest of it came easy. But it was little things like not eating an hour before bed. You know, cause with our lifestyle, we drive 10, 11 hours, we get out, walk our dogs, do what we do, eat, go to sleep and that had a chance. So I guess that was one little step is to make sure that I stopped for my dinner like two hours before I was going to park for the night, and that, I think, made a difference. And mentally, once the weight started coming off, I felt great about doing what I was doing and it really wasn't a struggle. What I eat is another thing.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

What are some of the changes that you made in what you eat and how do you incorporate that in your driving schedule?

Joe Lee:

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 a three-egg omelet. I got rid of most of the beef, you know, because that's a higher calorie and a higher dollar. I ate a lot of fish, a lot of chicken, pork, a lot of vegetables, fruits and you know nothing, processed, and that was a change, also because you know it's so easy to go into a place and pick up processed food, you know, frozen stuff and pre-made, and so I don't do any of that anymore. That's probably about it, but you know, the mental part of it is what I got to take care of on a daily basis.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

So what are some things you do to take care of that on a daily basis?

Joe Lee:

My dogs help an awful lot. I've got three dogs in the truck. They're a motivation. I refer to them as my exercise program because without them dogs I probably wouldn't walk half of what I do, so I do it for them.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

They help out a lot. Your dog just agreed, yes, yes. But you know, I've even had people say, oh, I need to get a dog so I can get out of the truck more, and I'm like you can get a treadmill and put it in a truck. You don't need a dog just for that, because there's so many dogs that get turned in because they end up being more than what they imagine and there's other ways to work around it besides getting a dog. Uh, because, trust me, there's some days I I'll be honest, uh, I'm like I just want to chunk you 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 huge difference, not only in, you know, the motivation to get out and walk and stuff, but in the companionship they have a sense, I think, and if they know if I'm having a bad day.

Joe Lee:

You know I've got one dog in particular and he's a kind of a doofus. You know, he's just a big old bully dog and he'll just come up, sit next to me you know I'm driving and just look up and get me with his paw like hey, how's it going? And but he, uh, he's no, he's only been with me since march and I thought his, his uh picture was posted on a local facebook uh group where I live. Yeah, and I said I sent an animal control lady a message. I said how does he like riding in a truck? The rest is history. She said he loves rides. I've had him since March and he's a great truck dog.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

That's awesome.

Joe Lee:

The other two was actually the little chihuahua that I've got. I found him through a trucking for a baby group him through a trucking fur baby group and it was somebody that was, uh, looking for a friend of hers to give re-home this dog because she was suffering from cancer. And anyway I got him through that group. And then the other one. I wasn't looking for another dog, but I pulled up for the 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 right away and I got to feed them, I got to pet them and play with them a little bit. Well, I got back in my truck and I got something to eat and I looked out before I went to bed. I looked out and he was sitting right there by my step and I 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.

Joe Lee:

I got my first one was a Springer Spaniel right after I finished training. I got home and took a little time off before getting my own truck and heading out and I found him and he was a faithful companion for eight and a half years and the company that I'm with right now. There's certain places where we deliver where animals can't be in the truck and there's strict regulations with security. But anyways, I told my boss. I said I can't be with all my dogs. So he called me up a couple of weeks later and said well, you know, we don't need you all the time for these loads and and. But I've been with him now for 10 years and if, if, if I end up having to go to a place where the dogs can't be, he'll get me home, I'll drop the dogs off, go do those loads and then he gets me back to the house to pick them up, and so it's worked out really good with him.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Oh, that's awesome.

Joe Lee:

Yeah, yeah, he's a great guy. Luckily, things have worked out. I've been with him for actually 11 years now.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

That's phenomenal. You got really fortunate with that. Yeah, really did. So I'll just talk to your journey of yours. Some of the small changes you made was just really changing how you ate, making sure you didn't eat two hours before you went to bed and then you said you pretty much cut out all your processed foods. So how are you juggling getting food, cooking your food, driving Because a lot of drivers struggle with that concept of washing dishes so how are you managing juggling everything?

Joe Lee:

Because, like I said, a lot of drivers, that's a big barrier for them. Yeah, dishes, you mentioned dishes. Yeah, that's a challenge. And them yeah, dishes, you mentioned dishes. Yeah, that's a challenge and I'm sure you're aware of it.

Joe Lee:

But I've got three spray bottles. I've got one with Dawn dish soap in it, I've got one with vinegar and water and then one with just straight water. A lot of stuff I will wash with just the vinegar and water, like the bowls and storage bowls, stuff like that I've got to wash with the Dawn. But it was a struggle learning how to do that. I used to use all plastic. You know disposable forks, knives, spoons. You know paper bowls and paper plates, and I've since learned to do things. I've got an appliance that I picked up at a yard sale I think I gave you $15, $20 for it, but it's a new wave cooker and it's basically a convection oven and it'll sit on the countertop. I took out my passenger seat, I put two cabinets there and I've got an actual countertop on top of that and so I do all my food prep and everything on there and I've got the electric skillet. I've got that new wave cooker, microwave and coffee maker and a lot of the things that make life a little bit more easier and enjoyable here.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Yes, yes, absolutely so. Do you typically schedule to make sure you swing by Walmart like every other day, once a week, or just whenever you get a chance and you happen to be near one, you just swing in there and stock up?

Joe Lee:

Well, if I just need a few things, you know I'll swing in on the way by, but I typically it seems like I can't go into Walmart without being in there for an hour. It's a bad habit, but I typically try to do it on my 10-hour break. I try to hit Walmarts where they're truck-friendly and we can park there. One little thing that I've been doing for years and I see so many drivers, you know, neglecting, I guess, not respecting the privilege of parking here, and they leave their trash. So I kind of go out of my way to put carts in the cart corral and, you know, pick up trash or take trash out of the thing and put it in the dump, in the can where it belongs. Little things like that to make it a little bit easier for a manager to allow us to park. You know Right, but that's an adjustment there too, you know, getting the groceries, because we don't always get to areas where you can get them.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Yeah, I've heard a lot of drivers use like Walmart Plus Plus, where they actually have it delivered to them. I've tried it a few times. However, I keep. Every time I enter in the address where I happen to be at, most of the time it says not valid address. So I can't get it delivered anyway. So I'm just like, well, that blows.

Joe Lee:

I've never tried that. I guess I've heard of other drivers doing it, but I've never tried that. I guess I've heard of other drivers 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 hotel I was stuck out in reno for a week while the truck was in the shop and I did have some stuff delivered at the hotel. That's another thing that a lot of people don't think about. Especially if you got dogs. You know if you break down you're really in a spot and you know luckily I, with the way my boss is. You know he's I mean he's all about, uh, his employees and you know he. He views us more like family and he knows what my dogs mean. He's been very accommodating as far as helping me get into hotels and allow them.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Yes, so a really good app that I keep on my phone that might be beneficial is called Bring Fido.

Joe Lee:

I've seen that.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Yes. So what you do is you enter in the zip code of where you are or where you're going, and it will not only tell you hotels that are pet friendly in that zip code, but it'll tell you if there's any restaurants that are pet friendly, uh, dog parks, uh, anything that is dog related, that you can bring your dog with you. It will be listed in there.

Joe Lee:

And it's been hugely valuable out on the road. I know Red Roof Inn is one that's always had pet friendly policies. As far as I know, they still don't charge deposits. A lot of people want you to pay extra, but you do what you got to do.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Yeah, yeah, we have used Red Roof quite many times out on the road when we've had breakdowns or when I had my wreck, so they've been hugely a benefit, for sure.

Joe Lee:

Yeah, yeah, you had mentioned, I think, before about the food and stuff that's. One other thing that I totally eliminated was bread and partly because the sugar is added, that's to me it's just wasted carbohydrates. But um, that was. That was one other small thing and I think made a difference and I doctor actually agreed with me one time I had mentioned about, uh, when I lost my weight the first time, one of the things that I did was eliminate bread. He said well, you need to do that again.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Yes. So for the ones who don't want to eliminate bread because that's like their go-to comfort food, if you put your bread in the freezer and just take a couple slices out and let it defrost and then do it, that actually produces a resistant starch, which therefore it will not spike your blood sugars as much.

Joe Lee:

Oh, okay.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

You can do that with any of your starches, that's, your breads, your pastas, your potatoes, your rice.

Joe Lee:

I eat a fair amount of potatoes. I don't eat much for pasta anymore. I made a chicken thing in the crock pot yesterday and I did put some egg noodles in there. So I do get some, but it's not like I used to.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Oh yeah, and there's nothing wrong with carbs. I mean, it's a fuel source just like car. Gasoline is a fuel source. It's a fast-burning fuel source, whereas diesel is a really slow-burning fuel source that lasts longer, just like fats are a really slow-burning fuel source that lasts longer. So that's all there is between those two is the way it burns in the body, but they're both just energy sources. Just recap your journey you were at your worst. Uh, you was overweight, with high blood pressure, and you was only getting one year medical certification cards and that kind of was your motivating factor to healthier journey. And you started making small choices uh, not eating two hours before you went to bed and then, you know, just kind of eliminating the processed foods and stopping and buying your groceries. Now, did you incorporate any kind of exercises or purposeful movements or anything?

Joe Lee:

pretty much just walking the dogs. Um, I started walking a lot further. I know that when I was at my heaviest weight I found myself just standing out there with my dogs. I wasn't really walking much at all and so I made it a point to kind of guesstimate. My goal was like three to four miles a day and you know, I would make it like if I was parked at a Walmart, like I am right now. You know, do two laps.

Joe Lee:

I take out two dogs the first time my big one and one little one and then I do our walk and then I come back and get Drake the big brown one that I've got, drake the big brown one that I've got. So I would walk around the whole Walmart two times with the first two and then come back get Drake and I'd walk around Walmart twice more. That's a pretty good walk. Most of the lots are a pretty good size and if I do that at least three times a day with them, that's a lot more walking than what I would normally do. Other than that, it's just going and getting our bills and checking in and stuff. That's about it. And I tried having a bike on the truck. I've seen other drivers do it, and it just never worked well for me.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

I just had to use it for a little while and then kind of forget about it and I got to rush it up like I hang out the back of my truck yeah, um, you know and that's why I like doing these is because you know what works for one is not going to work for everybody, and so it's good to hear what different and I love how simple yours was. It was just mainly just changing how you ate and watch what you ate. Now, where are you now on your journey? You know, compared to how you felt getting short of breath just walking to turn in your bills, and where you are now, how would you say your energy level is and your mental clarity. You know all those little facets.

Joe Lee:

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 place right now. I feel good about myself. I do have a lot more energy, and one thing I really like is I can reach down and tie my shoes without a struggle. You know, it used to be that I'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 not there anymore. And you know, just my gut being gone makes a big improvement in my mental state.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Yes, I love. I call those non-scale victories and I absolutely love those. Those are my favorite things. That just makes me want to do a little jiggle Cause I just like oh, that's so good, I love that so many people focus just on the weight, and I think being able to tie your shoes comfortably is more important than what the scale says. That's just my personal beliefs.

Joe Lee:

Yeah, it's funny, but it's one of the things that I really like about being thinner. It was a real struggle, real struggle.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

So if you had something to say to somebody who's thinking about starting a journey and is like a year trainer who says it's impossible to be healthy on the road and they truly believe it what would be your two or three sentences that you would like to say to them?

Joe Lee:

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 or you don't. And a lot of times making up your mind is the hardest part. It's the first step that you got to do and a lot of people quit, you know cause. They don't see immediate results. But you just know that it's a little by little, bit by bit, and you know weight loss is your goal. It just few, few, small changes can make a difference. But you're not going to see it overnight, so you can't get discouraged right away. You weight is just not dropping off like you think it should.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Yeah, because your second journey has been about 10 months long. Is that correct?

Joe Lee:

Yeah, and it took me a little bit in January to get going. I knew what I wanted to do and I used to. You know, new year's has kind of my. It wasn't a new year's resolution per se, but it was kind of the time practice because my uh DOT physical was coming up in June. I'm like, okay, I can six months, I can take care of this, I can, I can beat this. Yeah, but getting going it was. It was just just hard. So the first couple of weeks I just dabbled with it and then I said you know what I'm going to do this. And then I got determined Once I just made up my mind, put down my foot and said no, we're not going to do this anymore, just get it done.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

And then it got a little bit easier, but it's just getting over that hump and making up your mind and telling yourself this is what I'm going to do. Yeah, and that's a really good point, because you know something to remind you why you're on the journey, which yours was your medical certificate card. So I mean, you had access to that anchor without realizing that's what was holding you to it to make you say no, I got to do this, you know. So that's a really good point.

Joe Lee:

Yep, but you know I will say that I'm happy. I'm happy where I'm at right now.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

That's fabulous Because not a lot of drivers can say that they're happy where they're at, so that's huge. Very huge drivers can say that they're happy where they're at, so that's huge.

Joe Lee:

Very huge. Well, there's. There's a lot of discouraging things. You know, in the trucking industry, you know, and I, I see things that if, if I focus on the problems out here, I'm miserable and I, you know, I hate myself, I hate my job, I hate my life. And what if I can find one or two small things that are positive and focus on them? Life is just a lot more bearable and it's more enjoyable in general to get involved with political matters, and I had made some strong political opinions and I was stuck with it and I got so stressed out watching everything that was going on in politics.

Joe Lee:

It's like you know what? I don't care, whatever happens happens. You know it's. I really have no control over this, but I was allowing it to eat me up and I don't do that anymore. That's another thing in my mental journey that has improved since I just made up my mind. I don't watch the news, I don't want to hear about this, I don't want to hear about that. I'm just going to look for something positive, and there's always something there. It just sometimes takes a little more effort to see it than others, but if you look for it, you'll find it.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Absolutely, and I love that. Your journey has been more mindset, with just minor dietary changes, and really a lot of people believe you have to have the exercise and a specific diet and you really did neither of those and I love that well, I, I thought that I should, you know, I feel like I should, but, um, you know, I was in weightlifting.

Joe Lee:

You know, many, many years ago, I was like 20 years old and I got pretty involved in that, you know, know, but I just I've never been a real, I guess, uh, physical kind of guy, you know, I just, um, I did when I played football, I did a lot of running and you know, a lot of sit ups, pushups, things like that, but I've never, never, been a fan of working out. So, you know, going, so going to a gym is just not me.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Right, and that's what I love about exercise snacks, because that just gives you one movement to do a couple minutes three to five times a day and that's really a 15-minute workout that you're doing throughout the day, which makes it very easy with driving schedules, yep, which makes it very easy with driving schedules Yep.

Joe Lee:

At one point I got wrist weights, thinking that would make a difference, and so when I was driving.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

I got tired of that real quick.

Joe Lee:

Yeah, I would imagine. Yeah, as much as we do. You know, shifting, steering, things like that. I thought, if I just put two pounds on each wrist, I'm getting that much more exercise. But it didn't last long.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Well, I love your journey I really do and I'm so grateful that you are willing to share it and that you're happy where you're at now, because that in itself is phenomenal.

Joe Lee:

I appreciate that. I'm glad that I got the chance to do this podcast with you. It's been very interesting and the last few days, you know, I've been kind of gearing up my mind for this and thinking that it's kind of brought's brought brought the whole last 18 years all all fresh and new again, like facebook memories, you know yes, and it's hard to you know, articulate.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

The whole journey, especially, you know, when it's been such a long one and, you know, in these last 10 months, has just been really phenomenal for you.

Joe Lee:

It's amazing and I hope that I don't lose that. And that's, that's my next hurdle, I guess, is you know, I'm past my, my, my goal for that medical card and I, I just hope I don't slip back. I've, I've told, I tell myself I'm not gonna.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

It's always easier said than done. So a couple things that you can try. Definitely, just experiment One, find another reason why, why do you want to stay where you're at?

Joe Lee:

Usually that will help Again, finding some sort of anchor that you can refer back to to remind you of your why those usually those two things right there usually will work well, I I think right now it's the fact that I I really do feel good about me and that's that's that's my biggest motivator right now, and because I remember what it was like and I remember gaining all that weight back after the first time and that made it even more miserable because I was there and I had to let it go. And I don't want to go that road again and I'm just going to do what I can do and I'm going to keep eating the way I eat and I want to maintain this weight. I weighed myself when I was home I was like 197. Want to maintain this weight. I'm right, I weighed myself when I was home. I was like 197. But it seems like that 200 mark is just where I'm kind of stalled out at and I'm okay with that.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

you know, I'd like to see 194, but I'm okay with 200 because it's not 260 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 for you and that is phenomenal.

Joe Lee:

Yeah, and it's the whole package. You know, it's mental, physical, emotional and they're all tied together. Once I started feeling good about myself and looking in the mirror and seeing differences, and you know, especially when I've had to punch a new hole in my belt, it's like yes, and I'm headed in the right and I ain't, I ain't going back and buying your new pants that are smaller size.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

I mean, that's a huge non-scale victory too.

Joe Lee:

Mm-hmm. Yeah, I couldn't believe it. I was up in Wisconsin a few weeks back and they had jeans on sale and I thought I'm just going to try these on because my 36s were feeling a bit loose. So I grabbed a couple pairs of 34s and I tried them on before I bought them and they fit Like oh my god. I haven't been in a size 34 since I was probably 25 years old, 26 years old well.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

Thank you so much, joe, for sharing your journey. It's been an honor and um, just keep them, you know, encouraging and motivating and sharing your story, because you never know who's listening well, thanks for having me on.

Joe Lee:

I I appreciate it.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

You enjoy your evening and enjoy those little fire babies you got.

Joe Lee:

I'm going to get them outside right now, and then we're going to put on a couple hundred more smiles tonight, I think.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

You be safe out there and take care.

Joe Lee:

All right, you too. Thanks again.

Malinda Fox-Wellington:

You're welcome. Bye, Joe.

Joe Lee:

Bye.

Dino Grigoriadis:

Wow, what a journey that Joe just took us on. This is Dino again, and I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty inspired right now. Joe just showed us that healthier living on the road isn't just possible. It's absolutely doable.

Joe Lee:

Let's recap what worked for him.

Dino Grigoriadis:

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 easy dish cleaning so he can cook healthier meals in the truck. Making smart choices at truck stops. What have you got to lose? Give some of these a try, see you guys next week.

Cindy Tunstall:

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 we have a fantastic show coming up next week, y'all.

Cindy Tunstall:

I interviewed this guy. His name is Wayne Spalding and he says that he has a way to quit smoking. The easy way Also applies to vaping and drinking alcohol. Whatever you're trying to give up, he has this technique. It's an Alan Carr's method of quit smoking the easy way.

Cindy Tunstall:

Honestly, I quit smoking and drinking years ago and it was not easy. I had a very strong addiction to both and it was very difficult for me. So I went into this interview with him very doubtful is a good way to describe it, but he has won me over. He gave so many practical things that we could do differently to break that cycle of addiction. So whether you've tried many times or you're just starting to toy with the idea that you might be ready to give it up, you have to tune into next week's episode. It's a game changer, y'all. I'm not exaggerating. So if you know somebody that struggle with addiction or cigarettes, vaping, alcohol I guess you could probably even apply some of these techniques to you know binging sugar, overeating or fast food or whatever. I think there's lots of applications for all of us. I personally was very enlightened and inspired by the things that he said. So I also have some drivers that are going to be coming on that have also quit using this easy way method, and I just can't. My mind is blown. I wish I had known about this years ago, when I was about to chew my arm off to try to quit smoking Anyway. So y'all stay tuned for that.

Cindy Tunstall:

Okay, we're going to end this episode with Joe. Um Lee is going to share his poem again. I absolutely love this poem. I think it speaks to this heart of a driver where it just gets in your blood and you just can't let go of that desire to get out there on the open road. I know many of you can relate to this poem, so I wanted y'all to hear it one more time. So I'm going to turn it back over to Joe and let him share it with us one more time in this closing and I'll see y'all next time.

Joe Lee:

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 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.

Joe Lee:

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 excitement and joy, and a dream came alive inside that young boy. Well, I've done many things in my life since that day, and although that dream faded, it never went away. Every time a rig passed me and rolled on its way, there was a voice in my head that said maybe someday. Well, here I am, over 40, with a brand new career, and I can hardly believe it. As I look in the mirror checking my trailer and the road left behind. Here I am living my dream, a mile at a time.

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Cindy Tunstall

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