Drive

Lara Heimann, physical therapist, yoga teacher, and wellness coach, shares how to work movement into your day to reduce aches, pains, and fatigue. Even when you’re limited on space or time (AKA behind the wheel), Laura has tips on how you can still incorporate movement into your life.

"You don't have to step out of the truck and do 20 minutes of movement. You can do a few things that help to soften that neural tension that makes your body feel really tight."

Lara is the creator of the LYT Yoga method, which is a form of yoga that is purpose-built for every level of movement. In this episode, you’ll learn:

[4:00] The importance of movement for overall health and well-being

[9:30] How the brain is involved in movement

[22:00] The benefits of yoga for improving movement habits

Resources: LYT yoga: https://lytyoga.com/

Driving a truck through bad weather can be challenging and dangerous.  

And Devan Stormont saw a need to be met in this area of the trucking world.

Devan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Weather Route, and his passion for logistics and his own personal experience led him to create software to help truckers navigate through poor weather conditions. In this episode, Devan shares with Zac and Chelsea the unique features of the app they developed, Highway Weather, that cater specifically to truck drivers, including tailored weather information depending on your vehicle type and highlighting higher wind gusts for safer driving. He also dives into the dynamic between him and his co-founder, Alex, giving us insights into their backgrounds, how they came together for this venture, and why their partnership has been instrumental in the success of Weather Route.

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• [04:09] How to solve everyday problems on the road.

• [11:18] The dangers of driving in unpredictable weather.

• [17:28] Tips on how to get the most out of the app.

Connect with the Guest:

• Devan Stormont’s LinkedIn

• Alex Kizis’ LinkedIn

• www.weatherroute.io 

Logistics companies need to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to engagement and instead focus on building one-on-one relationships with each employee.

But what does this look like? What are the steps for doing so? 

Matthew Zarzycki, Chief Operating Officer at Amplify Logistics, has a deep passion for logistics and transportation. In this episode of Drive by HandledNow, Matthew dives into various topics such as the importance of individualized employee engagement strategies, the use of technology in the logistics industry, the potential of AI, and challenges between different generations and the need for compromise and understanding.

Listen in to hear Matthew, Zac, and Chelsea discuss:

[07:13] The importance of cultivating a culture of inclusion and humility in the workplace

[12:45] The potential of AI and machine learning in improving driver and dispatcher connectivity

[24:55] The challenges and benefits of utilizing technology trends in the logistics industry

Resources

• Amplify Logistics website

• Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn

• Connect with Amplify Logistics on LinkedIn

With turnover rates increasing and driver shortages looming over our industry, retaining talent has never been more important than it is now.

Justin Walters, Professional Services Lead for Tenstreet, has had a longstanding passion for recruitment in the transportation industry. In the first episode of season four, Justin emphasizes the importance of creating more personal relationships with your employees, and shares the many ways in which Tenstreet’s technology is impacting the transportation industry, bridging the gap between companies, drivers, and customers.

Listen in to hear Justin, Zac, and Chelsea discuss:

[6:35] How engaging with your drivers can increase retention and performance

[16:14] How recruitment is adapting to new changes in company culture

[21:43] Tenstreet’s technology, tools, and apps for drivers

Resources:

• Tenstreet website

• Connect with Justin on LinkedIn

• Connect with Tenstreet on LinkedIn

Welcome to Season 4 of Drive by HandledNow. This season we are happy to introduce a new hosting voice to the podcast, Chelsea Faulkner. Chelsea joins veteran host, Zac Elsts to interview drivers, business owners, logistics experts and more to bring you valuable insights to both experienced professionals and newcomers in the industry.

This season will cover the crucial role that truck drivers play in keeping US supply chains running smoothly, the importance of connection and community for drivers, and continued insights into career advancement within the industry. And as always, we help you make the most out of life on the road. 

To end off this season of Drive, Host Zac Elsts joins the Troll Co. guys, Justin Lazerte and Jason Tremblay, to go in-depth about pursuing your career goals and dreams.

In this episode, the guys talk about promoting skilled labor jobs and trades on social media, as well as the importance of camaraderie and relaxation after a hard day's work. Tune in to discover how Troll Co. Clothing is supporting blue-collar workers, promoting trade jobs for the next generation, and their organization partnerships with Fisher House, Boot campaign, and Valor Place, donating over $300,000 to support military families.

Tune in to learn:

[00:58] The importance of following through on your career goals while realizing it sometimes takes a while to actually pursue something you've been thinking about, but it's worth it!

[07:35] Take the time to celebrate the “tools down” moments where you can connect with others and build stronger relationships.

[20:50] Supporting charitable organizations and programs can make a significant impact on people's lives.

Resources

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn

Troll Co. Clothing

Five Nine Whiskey

Follow Troll Co. Clothing on InstagramFollow Troll Co. Clothing on TikTok

Every year, truckers gather in Philadelphia, Delaware, and the Susquehanna Valley for one reason - to make an impact in someone’s life.

The Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy is an event that raises money and shows compassion and support for sick children and their families.

Joining us once again on Drive is Terry Finch. As Co-chair of the Convoy Committee, Terry works diligently to ensure the event exceeds its fundraising goals each year, ultimately impacting the lives of hundreds of children and their families.

This week on the show, Terry and Zac discuss:

[2:18] The story behind the Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy

[11:00] Honoring the families of Wish Kids

[17:07] Where to donate and how you can participate in the convoy

Resources

• Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy
• Make-A-Wish Foundation
• Link to Register
• Link to Donate

Max Farrell, a former tech worker, went on a cross-country mission to discover the root cause of driver turnover in the trucking industry. What he found was that drivers don't feel respected and their voices weren't being heard. His journey led him on a wild ride with a turntable trucker and to a shocking discovery that changed the course of the industry forever. Now, Max is on a mission to revolutionize the way people work through WorkHound, a company that helps covenant logistics improve retention from frontline employees.

In this episode, Max discusses the significance of real-time employee feedback in devising successful retention strategies, the hidden costs of high turnover rates within the trucking industry and how to address them, the importance of creating a communication loop to empower frontline workers, and more.

Tune in to learn about:

[13:09] The importance of purpose in the workplace

[17:32] The impact of small things in the workplace

[24:50] WorkHound's impact on driver psychology

Resources:

• WorkHound’s website
• WorkHound’s Blog
• Connect with WorkHound on LinkedIn
• Connect with Max on LinkedIn
• WorkHound’s Youtube Channel

Even with so much uncertainty in our current economy, there's still a consistent appetite for mergers and acquisitions in our field.

Spencer Tenney has dedicated his career to helping business owners succeed in the rapidly evolving world of trucking. He’s the President and CEO of the Tenney Group, a firm that specializes in M&A in the transportation industry. His hands-on experience and deep understanding of the field have made him a trusted advisor to transportation professionals in their pursuit of success. 

Tune in to learn about:

[8:38] How to vet the companies that you’re interested in working for

[15:08] The current trends in the trucking industry and where things are headed

[21:07] Mergers and Acquisitions in today’s economic climate 

Resources

• The Tenney Group website

• Connect with Spencer on LinkedIn

• Connect with Tenney Group on LinkedIn

• In the Hot Seat | The Business of Transportation

In this replay episode...

Driving all day brings about a unique challenge for the body: your mind must stay alert and focused, working overtime for long stretches of the day while the body is mostly inactive, leaving it craving movement and stretching everybody needs to thrive.

On this episode of Drive, Zach Elsts sits down with Erica Ballard, healthy living expert and coach, to talk about this unique challenge and her best tips for drivers to live healthy while behind the wheel. Erica breaks down some misconceptions about healthy living while on the road and offers tangible tips and tricks for drivers to start implementing on their next drive.