Watch episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QILNrGk8Sfs

He started with one truck at 18 years old — and went bankrupt within a year. Most people would have quit. Kendal Mast didn't.

Today, KM Wood Products runs 60+ trucks, hauls some of the heaviest freight in the country, and has quietly become one of the biggest players in AI data center freight — with 65% of their entire fleet dedicated to it.

But the road here wasn't straight. Kendal rebuilt this company from zero multiple times, survived COVID with his family living in the truck, fired his entire driver pool to save key contracts, and learned million-dollar lessons the hard way.

This is one of the most raw, honest conversations we've had on the BulkLoads Podcast. If you're an owner-operator, a small fleet owner, or just someone trying to build something real — this one's for you.

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⏱ TIMECODES

00:00 — Starting with one log truck at 18

01:02 — Switching to wood chips and surviving early failure

01:33 — Going OTR, hiring owner operators, and pivoting to flatbed

02:24 — COVID hits — lays everyone off and starts over with his family in the truck

03:05 — How he rebuilt to 60 trucks

04:11 — The partner situation that nearly destroyed key contracts

07:01 — Fleet breakdown: RGN, step deck, tanks, and heavy haul

08:02 — The 99-load gas plant project that changed his entire strategy

09:32 — Why he only chases projects with 20+ loads

10:56 — Oversized and super load regulations explained

12:43 — How permitting works state to state

14:18 — Managing fuel costs and surcharges in heavy haul

16:16 — Why the freight market is finally turning in 2026

17:00 — AI data centers driving 65% of their freight volume

19:01 — Moving MARTA tram cars into Atlanta

20:19 — How he connected with Jesse Bounds and 10-4 Coaching

22:26 — The two biggest things he learned from coaching

24:33 — Growth mindset — the plan to reach 100+ trucks

26:24 — Trailer rental and freight brokerage as side revenue

27:26 — How word of mouth and showing up wins more business than load boards

29:36 — Faith, peace, and giving it to God

31:23 — His 5am morning routine: sauna, Bible app, and prayer

33:07 — His biggest weakness as a leader

34:39 — Biggest mistakes: wrong accountant and a million-dollar lease deal

About BulkLoads: BulkLoads is the #1 bulk freight marketplace connecting carriers and shippers across the country. Whether you're hauling grain, fertilizer, heavy haul, or anything in between — we help you find the freight that fits your operation.

👉 Start finding loads today at BulkLoads.com

#BulkLoads #Trucking #HeavyHaul #DataCenterFreight #OwnerOperator #TruckingPodcast #FreightMarket #Flatbed #KMWoodProducts

Check out our companies!

BulkLoads - https://www.bulkloads.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=KM+Podcast

Insurance - https://www.bulkinsurancegroup.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=KM+Podcast

Factoring - https://www.smartfreightfunding.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=KM+Podcast

Transportation Management (TMS) - https://www.bulktms.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=KM+Podcast