#47 Healing Adventure and Exploration with Gemma Ford

06/11/24 • 43 min

Ever wondered how a life-altering event can pivot your career and lead to an inspiring new journey? Meet Gemma Ford, a former ER trauma nurse who transformed her grief into an adventurous life as a long-haul truck driver. Listen as she recounts her journey from the ER to the open road after the sudden loss of her husband. Gemma shares her experiences of discovering new places, savoring local cuisines, and making significant lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and losing 40 pounds, to enjoy a healthier life with her grandchildren.
What does it take to push past social anxiety and embrace new experiences on the road? A fellow truck driver opens up about their transformative journey from initial hesitation to stepping out of their truck and exploring iconic landmarks, geocaching, and even enduring a daunting 14-mile walk back to their vehicle. This segment underscores the importance of overcoming social anxieties to enrich your life with memorable adventures, even in the often isolating profession of truck driving.
Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial during long work hours, and this episode delves into strategies like positive self-talk and empathy to combat loneliness and anxiety. From simple interactions that uncover deeper stories to the benefits of healthier lifestyle choices, including keto diets and intermittent fasting, the episode offers practical advice for truckers. Tune in to discover the power of community support, personal anecdotes, and the importance of staying engaged with our podcast and online groups for a fulfilling life on the road.
Gemma Ford is a leader in the Enjoying Life OTR Facebook group, so you can connect with her there. She has shared so many great OTR adventures.

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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 [email protected] #HealthierTruckers #EnjoyingLifeOTR #TruckerWellness #OTRLife #WorkLifeBalance

Send us a text

For questions or to be a guest, email our host, Cindy Tunstall at [email protected] #HealthierTruckers #EnjoyingLifeOTR #TruckerWellness #OTRLife #WorkLifeBalance

Previous Episode

#46 Personalized Nutrition: Truckers' Route

Grab your keys and get ready to shift your health into high gear! This episode is your trucking convoy to better nutrition and wellness while hauling loads. You'll hear from two dietary detectives, Rheece & Michale Hartte who have cracked the code on building personalized nutrition plans tailored for life on the road.

Instead of just counting calories, discover how comprehensive lab work can provide the roadmap to a customized wellness strategy that tackles issues like diabetes head-on. Learn the key distinctions between different nutrition professionals and why that clinical, holistic approach is so pivotal.

But it goes way beyond just diet plans. Get inspired by real-life examples of truckers who have transformed their health by establishing sustainable routines and mindset shifts while rolling miles. Simple but consistent dietary upgrades, perfectly calibrated to unpredictable driving schedules, have allowed these road warriors to lose significant weight and reclaim their vitality.

As you steer through the show, you'll gain expert guidance on nutrients that are often nutrition mysteries, like separating good and bad fats, the role of fiber for cholesterol management, and so much more. Whether you're just getting started on your wellness journey or already hauling towards better health, this episode provides a clearly marked route to eating smarter and boosting energy levels - one nourishing meal at a time.

Tune in for a wealth of invaluable nutrition intel that will have you taking the wheel towards a happier, healthier life out on the open road!

FREE Facebook Group (fWeight Loss, Workouts, Meal Plans, Mindset, & Motivation)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitnhealthywithM

Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/mhartte

Send us a text

For questions or to be a guest, email our host, Cindy Tunstall at [email protected] #HealthierTruckers #EnjoyingLifeOTR #TruckerWellness #OTRLife #WorkLifeBalance

Next Episode

#48 Triathlon Triumph: Brian's 55-Pound Transformation Journey

Truckers, meet Brian Wilson- an inspiring driver who battled smoking, alcoholism, obesity and joint pain but emerged victorious through perseverance. In this candid "Healthier Truckers" episode, long-hauler Brian shares his incredible 55-pound weight loss journey.

Hear Brian's motivating story, from struggling with lack of energy to finding determination through a New Year's resolution in 2021. He reveals his diet overhaul embracing nutritious foods and portion control, incorporating daily walking, pushing through knee pain to jog, and taking up cycling with his triathlete son's support.

Brian provides a roadmap packed with tips for truckers: using fitness apps to track progress, setting incremental milestones, recovering from plateaus. You'll learn how an uplifting community, including his son who motivated Brian's transformation.

Whether you want to lose weight, increase energy, manage joint pain or live healthier on the road, Brian's story offers powerful motivation that major lifestyle change is possible through consistency. Get inspired by his tenacity to start your own trucker fitness journey!
Community and support play a pivotal role in any transformation journey, and this episode highlights just that. Join our "Enjoying Life OTR" and "Healthier Truckers" communities where you can connect with others who share your goals.
If you'd like to follow Brian's journey, he regularly posts updates and goes live on Facebook to share his rides and milestones. You can find and follow him at

Brian Wilson

Send us a text

For questions or to be a guest, email our host, Cindy Tunstall at [email protected] #HealthierTruckers #EnjoyingLifeOTR #TruckerWellness #OTRLife #WorkLifeBalance

Enjoying Life OTR - #47 Healing Adventure and Exploration with Gemma Ford

Transcript

Cindy Tunstall00:00:01.562

Enjoying Life Over the Road , a community that champions adventure , innovation and well-being .

Cindy Tunstall00:00:10.461

Welcome back to Enjoying Life , otr . My name is Cindy Tunstall and I'm your host . Today's guest has so many great tips for enjoying life . Otr . She's really taking advantage of the opportunity to travel , even while being a team dri