How our program started
How our program started, hummm.
Well, let’s say I gave my HEALTH up for it.
In January of 2000 I developed heart and lung problems, something my family did not have a history of. Thou it was mild and only keep me in the hospital for a couple of weeks, I will have problems for the rest of my life. I had been in the trucking industry for more than 25 years, and I did not want to get out of what I though was a great job in the over sized heavy haul division. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that my driving career was over. I no longer had the strength to do the job.
After a few months of pouting, I began looking for other jobs in our industry and began working with companies that sold things like oil additives, hand cleaners and truck accessories. This is where the real – program - started.
When you get to talk to the drivers after their hours are done, or have the long weekend to sit around with them, you get to hear and see the real driver and what trucking does to them as an employee. We began to hear stories about how drivers have had heart attacks on the road, drivers that had to rush from point A to point B and get little if any sleep. How in the last few years they have put over 50 pounds on the frame and now deal with diabetes, all this starts to makes you wonder if the trucking industry is really a safe place to work.
After a few months of dealing with the drivers, I saw my calling. I started getting some question forms out and asked drivers if they would fill them out. Over 90% did fill them out; the problem came when we started reading them. We got names like Donald Duck, Goofy, or none at all. I asked the drivers; what’s up? Their answer always came back the same. We don’t want this information out to the company.
After a few years of trying different forms and free hand outs we now get information that is vital to our industry. The drivers see us, know us and some are willing to help change themselves
and this industry. They figure anyone out here at 9 pm and is not getting paid for it must want to help us.
Why help them change, you ask?
1-The rate of stress related heart attacks in the trucking industry has risen 54 -74% in the last 5 years. STATS - out of five (5) drivers - 1 will die, 2 will be on medication and the next two will have higher than normal blood pressure readings 90% of the time he drives, and will be on medication soon.
2 -The rate of obesity, not only in our nation, but especially in the trucking industry is over 93%. This along with no or very little exercise will increase workmen’s comp payout by at least 600% in the next 2 years. Not to mention the famous back problem. 1 over weight person cost 3 times as much to repair as 1 normal weight person.
3 – Diabetes; lets not get started.
Some one had to do something.
I did.
The new programs we design, like Walk A Mile America for 2008, is intended to help motivate drivers, their companies and possibility their families to start a new way of getting fit. One step at a time
I can not do this alone; we need a corporate awareness for all companies, drivers and families. You can help by supporting our programs and setting up additional program through our company links.
Well, let’s say I gave my HEALTH up for it.
In January of 2000 I developed heart and lung problems, something my family did not have a history of. Thou it was mild and only keep me in the hospital for a couple of weeks, I will have problems for the rest of my life. I had been in the trucking industry for more than 25 years, and I did not want to get out of what I though was a great job in the over sized heavy haul division. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that my driving career was over. I no longer had the strength to do the job.
After a few months of pouting, I began looking for other jobs in our industry and began working with companies that sold things like oil additives, hand cleaners and truck accessories. This is where the real – program - started.
When you get to talk to the drivers after their hours are done, or have the long weekend to sit around with them, you get to hear and see the real driver and what trucking does to them as an employee. We began to hear stories about how drivers have had heart attacks on the road, drivers that had to rush from point A to point B and get little if any sleep. How in the last few years they have put over 50 pounds on the frame and now deal with diabetes, all this starts to makes you wonder if the trucking industry is really a safe place to work.
After a few months of dealing with the drivers, I saw my calling. I started getting some question forms out and asked drivers if they would fill them out. Over 90% did fill them out; the problem came when we started reading them. We got names like Donald Duck, Goofy, or none at all. I asked the drivers; what’s up? Their answer always came back the same. We don’t want this information out to the company.
After a few years of trying different forms and free hand outs we now get information that is vital to our industry. The drivers see us, know us and some are willing to help change themselves
and this industry. They figure anyone out here at 9 pm and is not getting paid for it must want to help us.
Why help them change, you ask?
1-The rate of stress related heart attacks in the trucking industry has risen 54 -74% in the last 5 years. STATS - out of five (5) drivers - 1 will die, 2 will be on medication and the next two will have higher than normal blood pressure readings 90% of the time he drives, and will be on medication soon.
2 -The rate of obesity, not only in our nation, but especially in the trucking industry is over 93%. This along with no or very little exercise will increase workmen’s comp payout by at least 600% in the next 2 years. Not to mention the famous back problem. 1 over weight person cost 3 times as much to repair as 1 normal weight person.
3 – Diabetes; lets not get started.
Some one had to do something.
I did.
The new programs we design, like Walk A Mile America for 2008, is intended to help motivate drivers, their companies and possibility their families to start a new way of getting fit. One step at a time
I can not do this alone; we need a corporate awareness for all companies, drivers and families. You can help by supporting our programs and setting up additional program through our company links.