On this week’s episode of Taking the Hire Road, Shaun Lezer, professional CDL driver of over a decade, sat down with host Jeremy Reymer, founder of DriverReach and Project 61, to discuss the health challenges drivers face while delivering the nation’s goods. Lezer shares what motivated him to make some critical decisions to improve his health, and discusses the importance of taking small steps in the right direction.
Lezer, like many drivers, was looking for a reliable income at a young age, and a truck driving school presented him the opportunity to gain valuable skills to provide for his family.
“From a career standpoint, it was clear that trucking was a stable path for me,” he said.
Beyond the constant demand for skilled drivers, it can also be a rewarding and fulfilling field. With over a decade as a driver, Lezer has seen firsthand the importance of commercial truck drivers and the freight industry to the function of the economy and the country.
“The most impactful moments of my career came during COVID,” he said. “I was working at Safeway Albertson’s, and seeing all the freight moved to grocery stores during that time was eye-opening. It was clear when things were shut down how much people still relied on those loads we were bringing every day.”
Now, Lezer works for In-N-Out Burger, a role that enables him to be home every day. “Even though I work nights, I get to spend a lot more time with family,” he said. “At my stage of life, that was incredibly important to me, and I can manage the schedule of four days on and four days off very well.”
The biggest challenge for drivers and their health comes down to food choices, according to Lezer. “If you’ve had an 11-hour day and wind up at a remote truck stop, there aren’t very many healthy options,” he said.
“The unhealthy choices are right there and easily accessible,” Lezer said. “When you’re exhausted, your brain just wants to grab the fast, easy meal or snack.”
Most drivers have only a refrigerator and microwave in their truck, making it difficult to properly store and prepare healthier food. “If you’re trying to eat healthy, you have to prepare most of your meals in the truck,” Lezer said. “It can be hard to strategically restock your fridge when you have the chance. You can only hold so much, maybe three or four days’ worth of meals.”
Many drivers need help with education, as the worst options are the most readily available.
Simply knowing what’s healthy and what’s unhealthy is part of the struggle, according to Lezer.
“When you get acclimated to it, you’re constantly chasing a sugar high,” he said. “Truckstop food is so full of processed sugar that you feel like you need it after you have a sugar crash. You can get in a habit of feeding yourself more sugar to stay alert, and that’s a terrible cycle.”
The catalyst and motivation for Lezer’s decision to change his health came when he realized how many of his family members had suffered from diabetes and other serious conditions later in life.
“I made the choice to make drastic changes in my life to be healthier mentally and physically for my family so I could have more good years with them,” Lezer said. “I want to prevent diseases like diabetes by making healthy choices now while I can.”
The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund program has been a massive help to Lezer and many others.
“I can’t say enough about how amazing the people at St. Christopher are,” Lezer said. “They listen to the drivers with no judgment, and it’s been an incredible gamechanger to have that feedback and education in a really positive way.”
To Lezer, one of the most vital benefits has come in the form of small changes that are manageable and that can last forever.
“I’m now getting 10,000 steps every day,” he said. “The small daily changes make the biggest difference. I also used to struggle with staying hydrated, but now I’m aware of it and plan out my days to drink plenty of water. Likewise, portion control is another big issue that is a concrete way to manage a healthy diet, and St. Christopher has helped educate me on all of that.”
“One thing that has really helped me is being purposeful about eating until I’m full, and then stopping,” Lezer said. “It’s the American way to eat until it’s gone, but we have to be careful, especially if we’re eating processed food.”
Simple but concrete efforts with diet, exercise and routine are the key to a healthier life for drivers, says Lezer. Organizations like St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund and Project 61 are making impactful strides in educating and supporting drivers as they make necessary changes to their lifestyles.
Sponsors: DriverReach, Lanefinder, The National Transportation Institute, Career Now Brands, Carrier Intelligence, Infinit-I Workforce Solutions, WorkHound, Asurint, Arya By Leoforce, Seiza, Drive My Way, F|Staff, Trucksafe Consulting, Seated Social, Repowr
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