In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Brian Walker, Lead Instructor at Randolph Community College’s Truck Driver Training Program, 13-time North Carolina Truck Driving Champion, and 2019 National Truck Driving Champion, to talk about the skill, focus, and patience behind professional truck driving.

Brian discusses:

-His family’s trucking legacy and how he followed in his father’s championship footsteps -What it takes to win at state and national truck driving competitions — and why it starts with a perfect pre-trip -How patience, discipline, and awareness define the difference between driving and professional driving -What students learn in Randolph Community College’s 10-week CDL program -How competition precision translates into safer, more confident drivers on the road

With decades of experience on the road and in the classroom, Brian shows how the next generation of drivers can elevate their craft — one mile, one maneuver, and one lesson at a time.

What's next?

Tune in weekly for new episodes! Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/

Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Jamie Hagen, owner of Hell Bent Xpress and long-time Mack Trucks advocate, to talk about the business, discipline, and data behind running a successful trucking operation. Known for his fleet of Gen One Anthems and now a striking amber-orange Mack Pioneer and his social media presence, Jamie brings an open, practical look at the everyday challenges and rewards of life on the road.

Jamie discusses:

-His family roots in trucking and how Hell Bent Xpress was born

-How he achieves fuel efficiency numbers up to 25% better than the national average

-The evolution from driver to fleet owner — and what it really takes to grow responsibly

-How Mack Trucks’ customization and dealer support help fleets succeed

-The features of his new Pure Profit Pioneer and why it’s changing his business

With humor, humility, and hard-earned insight, Jamie proves that trucking success is built one penny, one mile, and one relationship at a time.

What's next?

Tune in weekly for new episodes!

Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:

https://mackshop.com/

Book a virtual truck tour!

https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Jared Sweeney, Vice President, Transportation Group at Cottingham & Butler, joins Beyond the Bulldog to demystify trucking insurance—why costs keep climbing and what fleets can actually control.

Jared breaks down:

-What drives premium increases and how underwriters assess risk (claims history, CSA profile, routes, driver pool)

-Practical ways to lower total cost: top-down safety culture, spec and maintenance discipline, dash cams, smarter deductibles

-Group captives 101: when they fit mid-size fleets, how loss funds work, and why dividends are possible

-Navigating a volatile market: telling a credible safety story to carriers and avoiding jurisdictional “hellholes”

-Why cameras protect drivers and accelerate fair claims outcomes

-Key takeaways from Cottingham & Butler’s Transportation Summit that leaders can apply immediately

Whether you run 10 trucks or 1,000, this episode gives you actionable strategies to manage risk—not just buy insurance.

What’s next?

Tune in weekly for new episodes!

Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:

https://mackshop.com/

Book a virtual truck tour!

https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

In her second of three appearances, Ingrid Brown—46-year professional driver, Operations Manager at Blackjack Express, and long-time Women In Trucking (WIT) board member—joins Beyond the Bulldog to talk about how women are shaping every corner of trucking.

Ingrid discusses:

-The real challenges women face on the road—and why clear, accurate communication beats stereotypes

-How WIT supports drivers: mentorship, scholarships, the Whitney education trailer, image team, and recognition programs

-Mental health on the road: reducing isolation, knowing when to ask for help, and building support systems

-Equipment and ergonomics: practical fixes and why design matters for every body

-Career paths beyond the cab: mechanics, safety, dispatch, brokerage, leadership—and how women thrive across the industry

With candor and humor, Ingrid shows how inclusion, mentorship, and equal standards make fleets safer, stronger, and more resilient.

What’s next?

Tune in weekly for new episodes!

Learn more about Women in Trucking:

https://www.womenintrucking.org/

Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:

https://mackshop.com/

Book a virtual truck tour!

https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Jason Johnson, Founder and CEO of Project K9 Hero, a nonprofit dedicated to caring for retired military, police, and fire service dogs. From his early days as a U.S. Army MP and federal K9 instructor to launching a nationwide program, Jason shares his mission to give these canine heroes the care and dignity they deserve after service.

Jason discusses:

1. His journey from soldier to police officer to federal K9 instructor

2. The stories of heroism behind dogs like Sergeant Yeager and K9 Chief

3. How Project K9 Hero provides medical care, rehabilitation, and rehoming for retired service dogs

4. The organization’s capital campaign to expand its Tennessee rehabilitation and sanctuary facility

With over 350 dogs served since 2016, Jason and his team are ensuring that America’s four-legged heroes live out their lives with honor, comfort, and care.

What's next?

Tune in weekly for new episodes!

Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:

https://mackshop.com/

Book a virtual truck tour!

https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Amit Alhuwalia, co-founder of Class8, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping trucking operations and helping fleets build resilience in both strong and weak markets. Amit discusses: -How Class8 applies AI to fleet data to drive smarter business decisions -Why resilience matters during today’s extended freight recession -How Load Finder, offered through Mack Trucks, helps drivers and fleets secure smarter backhauls and optimize profitability With his deep background in logistics, technology, and trucking, Amit brings a fresh perspective on how practical AI tools can empower both owner-operators and large fleets to thrive in an unpredictable industry. What's next? Tune in weekly for new episodes! Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Ingrid Brown, professional driver and Operations Manager at Blackjack Express, LLC. With more than four decades behind the wheel, Ingrid shares her journey from starting out as an owner-operator to now leading drivers in refrigerated transport. Ingrid discusses: -Why culture and trust matter more than shiny trucks when it comes to retaining drivers -The realities of life on the road and how mentorship helps new drivers succeed -What she looks for when hiring drivers and building a strong team at Blackjack Express Ingrid’s story highlights both the grit of trucking and the importance of people-first leadership in keeping America’s freight moving. What's next? Tune in weekly for new episodes! Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Gary Moneypenny, CDL transport driver with Jackson Motorsports. From hauling tires in the desert to delivering Aston Martin race parts across America, Gary shares the unique life of a motorsports truck driver — where the job is only 30% driving and 70% building relationships, solving problems, and representing the brand. Gary discusses: -How he went from oil rigs to his first CDL job with BFGoodrich -The evolution from off-road racing to road courses — and why the tires mean everything -Why trucking in motorsports is more about relationships, service, and image than just the miles -Stories from the paddock: Paul Newman, celebrity hauls, and lessons in generosity With humor, humility, and heart, Gary shows how trucking isn’t just about moving freight — it’s about representing a brand, serving a community, and creating stories that last a lifetime. What's next? Tune in weekly for new episodes! Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/