“How the pursuit of joy and wonder can change your life.” Sounds bold, right? But Dr. Mike Rucker, author of The Fun Habit, swears it’s not just theory—it’s science. He shares how fun beats burnout, sharpens focus, and helps you stay human, even when you’re living life OTR.

We dig into why fun isn’t fluff—it’s fuel—and how building small moments of joy can help you focus better, stress less, and actually enjoy the life you’re working so hard for. Dr. Rucker explains how tiny “micro-moments” of fun can reset your energy, strengthen impulse control, and shift your mindset from surviving to thriving. We also talk about how to find two hours of true enjoyment each day, no matter where you are.

Then we roll into a rapid-fire highlight reel from the road: drivers share the many ways they’re enjoying life OTR—from geocaching and zip-lining to helicopter rides on a 30-minute break, national park pit stops, and cookouts with new friends. Different personalities, different budgets—same outcome: more resilient, more present, more you.

Huge thanks to Dr. Mike Rucker for the wisdom—and to every driver who shared their stories and ideas. Your creativity is why this community works.

Listen in, steal a few ideas, and try one this week. Progress, not perfection.

Guest: Dr. Mike Rucker, author of The Fun Habit
Connect with Mike: [Website] | [Instagram] | [LinkedIn] |
Buy the Book: [The Fun Habit – Purchase Link]

#EnjoyingLifeOTR #HealthierTruckers #TheFunHabit

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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 EnjoyingLifeOTR@gmail.com #HealthierTruckers #EnjoyingLifeOTR #TruckerWellness #OTRLife #WorkLifeBalance

Cindy takes the mic solo this week to share exciting updates for the Enjoying Life OTR community! From the newly revamped website to a growing blog featuring guest stories and behind-the-scenes content, there's more ways than ever to connect. She also dives into the difference between the Enjoying Life OTR Facebook page and private group, sharing why both are valuable for drivers looking to engage.

Plus, a heartfelt thank you to all who have left reviews and shared the podcast—you’re making this community stronger every day! Brian will be back next episode, but in the meantime, Cindy invites you to explore past episodes, check out the blog, and stay involved.

If you enjoy the show, the best way to support it is to share with a fellow driver!

🔗 Join the Conversation:
🌎 Website & Blog: EnjoyingLifeOTR.com
📌 Facebook Group: Enjoying Life OTR (Private)
📌 Facebook Page: Enjoying Life OTR (Public)

#EnjoyingLifeOTR #HealthierTruckers #TruckerCommunity

Send us a text

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 EnjoyingLifeOTR@gmail.com #HealthierTruckers #EnjoyingLifeOTR #TruckerWellness #OTRLife #WorkLifeBalance

Thinking about starting your own trucking company? Before you take the leap, let’s get real about the costs, challenges, and strategies for making it work.

In this episode of Enjoying Life OTR, Cindy Tunstall and Kyle Hutchinson break down the real steps to going independent—from getting your own MC authority to securing freight and building relationships with shippers.

Kyle shares insider strategies on negotiating rates, finding the best lanes, avoiding bad brokers, and how he built relationships with brokers and shippers to secure higher-paying freight—without relying on load boards. He also breaks down how to determine real market rates (not just what brokers tell you!) and how to negotiate fair layover fees so you’re properly compensated for downtime.

Cindy talks about her biggest lessons learned in launching her own authority and the biggest mistakes new owner-operators make. Plus, they tackle the age-old debate: Is it really the right time to start a trucking company?

If you’ve ever wondered whether owning a trucking business is for you, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

Get Cindy’s Free Guide: A step-by-step checklist for launching your own trucking company. Just click "Send Us a Text" in the show notes and send Cindy your email address.

Connect with Kyle Hutchinson--Follow The Tall Garage Facebook group and Youtube Channel.

Enjoying Life OTR Podcast drops new episodes on the 1st and 15th! Hit subscribe and keep rolling with us.

#EnjoyingLifeOTR #HealthierTruckers #OwnerOperator #TruckingBusiness #FreightHauling

Send us a text

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 EnjoyingLifeOTR@gmail.com #HealthierTruckers #EnjoyingLifeOTR #TruckerWellness #OTRLife #WorkLifeBalance