Send us Fan Mail

Powered by:
➡️ Red Line Synthetic Oil: redlineoil.com
➡️ AMD: autometaldirect.com

In this episode of the Gearheads n' Gasoline podcast, join Barry and Katie Abraham, guest co-host from Ironman 4X4, as Christina Lardie, from Christina’s Garage: Gearhead in Training, and learn about Christina's automotive journey and influencer Insights.

Christina Lardie, a self-proclaimed gearhead in training, shares her inspiring story of learning to work on cars from scratch, building her personal brand, and navigating the automotive industry as a newcomer. This episode dives deep into how passion, perseverance, and authentic relationship-building drive success in this competitive space. Listen to the podcast to hear Christina give advice to women and beginners entering the automotive aftermarket industry, emphasizing confidence, authenticity, and relationship-building.

Takeaways:

• Christina’s background and how her family’s love for cars influenced her journey
• The inception of her YouTube channel, Christina’s Garage, and her fresh perspective as a newbie
• How she connected with industry events like SEMA and PRI without prior industry experience
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and managing mental health while learning new skills
• The importance of authenticity, patience, and showing up consistently

Guest Bio:
As a lifestyle and automotive content creator, Christina Lardie is learning how to embrace life head-on. Instead of wishing there were more real people to relate to online, Christina chose to embody the change she wanted to see. Whether it’s learning how to build a 1969 Camaro, lifting weights, discussing mental health, or becoming an active member of the community, everything is grounded in authenticity, vulnerability, and integrity.

Guest:
Christina Lardie, Christina’s Garage: Gearhead in Training

• facebook.com/61558031831375
• instagram.com/christinalardie
• youtube.com/@christinasgarage
• x.com/christinalardie

Host:
Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital

• maximizesales@motorheaddigital.com
• motorheaddigital.com
• facebook.com/Motorhead.Digital
• instagram.com/motorhead.digital
• linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digital

Guest Co-Host:
Katie Abraham, Ironman 4X4

• facebook.com/abeskatie
• instagram.com/wildkatieabes
• linkedin.com/in/katherine-abraham-b4506580

Don’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline!

• facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline
• instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline
• linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline
• youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline

You can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com

Send us Fan Mail

Powered by:
➡️ Red Line Synthetic Oil: redlineoil.com
➡️ AMD: autometaldirect.com

In this episode of the Gearheads n’ Gasoline Podcast, Barry and Eddy Cebrco from AMD sit down with Jay Pruitt of Trucks USA to talk about his journey from growing up in a hot rod family to building a thriving truck bed manufacturing business.

Jay shares how he transitioned from wrenching in a small shop to scaling a business that now focuses on manufacturing, dealer networks, and direct-to-consumer sales. Along the way, the conversation dives into the realities of hiring in today’s market, adapting to social media, and why showing up at events matters more than ever.

They also get into the shift happening in the automotive aftermarket, from wholesale dominance to brand-building, content creation, and customer connection, and how stepping outside your comfort zone can unlock serious growth.

If you're a shop owner, manufacturer, or anyone in the automotive aftermarket trying to grow, this episode is packed with real-world insight, a few laughs, and some hard-earned lessons.

Takeaways:

• Jay's family has always been involved in automotive culture.
• You can’t scale working only with your hands
• Growth comes from products, not just labor
• Direct-to-consumer is reshaping the aftermarket industry
• Events build relationships, not just immediate sales
• Social media is learned, not a natural talent
• Authentic content outperforms polished, perfect production
• Don’t build around one loud customer request
• Shops must invest in training younger talent
• Customers want complete solutions, not scattered parts
• Being yourself is your strongest business advantage

Guest Bio:
Jay is 51 and married, a Gearhead for life, a jack of all trades and master of a few. GM truck guy.

Guest:
Jay Pruitt, Truck USA

• trucksusa.net
• facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070262241538
• instagram.com/classictruckbedparts

Host:
Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital

• maximizesales@motorheaddigital.com
• motorheaddigital.com
• facebook.com/Motorhead.Digital
• instagram.com/motorhead.digital
• linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digital

Guest Co-Host:
Eddy Cebreco, Auto Metal Direct

• eddy@autometaldirect.com
• autometaldirect.com
• facebook.com/AutoMetalDirect
• instagram.com/autometaldirect
• linkedin.com/company/autometaldire

Don’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline!

• facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline
• instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline
• linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline
• youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline

You can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com

Send us Fan Mail

Powered by:
➡️ Red Line Synthetic Oil: redlineoil.com
➡️ AMD: autometaldirect.com

In this episode of Gearheads n’ Gasoline, host Barry Alt and guest co-host Jason Chandler from AMD sit down with Aaron Valencia, the visionary behind the Lost Angels Career Center, to discuss his incredible journey from the garage to the forefront of vocational advocacy. Aaron isn’t just teaching 18 to 24 year old's how to turn wrenches; he’s building a revolutionary model for workforce development that takes high-barrier, low-income young adults and turns them into elite technicians for companies like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

How do you go from running a high-end hot rod shop to building a pipeline for the automotive and aerospace industry?

Aaron shares the pivotal moment at a local soup kitchen that changed his perspective on community service, leading him to transform his own shop into a learning hub. We dive into the "nuts and bolts" of his program, from the importance of paid training and "wraparound" support services to how he’s incorporating CAD, 3D printing, and digital tech to keep the trade relevant in a modern world.

Whether you’re a shop owner looking for talent, an industry leader wanting to give back, or a gearhead who believes in the power of the trades, Aaron’s story is a masterclass in passion, perseverance, and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• The Pivot: How Aaron transitioned from a successful hot rod builder to a community advocate
• Modern Trades: Why the "grease monkey" stereotype is dead and how digital tech (CAD/3D printing) is the new frontier
• The "Work Ethic" Gap: Strategies for teaching punctuality, professionalism, and the "soft skills" industry partners crave
• The Business of Giving: How to engage major sponsors and create win-win partnerships between education and industry
• Scaling Success: Aaron’s plans for replicating this micro-training model across the country
• Diversity in the Shop: Breaking barriers for women and single mothers in the automotive and aerospace sectors

Guest Bio:
Aaron Valencia is a custom hot rod builder turned changemaker and the founder of Lost Angels Career Center. What started as an informal after-school hangout in his shop grew into a vocational program helping young adults gain industry-recognized skills in automotive restoration and advanced aerospace manufacturing. Through hands-on training and mentorship, Aaron is helping the next generation build careers and brighter futures.

Guest:
Aaron Valencia, Lost Angels Career Center
lostangelscp.org
facebook.com/lostangelscp
instagram.com/lostangelscareercenter
www.youtube.com/@LostAngelsCareerCenter

Host:
Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital
maximizesales@motorheaddigital.com
motorheaddigital.com

Guest Co-Hos

Don’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline!

• facebook.com/GearheadsNGasoline
• instagram.com/gearheadsngasoline
• linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasoline
• youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasoline

You can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com