What does it really take to build longevity in trucking, and how do you know who's worth listening to? In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, Chemistry Howard, better known as The Classy Trucker, shares her story of breaking into a male-dominated industry, going owner-op during the toughest years in trucking, and turning lived experience into mentorship. From making her first right turn to clocking over 3 million miles, Chemistry opens up about the mindset, mistakes, and mentorship that shaped her career. This episode is packed with hard-won truths for anyone looking to drive smarter, lead with integrity, and stay in the game long term. Like what you hear? Be sure to like, subscribe, and share the show with others in the trucking world. 🎧 Episode Timestamps 📍 00:02:40 – When her trucking dream began: Grandpa, chrome, and a cape 📍 00:05:08 – The moment she knew she could do it: clearing that first right turn 📍 00:06:51 – What 3 million miles have taught her about fear and resilience 📍 00:08:00 – Why trucking is a physical, mental, and spiritual journey 📍 00:09:15 – The 10-year rule for whose advice you should listen to 📍 00:10:21 – A Pepsi dock, a 7-minute back-in, and a silent bet 📍 00:12:50 – The super truckers are gone. The students are still on the road 📍 00:14:06 – How mentorship changed everything 📍 00:15:39 – Driving with humility and the real cost of one bad choice 📍 00:16:55 – Why GPS can't replace an atlas 📍 00:20:17 – From driver to owner-op and facing the business side 📍 00:23:10 – $11K for tires and what people get wrong about owning a truck 📍 00:26:02 – Why relationships are the secret weapon in trucking 📍 00:28:17 – You don't have a business. You have a truck payment 📍 00:30:21 – The pressure to delay maintenance and why it's a bad bet 📍 00:34:14 – What $30K in fuel system damage taught the fleet 📍 00:36:40 – The myth of instant trucking wealth 📍 00:37:32 – Understand your paperwork or prepare to fail 📍 00:39:05 – Why we all take freight for granted and shouldn't 📍 00:40:11 – If it's in your heart and you want to do it, baby, do it 📍 00:40:46 – Her mission behind The Classy Trucker and Velocity 🎙 About Our Guest Chemistry Howard, aka The Classy Trucker, is a veteran driver, speaker, and confidence coach with over a decade on the road. She's driven over 3 million miles, mentored countless new drivers, and now leads The Classy Trucker platform and Velocity, a series spotlighting women thriving in male-dominated industries. Connect with Chemistry: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theclassytrucker TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theclassytrucker YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheClassyTrucker 🔗 Follow Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast Website: https://milesandmentorspodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milesandmentors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/miles-and-mentors-podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MilesandMentors 🎤 Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Miles and Mentors is more than a podcast. It's a movement of real stories, tactical advice, and mentorship to help the next generation of freight leaders succeed. Reach out at: [email protected]

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