Professional truck drivers keep America’s supply chain moving, but the demands of life on the road can make maintaining a healthy lifestyle challenging. Long hours behind the wheel, limited access to nutritious food, irregular sleep schedules, and time away from family can take a toll on both physical and mental health. In a recent episode of NGT Talks, Lindsey Trent, Co-Founder and President of the Next Generation in Trucking Association, sat down with Jeremy Reymer, founder of Project 61, to discuss practical ways drivers can improve their health, build better habits, and enjoy longer, healthier lives.
Jeremy founded Project 61, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of professional truck drivers, after reflecting on the people he had known throughout his nearly 25 years in trucking. He was troubled by the industry’s commonly cited average driver life expectancy of approximately 61 years. Rather than accepting poor health as an unavoidable part of the profession, Jeremy set out to create resources that help drivers take control of their well-being. His approach focuses on realistic, sustainable changes rather than expecting drivers to completely transform their lifestyles overnight.
The Five Axles of Health
At the center of Project 61’s approach are the Five Axles of Health: nutrition and hydration, physical activity, sleep and recovery, mental well-being, and preventive healthcare. Just as a truck depends on multiple systems working together, maintaining good health requires attention to more than one area of life. Jeremy emphasizes that these five components are interconnected. Eating better can improve energy levels, movement can support sleep, and stronger relationships can contribute to better mental health. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s making consistent improvements that add up over time.
Fueling Your Body for the Road
One of the most practical places to begin is with nutrition and hydration. While drivers may have limited control over their schedules or access to exercise facilities, they make food and beverage choices every day. Jeremy encourages drivers to think about those decisions as opportunities to fuel their bodies properly. Packing simple foods such as fruit, nuts, hard-boiled eggs, vegetables, and other nutritious options can help reduce reliance on convenience foods. Even small changes, such as replacing one daily soda with water or choosing a healthier snack at a truck stop, can be meaningful steps toward better health.
Finding Time to Move
Physical activity doesn’t have to mean spending an hour in a gym. For professional drivers, it can start with something as simple as walking for 10 minutes during a break. Jeremy encourages drivers to look for opportunities to move throughout the day rather than spending every available break sitting or scrolling on their phones. Walking around a truck stop, parking farther away when practical, or incorporating basic bodyweight exercises can help make movement part of a daily routine. Project 61 also offers exercise resources designed specifically for drivers, including activities that can be performed inside or outside a truck cab.
Sleep Is Essential Maintenance
Another critical component of driver health is sleep and recovery. Irregular schedules, noisy truck stops, and changing sleep environments can make quality rest difficult to achieve. Jeremy stresses that sleep shouldn’t be viewed as something drivers can sacrifice to become more productive. Instead, it is essential for physical recovery, mental clarity, and safe performance. Creating a cool, dark, and quiet sleeping environment, limiting distractions before bedtime, and protecting available rest time can help drivers improve their sleep quality. The conversation also addresses sleep apnea and the importance of seeking treatment rather than allowing concerns about employment to prevent drivers from getting the care they need.
Taking Care of Mental Health
Life on the road can also be isolating. Drivers spend extended periods away from spouses, children, friends, and other important relationships. Jeremy explains that mental well-being deserves the same attention as physical health, particularly in a profession where loneliness and stress can become part of the daily routine. He encourages drivers to intentionally maintain meaningful relationships, whether through regular phone calls, checking in with friends, or setting aside time to connect with family. The discussion also explores how company policies, including allowing pets in trucks, can help reduce isolation and support driver well-being.
Preventive Maintenance Isn’t Just for Trucks
Trucking companies understand the importance of preventive maintenance for their equipment, but Jeremy believes drivers should approach their own health with that same mindset. Regular medical appointments, recommended screenings, monitoring important health indicators, and following prescribed treatment plans are all essential parts of long-term wellness. He also reminds drivers that a DOT medical certification exam is not a substitute for routine healthcare. Taking care of health concerns before they become serious can make a significant difference in a driver’s quality of life and ability to continue working safely.
Building a Healthier Future for Trucking
Throughout the conversation, Jeremy emphasizes that improving driver health isn’t solely an individual responsibility. Trucking companies also have an important role to play by creating workplace cultures that encourage wellness and recognize the connection between driver health and safety. Through its free mobile app, Project 61 provides drivers with practical resources, healthy eating suggestions, exercise videos, habit-tracking tools, and challenges that make building healthier routines more engaging. Ultimately, Jeremy’s message is about remembering why better health matters. Whether it’s being present for children and grandchildren, enjoying retirement, or simply feeling better each day, every driver has a reason to invest in their future. And that investment can begin with one small change today.
Listen to the full episode of NGT Talks to hear Lindsey Trent and Jeremy Reymer discuss the Five Axles of Health and practical strategies for building a healthier life on the road.
Learn more about Project 61: https://project-61.org