Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Briscoe
Hi Shelby, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hey there! I’m Shelby, the founder of Happiness By The Mile. What you might not know is that my German Shepherd Dakota and I have been truckin’ for 8 years now. We’ve been through thick and thin, and boy, have we learned a thing or two!
Our journey into trucking isn’t your typical industry story. It all started with a bucket list. I know, not exactly thrilling, but stick with me—it gets better. While in college, aiming for a career in Pediatric Neurology, I hit a wall. Burnt out doesn’t even begin to cover it. Thanks to a friend’s nudge and my newfound need for that bucket list, the trucking dream took root. I stuffed everything I owned into a tiny storage unit and zipped off to trucking school, thinking I’d just take a year off from college. Little did I know, it would turn out to be one of the best decisions of my life! I dove into trucking, barely knowing more about semi-trucks than what I’d seen zooming past on the interstate. But man, did they look awesome!
This adventure has shown me that trucking isn’t just a job—it’s a lifestyle, and way more complex than I ever imagined. That’s why I started Happiness By The Mile. I wanted to share my experiences and the daily challenges we face as truck drivers. By opening up about my own struggles on the road, I hope you’ll find what you need to get a grip on the truckin’ life. So, if you’re after some inspiration, support, or just some handy tips and tricks to keep you rolling, check us out!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Trucking is a demanding career path filled with sacrifices and challenges. This profession tests you both physically and mentally. We often work more than 14 hours a day. While we may not log all these hours, we’re committed to doing our job—and doing it well.
Our daily challenges involve things most people take for granted. Many truckers don’t return home each night or see their family and friends regularly. I personally spend 2-4 months on the road at a time. Access to running water is precious, and finding showers—let alone paying for them—can be difficult. Some days we go without. Our food options are limited, and cooking meals in our trucks comes with many restrictions.
Though we face these challenges daily in our industry, we persist because we love what we do. Diesel runs in our veins, and the calling is strong. Having an office with this incredible view is a pleasure nothing else can match.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Trucking isn’t just a job—it’s a lifestyle. You have to live and breathe it to survive. We get dirty, battle our mental demons, and struggle with our health due to sitting for long hours and limited access to good food. Imagine eating from gas stations for weeks on end. It’s something outsiders rarely consider.
We depend heavily on each other. When you’re stranded on the side of the road, only another truck driver will stop to help. We’re hidden in plain sight, an exclusive community with our own language and rules. We give each other the respect and appreciation we deserve.
We move freight thousands of miles each day. Your package can cross the country in less than 48 hours thanks to our wheels. We work around the clock until the job is done. Remember there’s a human inside that truck you think is blocking your way—we’re just trying to get somewhere, just like you.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
The best part of our job is exploring the views and towns we visit. We see parts of the country that others rarely experience—traveling back roads and delivering to small communities. We meet incredible people along the way, and each day brings something new. Nothing beats witnessing a beautiful landscape or connecting with a beautiful soul.
We’ve traveled to every corner of this country, collecting experiences that will create stories for a lifetime. We’ve endured record-breaking storms, scorching heat, and dodged hurricanes and tornadoes. Through it all, we deliver with pride. Our accomplishments fill us with joy, knowing we’ve conquered every challenge along the way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happiness_by_the_mile/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happinessbythemile/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShelbyHBTM
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@happiness_by_the_mile?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
