Mynor Roberto Salguero has spent years behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, watching miles run together — and watching his health slip further away.
I’ve heard this story many times from military veterans who turned to trucking as a new profession after leaving the military.
After completing a stint in the Marines in 2012, Mynor started his trucking career in 2013. He fell into the habit of fast-food meals and long hours. Before long, he’d gained 100 pounds, weighing in at 305 pounds.
With the weight gain and prolonged hours of sitting behind a wheel, high cholesterol and high blood pressure became a challenge. That’s not surprising — 55% of CDL drivers battle these issues.
But what weighed on Mynor most wasn’t the scale — it was the eyes of his four boys. He recalls telling them stories about his Marine days, about doing 1,000 pushups and training twice a day. They listened, he says, but their disbelief was quiet … and unmistakable.
Mynor realized he wasn’t the example he wanted to be.
So, he started small.
One day, he committed to doing 100 burpees. It wasn’t easy, but it was a start. That effort grew into a routine of pushups, pull-ups, and squats — simple, relentless bodyweight exercises done whenever and wherever the road allowed.
Mynor also changed the way he ate. Following dinner each Sunday at 6 p.m., he fasted until Tuesday evening. Once he reached his goal weight, he followed a one-meal-a-day regimen to maintain his progress. It required discipline — but discipline was something the Marines had already taught him.
Little by little, the weight came off. From 305 pounds to his current weight of 205 pounds, Mynor rebuilt himself. When his boys look at him now, he doesn’t see doubt in their eyes.
Mynor’s success comes from his commitment to staying true to his military training. It’s not about motivation — it’s about discipline.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Always consult a physician before beginning any diet or physical exercise routine.
Bob Perry is a regular contributor to The Trucker. He has spent nearly the past four decades on a mission to educate professional drivers and share life-changing products and services to help them live healthier lives while on the road. Recognized throughout the transportation industry, from bus drivers to over-the-road professional drivers, Perry has played an important role in creating a paradigm shift helping regulatory agencies, private and public sector entities, and consumers understand the current health challenges of the professional driver. He has participated as a wellness advocate in several roundtable discussions, large audience groups and small forums as well as going “curbside” through a national truck stop tour.
Bob’s articles have been featured in The Trucker and a number of other national transportation industry publications and is the host of a weekly wellness call produced by Rolling Strong. Bob has been a regular guest on RedEye Radio and Land-Line Radio, and is often an invited guest on Sirius radio shows. He has been featured in the New York Times, Men’s Health Magazine, Drug Store News, American Road Magazine, WSJ, NPR, ABC National Radio, as well as hundreds of daily newspapers. He has appeared on television news shows across the nation, including a featured TV segment on ABC NightLine News.
