I’m excited to introduce June’s FIT Driver of the month, Zachary Ballard! With 20 years of experience in the transportation industry — including 11 years behind the wheel — Zachary has certainly made his mark.
He kicked off his driving career at the Schneider National Truck Driving School in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Since then, he’s gained extensive experience in handling both refrigerated freight and dry van cargo. He’s driven as part of an over-the-road team, as well as regional and local routes.
Impressively, Zachary has racked up over 800,000 miles without any accidents.
Currently, he’s a company driver for the Virginia Tile Co., where he delivers tile and flooring products across a five-state region in the Midwest.
Zachary firmly believes that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for drivers.
He emphasizes core attributes that define top drivers — safety, on-time delivery, positivity and proactivity. His commitment to health, nutrition and fitness has led him to feel a noticeable boost in both his mental clarity and energy levels.
Zachary has some practical advice for drivers: Even if you’re not home every night, the principles of meal planning can make a significant difference in your health and overall well-being.
Each weekend, he prepares meals and snacks for the following week, focusing on lean meats and rice. He keeps the prepared meals in the fridge and portions them each evening for the next day.
To keep his snacking in check, he carries a stash of baby carrots and celery — a much healthier alternative to potato chips.
Staying hydrated is also a priority, he says, adding that he drinks at least a gallon of water daily. He believes this helps keep his mind sharp and focused on the road. In addition, he says, having nutritious food readily available at all times helps him resist the temptations at truck stops.
In terms of fitness, Zachary keeps things simple by aiming for 10,000 steps a day. While waiting to load, he makes the most of his time by walking around the parking lot. He also runs three times a week as part of his exercise routine.
Zachary’s goal is clear: He wants to prioritize driver health and set a positive example in the industry, fostering change for the better.
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.
