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#52 - Grit, Gears & Gallop: The Wild Life of a Woman Who Never Slows Down w/Rachel Shackelford
Manage episode 473449288 series 3553809
From the dusty trails of endurance horse racing to the treacherous mountain roads of logging country, Rachel Shackleford's life story reads like an adventure novel. Known online as "SS Trekking Babe," Rachel takes us through her remarkable journey of reinvention that led her from being a homeschooled horse trainer to becoming one of the few female lowboy drivers in the trucking industry.
Growing up in Auburn, California, Rachel's unconventional education gave her practical skills that would later become invaluable. When health challenges including Hashimoto's disease forced her to abandon horse training, she made a bold pivot into professional trucking. Starting in the logging industry - arguably one of the most demanding sectors of trucking - Rachel quickly earned respect by mastering skills many drivers take years to develop.
Throughout our conversation, Rachel shares hair-raising stories from the road: navigating 80,000-pound loads down narrow mountain paths, encountering suspicious situations at isolated landfills, and developing safety protocols as a woman traveling alone. Her experiences highlight not just the technical challenges of trucking but also the unique perspective she brings to a male-dominated field.
What stands out most is Rachel's philosophy toward fear and discomfort. "When I fear something, on the other side of that is freedom, so I'm going to just push straight through it," she explains. This mindset has served her through career transitions, technical challenges on the road, and in competition as an endurance horse racer riding distances of 25-100 miles.
Rachel's story is a powerful reminder that our greatest growth often comes from embracing challenges rather than avoiding them. Her willingness to step outside her comfort zone and pursue unexpected paths offers inspiration for anyone feeling stuck or seeking change in their own life.
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Chapters
1. Introduction to Rachel's Journey (00:00:00)
2. Childhood and Homeschooling Experiences (00:07:15)
3. The Value of Trade Skills and Practical Education (00:17:00)
4. From Horse Training to Navigating Career Changes (00:28:32)
5. Getting into Trucking and Logging Industry (00:40:18)
6. Life Stories from the Logging Roads (00:56:12)
7. Heavy Haul and Equipment Transport (01:08:45)
8. Safety and Challenges for Women Truckers (01:21:23)
9. Road Stories and Close Calls (01:35:28)
10. Truck Driver Pet Peeves and Road Etiquette (01:46:10)
11. Endurance Horse Racing and Athletic Pursuits (01:56:25)
59 episodes
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