388. On the Job with Yuma Haidara, Commercial Truck Driver

In this episode, host Ali Feller interviews Yuma Haidara, a commercial truck driver for Walmart operating out of New Hampshire. Yuma discusses her daily life on the road, which involves driving for 14 hours a day. She shares her love for the independence that truck driving provides, allowing her to enjoy music and audiobooks during long hauls. Yuma also talks about the stereotypes associated with truck drivers, her experiences as the only woman in her trucking class, and advice for staying safe on the road.

Yuma recounts a recent accomplishment, completing a 65-mile trek for Memorial Day to honor fallen soldiers, overcoming physical challenges and mental hurdles along the way. Beyond trucking, she shares her journey of transitioning from nursing school to trucking, sparked by a fateful stop at a trucking school that changed her career direction. Yuma also discusses how running integrates into her life, including training for marathons while managing long hours on the road.

The conversation explores Yuma’s entrepreneurship with her skincare line, 'Yummy Life', revealing her passion for creating natural products and how she balances it alongside her trucking responsibilities. Throughout the episode, Yuma’s positivity and resilience shine as she sheds light on the trucking industry's realities and the importance of finding community and support.