Trucker couple embraces healthy living on the road

She’s licensed to perform marriages and he’s an seasoned chef. They like the liberty of driving on open up highways, hauling freight for a residing.

Marylynn Downham and Brian Keyes have been functioning for Challenger considering that 2016, in the beginning as group motorists and now driving different massive rigs.

The couple is speedy to issue out that they received along wonderful while driving as a team, but their overall health took a beating. Keyes claimed group driving is a challenge owing to limited schedules and you scarcely get time to prepare and try to eat healthful foods. Acquiring time to work out is also hard. Becoming in a position to get good slumber in a moving truck was also a dilemma.

In two-and-a-fifty percent years, Keyes piled on 50 lbs . and Downham gained 25 pounds.

The pair resolved it was time to wrest back again their wellbeing. They stated goodbye to workforce driving and commenced functioning separately.

They bought and mounted 1.1 cubic meter freezers in their vans. “We can make foods at dwelling and freeze them and have them. It designed a significant big difference to our diet regime,” Keyes, the former chef, stated.

The few took a year to lose the bodyweight they acquired and has managed to preserve it off.

Downham claimed motorists do not have to buy cafe food stuff and make by themselves so ill that they just cannot appreciate their retirement. Their vehicles are equipped with air fryers, coffee makers, microwaves, and a freezer. “There is a healthier way to be a truck driver,” she reported. “Get out of the truck and wander, it is crucial.”

“I’ve got my favourite areas I like to cease at, I can stroll and run.”

Brian Keyes, driver

Keyes reported he sees a ton of persons pull up in their trucks and not get out. They just near the curtains and go to sleep. “I’ve acquired my beloved places I like to quit at, I can walk and operate,” he explained.

Downham and Keyes fulfilled later in daily life. She worked in shopper provider and built her way up to management. Keyes labored as a chef for just about 30 many years. He also drove tractors and shuttle buses in the earlier.

Right after managing a few of motels jointly, the few resolved to enter the trucking sector and attained their Class A licences.

They explained Challenger tends to make confident to continue to keep them together and most periods they operate as a two-truck convoy. The go in the very same route, head to diverse destinations to drop and select up masses, and head again with each other.

“If we are going in distinct instructions, we normally cross each and every other. We speak, saying ‘we’ll quit right here, or I’ll meet up with you there.’ And we devote time collectively,” Downham mentioned.

“I got a girl in just about every port. She always displays up in a significant white truck,” Keyes replied swiftly with a big grin.

Downham claimed she has a smile on her facial area when she drives and nonetheless can’t believe she is driving a huge rig. She enjoys staying her possess boss and acquiring paid to see the sights.

Keyes finds the perform comforting. He only has to maintain a timetable, get to places on time and take care of the truck.

Daughter’s wedding

Afterwards this month, Downham is hunting ahead to marrying her daughter and her girlfriend who have been together for the past 11 several years. In the tv collection, Schitt’s Creek, Moira marries her son and his spouse. Downham’s daughter questioned if she would do the exact same and she claimed indeed.

She has received a certificate and letter of good standing and is completely ready for her initially ceremony.

The pair has bought a household in Crimson Deer, Alta., and are doing work hard to shell out off the property finance loan. They system to drive for a little bit for a longer time following that.

Downham hopes to have additional weddings to officiate in the foreseeable future. “That is my retirement program when I prevent driving,” she said.