Driver Spotlight: Adam M.

Adam’s trucking career began with a different company, one that helped him earn his CDL but kept him on the road for months at a time.“They weren’t able to get me home on time for appointments, milestones with my kids, or even doctor’s visits,” Adam said. “It wasn’t just a day or two late. It was sometimes a month, month and a half late.”

During a trip home to Las Cruces, New Mexico, he kept seeing Knight Transportation trucks on the road. Curious, he made a call that changed everything. “I asked if they had dedicated positions near me, and they said, ‘Actually, we have a terminal right in El Paso.’ That was perfect. Then I asked, ‘How often can you get me home?’ And the first thing they said was every two weeks. That was a lot better than being home every four months on average.”

For Adam, the ability to be present for his children meant everything. His 11-year-old daughter and soon-to-be 6-year-old son love seeing his truck and are eager to ride along with him one day.

While family remains his priority, Adam has also embraced the adventure that comes with trucking. Seeing new places has been one of his greatest rewards. “It took me two years to see all 48 states and a year after that to deliver loads in all of them,” he said.

One of his favorite memories was delivering a load in Savannah, Georgia. “I happened to take a different route coming up from Louisiana and was able to see the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. That’s when it hit me—I’ve now seen both oceans, from both sides of the United States, all because of this job. Not only does it get me out of the house, but it also allows me to provide for my family.”

 Despite the excitement, Adam acknowledges that trucking has its challenges, particularly the isolation of life on the road. “The loneliness is real. Even though there are a lot of drivers out here, it’s still just you in the truck. If you don’t have family or friends back home to support you, it can be tough.”

Over time, Adam’s experiences led him to another passion—mentoring new drivers. His first realization that he could be a trainer came when he helped a struggling driver back into a parking spot at a truck stop. “I was already parked and saw he was having trouble. I had time, so I walked over and asked if he needed help. He said yes, so I guided him through it, and he got it in one shot. That was the moment I realized I could be a trainer. If I can help a random driver I’ll never see again, I can definitely help someone who’s going to be with the company long-term.”

As a trainer, Adam sees every interaction as an opportunity for both himself and his students to learn. “I’ve never had a bad student. Every student I’ve had has taught me something, whether it’s ‘talk a little slower’ or ‘show me instead of tell me.’ I’m not just here to train one person. We’re both here to learn something.”

When he is not on the road, Adam enjoys spending time with his kids and sharing the outdoor activities he loved as a child. “Playing with sticks and getting in trouble with their mother,” he joked.

Hunting is another passion, something he grew up doing with his grandfather. He hopes to one day pass that tradition on to his children.

If he were not a truck driver, Adam believes he would still be in telecommunications. However, he does not miss that line of work. “It’s a lot less stressful now, driving a truck, than it was dealing with cables and wires at new construction sites and hospitals. And there’s a lot less to get blamed for that wasn’t my fault.”

One of his biggest personal goals is to take his wife on a trip to New York City, a place she has always wanted to visit. “She’s given me two beautiful kids and a wonderful marriage. The very least I could do is take her to New York to see what she wants to see.”

Looking back on his journey, Adam credits much of his mindset to his grandfather’s wisdom. “One day at a time. That works in any situation, and it’s what has always worked for me.”

For new drivers, his advice is simple but powerful. “Get the experience that you can, but remember that the only ones remembering you’re gonna work late is whoever you have at home.”

Through every mile, Adam remains focused on what matters most: his family, his growth, and the experiences that make every day on the road worthwhile.