Being a woman on the road is unique but being a Trucker Mama to two of her own children and hundreds of trainee children is all in a day’s work for Darla Smith. She’s sweet, strong, and full of advice to keep her girls safe on the road each day. Darla is bound to delight you in this episode of Terminal Exchange.
Trading Dress Skirts for Trailer SkirtsShe traded in her heels for a steering wheel in the ’90s and hasn’t looked back. Darla Smith started driving out of necessity when her husband became ill. And after he passed, she was equipped with the skills he had taught her to make a living.
“It was my way to grieve – was to be in that truck – that’s where I felt closest to Steve… so I stayed in the truck.”
Passing the TorchMention “Mommy Darla” around Nussbaum, and you’re sure to be greeted with face-consuming grins and hours of stories. She’s trained many drivers – from young guns at her previous job, to Nussbaum shining stars like Maya Hernandez and Adrienne Riel (now trainers themselves!). She’s investing advice, safety tips, and stories in the next generation, ensuring a legacy of great women drivers for the future.
“I’m Mommy Darla – everyone calls me Mommy Darla or their Trucker Mama!”
Throwing ChainsSweet as pie and tough as nails, Darla will delight you with stories of wrestling chains on, scarring accidents, and perseverance through change.
This is one episode you don’t want to miss out on.
QuotesEp. 96 // Settling the Scorecard: A Q&A with the Safety Team
Ep. 95 // Women in Trucking: Mom Life on the Move with the Marinos
Ep. 94 // Telling Stories: Lightning Strikes, Raising Rabbits, and Life at Nussbaum with the Vorhees
Ep. 93 // Just Do Something: Erik Lewis on Winning at Weight Loss
Ep. 92 // Telling Stories: The Road to Faith & Family with the Garcias
Ep. 91 // Women in Trucking: Julie & Brenda on Stories, Stereotypes, and Success
Ep. 90 // Telling Stories: Fine Dining & Classic Architecture with Chris Larsen
Ep. 89 // Truck Talk: Partners, PMs, & Testing Innovations
Ep. 88 // Telling Stories: The Life & Times of Sam Moravec
Ep. 87 // Special Episode: Breakfast with Jesus & the Hope of Easter
Ep. 86 // Telling Stories: Jamaal Germaine's Journey from Homelessness to Truck Driving
Ep. 85 // Special Episode: On Mission with Midwest Food Bank
Ep. 84 // Telling Stories: Jeff King on Truck Driver Training
Ep. 83 // A Light in the Darkness: Exposing the Importance of Mental Health
Ep. 82 // Safe and Sound: Why Paying Attention Matters
Ep. 81 // New Lifestyle, New Life: Will Taylor – Part 2 of 2
Ep 80 // New Lifestyle, New Life: Will Taylor – Part 1 of 2
Ep. 79 // The Interns: Mason Ringger and Creed Welsch
Ep. 78 // Sharing Smiles & Fighting Fires: Brian Johnson
Ep. 77 // A Day to Remember: Lola Thomas-Albright
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