If trucks stop, life stops.
Drivers keep this country moving. Every mile keeps families fed, hospitals stocked, shelves full, and communities functioning. Without drivers, food does not move. Medicine does not arrive. Life gets disrupted fast.
But there is a part that does not get talked about enough. This job is quietly wearing drivers down. Not all at once. Not in obvious ways. But mile after mile. Long hours, constant pressure, inconsistent sleep, limited food options, too much sitting, and too much time alone. Over time, it adds up. Not just to burnout, but to real health issues that shorten careers, limit options, and steal years from people who deserve better.
Project 61 exists because the health outcomes in trucking are unacceptable. The number matters: 61 is often cited as the average life expectancy of CDL drivers, and we believe that should stop every one of us in our tracks. And in conversations with hundreds of carriers, we keep hearing the same thing: they continue to lose drivers far too early, year after year. That is not normal, and it should not be something the industry accepts as part of the job.
That is why we built a simple driver-first framework we call the 5 Axles of Health.
Whether you’re a driver, fleet leader, or industry supporter, this framework is built around one goal: helping drivers stay healthy, steady, and in control on the road.
This is not about perfect routines or unrealistic expectations. It is a practical roadmap for staying healthy within the demands of trucking. Small changes. Done consistently. Built for life on the road.
What are the 5 Axles of Health?
Think of health like a truck. It doesn’t make sense to wait for a breakdown to start paying attention. It’s best to stay properly maintained so small problems don’t turn into preventable repairs.
The 5 Axles of Health are the core areas that help keep drivers healthy, steady, and in control:
Fuel
What drivers eat and drink, and how it affects energy, focus, recovery, and long-term metabolic health.
Move
Daily movement that reduces pain and stiffness, preserves strength, and helps drivers stay in the driver’s seat longer.
Recharge
Sleep and recovery so the body and brain can reset, and so focus, mood, and safety do not crack under fatigue.
Mental Drive
Mental health, stress, and simple tools drivers can use in real time to reset and make better decisions under pressure.
Preventative Maintenance
Staying ahead of problems by knowing key health numbers, using healthcare early, following through, and avoiding obvious traps that quietly end careers.
These Axles show up across everything Project 61 does, from challenges and content to tools inside the Offshift by Project 61 app.
In Q2 of 2026, Project 61 will release a complete Driver Health Video Series covering all 5 Axles, built specifically for fleets and drivers.
Why this framework works for truck drivers
Most health advice fails drivers because it doesn’t fit the reality of the job. The 5 Axles of Health was built to meet drivers where they are, with a simple roadmap that works on the road, in real-world conditions, and for the long haul.
A quick look at each Axle
Fuel is one of the biggest levers drivers have because it shows up multiple times a day. Most drivers eat 3 to 4 times per day, which adds up to 21 to 28 meals every week. Fuel is not about dieting, it is about better defaults that support steadier energy, clearer focus, and better long-term health.
Move is not about abs or becoming an athlete. It is about keeping the body working so drivers can stay in the driver’s seat longer, feel better behind the wheel, and recover faster when the miles stack up. The goal is simple: move daily, using a few minutes at a time that fits into the stops and breaks already built into the day.
Recharge is the reset. Sleep is not a luxury - it is the recovery system, and it affects focus, mood, decision-making, and long-term health. The goal is not necessarily perfect sleep, it is being intentional about what can be controlled, including sleep environment and routine.
Mental Drive focuses on mental health, stress, and simple tools drivers can use in real time to reset and make better decisions under pressure. This is not motivational fluff, it is about staying grounded, connected, and in control on the road.
Preventative Maintenance is about staying ahead instead of reacting after something breaks. It starts with knowing key health numbers (blood pressure, A1C, cholesterol, and weight or waist circumference), and being intentional about using healthcare early, not relying on a DOT physical as primary healthcare. It is the fundamentals that keep careers longer and lives healthier.
How to use the 5 Axles without getting overwhelmed
Drivers do not need to change everything at once. Start by being intentional with one small upgrade in one Axle, then build from there. Over time, the system gets stronger and progress becomes easier to maintain.
A simple approach:
The Big Picture
Driver health does not change overnight. It changes when small choices get repeated long enough to become the default.
That is where the WHY matters. The people at home. The future. The moments worth being healthy for. Keep that front and center, and it gets easier to stay intentional, even when the road makes it hard.
Download the free Offshift by Project 61 driver health app and start applying the 5 Axles one step at a time.