Joshua Bernal’s Journey from Health Educator to Truck Driver

In this episode of That’s Delivered, we sit down with Joshua Bernal, a former community health educator who made the leap into trucking after experiencing burnout and financial limitations in the nonprofit world. Joshua opens up about his decision to enroll at Fox Valley Technical College—home to one of the top CDL programs in the nation—and gives a raw, relatable account of what it’s really like to earn a commercial driver’s license today. From early challenges like his road test failure to hard lessons learned from recruiters, Joshua brings a fresh, transparent perspective to the industry. This episode is packed with useful insights for anyone curious about trucking or navigating their first steps in the field.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:
✅ CDL Training Reality Check: Joshua compares the intensity of CDL school to “drinking through a fire hose,” highlighting how fast-paced and hands-on it really is from day one.

✅ Why He Made the Career Change: Compassion fatigue and low nonprofit wages pushed Joshua to seek a more sustainable and rewarding path.

✅ Choosing the Right School: He credits Fox Valley Technical College for its structure, support, and top-tier instructors.

✅ Facing Failure and Growth: Joshua failed his road test the first time—but used the experience to grow and come back stronger.

✅ Recruiter Red Flags: He calls out misleading recruiter pitches and shares what questions every new driver should be asking.

✅ Choosing the Right Position: A major part of his decision-making was balancing career with family life. He ultimately chose a local yard spotting role with a four-on, four-off schedule that works for him and his marriage.

✅ A Fresh Voice for New Drivers: Joshua represents the voice of the modern, thoughtful driver—someone who entered trucking not just to make money, but to build a life that’s sustainable.

🔊 Tune in now on That’s Delivered and don’t forget to subscribe for more honest conversations about the trucking lifestyle—straight from the people living it.