FIXTITLE Randall Motley.docx

UNSTOPPABLE

The Story

Of

Randall Motley

When you are dealt a tough hand of cards, you can’t just throw them back in and start over. You have to put on a game face and wait it out the best way you know how. More times than not, your end game will pan out much better than expected. This scenario generally applies to life, as well. I read a quote sometime back that I thought was insightful. It sort of stuck with me since…

-Life circumstances are not life sentences.

Meaning; circumstances do not banish you behind bars. They do not render you helpless and they do not determine the outcome of your life.

Randall Motley, originally from Oklahoma, moved to Texas for a brief stint and returned to the open lands of God’s Country. He had a rough go of it at a very young age. Randall lost his biological father at the age of ten and immediately began searching for ways to identify with the man he will never really know. Randall found the school that his dad attended as a young boy and knew that’s where he belonged. The school was centered within a ranch. As soon as he was big enough to tote a bale of hay, he began working to earn money to pay for his room and board.

The ranch felt like home for Randall. Mainly because he was a natural born cowboy. He says, “There wasn’t much to do out there back then. All you had was the ranch and your imagination. It was nothing but the country and I was as country as you can get.” Randall stayed at the ranch until he was 18 and finished with high school. He had a few relatives that was in the trucking industry. First, grain and cattle was all they tended to. Then, they ventured in to the oil fields. Often times his uncles and cousins would let him ride along. “I had always been fascinated with big trucks all of my life. I saw them all of the time between my family trucking and at the ranch,” he explains.

At 13, he started driving. Once Randall was tall enough the guys would let him hold the wheel for an hour or so. Eventually, Randall earned his driving privileges and their trust. His older kin grew more comfortable, allowing him to drive a little more each time despite his age. He continues, “This is back when truckers were the kings of the road. They were greatly appreciated and respected by everyone; men, women, children, all drivers and even other truckers. If one truck was pulled over on the side of the road dealing with a problem, they all stopped. Everybody helped everybody. That’s why they were known as the ‘Men of the Road.’ Our heroes on wheels. And I grew up being raised by those men. I was brought up old school. Taught to respect my elders and to always help my fellow brother or sister. They would teach you the right way, the wrong way, and then their way. I learned from the best!” Randall describes his first introduction into the industry as “Generation-Us” between the brotherhood of truckers. He says, “We need to go back to that and pull together to make this work. Restore our image so that every person that comes in contact with a truck driver understands that we all do this job for them. For each other. Not just for a check, but for our whole economy to survive.”

Once old enough, Randall began participating in rodeos at 14. Also during this time his (adopted) mother remarried and Randall became extremely close to his new father figure. There were already nine kids in the picture, so Randall tried his best not to be a burden. His step father accepted Randall unconditionally and loved him like he was his own. Timing has a way of planning life-changing events perfectly. “He took me in and Lord knows they didn’t’ need another one,” he jokes. The admiration in his voice as he talks about their relationship and the memories shared, it’s obvious there was something special that only our Maker could have brought together. Randall continues, “Whatever I was interested in, my Poppa taught me. He was a trucker that hauled everything under the moon. He taught me how to truck. Basically every type of truck possible; flatbed, vans, refrigerated, detached. All of it. He was a wonderful man and my biggest hero.” Many times Randall went trucking with his Poppa and during their long rides together is when he gained the most knowledge. Mostly, happy memories but also a ton of hands-on experience.

By the time Randall reached his 30’s, he had moved to Texas and was living out both of his dreams. When he wasn’t trucking, he was competing in rodeos. In the summer of 1992, Randall was headed to a competition in Houston. Just another typical night, riding with a friend in a one-ton truck. Randall was in the passenger’s seat with the window down. In a matter of seconds, the vehicle veered off the road, causing the truck to flip. After the wreck and a week in the hospital, Randall returned to work. With a strong-will and a mindset developed from an early age, he refused to let anything come between him and trucking. The damage Randall sustained from the accident completely took his entire right arm. He says, “It pulled my whole arm off. It has slowed me down a bit, as in no more rodeos and less trouble I get myself in, but as far as trucking I was back behind the wheel a week later. I knew by the time I was 12, this is what I’m meant to be doing. I have that cowboy mentality. I won’t give up for nothing! You tell me no, I’m going to do it because you told me no. Just to prove to myself that limits are only in your head. Push the envelope. Anything is possible.”

Randall was right-handed for 30 years. Retraining himself to adapt has been tricky, but one of the less minor issues to manage. His biggest obstacle is dodging the sympathy of others. Never has Randall considered his impairment as a disability. Instead, it’s a reminder that he is a fighter. A survivor. His spirit and strength encourages everyone that hears his testimony. Tragedy may have affected his physical appearance, but with determination and grit, Randall has proven that he is unstoppable. In 1994, he started his own business known as, Motley Cattle Company. Almost ten years later and over 4 million miles in total, I’m curious why he still chooses one of the most physically-demanding jobs in our industry. He explains, “I get along with cattle. I’ve done other stuff, of course most of them were much easier but I always come back to cattle hauling. It’s who I am. A friend once told me that if it were easy, everyone would do it. My life hasn’t been the easiest and neither is my profession, but it’s all mine and I’m good at it.”

The cattle industry has treated Randall with the same regard. The entire atmosphere; the big time ranchers and the courteous hospitality are why he enjoys what he does for a living. “The majority of the people I deal with are so kind and polite. First, being cattle they want your product as soon as you arrive. It’s a sense of urgency and appreciation. I like that. And then they make you feel at home. Some even invite me in and feed me a good, warm meal before I head out again. They’re just great people. I think that’s the way it ought to be.”

That is his goal. To be able to use his business as an inspiration for others. Not focusing on any disadvantages, but keeping the light on the positives in trucking. By setting the example with hard work and patience, you can build a life that you can be proud of. Today, Randall runs mostly regional throughout the Midwest, spending the summers in Florida areas. Back home in Oklahoma, he has his two sons and one in Texas. His three proudest accomplishments are his boys. “I’m not just saying this because they’re mine, but they are all super intelligent. They work hard and play hard. Anything they do, they’re going to go above and beyond.” Like father, like son.

You can also visit bigrigvideos.com to view Randall and his 2004 379 flattop Peterbilt. His, Gracie has a 317 wheelbase, 3.55 rears, a 13-speed Caterpillar engine with C18 injectors and 1,140 hp.