FIXTITLE Shawn Moore.docx

A WORLD OF TALENT

The Story

Of

Shawn Moore

If you were to stand before a room of strangers and describe your life’s work in a nut shell, would you confess a testimony that you could be proud of? Let’s say the space were filled with only your loved ones, would it be easier to speak of your previous business endeavors and past experiences? If you are among the percentage of individuals that would not be as comfortable as most in sharing their choices and struggles simply for the fact that many regular jobs seem insignificant, then join the club.

The one thing in common we all share is the reality of knowing, we are human. It’s natural to be uncertain at times, to doubt yourself, to make mistakes, and to even question your place in this world. This Legends nominee was put in that exact position, standing in front of a crowd of strangers joined by his children, eagerly waiting for their father to speak. He knew their little, impressionable hearts were seeking more than his job description and the details of his daily tasks. Deep down, Shawn Moore wants to give his kids a legacy. As their dad, he wanted to speak words that they can be proud to be associated with and know, that man standing in front of everyone is their very own father.

The anxiety that comes with the fear of disappointment in a child’s eye, especially your own can be overwhelming. In explaining your career and hearing other’s as well, can easily turn into a competition of ‘Big stick, little stick.’ A play of words can almost be treated like the social circles of adolescence, carried forth into adulthood. The full-time positions as a librarian at an elementary school, a waitress at a local diner, or a custodian that maintains the cleanliness of the worst public locations may seem irrelevant versus an astronaut in search of new findings, a CEO of a large corporation, or a criminal defense attorney striving to give a voice to the wrongly convicted. Each job title comes with the responsibilities that offer an outreach and the ability to change the course of a person’s understanding. The performance put forth from each respected role is where the credibility is present. Not one is of lesser value than the other; meaning every working man and woman that has claimed a trade, occupation, and/or career in the work force has a right to be proud.

By accepting the possibilities to share one’s potential at the best of their ability through accomplishing assigned tasks and duties is a sure fire way to earn a rightful position among the speaking in order to spread their testimony of honesty and hard work for all ears to learn from. As long as strong individuals continue to share their battles and failed attempts, then the ones listening will know not to give up in order to reach success.

Every once and while, you will hear of people that have reached their dream jobs. Those are the individuals that no longer consider their jobs a chore, or profession anymore. They are literally living day to day, loving life while getting paid to enjoy their livelihood. The first step in this direction is to recognize your own talent. Some are stuck only envisioning a bigger picture, but confidence will encourage you to take a leap of faith.

“Faith is a powerful force and one that creates incredible blessings.”

Author & speaker, Bronnie Ware

Shawn is originally from Chicago, but put his roots down in Ohio. It wasn’t until later in his life when he made up his mind to pursue his personal goal. He is a second generation trucker, taking after his father at a very young age. “My dad always told me that we were born with a steering wheel in our hands. There were five of us kids and I was the youngest. It was me, my brother, and three sisters. As we grew older, he didn’t want us boys to get into the whole trucking scene. Instead, he wanted us to go on to college, but I knew after my second trip out with him at just five years old that I was hooked. I can remember having dreams of leaving town in a truck and just going out west. In a way, trucking and traveling was all a mystery to me. I couldn’t get enough of it.”

His mother also supported the family full-time serving as a police officer for the Chicago Police Department, while his father traveled OTR trucking as an owner operator pulling refrigerated dry freight. By the time Shawn was seven, his father sold his truck and switched to running local. He explains, “Keep in mind, I was tall for my age back then so at eight years old, my dad would toss me the keys to his truck and tell me to pull it into the barn. I would study my dad and his trucking techniques. From just being around him all of the time, watching and observing, I constantly wanted to learn more and more. He had a half-cab Mack. There was a big lot in the back, so I could back the truck right into the barn with no problem. See, even back then I knew trucking was my calling. I just found myself putting my dreams on hold…”

Shawn’s wake-up call came the day his children invited him to Parents’ Day at school. Among the proud moms and dads were a variety of working class adults, but to Shawn he felt that his position as a clerk for a major grocery chain was not good enough for his kids, despite has 17 years of service with the company. Initially, he wanted to be more… More of a role model and more inspiring for his kids. Exactly how his parents were for him. “I wanted to be somebody my children can look up to!” Shawn said.

At 40 years old, knowing he didn’t want to be a clerk for a living, he decided it was time to follow his heart and pursue his dreams of trucking. In February of 2011 he was hired on as a student at Prime, Inc. After completing the training program, he was able to finally get into a truck on his own. He ran as a lease operator for three years, then became an owner operator in 2015, just like his father before him. When I inquired why he chose Prime, Inc. as his trucking family and what his future goals are with the company, I felt a sense of new found freedom.

“Out here trucking I am able to see our whole country, plus some of Canada. With Prime, Inc. they have provided opportunities for me that I didn’t even know were out here. The money is good, allowing me to support my family the way I want. I am also now a trainer, which is rewarding in itself. This profession comes with a love-hate relationship behind the wheel. It is not for everyone. Working and being away from my kids for so long requires you to be mentally strong and I wear it like an armor.”

His plans moving forward are limitless. One surprising turn of direction came from a different, yet very necessary side of trucking. What began with a phone call to his favorite SiriusXM satellite station, 128 developed into a friendship between he and the radio show host, KC Phillips. Road Dog Live offers truck drivers an opportunity to discuss topics within the industry and voice their opinions on-air. Over time, the two men found a common bond and a shared respect for one another. Shawn has since made several appearances as KC’s guest host in Nashville, on the live talk show.

KC recalls the first time he saw Shawn back in 2013, during the Louisville Truck Show. He and a few other men were all dressed like women, promoting a drag race for a charity event. “Shawn was the biggest dude out there! He has to be 6’5 or 6’6 and he was working it in his dress. I immediately thought to myself that if a guy can have fun like that for a good cause, he could definitely be a great friend.” Shawn became a regular contributor to KC’s show. He continues, “I like to think of Shawn as a guy that epitomizes the trucking industry, because I know that he trains drivers and tries to pass on knowledge of the industry and his success to others. I admire that in him. He is good guy. One that I would trust my life with. He is truly one of my closest friends in the trucking industry.”

As much as Shawn enjoys the independence of trucking, his personality appeals more to radio broadcasting. His voice for radio was evident, exceeding from his years spent idolizing Robin Williams and his successful career as an actor and performer. Shawn’s extraordinary ability to make a person laugh resembles the late comedian’s entire demeanor. His impersonations, sense of humor and natural gift for entertaining opened his eyes to an unexpected avenue that would not have been made possible if he had never aspired to fulfill his dream. His artistry as a professional in all that he does, has led him to where he is now in his trucking career. By finding the value within himself, his talents are finally being brought to life and he is starting to see that the business world is in need of people who can demonstrate those important qualities.

When Shawn is not trucking, he enjoys spending time with his three kids. When he is in the Chicago area, he visits with one sister. Or when he travels down south, he makes his way to Florida and sees his other sister. In-between he likes to attend major league baseball games. While driving out west, as he dreamed of as a young boy, his favorite locations that he finds relaxing are the deserts of California. “At night, it is so peaceful. You get a good look at the open night sky and you can see just about every star up there. It’s amazing,” he said. Being a part of the trucking industry has presented Shawn with a way of life that gives back and allows him the space to be his own boss.

As a driver trainer, he likes teaching other drivers while gladly accepting any knowledge in return. He is continuously looking to gain expertise. He says, “I learn from them and they learn for me.” There is one goal that has always hit home for him, but will need more hands on deck to attain it. Shawn’s father was his biggest influence in trucking. “He did things old school. My dad was a good father and an impossible to please task-master. You did things right the first time. That was just how everything was done. He was extremely hard, but I don’t regret it one bit. It all made me who I am today.” At one point as a teenager, his father placed Shawn in a military school located in Indiana. He completed three years there. That humbling period of his life imprinted morals that one does not simply stop conveying. He continues, “I want to bring back the brotherhood of the golden age. The days from my dad’s era of trucking. It can be done! We’re all in the same boat out here, fighting the same battles. It starts with conducting ourselves as the professionals that we are and by not being afraid to trust and help one another.”

Having strict parents, Shawn was forced to walk a straight line. Between focusing on his academics and excelling in sports, he had little room for any extra activities. It was in that small window where his funny bone played a big part. After watching a hit TV show, Mork and Mindy for the first time, he was drawn to the lead role played by none other than Robin Williams. Every detail that has touched Shawn’s life has impacted his identity, in a positive way.

With 17 years of experience working in customer service and his background in trucking, tied in with his every day comedic persona, his accomplishments to-date are well worthy of attention held by a classroom of young children. Including those that wish to admire him as a mentor and a father. He wants to continue advancing his role in the trucking industry; not confining himself to the inside of a truck. His main objective is to focus on being successful for his family and also helping others reach their goals.

Shawn’s first truck was a 2012 Freightliner Cascadia. Now he is currently in a 2015 Freightliner Cascadia Evolution with his children’s names featured in red lettering on the side: Beth (11), Shawn Jr. (9), and Kaylee (4). He chose Chicago Cub Blue, with the New Madison Patriots team logo (the school his children attend) proudly on display, as well. He is closing in on his million-mile mark, in which he aims to achieve by October.

“He's a great guy, a caring and knowledgeable trainer and often volunteers his time to help students attending the truck driving school at his company. Shawn is an asset to the trucking industry and exemplifies what a professional truck driver is!”

-Tim Ridley

Radio host on The Tim Ridley Show, SiriusXM 146