HOW DID I FIRST GET INTO OFF-ROADING?

Growing up, my love for off-roading didn’t just appear out of nowhere—it was rooted in something much earlier. To understand how I got here, we have to start with my dad when he was 17.

At that age, he got into demolition derby, spending years behind the wheel smashing cars and loving every second of it. I grew up watching him compete, me barely old enough to remember standing on the sidelines. Some songs still bring me back to the feel of the stadium shaking as the engines roared and vehicles smashed into one another.

For a long time, demolition derby was a big part of our lives. The roar of engines, the smell of fuel, and the thrill of the impact—it was what my dad did. But as time passed, things changed. Families grew, priorities shifted, and eventually, the passion for derby faded. My dad still wanted something exciting but needed something more practical—something that wouldn’t destroy a car in one night.

That’s when off-roading came into the picture. It still had the fun of being behind the wheel and modifying vehicles, but it was less destructive and way more sustainable. Instead of smashing into other cars, it was about tackling tough trails, climbing rocks, and testing what the vehicle could do. The best part? The vehicles didn’t get destroyed after one run—they were built to last and could be used over and over again.

Watching my dad make that switch, I naturally got hooked too. It wasn’t long before I found myself in the passenger seat, hanging on as we crawled over obstacles that seemed impossible. Off-roading became more than just a hobby—it was a way of life. Our family went from working holidays year after year to spending time together out on the trails every opportunity we got. This included my 3 brothers. We all launched into off-roading feet first.

Looking back, I never would have guessed that growing up around demolition derby would lead me here. But here I am, behind the wheel of my own rig, building, breaking, fixing, and pushing my limits—just like my dad did. The love for adventure never faded, it just took a different route—one trail at a time.