Conway
headquarters and other terminals have gyms or available exercise equipment. It's a heck of a perk, Bissonnette noted. I'm astounded by the way the company puts such an effort into the well-being of its employees. It is an investment that pays off in several ways, he says. The company might spend a little but they get back 150 percent because a fit employee's going to be more productive and happier, Bissonnette said. And that happiness is infectious, so it benefits everybody. When they are not near a terminal with a fitness room, Bissonnette and his driving partner, William Quito, will seek out a local gym and pay a small fee for a day pass. Nothing's going to stop us from doing our workout. We're going to accomplish that whether we have a company facility or not, he said. Bissonnette's dedication to health and fitness is such a key part of his life that he has always worked to share it with his 11 children, who range in age from 10 to 30. While he allows the occasional trip to McDonald's, he has made sure the kids understand that smart eating choices and frequent activity are essential for maintaining good health. Early education is the key, he said, crediting high school athletics and his military service with reinforcing the healthy habits of his youth. In the military, they taught us the importance of physical well-being and good health, that you've got to be healthy in order to perform to your potential. That's important to remember. Clearly, Gary Bissonnette does remember with daily workouts and healthy eating whether on the road or at home with his family in Vero Beach, Fla. It's a mindset, he says. And one he intends to keep. Con-way Truckload has many open lanes available for teams nationwide. Drivers interested in joining the Con-way Truckload team should visit www.con-way.com/ truckload or call 866-WORK-4-US (866-967-5487). Maintaining the Fitness Mindset Con-way Truckload Driver Gary Bissonnette Finds Ways to Work Out Wherever the Road Takes Him Advertorial Driving a truck comes naturally for Con-way Truckload driver Gary Bissonnette. He dreamt about being a professional truck driver even as a young child. I thought it must be an exciting career, to actually get paid for traveling around and seeing all of America, he said. As a small boy, I either wanted to be a truck driver or a G.I. Joe. With an early stint in the Air Force plus his current career, you might say he's now done both. The 17-year driving veteran has also maintained a lifelong interest in physical fitness. While it is not always easy to keep up with his workouts on the road, he finds a way. You definitely have to make a point in your day that you're going to set aside for exercise, Bissonnette stressed. That can happen wherever he travels and in any kind of weather, Bissonnette says. All that is required is a little creativity. You can work out anywhere, he stressed. You can do sit-ups on your bunk and use the top bunk as a pull-up bar if that's all you've got. He and his driving teammate also travel with a weight they use to add strength training to their workouts. It doesn't take up much space and makes a versatile tool for the two experienced exercisers. We keep a 30-pound weight in the truck, Bissonnette said. It's not a lot but you can accomplish a lot with it if you know how to use it properly. Another important element of Bissonnette's fitness regimen is visits to gyms including those at Con-way Truckload facilities. The company's Joplin, Mo., Company Driver Untitled-10 1 12/1/09 2:05 PM