About

Who I Am

My name is Keith Laborde, and I’ve spent the last 10 years carving a path on the open road. For the past three years, I’ve owned and operated my own truck—a Freightliner FLD120 with a Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine. It’s not just a machine; it’s a testament to grit, determination, and the unyielding rhythm of the grind. In a world where comfort and shortcuts are often prioritized, I’ve built a life on resilience, responsibility, and a clear-eyed view of what it takes to thrive in this business.

Trucking as a Way of Life

Trucking isn’t just my job—it’s a way of life. It’s about more than hauling freight; it’s about solving problems with a wrench on the side of a mountain pass, navigating unpredictable weather, and learning to stand your ground in negotiations. It’s about owning your choices, for better or worse, and being able to look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day with pride in what you’ve accomplished.

But I don’t see trucking as a career in the corporate sense, where you climb some invisible ladder toward a glass office. I see it as something more timeless. My life behind the wheel reflects the spirit of the old-school owner-operators who embraced deregulation in the 1980s and made this industry their own. These were the cowboys of the road, defining success on their terms. They didn’t work for accolades; they worked to keep moving forward, hauling the load, and living by a code of independence and self-reliance.

The Resilient Skeptic

I’ve always approached life with a healthy dose of skepticism. I don’t rush into trends or fall for easy answers, especially when it comes to ideas about work and purpose. I believe that truth reveals itself through effort and experience. It’s a mindset I’ve developed after years on the road, where every mile tests your patience, your skills, and your ability to adapt.

That skepticism also fuels my belief in free speech and open dialogue. Out here on the road, you meet people from all walks of life, each with their own stories and perspectives. You learn to listen, to question, and to find common ground, even when it feels like you’re worlds apart. The best ideas—the ones worth holding onto—rise to the top over time, and I think that’s as true for people as it is for problems.

Why I Started Idle and Grind

I launched Idle and Grind as a place to share my journey, my thoughts, and my reflections on what it means to live this life. It’s not polished, and it’s not always pretty. But it’s real. From the joys of driving through untouched wilderness to the frustrations of dealing with brokers and breakdowns, this site is a window into the life of a trucker who sees the road as both a challenge and a calling.

At the heart of it all is my truck—a machine I know like the back of my hand. I don’t name it because it doesn’t need a name. It’s not a pet or a character in a story; it’s a tool, a workhorse, and a partner on this journey. Just like me, it’s here to do the job, mile after mile.

For Those Who Read This Far

If you’ve made it this far, I appreciate you taking the time to learn about my world. This site isn’t just for truckers; it’s for anyone who values hard work, resilience, and the stories we all carry. So, welcome to Idle and Grind. I’m Keith Laborde, and this is the road I’ve chosen to travel.