Episode 1030 – CC – David McBee

David McBee

David mcbee has been driving jeeps since he was 13. He is the author of the DJ’s Off-Road Adventures children’s book series and he just published a new book called Tales from the Trails: Off-Road Stories of Adventure a resilience.

Hi, I’m Jamie. I’m your host for tonight’s podcast.

 

Welcome to Chitchat, your passport to Jeep Adventures. The podcast with style meets substance and the conversation revolves all around things deep from a distinctly feminine perspective.

 

Join us as we rev our engines and dive deep into the world of off-roading Jeep culture and everything in between.

 

So grab your favorite pair of sunglasses, buckle up and get ready to hit the trails with Chitchat. Because when it comes to Jeeps, the journey is just as fabulous as the destination.

 

Hey guys, I’m Marissa and I’m your co-host for tonight. So if you are new to Jeep Talk Show, Chitchat, I think you’re going to love it. We all did. So welcome aboard and let’s have some fun. Welcome back everybody. So I want to introduce myself. I’m Jamie Stekker-Bets. I am the founder of Girls Play Off-Road. We are a nationwide Jeep group. We do a lot of charity work and it’s just a good time. We’re located all over every social media. We try to make it more of a family than a club or a group. Your sisters and brothers, you just haven’t met yet. So I am so excited to have Marissa with me tonight on this new adventure of ours.

 

We’re going to introduce one of our favorite authors. We are both in his book. Let’s introduce David McBee. David has been driving Jeeps since he was 13. He’s the author of DJ’s Off-Road Adventures Children’s Book Series. He just published a new book called Tales from the Trails Off-Road Stories of Adventure, a Resilience and Resilience. And Marissa and I are both in it, but I have to add in his details that David also wrote another book that I picked up. And I am obsessed with it. Every day lessons, every day, a journey from grumpy to grateful. David, I had to do it. Sorry. So David, welcome to Chick Chat and welcome to being the first guest of ours.

 

Well, I am very honored to be the very first guest on Chick Chat. Thank you very much for having me. Absolutely. You’re welcome. Yay, I’m so excited.

 

David, what inspired you to write the book?

 

Well, I’m glad you actually brought up my other book because it’s like a self-help book. It was my journey when I was struggling with some anger issues and all the stuff that’s not that interesting to a Jeep community. And then I have the DJ books, which are all Jeeps and Off-Road. I kind of thought it’d be cool if my world’s collided, you know, if I could create something that was inspirational while also being Jeep and Off-Road. And, you know, I’ve read so many books that inspired me. I just wanted to be the author of a book like that.

 

I love it. So, hey, guys, I’m Marissa. I am an ambassador for Girls’ Play Off-Road down in Alabama and also a co-founder of Coach Chief Outfitters. So we outfit Jeeps and I just love Jeeps and my husband kind of just blood off on me, which is why I started the store. And so in the store, I also carry all of David’s books. Well, the children’s books and then the new one that I’m in, you guys, those are the trails. So, yes, David, you are not just inspiration and the adult part, but we love your kids’ books. Absolutely. My girls are obsessed with them. So thank you, by the way.

 

Thank you, Marissa. I appreciate all the support you’ve shown my projects.

 

Absolutely. So, look, I can’t wait to order the next batch for the Tales for Girls. Basically, it’s going to be sitting on the show. Yeah, available here.

 

Hey, David. So how did you get all of the people that are in the book? Because there’s a lot of chapters here.

 

Yeah, there’s 46, including myself.

 

These it started out with my own personal circle of influence. You know, I would call a friend and I’d say, hey, well, first of all, I thought people will just write their own story, submit them to me. It’ll be easy peasy. I’ll just publish it. You know, no one really had time to write. So I ended up doing an interview with a very close friend of mine and I said, just tell me your story. And and you both know this. You really didn’t have just a story in your head. I I had to ask the right questions to really find the climax and the good guys and the bad guys. And and I when I wrote the story and I sent it back to her, she she responded just in tears. She was just so pleased to see her story written in a way that, you know, that she didn’t feel like she could do it herself. I thought maybe I’m on to something here. I could really I could really find some people and do something for them and, you know, get to get to put a book out at the same time. So it started with my own personal community. And then I reached out to people on social media and then folks like you, Jamie, you introduced me to other people. So it kind of just spread from my own circle to, you know, six levels down. Eventually, Kevin Bacon will be in the book, I assume. So who was that first person that you just mentioned? I got it. It was Sarah and Sarah had been in a deep depression after the loss of her mother.

 

And she went to a she went to a woman’s one on one course. Her husband encouraged her. Get out in the Jeep. Go out to this one on one course. Sarah. Right. I think or white. Right.

 

And and the the Jeep community kind of just helped break her out of her depression and got her excited about something again. That’s awesome. I know I came to you through Wendy Norton from Newbie Women Wheelers. And Wendy came from Sarah.

 

Sarah went to Wendy’s event. Right. So then Wendy made a big difference for Sarah. Then Wendy, of course, sent me to you. And then it just it just spiraled. That’s also why I got out to Wendy.

 

Yep.

 

And for a while, this is this is super relevant to Chick Chat, I think. For a while there, I thought it was going to be all women like women were coming out of the woodworks. They had all these great stories. Everybody thinks jeeping is like this male dominated sport. It is definitely not like the women are out there and they have these great stories. And I started to feel like I better find some men who are willing to tell me stories or it’s just going to be. You know, I wanted some diversity in there, but that’s that’s an interesting tidbit. I did bring you K-Dawg. You did. A man who had had a great experience with girls play off road. And that’s one of my favorite things about his story.

 

You so you and I had that conversation the other night and you’re like, have you read Corey’s story? I said, no, you’re like, you’re going to die laughing when you’re reading this. And then the next thing I know you’re live reading his story. I’m sitting in my camper at Roush Creek Off-Road Park listening to this. And I was hysterical because knowing his kids and his wife makes it that much funnier because they are a tough crowd.

 

His girls are fantastic.

 

And Corey in person is kind of quiet and reserved.

 

So reading about this or hearing about him going down this huckering hill, I’m trying to figure out where did I take him? Because I know he was only on greens that day. Well, you know how it is when you’re brand new. Even a green can seem very intimidating. And then you look back after you’ve been jeeping for a little while and you’re like, what was I so upset about? You know, well, even if you look at someone’s pictures, it never looks as bad as what it is from behind the steering wheel. For real.

 

And I want to throw in what’s crazy is I have a friend, but he’s also a vendor here at the store that introduced me to Jamie.

 

And so then me and Jamie hit it all. And then I have Leah post on social media. You should ask Marissa about the bat in her Jeep sort of thing. And then me and Jamie talked to him one day. And I said, be and she was like, oh, my God, David, be and then went from there. And so boom, I’ve known this one for a hot minute. And then David, here we go. It just all connects.

 

It’s no longer going to be two degrees of separation to Kevin Bacon. It is going to be two degrees. The David. Exactly. Literally, David would be rather changing lives. I know. Except that I love it. I mean, I I really hope you’re right. Like, I feel like these stories.

 

I mean, I think some of them are really, really, really special. You know, Jamie, your story, I think you are going to inspire people. Right. Like, and you know, you were very vulnerable and very forthcoming with me with your story. I’m like, I don’t know this woman. I can’t believe she’s telling me all this. You were like my third or fourth interview. Like, I was still early on in this process. And then you and I talked for like an hour, hour and a half or something like that. And then I was like, well, I’m going to turn this into a 1200 word story. I got to like edit 50 minutes of this conversation down to 10 minutes. Right. But I called him crying afterwards to thank him because that’s epiphany about my sobriety.

 

That it truly to a place that I have ever been nine years over that it was truly one of the best things in my sobriety to truly help me move forward with my life. Yeah. And Jamie, you told me about when you told them your story, exactly how you felt afterwards, not only after during yourself telling the story. And so I know that feeling that you had while doing all of this with David and then my story is sort of a.

 

A funny one to me. It was torture, very much torture, but it was it was something new to me. And I joined the world. I used to ride shotgun in my husband’s seat, like literally all the time. And then boom, I’m in the spotlight. And so literally not having an offered story, but having more.

 

And David told me that I had one. And then here you’re. Oh, my God. Putting putting both of those, you know, helpful and inspiring and funny and playful and something both that just went together like you’re freaking genius. I love it.

 

Well, I don’t know if I could have written your story without Leah’s help. So she gets a little she gets a little shout out because she she filled in some of the blanks. When you were having a hysterical fit over that bat. So I got to thank her for that. And for those who haven’t read the story yet. Yeah, the bat. My editor thought that was one of the most favorite things in the book actually was the bat.

 

Yeah. So being that we have time on the show, David, you and I were talking about it, that perhaps Marissa and I would both read our story this way to get it out there. And we could have a giggle or a sob or whatever. And this way, it’s a pretty good way to introduce ourselves to our new audience of cheap. So, text, text chat and also to get people more exposed to your book, which I think everyone should have. I mean, your other one is a life changer. So I have to tell you, reading this one. And the first chapter about being on the plane and the taking shoes off and the food and I’m identifying with everything.

 

Don’t give me a little. Give me a little. All right. So let me ask you a question, though. Are are you capable of reading your story allowed for the whole world to hear it in your voice because it’s a vulnerable story. I will do it. I’d love to hear it. I’d love to hear it in your voice. I don’t you know, it’s funny. I read it last night when I got home at eleven thirty from a long day of rails and everything.

 

And it’s different than the first copy that you had sent to me. And it was amazing reading it. But now reading it to you who put this together, this is an entirely different experience.

 

So here I go. I want to throw in.

 

I’m going to throw in first that I am a different breed. I am a different breed in a sense where I like to wait on things. These make me a little nervous, but also in the same sense excited.

 

And so I remember last week when we were talking that, you know, we’re going to do the whole chick pad. And we’re going to introduce that and talk about it. The story sort of possibly when my book came in, I shared it with everyone.

 

And I had to personally sit down and read my story. And I wanted to save this moment for this moment. And so I am don’t do that.

 

Surprise. At least reduce reduce property when you do it. Absolutely. Absolutely.

 

So I’m excited.

 

Are you ready? In time. But yes, Jamie, I couldn’t be more excited to hear your story from your mouth.

 

Let’s do it. Steering towards sobriety. My Jeep’s role in recovery.

 

The cold of December 14, 2014 clung to me like a shadow. My husband of 13 years had just left two months prior. I was wading through a haze of newfound independence, garnished with wild partying. While I’d always dance with liquor and drugs that night my feet would trip.

 

I used some extra money to throw a lavish Christmas party at the local clubhouse.

 

The evening was set. A well-stocked bar brimming with champagne and guests clutching bottles of their favorite poison.

 

My fresh wounds of heartbreak and deep-seated anxiety compelled me to drown them in intoxicating waves of liquor. I achieved, Godzilla taking over the city, levels of drugs.

 

As hours passed, someone inquired if I’d eaten. No, no, I’m good. I slurred back. I could buy two champagne bottles, two and a half bottles of Jack Daniel’s apple cider whiskey, and my spicy introduction to Fireball Shop. I was consuming enough for an entire party. By 9 o’clock my world went dark. The following morning I awoke in a disoriented state, finding myself in my own bed beside a man I had only recently begun to date.

 

A glance out the window revealed my brand new Jeep parked outside.

 

“How did my Jeep end up here?” I asked.

 

He casually responded, “Debbie brought it back.” A sense of unease settled in, hinting that the previous night’s events had spiraled out of control.

 

Stepping outside, I had a conversation with my higher power.

 

“Dear God, I truly have no idea of what happened. I can’t do this anymore.”

 

My mirror reflected a scared, disheveled woman with a 10-year-old daughter depending on her.

 

That hangover dragged its feet for several days. Many would assume that such an event would push me straight to rehab. But like a lot of addicts, I had my reasons to delay. I was finalizing my separation agreement in January and taking a cruise that included an all-inclusive beach club day at a resort in Cozumel. I saw this as my last big hurrah before trying to get sober.

 

In Cozumel, I’d just been drink like before. I was unable to get drunk. It was like my body had made the decision for me. Nonetheless, I still got a bottle of Prosecco because I’ve always loved champagne. I told myself that once it’s finished, I’d stop drinking for good. And that’s exactly what happened. I took my last drink on January 29, 2015.

 

Given that only about 18% of those in recovery managed to stay completely sober, off alcohol in their first year, my chances of staying sober looked slim. So I turned to something I loved, spending time at the beach, Sands Beach Club in Atlantic City.

 

With my husband no longer footing the bill for a cabana and not wanting to hang out at the club bar, I had tried to think outside the box.

 

That’s when I found out I could drive my Jeep onto the Sands. That became my new hangout. I set up my own barbecue and even got a pop-up tent for privacy. The Jeep wasn’t just a vehicle anymore. It became my sanctuary, the symbol of my strength and sobriety.

 

One day, I overheard people talking about off-roading. The idea immediately grabbed my interest. I learned about a New Year’s Eve trail ride at Roush Creek in Pennsylvania and decided I really wanted to drive my Jeep in the woods.

 

Before diving in, I took a beginner course at Northeast Off-Road Adventures in Ellensville, New York. The day-long session equipped me with valuable skills.

 

During the class, as we navigated Pucker Ridge Trail, one driver struggling with their manual transition became quite emotional. I, on the other hand, felt right at home.

 

The challenge was exhilarating. It was one of the most gripping things I’d ever done.

 

That experience got me hooked on off-roading, and my daughter and I decided to attend the event at Roush Creek.

 

We really didn’t know what to expect, but I knew that as long as I was behind the wheel of my Jeep, I could do anything I set my mind to.

 

On the eve of the event, we arrived at the hotel and found everyone gathering at a bar.

 

Choosing to avoid temptation, I decided to meet them the next morning at the park instead.

 

As my daughter and I waited for the event to begin, waves of tear and doubt overcame me. I felt completely out of place.

 

Speaking solace, I browsed an AA app called 24 Hours a Day for the daily reading and stumbled across the Serenity Prayer.

 

It felt like a sign, reassuring me that I wasn’t alone. I called my friend Debbie from finding that I didn’t belong. She responded with insight, likening the situation to my early AA meeting, saying,

 

“These are just friends you haven’t met yet.” The term and I chose to see it through. As I began wheeling, the terrain was treacherous with ice and snow. The guides bombarded me with warnings that driving through ice could snap breaklines.

 

Fear welled up inside of me as I faced each obstacle. More than once I stepped out of my Jeep thinking to myself, “I can’t do this.” But then I was struck by another expression that I learned in recovery.

 

“I can’t. He can. I’ll let him.” So I leaned into my face.

 

That day I came to terms with my limits recognizing in some situations I need to seek help and help was abundantly available. Whenever we confronted a daunting challenge that I wasn’t quite up to, someone would hop into the diversity of my Jeep to navigate the obstacles. Throughout the day, my frequent exes became a running joke among the group with comments like, “Oh boy, she’s out of the Jeep again.”

 

Approaching a hill, we observed vehicles sliding backwards. One individual in sheer panic even attempted to abandon her Jeep mid-slide. After witnessing this chaos, I took my turn. The slippery conditions rewarded my progress causing my tire system wildly.

 

Trying a different approach, I backed up and readjusted, and the icy surface made any forward movement impossible.

 

In the end, my Jeep slid backwards a harrowing 90 feet, perilously close to a steep drop.

 

As I frantically tried to halt my descent shifting between part, drive, and reverse, control remained elusive. Then to my surprise, my daughter yanked the emergency brake.

 

“How’d you know to do that?” I asked.

 

“You sure applied nonchalantly.”

 

When the Jeep finally stopped, her heart stopped and we closed to tumbling over the edge. I was trembling, overcome with fear and relief. The individual behind me noticed my distress, asked if I was okay, and offered me a shot of whiskey. Barely holding it together, I spotted no thanks, I’m sober. Also, I might have just let myself.

 

The off-road community welcomed me with open arms that day, and what started as a group of strangers quickly transformed into a family.

 

Among them, I discovered where I truly belonged.

 

My involvement flourished and I began to establish a reputation I could be proud of, organizing events and stepping into the role of trail guides.

 

In time, I founded Girls Play Off-Road, a platform dedicated to empowering women in the off-road world. While it is geared to a primarily female audience, we welcome families too, creating an inclusive environment.

 

Today, the group hosts over 4,000 members spanning from the East Coast to Hawaii.

 

Together, we’ve created unforgettable memories, including our annual DuProm, where everyone wields informal wear and donates prom attire to underprivileged teens. We have a deeper purpose. Knowing you can’t keep something unless you give it away, the group donates clothing, toys, food, hygiene products, and money to various charities.

 

Years later, in 2021, still sober,

 

my new husband and I were driving my precious Jeep in some bad weather. The roads were slick and treacherous. A car two vehicles ahead of us slowed down, like rubbernecking at a roadside accident.

 

Then, suddenly, deceleration caused a chain reaction brought. With the Prius in front of us, rear-ending the first vehicle and then our Jeep colliding with the Prius.

 

Because my Jeep was lifted, we end up bouncing it and I broke my Jeep’s axle on the roof of the Prius.

 

The extent of the damage was so significant that the insurance company contemplated declaring it a total loss.

 

I was devastated. That Jeep symbolized my journey to sobriety.

 

Observing my reaction, the owner of the pair shop made a fervent lead to the insurance adjuster, insisting you can’t total this Jeep.

 

Luckily, he was persuasive enough and we were able to make the repairs.

 

And here’s the thing I’ve only recently come to realize.

 

My emotional dependence on the Jeep is profound.

 

It’s intertwined with my recovery.

 

And the mere thought of losing it sparks a fear of relapse. It might sound irrational, but it’s a genuine sentiment.

 

Thankfully, my supportive husband, skilled in automotive repair, has vowed to always keep the Jeep operational no matter what damage may come her way.

 

The linchpin in this journey has been my Jeep. Within its confines, I’ve switched to Priyety and it continues to be a steadfast reminder of my commitment to a better life. I am resolute in my belief that as long as my Jeep remains a part of my life, I will be sober.

 

You go, girl.

 

You’re a bad-ass. I don’t care what anybody says. You are a bad-ass.

 

Inspirational. That was so motivational.

 

I mean, thank you. Thank you. Jamie, how does it feel to read that?

 

It’s awesome.

 

There’s, you know, it just sparks so many different memories. It brings me gratitude.

 

It’s wild reliving, you know, and I just, I don’t know. It’s amazing.

 

So I never realized how much I was afraid of losing my Jeep until David and I had this conversation.

 

And we hung up the phone from the first conversation and I called my husband and I’m in tears and I’m like, wow, this interview and holy shit, you know, and oh my God, I’m so superstitious by nature.

 

I’m like, I’m afraid that if something happens to my Jeep, I’m going to lose my society. So there’s a lot of people that believe in the gasket and smash it. And doing blacks to get over things and doing the harder blues and doing red.

 

I have always, in a way, you know, I was trained by Northeast Off-Road Adventures,

 

you know, light on your puddle, you don’t spin your wheel, you know, tread lightly is a big thing. And so having to get a little aggressive and to pop over something doesn’t,

 

it’s that losing control type of thing where I’ve been so trained, yes, I’m powerless, but not to be an animal anymore.

 

So to step out of well-purpose and doing what I’m supposed to do and taking that kind of risk, it’s just, so it’s really, it was an eye-opener. So David, thank you for doing my story so much justice.

 

Well, thank you. I have to tell you, I learned something very valuable when you told me your story because as I embarked on this project, I thought, well, it’s going to be a lot of people who almost tipped their Jeep or got, you know, got over their fear of mountain roads or whatever it might be. And I was like, there’s going to be a lot more to these stories after I talked to you. I was like, this isn’t going to be just a book for Jeep people or off-road people either. Like anyone will find this valuable. The Jeeps just play a huge role as characters in the stories, in my opinion, but the stories themselves are universal. And that I learned from you, Jamie. Thank you. You had said that this was going to be like a chicken soup for the soul.

 

Absolutely. That was definitely a huge inspiration for this book. Absolutely.

 

So, David, question, what would you say to people who are seeking sobriety and or ready for that age, but don’t know how to do it just yet?

 

I’m always available. The end of the chapter has all of my social media. So if anyone was looking for help, I’m a DM away, you know, and I’m giving out my number. You know, someone needs me to be a constant support.

 

So, absolutely. This is a lot of Jamie’s a government. I’ll tell you that even with my face. Or I have two little girls, no matter what. Literally, they are too late on. So Jamie, thank you. By all means, I am super excited that you got the chance to do that. You go girl.

 

David. David, thank you for the second edition.

 

If you know if enough people submit stories, I would consider doing a second volume. Absolutely. Are you taking submissions? Are you interested in meeting your people?

 

Not just yet. Let’s get this one rolling and selling a few copies. But soon, very soon. Absolutely. I’m going to throw that hit in for everyone. They’re listening.

 

Yeah. How great this book is doing on Amazon.

 

So on launch date, it was number one new release.

 

And it peaked at number three for bestseller in the adventure category. Were you expecting this? What were you expecting on opening day?

 

Honestly, I had very high expectations because I knew that there were 46 other people or 45 other people in this book who were telling the whole world about it. So unlike my first book was just me going, hey, I wrote a book. Hey, I wrote a book. Now I’ve got the whole Jeep community. And like there’s 10 or 12 Bronco stories in there and a handful of Toyota stories as well. And I hope those people are proud enough of the book that they share it with the world. So but that’s not why I wrote it. Right. I wrote it because I wanted the experience of writing the book. And I hope the world discovers it and falls in love with it like I have. But, you know, I’ve got a good job. I don’t do this to make money. If the money comes, I’ll spend it on Jeep parts. There you go. I know what about you. I know a guy. I know what happened.

 

So your story is very vulnerable and emotional. Meanwhile, we’ve got the opposite over here with Marissa. Her story is chaos and comedy. It is fantastic. It is. Are you are you willing to read it to us? You know, it’s it’s been a long weekend. But absolutely. I have what passes up for the world. So first off, thank you, David, for this opportunity. I have no clue why you chose me for this book.

 

But I am excited to read it. I mean, who’s in the story is like any other. I think quit quit torturing us. Read the story. I can’t help it up. I’m nervous.

 

All right.

 

All right. All right. Escapades. The story by Marissa.

 

There are what sitting in my life. She’s gladiator. He’s lost and out of that. In the middle of hot springs. All right. It was my birthday. And what was to be an incredible adventure. I take it. I had been to town. A trail.

 

I’ve got daughter Brittany. And things had gone from bad to worse. The journey to high school. We start with the random phone call two weeks prior. I’ve been hanging out with the awesome women called pretty boys. And we’ve earned the name because of our. So please. And that.

 

Thank you, by the way.

 

And that no one thought we would ever take them off road. Well, we were going to all wrong. I going to offer a trip from mobile. I’ll be with hot springs. All right. I’m not. Me and Gates are ready for the challenge.

 

Things got interesting. Right out.

 

I was cruising along with my witness down. Jamie to my favorite teams. When something. One day. And landed on the floor. Of my passenger seat. I looked over. But couldn’t make out. I had a lot of muffins. In front seat. Next to me. Because I love me some muffins. But several. All into the floor. And now we’re making. Impossible.

 

To tell what I was.

 

We pulled ever shortly after that. Wipe off her windshield. And get some gas. I hollered at one of the girls. Who was with us. Hey, Leah.

 

Could you see. What that is.

 

I asked. Pointing to the mysterious object.

 

She approached. Cautious. Here it inside. And said. What. I don’t see anything.

 

My anxiety. Nailed her. And I insisted.

 

It’s right there. Look.

 

Leah. Whatever. It was down there. I was. I was. I was. I was. I was. I was. I was. I was. I was. I was down there. I kept pointing and urging her to find it. I’m going to. Or she said. No. No. No. No. I scream. Exciting. There’s Leah. By the way. I’m sorry.

 

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

 

She was oils sidew Jane. She was an angel. Quickly. Retreated. Joining me. As they say as a safe distance from degrees.

 

That’s what it’s another friend Brian G.’s. came over to see what we were freaking out about. She took a peak. And then burst after, and so it’s just a bad to explain.

 

giggled a heck of a lot more concerned about the poor creature’s safety and I clearly left. Brian escaped it with a dry gas station’s window screeching. She lifted it gently onto the gas pump, better to go off elevation. He even named the car a president.

 

The Bat Charlie by the way.

 

He was saying to him as if he could understand her reassuring him every step of the way.

 

The gas station employees had gathered to watch the spectacles.

 

Following Brian’s leave everyone was laughing and having a great old time but not me. It was two o’clock in the morning and I phoned everyone back at home and woke them up. I told my husband, “Come get me, Brian. I was literally phoned out. I didn’t even want to get back into use. I begged Brian to let me drive her to sleep. I thought my trip would ruin it. I was ready to turn around and go home. When my husband refused my plea for a lift home, I knew I had to overcome my fear and continue the adventure. With the support of my friends, I gradually calmed down, mustering the courage to get back behind the wheel. We still had a long drive ahead of us and despite the bat incident, I was determined to continue our journey.

 

When we finally arrived in hot springs, it was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. It was majestic Arkansas Mountains took my breath away. A stark contrast to the beach ace I’m just seeing. The bright colors of the landscape were a sight to behold even though we were just a little early for the fall voyage.

 

I had another surprise waiting for me. My goddamned greeting had turned up out of the blue for my birthday. Now I had a weekend and I navigated. The park owner gave us a mat and told us about the Jeep badge on the ground. I’d always wanted to adorn to say “bad.” So Brittany and I decided to tackle a trail called “State.”

 

Y’all, this is pretty breathless. Don’t be worried.

 

Little did we know that this trail was at the shore of the clean ice on the roller coaster ride with the woods testing both by driving Phil’s and Goose’s capabilities.

 

The trail lived up to its name, winding like a snake in a dense forest.

 

Brittany, armed with a camera, eagerly documented the art adventure as we navigated the steep inclines to tight-quarters and challenging obstacles. Goose, with her fat, thick lip, and her tiniest tires painted the terrain like a ship. A far crop from the usual curves are ramped back home.

 

But as we did it further down the trail, things took a turn for the worse. This narrow path originally caused for buggies and indoor jeeps weren’t indeed ideal for the 18-foot length of the fully-built Jeep gladiator.

 

I found myself maneuvering in ways I’d never met, trying to avoid trees and rocks that seemed determined to scratch out my beloved skates. At one point, we were almost critical and my huge gauge, fuel gauge indicator went off, showing that I was really out of breath. We looked at the map to try and figure out the fastest way to practice civilization, and that’s when we realized we had no clue where we were. Panic set in. There we were, tossed in the woods and running out of gas.

 

Desperate to find our way out. We crossed our fingers and picked a direction. We continued down the same plain, endless trail, navigating sharp turns and steepest sets.

 

Every scratch from Goose’s exterior was like nails or a chalkboard. About this time, a two-door Jeep came down the trail, expecting me to get out of the way. I thought, “Here we go again.” I backed up and over a steep hill, branches, painting goose with those argon-pulped and bright, I had heard so much about. I looked down at my gas case and it read, “Distance, empty, zero.”

 

The sun was beginning to set and I was breaking out.

 

I just wanted to get out of the woods. Where was my precious speech when I needed it? Miraculously, we saw somehow made it back to the parking lot and flat ground. As I wondered, how was I going to make the gas station? I looked at my gas again. This time it read, “Distance, empty, 61.”

 

Turns out, I had plenty of fuel all along, but the steep angles and made the gauge be funny.

 

I took a deep breath of relief, sigh of relief, and stepped out of gear to assess the damage and silently through God for getting me through the harrowing ordeal.

 

As I shared the story with my friends, I couldn’t help but laugh at this obscurity of it all. The bat, the challenging trail, getting lost, the near-empty grass tank that wasn’t really near empty in the battle spurs, it made for a birthday weekend I could never forget.

 

It was a reminder that sometimes the best memorable adventures are the ones you’ll ever see coming and I wouldn’t have found it any other way, except for the bat. I probably could have talked about the bat.

 

That is awesome. That is such a huge story. So one, thank you, by the way, and two, reading it again, I read the one that I had to proofread, but reading that one, I just relived it again. I could cry right now because of that flying into my Jeep. I felt an invasion of privacy sort of thing. Like, oh my gosh, I had just gotten my Jeep re-done for my birthday.

 

I had to put a system in it to have a Windows down, play our music, and I was by myself and I was just in the moment and randomly, I loved muffins. So Leah had bought me like two packs of blueberry muffins and then I had both of them back and so I had muffins all over my front seat.

 

And when we stopped and I saw Charlie, I was ready to go. I honestly was ready to go. I was kind of on the trip, go home, please come get me. I literally called everyone. I was like, get your ass off of me.

 

I got to tell you, your story was one that I really struggled to capture your voice, right? I really wanted it to sound like you.

 

But you, when you originally told me the story, you like flipped out. Oh my God, I called everybody. Like I had a hard time writing that, you know?

 

And my editors and my test readers all wanted me to change me and Goose to Goose and I. And I’m like, nah, she says me and Goose. I promise you that. So David, from everything I’ve read, I know that being an author is not your first thing. You’re in sales and everything.

 

How’d you get into writing? Did you always want to be an author? Like, how did this all start?

 

Uh, no, no, I, it goes back to that other book, Everyday Lessons, Everyday. I, um, I mean, the truth is I was struggling with a lot of demons in my life and I decided to take a journey, um, to improve my relationships. And the way I was going to do that was going to read 20 minutes of a self-improvement book every single day. And I thought, well, I’ll just document this journey for myself. So I would write down how I screamed at my daughter for no good reason. And then how I apologized to her, you know, because I had read in a book, always apologize first, even if you don’t think you’re wrong, always apologize first. And so I did that and that’s like, I don’t know, I just put it out there, right? And I don’t know. I probably told 12 copies of that book, right? Like it wasn’t like a big hit by any means, but then the children’s books, they just kind of happened organically. And anyone who’s ever heard me talk on the Jeep talk show before has probably heard my story of freaking out on hell’s revenge. And um, you know, and then somebody said, Hey, that sounds like the little engine that could you should turn that into a children’s book. And I was like, I don’t know anything about being a children’s book author, but I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like creativity is divinely inspired and I didn’t really have a choice but to do it, you know? And then this book, I swear I wanted to write a fourth DJ book, but it just wasn’t coming to me. And honestly, the DJ books are really, really expensive to create Jamie because I have to hire an illustrator and they’re just, they’re a, they’re an expensive endeavor, right? I have to sell a lot of those books just to break even. So I said, well, I still want to tell these Jeep stories. I want to tell these off-road stories. How can I do it without having to hire an illustrator? I just so happened to be reading chicken soup for the soul at the time. And I thought, well, I could do this, you know, I could turn this into like, it inspired me to go out and find those stories. So no, I never thought I’d be your author.

 

And even now I kind of wonder if I’m any good at it. So it’s just pretty excellent. I mean, come on now. Absolutely. Youth Outfitters is excited and already proud to have you in the store. So thank you. David, so do me a favor for all the people that are listening. Would you mind telling them about your website, social media, where they could find you, how they could stock you as much as I do?

 

Sure.

 

Same thing.

 

In my real job, I’m a search engine marketing guy. So I’m an internet advertising consultant, right? So if you Google David McBee, you’re going to find me. That’s that’s easy enough. But all my social media handles are DJ’s Off-Road Adventures.

 

And so that’s, you know, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, you can find DJ’s Off-Road Adventures. Also, DJ’s Off-Road Adventures dot com, of course, to buy the books. And then I have one brand new URL, which is tales from the trails, off-road dot com.

 

So tales from the trails, off-road dot com. But other than that, DJ’s Off-Road Adventures and David McBee.

 

Well, thank you for being our first guest. You definitely made this a whole lot more comfortable for us.

 

And I think this is the best way for us to start something great, Marissa. Absolutely. I’m excited, Jamie. We have a lot more to come.

 

So we’re wrapping up here. We’re getting to the end of the hour.

 

Girls play off-road can be found on Facebook. Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, all under girls play off-road. No spaces in that.

 

Marissa, where are we finding Gulf Coast sheep outfitters? So Gulf Coast sheep outfitters is in Mobile, Alabama. We have one brick and mortar at the moment. And that is 1020 Schillinger Road South. And you can find that again in Mobile, Alabama. But also all of my social media is Facebook slash Gulf Coast sheep outfitters. With an S and all one word Instagram, same name, Gulf Coast sheep outfitters. TikTok, name as well, Gulf Coast sheep outfitters. So we have a website that’s currently being rebuilt. But stay tuned and it’ll be out shortly. But it’s PC sheep outfitters dot com. So of course, Gulf Coast sheep outfitters is a mouthful. So GC for Gulf Coast. So you guys can find us there. And we also have to remember, mention, excuse me, that you are the queen of girls play off road Gulf Coast. I am. I am. Marissa will be putting together events in Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Panhandle of Florida.

 

Absolutely. We’re coming for you guys. Big members, please join.

 

Listeners join. Let’s have some fun together. We’ve got a whole bunch of groups up there. Absolutely.

 

Also, I want to mention that here in Mobile, Alabama, we have these awards given to businesses and whatnot. And so last year I was nominated for Best Minority Owned Business. Best New Minority Owned Business and also Best New Business for two years. So this year I’ve nominated for you guys to go vote at the awards to

 

vote me for Best Minority Owned Business here in Mobile, Alabama. I greatly appreciate that to to win something like, you know. Second year in prison, almost. So I’m excited, excited. And there’s a lot of people that come into the store and they’re like, oh, it’s a chick. And then they get to talk to me and was like, OK, she does a chick. I’m not even a lot. What’s the teach off? I’m like, bring it all day. So, yeah, come on. Yeah.

 

So thanks for joining us on our episode of Chick Chat, your passport to Jeep Adventures. We hope to enjoy our journey through the world of Jeep from a woman’s perspective. As we close out, we’d like to extend a huge, huge thank you to our incredible guest, David McPhee, for sharing his story. Thanks, David. And of course, a big shout out to all of our listeners. Without you, Jeep Talk Show Chick Chat could not be possible, would not be possible. We hope that you found today’s episode informative, entertaining and empowering.

 

So big announcement.

 

Marissa and I will be doing this every two weeks. We’re going to be changing the format up every once in a while. We’re going to be doing an empower hour. Women only. It’s going to be a roundtable discussion, going to be an invite only.

 

This way, we’re going to make sure that we keep the boys out for that hour. And it’s going to be a great time.

 

So tune in next time for more exciting adventures, captivating stories, invaluable insights from the worlds of Jeep.

 

Until then, stay stylish, stay adventurous, keep on jeeping. This is Jamie signing off from Chick Chat. See you on the trails. Bye, guys.

 

Broadcasting since 2010.

 

I freaking love you.

 

We did it. Holy crap. You guys are nuts. I can’t even.

 

You’re my friend. You’re my new friend.