In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Jamie Hagen, owner of Hell Bent Xpress and long-time Mack Trucks advocate, to talk about the business, discipline, and data behind running a successful trucking operation. Known for his fleet of Gen One Anthems and now a striking amber-orange Mack Pioneer and his social media presence, Jamie brings an open, practical look at the everyday challenges and rewards of life on the road.

Jamie discusses:

-His family roots in trucking and how Hell Bent Xpress was born

-How he achieves fuel efficiency numbers up to 25% better than the national average

-The evolution from driver to fleet owner — and what it really takes to grow responsibly

-How Mack Trucks’ customization and dealer support help fleets succeed

-The features of his new Pure Profit Pioneer and why it’s changing his business

With humor, humility, and hard-earned insight, Jamie proves that trucking success is built one penny, one mile, and one relationship at a time.

What's next?

Tune in weekly for new episodes!

Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:

https://mackshop.com/

Book a virtual truck tour!

https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Jared Sweeney, Vice President, Transportation Group at Cottingham & Butler, joins Beyond the Bulldog to demystify trucking insurance—why costs keep climbing and what fleets can actually control.

Jared breaks down:

-What drives premium increases and how underwriters assess risk (claims history, CSA profile, routes, driver pool)

-Practical ways to lower total cost: top-down safety culture, spec and maintenance discipline, dash cams, smarter deductibles

-Group captives 101: when they fit mid-size fleets, how loss funds work, and why dividends are possible

-Navigating a volatile market: telling a credible safety story to carriers and avoiding jurisdictional “hellholes”

-Why cameras protect drivers and accelerate fair claims outcomes

-Key takeaways from Cottingham & Butler’s Transportation Summit that leaders can apply immediately

Whether you run 10 trucks or 1,000, this episode gives you actionable strategies to manage risk—not just buy insurance.

What’s next?

Tune in weekly for new episodes!

Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:

https://mackshop.com/

Book a virtual truck tour!

https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

In her second of three appearances, Ingrid Brown—46-year professional driver, Operations Manager at Blackjack Express, and long-time Women In Trucking (WIT) board member—joins Beyond the Bulldog to talk about how women are shaping every corner of trucking.

Ingrid discusses:

-The real challenges women face on the road—and why clear, accurate communication beats stereotypes

-How WIT supports drivers: mentorship, scholarships, the Whitney education trailer, image team, and recognition programs

-Mental health on the road: reducing isolation, knowing when to ask for help, and building support systems

-Equipment and ergonomics: practical fixes and why design matters for every body

-Career paths beyond the cab: mechanics, safety, dispatch, brokerage, leadership—and how women thrive across the industry

With candor and humor, Ingrid shows how inclusion, mentorship, and equal standards make fleets safer, stronger, and more resilient.

2:09: Ingrid Brown, Woman in Trucking

8:40: Figuring it out and mental health in trucking

16:12: Ingrid's Roles in Trucking and Women in Trucking

21:01: Challenges for Women Truckers

33:37: What Opportunities Exist for Women in Trucking?

39:50: This Week In History: World Statistic Days

41:00: The Root Causes of Problems between Men and Women Truckers

45:31: Advice to Trucking Companies

What’s next?

Tune in weekly for new episodes!

Learn more about Women in Trucking:

https://www.womenintrucking.org/

Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:

https://mackshop.com/

Book a virtual truck tour!

https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/