Calling her a "trailblazer in wellness" for the trucking industry, the Howes company's long-running Hall of Fame welcomed Hope Zvara, CEO and founder of Mother Trucker Yoga, into the group of deserving truckers, farmers and other diesel-reliant business and organizational leading lights who've made a big difference doing what they do. Zvara has transformed the way truck drivers approach health and fitness on the road, making wellness accessible and achievable for thousands of professionals nationwide.
Hope Zvara’s journey to becoming a leader in trucking wellness began with her own personal struggles. Battling anxiety, depression and addiction as a young adult, she found solace and purpose in yoga. It not only changed her life but set her on a path to helping others. In 2006, she opened her own yoga studio, where she focused on teaching movement and wellness beyond just traditional poses.
Her mission took an unexpected turn at a Wisconsin business mixer when she was asked if she had wellness programs for truckers. In a moment of inspiration, she coined the name “Mother Trucker Yoga,” and what started as a spontaneous idea quickly became a groundbreaking movement.
In 2018, Zvara officially launched Mother Trucker Yoga at the Mid-America Trucking Show, introducing a fresh, practical approach to wellness tailored specifically for drivers. Unlike traditional fitness programs, Zvara’s method focuses on simple, effective movements that can be done right in and around the cab, making health and fitness more accessible to those living life on the road.
Since then, Mother Trucker Yoga has grown into a comprehensive wellness platform, featuring an easy-to-use app with hundreds of instructional videos, a line of all-natural pain relief products under the Road Relief Wellness brand, and ongoing educational resources including books, webinars, and industry training programs. Through her work, Zvara has empowered thousands of truck drivers to take small, manageable steps toward better health, improving not only their well-being but also driver retention and longevity in the profession.
“I believe it’s entirely possible to change the narrative of health in this industry,” says Zvara. “Drivers should never have to choose between their health and their job. I want them to see that small, consistent changes can lead to big results.”
Zvara told her story in part in this 2023 edition of the Overdrive Radio podcast, when contributor Long Haul Paul Marhoefer met her at MATS that year.
Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. Through the innovative approach she takes, combined with relentless commitment, Zvara has changed the way truckers perceive and prioritize health, Howes noted. Truckers who've embraced her program describe it as a game-changer, proving that wellness is possible anytime, anywhere.
“Hope’s inspired passion for helping truckers realize the benefits of exercise in their extremely demanding jobs captured our attention,” said Robert B. Howes II, President of Howes Products. “It’s a critical step we’d like to see all drivers embrace and one we hope to shine a light on by inducting her into the Howes Hall of Fame.”
With the honor, Zvara joins a distinguished group of individuals recognized for their lasting impact on the trucking and other diesel-reliant industries. The honor, the company noted, highlights her contributions in reshaping driver wellness and her unwavering commitment to improving lives on the road.
If you're in attendance at MATS this week, stop by Zvara's Mother Trucker Yoga booth, No. 37562, for demos, wellness products, and the launch of new programs. Zvara will also be hosting a session at the East Hall ProTalks Stage on Saturday morning, March 29, at MATS from 9:45-10:30 a.m. Session attendees will get a chance to win RoadPro cookware and gear.
More information on Hope Zvara and Mother Trucker Yoga at this link.
Browse the full run of Howes Hall of Fame members via the virtual hall here.
Past Howes Hall of Fame inductees:
**Farmer Veteran Coalition
**'Trucker Josh' Giesbrecht
**Owner-operator Kate Whiting's 'Cherry Pie' custom 1973 Kenworth W900A
**Owner-operator Angelique Temple
**Red Eye Radio host Eric Harley
**Professional trucker Billy Stone
**Peterson Farm Brothers
**Truckers Against Trafficking
**Trucker-songwriter Tony Justice
**The Iowa 80 Truck Stop
**Ellen Voie of Women in Trucking
