The Long Haul EP06 From the NFL to Trucking: Mike Tolbert on Scaling, Pivoting, and Fixing the Parking Crisis

From NFL Pro Bowler to trucking entrepreneur, Mike Tolbert knows what it means to take on challenges—both on the field and in business. After a nine-year NFL career with the Chargers, Panthers, and Bills—where he earned three Pro Bowl selections, two All-Pro honors, and helped lead Carolina to a Super Bowl run—Mike tackled a new industry: trucking.

During the pandemic, he launched his own trucking company and quickly scaled operations. But as costs soared and the freight market shifted, he faced the brutal realities of running a fleet. In this episode, Mike opens up about what went right, what went wrong, and what he’d do differently if he had to start over.

Now, he’s on a new mission—solving the truck parking crisis. With limited options in major metro areas, restrictive zoning laws, and growing demand, he’s running into roadblocks that could impact the entire industry.

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