From the NFL to Trucking: Mike Tolbert on Scaling, Pivoting, and Fixing the Parking Crisis
March 20, 2025 · 39 min
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.