My Journey

How a Jeep Changed My Life

"Life is all about the journey, not the destination."

The Perfect Storm: Life Before Jeep

In 2012, my life was engulfed by what felt like a perfect storm. As I neared 50, my body and hormones were changing, and depression began to creep in. My two incredible kids were growing up, and my years as a stay-at-home mom were drawing to a close.

For twelve years, I lived my dream as a mini-van mom, PTA president, scout leader, and soccer mom—fully immersed in raising my kids. But suddenly, it all stopped.

My social circle revolved around other soccer moms, our friendships built around our children’s lives. While I loved every moment with my kids, I realized I had lost touch with my own passions. I felt uncertain, lonely, and out of place.

Then one day, clarity struck: I no longer wanted to be the competitive, helicopter mom. It was time to step back, let my children grow, and rediscover who I was outside of being “just mom.”

Looking back, I realize that I had been living a life shaped by the expectations of others, trying to fit into a role that no longer felt right for me. 

First Day of School picture with my boys.

Finding Light: My First Jeep Wrangler

A spark of light came in the most unexpected way. On a Boy Scout trip, one of the dads drove a group of boys in his Jeep Wrangler Sport. The excitement on their faces—the wind in their hair, the freedom of the open ride—ignited something in me.

That weekend, I couldn’t stop talking about the Jeep. My son found a nearby dealer, and the next day I test-drove a brand-new 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara. By the end of the day, I was a proud Jeep owner.

That Jeep would change my life forever.

From Soccer Mom to Jeep Momma

Soon after buying my Jeep, a friend encouraged me to start a blog. That simple suggestion opened a new world. Blogging became my passion project, a way to explore what made me happy and reconnect with creativity I thought I had lost.

As I promoted my blog, I discovered a vibrant community of Jeep owners. The Jeep family, especially the women, welcomed me with kindness.  I began focusing on my physical and mental well-being, stepping out of my comfort zone to try new things—even if it meant doing them alone because my interests had changed from those of my usual circle. For the first time in years, I felt free to be myself without competitive pressures.

I traded My Sahara for a Rubicon within a year. 

👉 How to Find Your Passion

👉 How to Live Life to the Fullest

Building Confidence: Modifications and Off-Roading

At first, I started small—floor mats, seat covers, steering wheel grips. But soon, I was tackling bigger modifications like bumpers and off-road lights. Despite having no garage experience, I pushed myself to learn.

In 2014, just a year after buying my Sahara, I traded it for a 2015 Rubicon. That Jeep introduced me to off-roading—a hobby I never imagined I’d enjoy. Off-roading gave me thrills, built confidence, and helped me discover strength I didn’t know I had.

Adventures Beyond My Comfort Zone

My Jeep took me to incredible places:

• Moab, Utah: Where I conquered legendary trails and overcame my fear of heights.
  👉 My First Moab Adventure

Jeep Momma first time wheeling in Moab

• Uwharrie National Forest, North Carolina: Where I camped and wheeled with strangers who quickly became friends.👉 Conquering Uwharrie

Jeep Momma in Uwharrie, NC

Each trip pulled me outside my comfort zone. Each adventure taught me independence, courage, and resilience.

New Doors: The Jeep Talk Show

My Jeep adventures even opened new opportunities. I was invited to co-host the Jeep Talk Show Podcast, where I shared my Jeep experiences for almost seven years. That platform allowed me to connect with Jeepers around the world and rediscover my love for storytelling.

Rediscovering Myself

Behind the adventures, I was still silently struggling. I had left my career in television news years earlier and often felt like my life had stalled. Writing blogs and creating YouTube videos filled me with joy, but my Jeep friends lived far away. At home, my marriage was unraveling. My partner had emotionally checked out, and eventually, I discovered he had already moved on.

My Jeep became my escape. But I still needed to heal.

A Leap of Faith: A Cross-Country Adventure

Encouraged by a fellow Jeeper, I took a leap—a 34-day sponsored trip across America. I left Maryland, honored my sponsor commitments, and embraced adventure.

But when I returned, everything changed. My job was gone, my marriage was ending, and my life as I knew it was over. That Jeeper, who had seemed supportive, turned out to be manipulative, exploiting my vulnerability.

Despite the hardship, this experience was crucial in shaping my current path. It was painful—but it was also the start of my rebirth.

My New Adventure Out West

In 2020, I moved west to Colorado. With my partner at the time, I began flipping Jeeps and running a 4x4 shop. Living in the mountains gave me the chance to rediscover myself—exploring the Rubicon Trail, the Mojave Desert, Moab, and the San Juan Mountains.

But I also began to see red flags in that relationship. Over time, it became toxic and emotionally abusive. Those two years were a learning experience—about Jeeps, about life, and about myself. The journey was challenging, but ultimately, it was essential for the personal growth I needed.

👉 Read my book: Emotional Vampire: Escaping the Abuse of a Toxic Person

Breaking Free and Healing

By the time I left Colorado, I was broken. Emotional abuse had left me drained and isolated. Quietly, I packed up my Jeep and moved in with my sister. That was the first step toward healing.

My journey of healing began with education—understanding red flags, manipulations, and the impact of abuse. Writing my book was part of that process, helping me process my anger, betrayal, and grief.

Eventually, I found peace through faith. Finding Jesus gave me the strength to forgive, release bitterness, and move forward with clarity.

A Journey of Healing and Faith

As I navigated this new chapter of my life, I also began to confront the emotional abuse I had endured. My healing journey started with education. I needed to understand the red flags I had missed and recognize the manipulations used by my abuser. It wasn’t an easy process. The first steps—acknowledging the abuse and deciding to leave—were the hardest. But they were necessary to transform my life and find the happiness and love I deserved.

Emotional abuse is insidious; it creates trauma and affects everyone differently. Millions of men and women experience this kind of abuse, often without realizing it. Many, like me, believe they are the problem, and feel isolated because no one believes their story. Writing my book helped me in my healing process but I still had a lot to overcome. I had built up a lot of anger not just from Colorado but from Maryland friends who betrayed me, and my ex-husband. The book I wrote was about my experience and what I learned. My hope is someone else will read my book and find they are not alone.

When I left my sister’s home in Minnesota to start a new life in Wyoming, I thought I was better. But it wasn’t until I embraced faith in God that I fully accepted the betrayals I had experienced. Finding Jesus brought me peace and helped me move forward.

Moving Forward: A Life Reclaimed

Today, my Jeep is more than a vehicle—it’s a symbol of my resilience. My journey has been about rediscovery, healing, and empowerment.

Through my blog, videos, and book, I hope to inspire others to:

• Recognize their worth.

• Find healing after toxic relationships.

• Embrace adventure and passion.

Keep on Jeeping—because the journey shapes us more than the destination.

FAQs

How did a Jeep change your life?

Buying a Jeep helped me rediscover passion, confidence, and purpose. It opened doors to community, creativity, and self-discovery.

Can off-roading really build confidence?

Yes! Off-roading forces you to face challenges and fears head-on. Each obstacle overcome builds resilience and strength.

What advice do you have for someone recovering from emotional abuse?

Start with education, acknowledge the abuse, and find support. Healing is a journey—but you are not alone.

   

Photo Courtesy FecciUSNomads

This personal blog is written and edited by Tammy/Jeep Momma.

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