Work/Life Profile

Solo Driver

After making a living as a rodeo clown and bull fighter for 20 years, Larry Clayman thinks driving a truck is an easy job. Larry traveled for 15 years through 45 states in the U.S., five provinces in Canada and three European countries with a chimpanzee named Toto by his side. As a third generation rodeo clown, Larry was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association and received the highest honor: being chosen as a bull-fighter to go to the National Finals in 1973. He was also the first American rodeo clown chosen to work in the Canadian National Finals and had the privilege of working at Madison Square Garden and touring in Europe. 

Before his rodeo career, Larry was in the Marine Corps. Even with his military background, the rodeo was still a rough and physically demanding career.  Rodeo clowns and bullfighters often work injured with broken bones and plenty of aches and pains, the business takes its toll on the body. After spending two decades running from the horns of a bull, Larry left the physical aspects of the rodeo and became a rodeo producer; coordinating livestock and ensuring everything was taken care of for the shows. In due time, he decided to leave the rodeo business altogether and trade it for a profession with less stress and less physical demands than his previous careers. For Larry, it was a natural transition to become a professional truck driver. Growing up on a farm, he spent a great deal of his childhood around trucks, he drove his first truck hauling produce at the age of 13. Later, during his career in the rodeo, he spent years hauling livestock and pulling a bull rack. He felt driving a truck was second nature to him and it made good sense for a career choice.  According to Larry, "driving a truck is like swinging in a hammock," so it's safe to assume he has found a career in trucking that, to him, is less stressful and easier on his body.

He had watched CFI (now Con-way Truckload) grow over the years.  he trucks ran in his area north of Austin TX--a good indication to him that driving for the company would allow him to get him home often. He chose to work for Con-way Truckload eight years ago. He thinks the company is great with good communicators and strong management. Larry drives a dedicated route in the southwest region, accumulating 2500-3000 miles weekly and is home 1-2 days every week. On occasion, he still announces at the rodeo, but Toto the chimp is no longer at his side. These days he rides with his Beagle, Ziggy, to keep him company when he is on the road, and he finds the seat of his truck leaves him a lot less sore than the horns of a bull.