Iwona Blecharczyk, a Polish lorry driver, YouTube sensation, and the visionary founder of Imagination Transport, has forged an extraordinary path in the male-dominated trucking industry. Known to millions online as the “Trucking Girl,” Iwona’s journey is an inspiring tale of resilience, ambition, and an unyielding passion for the open road.
During the Allison Transmission visit, TFME had the chance to sit down with Iwona to delve deeper into her career and her journey to becoming one of the industry’s most influential figures.
Iwona’s entry into trucking was far from typical. Originally a teacher, she struggled to find her way in an industry with no family connections to guide her. “My dream was to be a truck driver, but my parents were teachers,” Iwona recalls. Her first steps into the profession were challenging — sending out hundreds of CVs, facing countless rejections, and enduring six months of relentless job searching before finally landing her first role in 2011. Despite offers for office-based roles within the company, Iwona’s heart was set on driving. “I wanted to drive these big trucks, to hit the road,” she says, capturing the ambition that would propel her career forward.
Her initial position allowed her to gain valuable experience with standard curtain-sided trailers and exposed her to the basics of transport logistics. From there, Iwona explored various areas within the transport sector, including air cargo logistics and temperature-controlled transport, taking her all across Europe. “It was a huge company, and I got to change departments and learn new things,” she notes. Her determination to continuously evolve and challenge herself led her to specialise in heavy-duty transport.
A life in oversized transport
By 2016, Iwona had found her niche in oversized transport—a specialisation that fulfilled her desire for adventure and mastery of unique skills. She began working for a company that handled heavy-duty, oversized cargo, such as wind turbine blades. “I was transporting blades approximately 66 metres long across Europe,” she explains. This was a pivotal moment in her career, allowing her to handle complex cargo that few truckers dared to manage. Yet, true to her nature, Iwona was always seeking the next level.
“I had this big dream that made me become a truck driver in the first place—to drive American trucks on American highways,” she recalls. In 2018, she seized the opportunity to move to Canada, initially driving standard rigs across Canada and the U.S. However, the pull of oversized, high-risk cargo called her once again, leading her to pursue one of her most thrilling experiences yet—hauling goods on Canada’s infamous ice roads.
Conquering Canada’s Ice Roads
Transporting goods on the ice roads to remote diamond mines in Canada marked one of the highlights of Iwona’s career. “The average temperature was around minus 40 Celsius, with wind chill making it feel like minus 70,” she recounts. Equipped with boots designed for temperatures as low as minus 100 degrees, Iwona faced extreme conditions that tested her endurance and skill. The experience, though challenging, was deeply fulfilling. “Driving on the ice roads was my dream come true,” she says, adding that it allowed her to witness the spectacular Aurora Borealis every night.
During her time on the ice roads, Iwona also learned invaluable survival skills. She recalls how she became adept at chaining up her truck quickly — something she had never done during her six years driving in Europe.
“On the oil fields, the roads were so greasy that I had to chain up the truck every day,” she explains. Working in the wild, surrounded by vast forests and wildlife, Iwona embraced the rugged side of trucking, an experience that would shape her resilience and confidence as a driver.
After a year in Canada, Iwona returned to Europe, but her time abroad had changed the way she would perceive how her career would work out. “It took me two years to find the courage to start my own transport company,” she admits. In 2021, after a decade of working in various transport roles, Iwona founded Imagination Transport — a name, she says, that was inspired by the dreams that had driven her career. Starting her business from scratch was no easy feat, especially without substantial financial backing.
She recalls living on the road and surviving on minimal income during the company’s early days.
Yet, with perseverance, Iwona expanded her company, eventually adding a heavy-duty 4-axle truck with a 750-horsepower engine and a 7-axle trailer capable of carrying loads up to 120 tons. Today, she uses this truck to transport a range of heavy cargo, from wind turbine components to military equipment, across Europe. “When fully loaded, my truck can weigh up to 120 tons,” she says proudly. Her work requires a high level of technical skill and coordination, especially when handling extendable trailers that can stretch an additional 17 metres to accommodate oversized loads.
The Rise of “Trucking Girl”
Iwona’s influence extends far beyond the physical roads she travels. In 2013, she launched her YouTube channel, Trucking Girl, where she shared insights into her life as a truck driver. Her engaging personality and behind-the-scenes look at the trucking world quickly gained her a massive following. Over time, she expanded her social media presence to platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, amassing millions of followers. Iwona’s online popularity has allowed her to bridge the gap between truck drivers and the general public, inspiring young women to enter the industry.
In 2019, her efforts were formally recognised when she received the “Barbie Shero” award, an accolade honouring women who serve as positive role models. Iwona’s social media presence has not only boosted her career but also provided her with a platform to discuss critical issues within the trucking industry. “I try to use my social media to talk about important matters, like the working conditions drivers face on the road,” she says. Her advocacy has resonated with fans around the world, positioning her as a powerful voice in the industry.
Pioneering in a Male-Dominated Industry
Throughout her career, Iwona has continually challenged stereotypes and expectations. Trucking, particularly in specialised fields like heavy-duty and ice road transport, remains predominantly male, but Iwona has shown that gender is no barrier to success in the field. Her journey reflects a spirit of adventure, independence, and resilience that few possess, making her a role model for aspiring drivers around the world.
By founding Imagination Transport, Iwona also established herself as a businesswoman and an entrepreneur. Her decision to create her own company allows her greater control over the projects she takes on, from transporting wind turbines to delivering critical military cargo. It also gives her the freedom to embody the values she champions—resilience, ambition, and the willingness to break boundaries.
Iwona’s career thus far has been marked by a series of achievements and personal milestones, each one a stepping stone to her next adventure. As she continues to grow Imagination Transport, Iwona remains committed to pushing the limits of her skills and her company. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion, inspiring countless fans and followers to pursue their dreams, no matter how unconventional.
With her social media influence, Iwona plans to keep advocating for better working conditions and gender equality within the trucking industry. “I think of my platform as a tool to drive change,” she reflects. As her audience grows, so too does her potential to influence positive changes for drivers worldwide.
Iwona Blecharczyk is more than just a lorry driver; she is a trailblazer, a social media star, and an entrepreneur with a mission. Through her journeys on the road and online, she has made her mark on the industry and continues to inspire those around her. From navigating Europe’s highways to conquering Canada’s ice roads, Iwona’s story is one of grit, vision, and the courage to dream big.
