Jennifer Schwalb
Northwood, NH
"Jeni has attended some of the biggest offroad events across the country over the past few years promoting the Folded Flag Tribute Jeep she and her husband built. They spend the events promoting the Tribute Jeep's message from booth instead of participating in the vehicle. She also runs a offroad charity event with her husband. When she's not busy promoting, she is a Jazzercise instructor, plays paint ball and speed ball, reads, travels with her husband for work and enjoys spending time wheeling with their local club."
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Tell us about yourself, hobbies, etc:
I have been a part of The Great American Jeep Rally, a charity in CT since 2010, and have been running the event with my husband since 2012. We have also built a tribute Jeep to help raise awareness for our service men and women called the Folded Flag Tribute Jeep. We travel all over the states to bring it to different off-road events. On my ‘off-time’ from promoting our charity event and Jeep, I am a Jazzercise instructor and love traveling with my husband for work. I enjoy wheeling (when I actually get the chance) with our club, playing paintball and speedball. I also love reading and spending time with family and friends.
How long have you been offroading?
Since I was a little girl, I have always been more impressed with big trucks and Jeeps than fancy cars and motorcycles. I used to tell my mom that my dream vehicle was a BIG TRUCK! She would laugh and say ‘no hun, you want a sensible car.’ But my dream for big vehicles and off-roading started young. I would say my love for off-roading and such began about 15 years ago, when I was finally able to drive and found people with similar interests.
How did you get into offroading?
As a kid, I loved being on a 4-wheeler if I even got the chance as a kid, and being outdoors was a blast for me! I loved being in the woods, camping, and hiking. Because we lived in the ‘city’ we weren’t able to do this often, but when we did get the chance, I thought it was just fabulous! Then, college comes around, and I was hanging out with the ‘mechanic’ groups, where I was introduced to off-roading and trails. Of course at this age, we didn’t know about Tread Lightly! or the rules of off-road, but would just go out when we were bored and find something to keep us busy. Our thought at the time was go out in 2WD, get stuck, and come back in 4WD, sensible huh? In 2007 a girl I worked with, Rebecca, asked me if I wanted to go wheeling with a group of friends. So we went out, and this is where I learned about Tread Lightly! I found many friends in this group, and it gave me the chance to ride along with anyone looking for a co-pilot. Then I met my husband in 2010, and it’s all history from there.
Tell us about your vehicle:
The Folded Flag Tribute Jeep is our 2015 JK Sahara that we have built in honor of my father-in-law who was a multi-war veteran and passed away from multiple forms of cancer before he was able to attend our charity event. The specs are, as follows: 37-inch BFGoodrich KO2s; 17-inch Raceline wheels; Warn Zeon 8S; Factor 55 Prolink; JCR Body Armor: bumpers, fenders, sliders, tire carrier; Rugged Ridge: grill, hood, light bar, half doors; Clayton OffRoad: LA 3 ½ inch lift, Clayton skid plates (gas tank, transmission and engine); JKS Flex Quick Disconnect; NorthStar dual batteries; Reid Racing Knuckles; Alloy USA 4.88 gears and rear axle shafts; Viair Dual Pump and Tank OBA; Uniden CB; Dirty Dog roll bar covers; ALpine back up camera; Tom Woods drive shafts; Truck Lite headlights; Fox 2.0 shocks; LifeSize Wraps- kick ass wrap!
What has been your favorite offroad experience?
Truth be told, my favorite off-road experience was going to an event called Vermonster, and meeting my husband. Short story, he was trying to be sarcastic, I made fun of him and turned around (my sarcastic sense of humor), he wanted to know who I was, asked a friend, who said, "Oh, that’s Jeni!" Like that explained it all! We hung out the next day. Then we met up that week and hung out. The next weekend I went to volunteer at his event in CT and the rest is history!
What was your most exciting offroad achievement?
The most exciting off-road achievement has to be my first time wheeling with the TJ with BayState Jeepers. I was terrified of holding the guys back, and being thought of as the girl who doesn’t know anything. Up in the northeast, back even just 5 years ago, guys hated having women drivers on the trails with them. They made fun of them, put them down, and just didn’t treat them well in general. After a tough experience, I didn’t want the same thing to happen again. But with the guys of BayState Jeepers help, and positive attitudes, we ended up having a blast, learning a lot, and teaching them a ton! I never felt like I was an inconvenience, and was able to teach them a lot too! After making it through the trails, almost completely unscathed, and then coming to the biggest challenge, and making it through that, I just felt like I was Superwoman! It’s been a wonderful working with these men, and seeing how they treat all new comers, men and women!
What excites you about off-roading?
I love being able to talk with women at the events. Sharing stories, and experiences, and being able to show thim things that will help them in the future. It is so much fun bringing women around the Jeep, showing them all the cool features, and emphasizing the safety gear that they might want on the trail! We have met so many new people from our charity events and travel! I just love the comradery that comes with this sport and the family of friends that we have made!
What do you think is the most challenging aspect of off-roading?
For me, the most challenging aspect of off-roading has to be getting over my own thoughts and fears. As a woman, it is easy to recoil, and think that you don’t have what it takes to do whatever it is you’re about to do. Overcoming the fears is just the hardest part of off-roading.
Which aspect of off-roading do you think is the most fun?
Of course the wheeling i the fun part about off-roading. But to me, the people are the most fun part of any wheeling opportunity! I love meeting new people and talking about shared interests!
What does prepping for an adventure look like in your world?
It all depends on if it is for a day at a booth for an event or a day of wheeling, they’re two totally different experiences. Either way, it helps to have a checklist to make sure you pack all the necessities. Try and be prepared for anything and everything.
What is on your off-roading bucket list?
The biggest thing in my near future is actually going on the trails with the local clubs. That to me is one of the best things that I can think of! I look forward to making new friends and using the knowledge that I have picked up along the way, teaching people, and having fun!
Tell us about your typical off-roading companions:
I am very picky about who I go off-roading with. My husband usually is out of the vehicle taking pictures and walking the trail which means that I GET TO DRIVE!
What is a piece of advice you have been given that you instill in your offroading adventures?
Trust your spotter! That is one of the biggest things that I have learned and that I always tell others. You have to trust that your spotter knows what is happening outside of the vehicle, and that they don’t want you to be harmed! It is easy to go on instinct, but your spotter sees what you don’t see, and that can make or break your vehicle!
Do you have anything else you would like to add?
I would like to thank my husband Josh, without him I wouldn’t even know about the Ladies Offroad Network Challenge or have put in my application. He is the most supportive, helpful, amazing man and I am so lucky to call him mine!
Click here to see all the 2017 Ladies Offroad Challenge Entries.
