Michelle Gary – Ladies Offroad Featured Entry
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Michelle Gary – Ladies Offroad Featured Entry

Author: Michelle Gary

Michelle Gary-LONChallengeMichelle Gary
Fairlawn, OH
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"Michelle has been offroading for about 3 years, spending time exploring various rock crawling and mud trails as a driver. She spent much of her life following society's expectations and then one day realized she wanted more. She started Crossfit, ran a Marathon, bought a Jeep and got her CCW. Michelle loves a cold beer, her dogs, camping, being outside and adventure. She has been moved to do her own work on her Jeep and knows there is so much more to learn."
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Tell us about yourself, hobbies, etc:

Michelle Gary-LONChallenge“I grew up in a small town in Michigan. I followed the expectations society set for a happy and successful life. I got married to my high school sweetheart, earned my graduate degree, and bought the house and the car, and have the good job. I found myself bored, overweight and sad. One day, I was tired of it. I began to make moves. I found fitness; ran a marathon. I started Crossfit, and I bought a Jeep. I was introduced to off-roading and was moved to learn how to do my own work. I still have much to learn. I have my CCW, I like a cold beer, I love my dogs, and I love to camp. I want to be outside and I want to adventure! I do not live to work, I work to live.”

 

How long have you been offroading?

“I have been off-roading for a little over two years. It was the beginning of May 2015. I took a drive, and I had no idea what I was getting into. I broke some major rules of off-roading.”

 

How did you get into offroading?

Michelle Gary-LONChallenge“It all started with a Chevy Aveo. It was spring of 2015 and my Aveo was taking its last breaths. I found a dealership, and I left the lot with a Jeep. I bought a Jeep because something inside of me wasn’t settled. I didn’t know about the ‘Jeep thing’ or the ‘Jeep wave’, I didn’t have any friends with Jeeps, and I had never thought about off-roading. I had never even taken a ride in a Jeep before! I didn’t grow up around it, I just needed the freedom! I needed to take the doors off, and put the top down. I felt the need to explore, the world was too small. I bought a Jeep and the world literally opened up around me! I made new friends and connections. I saw dirty Jeeps, and I needed to get off the pavement. I dived in head first and found off-roading.”

 

Tell us about your vehicle:

“”I have a 2010 Jeep JK Wrangler two-door. She has no name at this time. This question triggers some fear and reservations that I do have. She isn’t done, I am currently in the process of building her up. I broker her too many times to put any more money into the axles. She has a 14-bolt rear axle and Dana 60 front axle, she is trussed and the rear is shaved. She has 5:38 gears and ARB lockers going in. I am still waiting to purchase my long arms and 40-inch tires. I have Michelle Gary-LONChallengemy Spyderlock wheels ready to go! I will be putting in hydro-assist and adding to the cage for safety. There is so much more to do!”

 

What has been your favorite off-road experience?

“My favorite moments are the little ones when I am in nature with my Jeep and the people I care about.”

 

What was your most exciting off-road achievement?

Michelle Gary-LONChallenge“There are a few amazing moments when I was in Wellsville and successfully completed some tricky trails while keeping up with the ‘big boys’, I even out performed them a few times!”


What excites you about off-roading?

“The exciting part is accomplishing something, looking back, and being able to say ‘I did that’. The pride that comes with it is the real thrill. The hard work and even the failures add fuel to the pride.”

 

What do you think is the most challenging aspect of off-roading?

“I hate to admit it, but it is the expense of everything.”

 

Which aspect of off-roading do you think is the most fun?

Michelle Gary-LONChallenge“The trails and the people. We only live one life; I want to do what I can to make connections and spend time away from screens.”

 

What does prepping for an adventure look like in your world?

“It’s usually spontaneous! I will have my first-aid kit, recovery gear, clothes, tools, food, and my camera.”

 

What is on your off-roading bucket list?

“I want to go to Alaska.”

 

Tell us about your typical off-roading companions:

Michelle Gary-LONChallenge“I go with a select few, because I trust them. I go with those who have my best interest in mind. I also know they will push me. They have the experience and knowledge to help me learn and grow. I go with people who want to wheel, camp, and bond.”

 

What is a piece of advice you have been given that you instill in your offroading adventures?

“Mud is bad. I learned that the hard way.”

 

Do you have anything else you would like to add?

“I have two of my baby teeth still. I was obsessed with the movie Balto. Therefore, in the 5th grade I told everyone that I was from Alaska. I have four dogs,. I do Crossfit. I ran two marathons. I can sing and do musicals. I won a few talent shows. I have been told that I look like Kelly Clarkson.”

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Author: Michelle Gary