Trainer Tuesday is upon us once again. This on-going series is an opportunity to get to know the impressive people who make up the Overland Expo Training team. This week, we’re talking with Travis Martin. Travis’s impressive resume spans time at Land Rover’s training center in Asheville, North Carolina, leading their training program at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California, and a litany of training gigs with some of the most recognizable companies in our sphere: Toyota Trail Teams, CAM Mobility, Mitsubishi, Can-Am, Jeep, and Ford Bronco, among others.
Overland Expo: Tell us a bit about your background in the world of overlanding and adventure travel.
Travis Martin: I’ve been an off-road driving instructor for more than 20 years. In my twenties, I spent seven years as a journeyman cable splicer, travelling all over the US in my 4WD Chevy van. I knew then that I could never work a traditional 9 to 5. In 2003 I was hired as the first full-time instructor at the Land Rover Driving School at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Been at it ever since.
Overland Expo: What kind of prior training have you received?
Travis Martin: I’ve had plenty of demo and classroom training over the years, but the real education happens when you’re out in the field, applying the things you’ve learned in challenging situations that can sometimes verge on real danger. When things break or something goes wrong and you are stuck in the backcountry, you have to figure it out with the tools and skills you have on hand. One thing I can say, is that you retain more than you think when you need to get yourself out of a situation.
One example happened 10 years ago, when I saved my buddy’s life. The most important skill I used that day was to stay calm and stay focused. You can’t teach that in the classroom, but you can prepare for it. We were on motorcycles in the dunes near St. George, Utah, and he went over a cliff. His bike landed on top of him, and he stopped breathing. After I got him breathing again, he was in shock so I covered him with some of my clothes. I then set up a location marker before going to get help. Search and Rescue got him to a hospital where he was diagnosed with a punctured lung, punctured spleen, and broken collarbone. All of the good decisions I made that day can be directly credited to multiple trainers that I worked with over the years.
Overland Expo: Why do you think it’s important for people to receive proper training before heading out on overland adventures?
Travis Martin: It’s important that people are properly trained because you need a toolbox of skills to draw from when things go wrong. The variables are endless, so having a solid foundation on recovery mechanics or navigation will go a long way to address the types of things that can happen out there. That, and having the right gear. Knowing what gear you need.
READ MORE: New Training Opportunities at Overland Expo
Overland Expo: From your perspective, what is the value of the Overland Expo Training?
Travis Martin: Overland Expo is a great opportunity to learn from professionals, ask tons of questions, and develop technical skills in a safe manner.
Overland Expo: What do you think attendees need to do in order to prepare for Overland Expo Training?
Travis Martin: Above all, attendees should come with an open mind. Don’t get hung up on what you know, or what you think you know. Accept that there are no clear answers sometimes, that there often isn’t just one “correct” solution. You never know what can happen out there and you may need to get creative.
Overland Expo: What can Overland Expo Training attendees expect to learn on the driving course?
Travis Martin: Attendees should expect to learn basic off-road driving skills. It’s a great opportunity to challenge yourself with professionals on hand to give technical instruction and advice in a controlled environment, without risking your safety in a real-world scenario.
Overland Expo: What can they expect to learn in the static classroom sessions?
Travis Martin: I encourage attendees to come to Overland Expo with lots of questions. In fact, the classes are structured around answering questions, so that all attendees can benefit from unique perspectives and lessons learned from personal experiences.
Overland Expo: Why do you think it’s important to use your personal vehicle during Overland Expo Training?
Travis Martin: It’s important to use your personal vehicle on the training course so that you learn what YOUR vehicle is capable of. Its personality, flaws, and where it exceeds. Not all off-road vehicles are the same. Learn what yours can and cannot do, and everything in between, so that you can make good judgments based on the terrain and how your vehicle handles.
Overland Expo: What is your favorite component of Overland Expo Training, and why?
Travis Martin: It’s the “aha!” moments for me. Being able to play a part in building someone’s off-road skills is very rewarding. Witnessing them take what they learned and apply it with confidence. That’s the best.
Overland Expo: Once an attendee gets trained, where do you recommend they should take their skills?
Travis Martin: Nice try. Go find your own stuff — that’s what it’s all about.
Overland Expo: Haha, thank you so much for talking with us today. Perhaps we can coax some secret travel spots from you in person at Overland Expo.
