“I did it. I made it through!”
– Polina, Belarus
When you see Polina, it’s hard to believe this petite young woman with a warm smile drives a huge truck across Europe. She’s 24 – smart, strong, and full of inner strength. Behind the wheel of a heavy vehicle, she’s not just transporting goods – she’s proving every day that anything is possible, as long as you don’t give up.
Trading Sports for the Road
Polina is from Vitebsk, Belarus. Before becoming an international truck driver, her life was all about sports. She spent 12 years in trampoline gymnastics, became a Master of Sport, and even won a world championship in the USA. Later, she found out she had competed with pneumonia, but she still won. Giving up just isn’t her style.
Sport shapes you – your body and your mindset. It teaches you to face fear and push through it. That helps on the road too. You need to make quick decisions, be responsible for the cargo, the truck, your own life, and the people around you. It takes character.
Even on vacation, she doesn’t just relax on the beach. She might go bungee jumping to face her fear of heights. That’s who she is – always looking for a challenge to overcome.
Nothing Went as Planned
Polina entered the profession with her boyfriend. They planned to work as a team. But life had other plans – the relationship ended, though the dream of working as a driver in Europe remained.
I told myself: I’ll try. I made a promise – not to give up. And I didn’t.
Driving in Europe turned out to be a whole different story. In Belarus, roads are straight and distances are short. But here – it’s mountain roads, tunnels, unpredictable weather, and narrow streets where a big truck barely fits.
Her first solo trip was a real challenge: a new country, unfamiliar routes, no one around to help – and full responsibility on her shoulders. She remembers it clearly:
I left the transport base, gripped the wheel… and about thirty minutes later, it hit me: ‘I did it. I made it through!
Girteka: Clear and Honest
Polina heard about the company from friends. What mattered to her was that Girteka assists with paperwork, offers stable work, provides new trucks, and treats drivers with respect. She joined through a partner company in Vitebsk and went to Poland, to the Poznań transport base. She drives on Scandinavian routes, delivering food, drinks, furniture, and sweets.
In spring, I got to pick up our brand-new truck straight from the factory. Took off the protective film myself – and wow, that moment was pure joy!
Her favorite truck is a Volvo – lots of shelves, a great sound system, even a fridge and freezer. Everything you need for life on the road, all in the right place.
At first, there were tough days. She was exhausted, sometimes scared. Once, a tire exploded on the road. She tried to change it herself, but it was almost twice her weight. She called the Girteka SOS center, and a team came to help right away.
A Woman Behind the Wheel? Yes, It’s Real
At loading areas, Polina sometimes gets her documents checked twice – people can’t believe that a petite woman just 160 cm tall is the truck driver. And in parking lots, when other drivers see her behind the wheel, they ask:
“Where’s your husband? Are you driving with your dad?”
She calmly replies:
“I’m the driver.”
Inside her truck, everything is organized. Polina has a mini kitchen setup with a multicooker, a hot plate, a manicure lamp and tools. She manages to shower, do laundry, and cook even during short breaks. She always knows in advance where to find showers and washing machines – everything’s marked on her map.
Polina carries her “little dumbbells,” as she lovingly calls them – they weigh 30 kg. She trains with them three times a week.
I want to snowboard in Austria when I’m 60. And to do that, I have to take care of myself now. If you ignore your health, you’ll just turn into a grumpy wreck. That’s not for me.
She’s always in touch with friends and family. Polina says she doesn’t feel lonely – in fact, she’s learned to enjoy her own company. On the road, she listens to music and podcasts. In her free time, she rides scooters, walks around cities, and explores. She’s already been to Paris and swum in Austria’s mountain lakes – and plans to buy a bicycle for future adventures.
Stereotypes and Haters
One day, Polina posted a video on TikTok about her life as a driver. It got 1.5 million views and nearly a thousand comments. Some were positive. Others? Not so much:
“Women are meant to stay home and make meals.”
“A woman belongs in the kitchen.”
Polina takes it calmly.
That’s just armchair critics talking. Guys like that must be really upset that a woman can do something better than they can. But hey – it’s easier to judge from a soft sofa.
Has She Changed? Absolutely!
Since starting this job, Polina says she’s become calmer and more focused. Less stress, more confidence. She’s made new friends and found new opportunities. And her dad, who once didn’t even know she drove trucks, is now proud of her.
This job brought back the spark in my eyes. I feel happy. And I know I’m on the right path.
What Would She Say to Other Women?
If you don’t try – you’ll never know. Yes, it’s scary. But only fools aren’t scared. One day you’ll be telling your grandkids: ‘I had the chance, and I took it.
Women often message her on Instagram, asking how to get started. Polina always replies, shares advice, and encourages them. She’s happy to see more women in trucking – especially in Scandinavia, where she often sees female drivers behind the wheel of even larger trucks with two trailers.
The most important things in our job are determination, quick thinking, a willingness to learn, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. You don’t need to be super strong – but it definitely helps.
Her Dream Is Simple, but Meaningful
To build a home. To have a family.
A warm, quiet place filled with the people she loves.
Polina doesn’t see herself as a hero. She just does her job honestly and with heart – not because it’s easy, but because she chose this road. And every day, she keeps going – kilometre by kilometre – toward the life she’s building herself.
