My answer to the number one question people ask me in the field.
Why do I travel?
In case you're new, I often travel to construction and mining projects.
This year alone, I'll visit around 35 US states and ten countries across five continents, chasing dirt, infrastructure, and big machines (the Dirt World).
Why?
First, I LOVE it.
If I didn't love it, I'd have the drive to do 10% of what I do. I'll never say we work as hard as those in the field, but there's little glamor and romance to our travels. We're often in remote locations, working dumb hours, and sleeping in different beds nightly.
I'm not adventurous, and I have anxiety before every trip. If I let my natural state dictate my actions, I'd stay at home. I love home. But I love dirt more, and to find it, I must travel.
The second reason is the business case… I'm lucky enough to lead BuildWitt alongside three others—Dan, Jason, and Randy. We trust one another and have unique strengths.
My strength? Running around and telling the stories of the Dirt World, adding up to what we call our "influence."
Influence describes the number of people interacting with BuildWitt. If they're watching our YouTube videos, listening to the podcast, or hearing us speak at events, they're a part of our mission to grow the industry whether they know it or not.
The more I travel = the more stories I can tell = the greater our influence = the more our business grows = the more impact we can create.
And now for my answer?
After hearing it hundreds of times, you'd think I'd have a good answer, but I still struggle.
I've seen INCREDIBLE operations—NEOM in Saudi Arabia, the Zurich International Airport runway reconstruction, and Rio Tinto Kennecott are some of the most awe-inspiring.
But I can't put one project or location at the top because they're ALL DAMN COOL.
For example...
This weekend, I drove up to Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the great folks of Louisville Paving and Construction rebuild a section of I-64 eastbound during a 15-day closure.
Objectively speaking, sitting in the buddy seat of an 800-ton Liebherr excavator at night somewhere in the middle of Queensland, Australia, as I did a few weeks ago, is more of a WOW than a skid steer milling joints on a Kentucky interstate.
But for me, it's not about objective coolness...
If I didn't think LPC's project was cool, I wouldn't have driven the three hours to spend my Friday night until 1 AM to watch. No one asked me to be there. I'm not sending an invoice for the work…
The WOW stuff is fun but a flash in the pan. It's like a rush from drugs—it's not enduring.
What keeps me around are the hard-working people with different backgrounds and stories. How'd they start their careers? Why do they work hard for a living? What are they most proud of? What problems have they solved along the way?
What keeps me around is the intricacies of every project. Why are they using a particular method? Why did they phase it as they did? Why this tool over that one?
What keeps me around are the differences between every company. How did they start? What's their theory on managing equipment? How do they plan projects and talk to their people? What's most important to them?
I can learn SO MUCH by watching and asking questions on ANY project, whether it's a large-scale mining operation or skid steer rebuilding a driveway. No matter how much I see, there's ALWAYS more to learn.
Why the Dirt World?
This brings me to the key point...
The Dirt World is extraordinary because it's constantly changing. There's more to learn and new challenges to solve. No two days are the same, no matter how similar they may look. The elements, methods, and people combine to produce amazingly different outcomes.
We're conditioned to think comfort is good. But that's not how humans evolved… Our brains formed under constant pressure, problem-solving, and collaboration.
While the Dirt World isn't for everyone, it offers tangible benefits humans crave but don't know they need. The pride within those who build and create is no accident. It's earned.
To officially answer the question… What's the coolest project I've ever seen?
It may sound like bullshit, but it's whatever project I'm standing on when asked. All projects are cool if I take the time to appreciate what's unique about each.
Dirt Talk Podcast
Join Aaron and guest Jason Richmond as they spill the beans on the power of authenticity in construction. The guys discuss the importance of transparency, admitting mistakes, and addressing criticisms on social media. Later, they reveal the secret sauce to industry growth and trust-building. Learn more about the value of sharing lessons learned, promoting industry growth through open dialogue, and building trust with audiences. They wrap things up by diving into the world of social media platforms, regional bubbles, and the art of navigating both. Plus, discover how social media can be a game-changer in recruiting, and why companies need to adapt their mindset for the ever-evolving labor market.
Vlog
We were back at it again in this vlog, checking out Alberta's oil sands - in an environment so unique it felt like stepping onto another planet! This time, we explored the vast operations of Suncor's Millennium mine in collaboration with North American Construction Group.
The project included a deep dive into some old tailings ponds, a crucial part of the mining process where oil sand is mixed with hot water, separating the oil and leaving behind sand known as tailings. The challenge? These ponds sit on top of more oil sand that needs to be mined. So... bulldozers push the material into the pond, solidifying the muck and preparing it for mining.
From marveling at the giant Hitachi EX5500 and EX8000 excavators to explaining how a tailings pond becomes a viable mining location, this vlog captures the details of oil sand mining in an environment that can only be described as 'OTHERWORLDLY.'
Stay tuned till the end as we discuss the complex process of keeping machinery ready for unexpected breakdowns and maintaining the efficiency of massive 400-ton haul trucks.
I’ll see you next week!
