Some storms come from within. Others come from a past you thought you left behind. But what if everything you were taught to believe—about God, salvation, and what it means to be "good enough"—wasn't the truth after all? What if discovering the truth cost you everything you ever knew? That’s the kind of pressure that reshapes a life, and for one man, it became the start of something greater.

In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, host Bryan Lefelhoc, founder of Bryan Media Strategies, welcomes Eli Yoder, known by millions as the “Preaching Truck Driver.”

Raised in a deeply conservative Old Order Amish community, Eli eventually left everything behind—his family, his upbringing, and even his name in some ways—to pursue a life of freedom, truth, and purpose. Today, he drives a truck and spreads the Gospel to millions online. His journey from legalism to liberation, from tradition to truth, is raw, real, and refreshingly honest.

Bryan and Eli talk about what it means to be truly “deceived” by religion, why Eli left his Amish community the moment he turned 18, and how he found freedom in the pages of an English Bible. They explore Eli’s struggles with guilt, identity, and the courage it took to not only escape, but to speak out. Through stories of personal loss, joy, and transformation, Eli shows how purpose often reveals itself after the pressure breaks you open.

Whether you’re curious about Amish tradition, wrestling with your own questions of faith, or just in need of a reminder that you’re not alone in the struggle, this conversation will meet you right where you are. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real, and being willing to step into something better.

Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you in partnership with Sandler by the Ruby Group, serving sales professionals and sales organizations nationwide from their locations in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, in upstate New York, and in Jacksonville, Florida

Key Takeaways:

-Eli was raised in a strict Old Order Amish community that rejected modern conveniences—and salvation by faith.

-His grandfather founded a more conservative sect of Amish, emphasizing manmade rules over Biblical truth.

-Eli left the Amish at age 18 to avoid the cycle of guilt and shame he saw his father endure.

-He lived in fear for years, believing he was doomed for leaving.

-In 2017, a fellow ex-Amish friend challenged him to read the Bible in English. That changed everything.

-Eli found Christ in the book of John while sitting in his semi-truck—and he hasn’t stopped sharing since.

-His online videos, sermons, and Q&As reach millions and inspire people from all backgrounds.

-His book Undeceived tells his full story, from Amish tradition to Christ's redemption.

-Despite criticism, Eli remains committed to preaching grace, faith, and relationship over religion.

-He continues to visit Amish communities, love others unconditionally, and live on purpose every day.

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Helpful Links:

Eli Yoder: https://eliyoder.com/

Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Undeceived-Amish-Tradition-Christs-Redemption/dp/1644577682

Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/

Bryan Lefelhoc, Owner, Bryan Media Strategies: https://www.bryanmediastrategies.com/