In this episode of the Budget Overland Podcast, Benji and I have a great conversation with Gene Sherman about overlanding in converted ambulances.  Gene provides great insight on why choosing an abundance and converting it is great alternative to more expensive manufactured luxury rigs.    About Gene: Gene is a lifelong maker, entrepreneur, teacher, and public speaker who was born in the Soviet Union and immigrated with his family to America in 1977. From Erector sets and making plastic models as a child, to becoming a machinist/tool-maker by age 21,Gene has taught hundreds of manufacturing company employees in the use of the latest technology. In his 30's he worked at a university and owned a robotic vehicle start-up. Over the past decade Gene has turned his focus towards helping people by creating a unique hands-on skills learning center for advanced manufacturing to help them find meaningful and rewarding careers.   Gene created Vocademy, a unique academy where people of all ages came to learn a breadth of amazing and valuable skills. For the past 10 years Gene has had 30 employees and been involved in teaching over a dozen amazing skills every day.  Vocademy offered everything from traditional hands-on skills classes, to high-tech, in-demand modern skills, and all the way to an amazing, six month, Maker Skills Academy program.   But in March 2020, COVID-19 shut down his school. This pandemic took away 80% of their revenue and they could not survive. While spending six months closing the business, he  decided to take a slower pace and work on personal things that I had planned for many years. Gene went back to work at a local high school as a teacher.  This "normal job" has given me the time and freedom to write, develop new ideas, and work on my personal projects which include ambulance conversations.    Contact Gene:  https://amborv.com/   http://forums.amborv.com/  AmboRV Facebook group    Gene Sherman’s favorite movie Tucker:  Watch it here: Tucker: The Man and His Dream Meet your hosts: Benji Ward and Jay Tiegs.    Benji Ward is the founder of FB Budget Overland and co-host of the Budget Overland podcast. Benji is an off-road enthusiast, entrepreneur, and has been involved in the automotive industry for the past ten years.  He enjoys spending quality time with his wife and son, exploring God's creations, and sharing tips and tricks along the way for overlanding.   Jay Tiegs is co-host of the Budget Overland podcast, a 26 year veteran of the U.S. Army, outdoor enthusiast, and endurance athlete. He is passionate about outdoor adventure travel in his Toyota 4Runner and loves sharing his experiences to encourage others to get outside.   If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/ITunes? Your feedback is important to me and it would also take less than 60 seconds and make a difference in getting those hard to get guests as we expand our reach.   Join the Budget Overland Facebook Community: