Where Are They Now: Keri Porter
May 28th, 2025
- Years Competed: 2018, 2019, 2020
- Registered for: 2025
- Teammate: Laura Wanlass, Kyouka, Ali Currie
- Vehicle: Jeep Wrangler (2018, 2019), Jeep Gladiator (2020)
For Keri Porter, the Rebelle Rally opened more than just a roadbook—it opened the door to a new chapter. Since first competing in 2018, she’s retired from her job as a school bus driver, launched Discover 4×4 Adventures with her husband, and now travels full-time teaching off-road skills and leading adventures that welcome all experience levels.
The rally didn’t just change her direction—it reshaped how she saw herself and her voice within her community.
Life Since the Rebelle Rally
“Since participating in the 2018 Rebelle Rally, I’ve stepped up more in our local off-road community,” Keri shares. “I wanted to encourage more women to get behind the wheel and into the garage.”
That passion grew into a business. In 2021, she retired from school bus driving and co-founded Discover 4×4 Adventures with her husband. Together, they now lead trips and teach classes that focus on safe driving, recovery skills, and getting to know your vehicle—whether you’re brand new or experienced.
By mid-2022, her husband left his job, and they committed fully to traveling and working together full-time.
A Push Toward Leadership
Keri says the Rebelle helped her realize she didn’t need permission to lead—she already had what it takes.
“I started pushing myself to become more of a leader in our off-road community,” she says. “If other women can do it, why can’t I?”
Her first year on the rally taught her something deeper: “As a navigator, I really struggled with making decisions. I was afraid to be wrong or to let someone down. The Rebelle helped me work through that.”
Her second year came with a different challenge—navigating with a teammate from Japan. “I had to figure out how to optimize communication and work through cultural differences. That experience taught me a lot.”
Advice to Her Pre-Rebelle Self
Keri’s biggest reflection? Don’t compare your story to someone else’s.
“When we sat around the campfire that first year and introduced ourselves, I said, ‘I’m just a mom and a school bus driver.’ Emily Miller looked at me and said, ‘You are not just a mom. You are not just a school bus driver.’ That really stuck with me.”
Now, she reminds herself—and others—of something simple:
“It’s okay to be wrong. Sometimes we mess up. But we learn, reassess, and move forward. You’re never really as lost as you feel. Find north.”
What Still Sticks
Keri says certain memories are triggered in the most unexpected places.
“Blue and green feather flags. I see them all over—at car dealerships, trade shows—and they immediately bring me back to the Rebelle.”
The Rally’s Lasting Impact
“The Rebelle taught me to have confidence in who I am and in my story,” she says. “It made me more aware of the people around me and how I show up in my community. It reminded me to say yes—even when something scares me.”
Now, with another rally on the horizon in 2025, Keri returns not just with experience, but with clarity: about her direction, her purpose, and the value of choosing your own road.
