Peak Presence: Leadership Origin Stories

TJ Wallenhorst
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

Most people see the title, the success, and the highlight reel. What they don’t see is what it actually took to become that person. The pressure, the doubt, the setbacks, and the moments that quietly changed everything. This podcast goes deeper into those stories. Each episode features real conversations with leaders across healthcare, manufacturing, and beyond, including CDMO executives, operators, surgeons, and builders who have lived it. These are not surface-level interviews. They are honest, human conversations about the experiences that shape leadership over time. We explore the defining moments in their journeys, the failures no one talks about, and how they navigated uncertainty, growth, and responsibility. More importantly, we talk about the role of presence. Not just performance, not just results, but the internal shift that allows people to lead with clarity, resilience, and intention. This is not a podcast about perfect careers or polished answers. It is about becoming. It is about understanding that leadership is not something you arrive at, but something you grow into through experience, reflection, and action. If you are building something, leading people, or trying to figure out who you are in the process, you are in the right place.

Episodes

  1. Aug 8

    What a Dollar-Store Christmas Revealed About Resilience with James Porter

    Positivity, resilience, and the habits that turn hard starts into leadership. James Porter, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Beacon MedTech Solutions, shares how a childhood marked by constant moves, a single mom working nurse shifts, and early lessons in survival shaped the way he leads, learns, and lives today. James opens up about the teacher who changed his Thanksgiving, the military experience that gave him structure, and the career pivots that took him from technical hands-on work to global leadership in semiconductors, medical devices, and contract manufacturing. If you’ve ever wondered how people build real confidence, stay grounded through failure, or keep moving after life hits hard, this conversation goes there. You’ll discover: Why he believes you can manage systems, but not people How the military shaped his discipline, focus, and leadership style The exact mindset he used to recover from a startup collapse and a devastating divorce How traveling the world changed the way he thinks about culture, opportunity, and growth Why he teaches his kids to seek discomfort, build confidence, and surround themselves with people who elevate them TJ and James also dig into the power of self-awareness, the role of karma, and why learning to see the positive in others can transform your career, your relationships, and your ability to bounce back. James makes the case that success is not just money or title - it’s alignment, purpose, and the willingness to keep growing. Essential listening if you’re rebuilding, leading a team, raising kids, or trying to turn setbacks into momentum. James’ message is simple but powerful: be positive about who you are, think positive about other people, and better things start to follow.

    What a Dollar-Store Christmas Revealed About Resilience with James Porter

  2. Aug 1

    From Fax Machine to CEO — Tobe Allenbrand on Failure, Mentors, and Building in Manufacturing

    How do you go from sending faxes in 1993 to running a manufacturing rollup in 2026? That's the thread I pulled on with Tobe Allenbrand, CEO and President of Langdale Holdings. Tobe came up in sales the same way a lot of us did, trying anything and everything to get noticed (his fax campaign story is worth the listen alone). Over the years that turned into a career built almost entirely on relationships, learning, and a refusal to treat problems as failures. We get into a lot in this one: why the industry is a small sandbox where what's good for one is good for everyone, why he's taken jobs for less money just to learn, how to get out of the "Scooby-Doo fog" with the right mentors, and why the real failure is never taking the risk in the first place. We also dig into what he's building at Langdale: rolling up small family-owned specialty manufacturers, preserving the tribal knowledge that's walking out the door as a generation retires, and bringing critical manufacturing back to North America. If you're in sales, manufacturing, or just trying to figure out your own path, there's a lot here.

    From Fax Machine to CEO — Tobe Allenbrand on Failure, Mentors, and Building in Manufacturing

  3. Jul 12

    Fires, Firings, and Coming Back: 26 Years of Resilience with Mike Nelligan

    Unlock the mindset that turned a spontaneous choice into a 26-year career of independence, resilience, and growth. Mike Nelligan, a veteran in med device sales and founder of Marathon Medical, reveals the counterintuitive wisdom behind embracing risk, rejection, and living life fully no matter the setbacks. In this episode, Mike shares how betting on himself, rather than relying solely on corporate stability, created a safer, more flexible future. You’ll discover how his strategic actions like attending surgical training centers, building relationships, and understanding the power of persistence can propel your own success. We break down the importance of doing the uncomfortable, taking risks, and recognizing opportunity in chaos, illustrated through stories of fire, firing, and flipping the odds in his favor. You'll learn why "just go to the game" is more than a sports mantra, it's a life philosophy. Mike emphasizes the significance of consistent effort, outside-the-box thinking, and the value of trusting trusted advisors. His advice is actionable for entrepreneurs, sales reps, and anyone feeling stuck, showing you how confidence and resilience can turn setbacks into comebacks. Why does this matter? Because the most meaningful success isn't about avoiding failure, it’s about how you respond, adapt, and keep moving forward. If you're ready to challenge the status quo, rebuild after loss, and learn the true meaning of living at your post-fire level, this episode is your blueprint. Perfect for sales professionals, entrepreneurs, or anyone seeking a fresh perspective, this conversation might just inspire your next big move. And as Mike says, “just go to the game,” because life waits for no one.

    Fires, Firings, and Coming Back: 26 Years of Resilience with Mike Nelligan

  4. Jun 6

    One Word for Leadership: Helper | Jeremy Horton, CEO of Avera Packaging

    In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Horton, CEO of Avera Packaging, to discuss his leadership journey and the philosophy that has shaped his career. Jeremy believes the role of a leader is simple: remove barriers so others can succeed. In fact, when asked to describe a CEO in one word, his answer was "helper." We discuss servant leadership, humility, the willingness to ask for help, and why Jeremy believes the best organizations are built on trust and empowerment rather than hierarchy. He shares why titles matter far less than creating an environment where every person feels valued, heard, and capable of making a meaningful impact. If you're interested in leadership, culture, and building high-performing teams, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what it truly means to lead.

  5. May 25

    Leadership in Medical Device Starts with the Team | Rom Mendel, CEO of Optinova Group

    In this episode of Peak Presence, I sit down with Rom Mendel, CEO of Optinova Group, for a conversation on leadership, growth, and the inner work required to lead at a high level. We explore the role fear, insecurity, and ego play in leadership and why the best leaders ultimately make it about the team, not themselves. Ram shares insights from leading a global medical device manufacturing organization, including how to balance long term vision and structure with the ability to stay present and fully engage with the moment in front of you. This conversation touches on leadership culture, self awareness, emotional intelligence, performance under pressure, and the human side of building great teams. Whether you are in medical device, manufacturing, private equity, or simply trying to become a better leader and human being, there is something in this episode for you.

  6. May 9

    Why failure and rejection are the pathway to success | Andrea Waltz

    In this episode of Peak Presence Leadership Origin Stories, I sit down with bestselling author Andrea Waltz, co-author of Go for No. We talk about: • Embracing rejection instead of fearing it • Dealing with the inner critic • Taking action before you feel ready • Why failure is often the path to growth • Building resilience in sales, leadership, and life • Reframing “no” as part of the process instead of proof you’re not enough A powerful conversation about courage, mindset, and continuing to show up anyway.

  7. May 3

    The Truth About Value, Service, and Authentic Leadership | Bob Burg

    In this episode, we dive into what it really means to lead with authenticity, create value, and serve others at a high level. We explore the difference between price and value, why service is at the core of meaningful leadership, and how small, intentional actions can create a lasting impact. There is also a powerful reflection inspired by Michael A. Singer on how each moment can leave things a little better than we found them. If you are focused on growth, leadership, and showing up in a more genuine way, this conversation is for you.

  8. Apr 20

    Eric Hubbard on Faith, Relationships, and Service in Leadership

    Eric Hubbard joins the podcast for a thoughtful conversation on faith, relationships, and service in leadership. We discuss the role values play in guiding leaders, the power of authentic relationships, and why service remains one of the most effective leadership principles.

  • 8 Episodes

About

Most people see the title, the success, and the highlight reel. What they don’t see is what it actually took to become that person. The pressure, the doubt, the setbacks, and the moments that quietly changed everything. This podcast goes deeper into those stories. Each episode features real conversations with leaders across healthcare, manufacturing, and beyond, including CDMO executives, operators, surgeons, and builders who have lived it. These are not surface-level interviews. They are honest, human conversations about the experiences that shape leadership over time. We explore the defining moments in their journeys, the failures no one talks about, and how they navigated uncertainty, growth, and responsibility. More importantly, we talk about the role of presence. Not just performance, not just results, but the internal shift that allows people to lead with clarity, resilience, and intention. This is not a podcast about perfect careers or polished answers. It is about becoming. It is about understanding that leadership is not something you arrive at, but something you grow into through experience, reflection, and action. If you are building something, leading people, or trying to figure out who you are in the process, you are in the right place.

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