Peak Presence: Leadership Origin Stories Sat, 06 Jun 2026 16:12:47 -0400 en-us © 2026 Peak Presence: Leadership Origin Stories yes 43896e1a-2087-5f28-a3d2-f7772d248ce5 TJ Wallenhorst episodic false 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.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) TJ Wallenhorst https://storage.buzzsprout.com/bfgvfxvbn62fsdjo4xy2fwzgd6tj?.jpg Peak Presence: Leadership Origin Stories One Word for Leadership: Helper | Jeremy Horton, CEO of Avera Packaging 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.

]]> 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.

]]> TJ Wallenhorst Buzzsprout-19305287 Sat, 06 Jun 2026 16:00:00 -0400 1763 1 5 full false Leadership in Medical Device Starts with the Team | Rom Mendel, CEO of Optinova Group 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.

]]> 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.

]]> TJ Wallenhorst Buzzsprout-19234123 Mon, 25 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400 2036 1 4 full false Why failure and rejection are the pathway to success | Andrea Waltz 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.

]]> 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.

]]> TJ Wallenhorst Buzzsprout-19149739 Sat, 09 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 2205 1 3 full false The Truth About Value, Service, and Authentic Leadership | Bob Burg 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. 

]]>  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. 

]]> TJ Wallenhorst Buzzsprout-19116847 Sun, 03 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400 1756 1 2 full false Eric Hubbard on Faith, Relationships, and Service in Leadership 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. 

]]> 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. 

]]> TJ Wallenhorst Buzzsprout-19047048 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400 1666 1 1 full false