From Piranha to Rock Bottom and Back: Sales, Manufacturing’s Shift South, and Rebuilding After FailureThe episode follows Jeff’s path into metal fabrication after being recruited to work for Piranha, where he led business development by building dealer relationships and traveling heavily across North America. He describes how Piranha’s brand and engineering—early fiber laser advances, a high-end cantilever laser design, and later importing lasers from Asia—helped shape his relationship-first approach to sales, including adapting appearance and communication to different audiences from shop-floor staff to CEOs. The conversation expands into U.S. manufacturing trends, including companies moving south due to cost of living, taxes, and regulatory pressures; growth in places like South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas; the importance of technical schools; and renewed shipbuilding and defense-driven demand along the Gulf Coast and Virginia. Jeff then shares his biggest “successful failure”: post-military struggles after an RPG-related traumatic brain injury, survivor guilt, desensitization from law enforcement work, infidelity, and an arrest in 2022 that led to job loss, public shame, and suicidal thoughts. He explains finding peace after his wife chose to stay, a pivotal church experience in Florida, further personal change through DMT treatment, and learning to prioritize truth, talking openly, ignoring criticism from the wrong people, and focusing on being a better husband, father, and person. He closes by defining success now as a strong family and raising his children well rather than money, status, or material things.

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Salyer, the Fabrication Sales Manager at Crotts and Saunders. Jeff takes us through his career in the fabrication world, his current role, and the various brands and technologies his company represents. He also shares his personal journey from a tumultuous upbringing in Kansas to serving in the Navy as a corpsman with the Marines, and eventually transitioning into the manufacturing industry. Along the way, Jeff provides insights into decision-making under pressure, the importance of customer service in sales, and the untapped potential of manufacturing as a career path for the younger generation.

From Missionary Kid to Chick-fil-A Pioneer: John Holmes' 46-Year Journey

In this episode, we sit down with John Holmes, a seasoned Chick-fil-A operator with 46 years of experience. John opened his first Chick-fil-A restaurant at the age of 21 in Anderson, South Carolina, back in 1979. At 68 years old, he's still passionate about the brand and isn't thinking about retirement. John shares his journey from being a missionary's kid to managing successful Chick-fil-A franchises. He discusses overcoming early business challenges, his philosophy on leadership and staff development, and the dedication required to grow a franchise. Learn how John and his team focus on aligning with Chick-fil-A's core values, investing in their community, and treating their team members like family. If you're curious about the behind-the-scenes of running a successful Chick-fil-A or interested in entrepreneurship and leadership insights, you won't want to miss this episode!

In this episode of Both Sides of Success, we sit down with Thom Shea , retired Navy SEAL, senior chief, sniper, instructor, New York Times bestselling author (Unbreakable, Three Simple Things), and founder of The Baseline Experience.

Thom shares the raw, unfiltered truth about leadership, discipline, fear, failure, and why most people quit right before breakthrough.

From failing out of West Point… to nearly being medically removed from SEAL training… to graduating in one of the toughest classes in BUD/S history, Thom’s story is a masterclass in keeping your word and never giving up.

We cover:

• Why “don’t do stupid sh*t” is the most underrated leadership principle

• How SEAL teams actually make decisions (and why most companies get it wrong)

• Why fear is just an emotional response, and how to move anyway

• The three simple things people refuse to do (and why they matter)

• Letting kids fail without breaking them

• Why discipline outlasts motivation every time

• The difference between quitting and knowing when to stop

This conversation applies to leaders, business owners, parents, and anyone trying to build something meaningful without burning out or cutting corners.

🎧 Follow Both Sides of Success for weekly conversations on leadership, growth, failure, and what success really looks like behind the scenes.

📍 Learn more about Thom: https://tomshea.com
📚 Books: Unbreakable | Three Simple Things

The Three Mile Per Hour Fatherhood: Tyler Graham on Leadership, Parenting, and Being Present Welcome back to another episode of Both Sides of Success! In this episode, we're joined by Tyler Graham, known as the Three Mile Per Hour Dad. Tyler shares the story of how his fatherhood-focused content began, starting from leadership posts on LinkedIn to exclusively writing about fatherhood three years ago. With six kids, Tyler emphasizes the importance of slowing down to be present with your children, striving to balance work and family life. He delves into lessons from his upbringing, the intentional effort required to be a good father, and the impact of small, daily actions. Tyler also touches on his personal challenges, including moments where he lost his cool, and how he turned these into teachable moments for his children. Tune in to learn more about Tyler's journey, the Three Mile Per Hour Fatherhood movement, and his invaluable insights on being a better father every day.

Navigating Entrepreneurship & Digital Media with Kenny

from Ridge Media | Both Sides of Success

In this episode of Both Sides of Success, we sit down with

Kenny, the founder of Ridge Media, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and

the evolution of his digital ad agency. Kenny shares his early experiences with

a class project app that led to starting Ridge Media, the challenges and

triumphs of running multiple businesses, and how he's adapted to the rapidly

changing digital landscape. He offers insights into integrating AI in marketing

and the shift towards generative engine optimization. Kenny also opens up about

the importance of passion, mentorship, and the lessons learned from success and

failure. Join us for an in-depth conversation about growth, perseverance, and

innovation in the world of digital marketing.

From Setbacks to Success: Shane Langley's Journey in Life and Engineering

In this episode, Shane shares his incredible journey, touching on early life challenges, career transitions, personal growth, and how he balanced fatherhood, coaching, and a significant health transformation. This candid talk is not just about professional success but about resilience, learning from failures, and the importance of being present for those you love. Whether you're interested in engineering, personal development, or moving stories of perseverance, this episode has it all. Don't miss out on Shane's inspiring story!

Overcoming Adversity: The Inspiring Journey of Daniel Cloy

In this episode, we are joined by Daniel Cloy who shares his incredible life story. Born without legs and his left hand, Daniel delves into how his parents' unwavering support and positive outlook shaped his upbringing. He talks about the challenges and triumphs of his childhood, including overcoming medical setbacks and bullying, and finding solace and success in sports. Daniel discusses his experiences playing high school baseball, his attempt to walk on at college teams, and his eventual pivot into new arenas like giving a TEDx talk and appearing on 'The Walking Dead.' He offers poignant insights into the psychological and emotional aspects of living with disabilities, as well as his passion for helping others facing similar challenges. Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, determination, and the power of a supportive community.