Let’s get something straight: breaking into medical device sales isn’t easy. And climbing the ladder once you’re in? Even harder. But if you’re wondering if it’s possible to go from EMT to associate rep to full-line rep in under a year — Danee Almond’s story proves it is.

Danee isn’t your “typical” rep. He didn’t come from a sales background or work in pharma. He was an EMT, a personal trainer, and just like many others, was planning to be a PA before discovering medical device sales through a recruiter.

He joined our program, landed three job offers in under three weeks, and accepted a role as an associate rep. Fast forward a little and boom — he’s a full-line rep, engaged, on the number one team at a top med device company, and loving what he does.

Starting Out: Drinking from the Fire Hose

Those first few months in the field? Tough. Danee was driving nonstop, picking up trays, and showing up at hospitals before the sun came up and after everyone else went home. And even with a background in anatomy, learning surgical procedures and products was overwhelming at first.

Like most people, Danee thought he’d master it all in three weeks.

Didn’t happen.

Instead of stressing over his weaknesses (like product knowledge early on), he leaned into his strengths: building relationships and staying hungry to learn. He showed up, asked questions, stayed late, and made a point to study the products hands-on at home. He hustled smart.

Learning Over Selling

One of the biggest mistakes new reps make? Trying to sell right away.

Danee got it — focus on understanding the product, building trust, and observing the conversations between reps and surgeons. Sales come when you know what you’re doing. Until then, be the sponge. Absorb everything.

The best sales advice Danee dropped? Ask more questions, talk less. Let the surgeon speak. Understand their needs. Then show how your product solves their problem.

Earning the Promotion

Here’s the kicker — Danee didn’t stay an associate for two years like most are told they have to. He earned his full-line rep role at a different company in just eight months.

Why? Because other companies noticed him. They saw him hustling in their accounts, outworking the competition, and building relationships. His effort stood out.

This wasn’t luck. It was all the little things — delivering trays at 5 a.m., running trauma cases on weekends, bringing his A-game every day.

Real Talk on the Job

Med devices aren't all success stories. Danee had cases where surgeons weren’t so friendly. He’s been chewed out, had instruments thrown, and called in backup mid-surgery. That’s the reality.

But he’s also had surgeons call him directly for complex cases, trust him to run it solo, and stick with his products long-term. Those moments — when the patient gets their life back, when the surgeon says “thank you,” when your work actually matters — that’s what makes it worth it.

Work-Life Wins

Danee’s now engaged, owns a home, and is building a future while building his career. He’s seeing the payoff — not just in the paycheck, but in the lifestyle. And even better, he’s doing work that impacts lives.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re brand new in med device or just landed your first associate role, here’s what Danee Almond’s story should teach you:

• Don’t wait for permission to grow. Earn it through action.
  
  
• Work hard, but also work smart.
  
  
• Relationships matter. Always.
  
  
• Focus on learning before trying to sell.
  
  
• And when you finally get that win, enjoy it, but stay hungry.
  
  

It’s not always going to be easy. But if you put your head down, stay humble, and keep grinding, your career and your life  can change faster than you think.

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All the best,

Jacob McLaughlin