Most people think success comes from talent.

Dr. Choll Kim would probably tell you something different.

When I sat down with Choll Kim, MD, PhD, one thing became obvious right away: he is obsessed with getting better.

Not just as a surgeon.

As a teacher, innovator, mentor, and leader.

Dr. Kim has more than 20 years of experience in spine surgery. He earned both his PhD and medical degree, founded the Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, founded Excel Spine, and has spent years helping surgeons improve patient outcomes through minimally invasive techniques.

What stood out most wasn't his credentials.

It was how much he still wants to learn, improve, and help others do the same.

Why Being Great Requires More Than Talent

One of the biggest themes from our conversation was that excellence is never accidental.

Dr. Kim talked about how many people want success, but very few are willing to obsess over improvement.

He described surgery like Formula 1 racing.

The surgeon may be driving the car, but nobody wins without the entire team working together. Every person in the operating room matters. Every detail matters.

And when something goes wrong, it is usually because someone wasn't prepared.

That mindset doesn't just apply to surgery.

It applies to business, sales, leadership, and life.

The people who continue to improve are the people who refuse to accept "good enough."

Why Medical Device Reps Matter More Than People Realise

One thing I appreciated hearing from Dr. Kim was how highly he values great medical device reps.

Many people think reps simply sell products.

That's not how he sees it.

He sees the best reps as trusted team members.

The reps who stand out are the ones thinking about the patient, preparing ahead of time, anticipating problems, and helping the entire case run smoothly.

They are not asking, "What's my job?"

They're asking, "What needs to happen for this patient?"

According to Dr. Kim, those are the people surgeons remember.

Those are the people they trust.

And those are the people they don't want to lose.

Everyone Needs A Coach

One statement from Dr. Kim really stuck with me.

"Everyone needs a coach."

He compared it to Tiger Woods showing up at the Masters without a coach or caddie.

No matter how successful you become, there is always someone who can help you see what you cannot see yourself.

The best performers are not afraid to ask for help.

They actively seek it.

Whether you're a surgeon, medical device rep, entrepreneur, or someone trying to improve in your career, having a mentor can save years of mistakes and accelerate your growth.

The Future Belongs To People Who Adapt

We also spent time discussing artificial intelligence and the future of healthcare.

Dr. Kim isn't afraid of AI.

He's excited about it.

Not because it will replace people, but because it can help people become more effective.

His belief is simple: AI won't replace great professionals.

But professionals who use AI well will outperform those who refuse to adapt.

At the same time, he believes human interaction will become even more valuable.

As technology becomes more common, genuine relationships, communication, and trust will become even bigger differentiators.

Final Thoughts

One lesson kept showing up throughout our conversation with Choll Kim, MD, PhD: improvement never stops. Whether you're a surgeon, a medical device rep, or someone trying to build a better career, the goal isn't perfection. The goal is to keep learning, stay coachable, prepare relentlessly, and always look for the next way to improve. That's how great careers are built, and that's how real impact is made.

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All the best,

Jacob McLaughlin

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