What would $160,000 a year do for your life? That’s not a hypothetical, we just helped a 24-year-old land their very first job at one of the top medical device companies in the world, earning a $128K base plus bonus to $160K, with a company car and all the perks. No prior experience.

Some will say it’s fake. Others will insist it’s “only possible” in cities like LA, San Francisco, or New York. But here’s the truth: this role was in the Midwest. It happened because this candidate didn’t settle for average and neither should you.

Why “Average” Doesn’t Cut It

Breaking into medical device sales isn’t easy, but what most people accept as normal is actually holding them back:

• Spending 6–24 months trying to land a role.
  
  
• Settling for $60–70K jobs while working 24/7 on call.
  
  
• Hoping for a promotion in 2–3 years to finally hit six figures.
  
  
• Waiting 5–7 years just to get to manager level.
  
  

That’s the average path. But the average doesn’t get extraordinary results. If you want to be a top performer, you have to stop thinking and acting like the average rep.

The Mindset Shift: Don’t Listen to Average Advice

When I posted about this $160K offer on LinkedIn, the first reactions were skepticism. Why? Because most people giving advice are speaking from their own average experience.

Here’s the reality:

• Making over $100K/year already puts you in the top 20% of earners in the U.S.
  
  
• Making $160K puts you in the top 10%.
  
  

If your goals are above average, your circle and the voices you listen to have to be above average too. Surround yourself with people who have actually done it—not those who are stuck and telling you it can’t be done.

The Traits Top Performers Share

After helping thousands break into medical device sales and talking to CEOs who’ve built high-performing sales teams the same two qualities always rise to the top:

1. Hunger + Coachability

• Hunger: The drive to outwork the competition and put yourself in the right rooms.
  
  
• Coachability: The humility to follow proven steps, ask questions, and keep learning.
  
  

When combined, these outweigh years of “experience.” Many reps with 3–5 years in the field get complacent and turn into order-takers. Hungry, coachable newcomers can leapfrog them.

2. Always Investing in Themselves

Top performers never stop learning. That might mean:

• Recording and reviewing calls.
  
  
• Reflecting on wins and losses.
  
  
• Listening to podcasts or training while driving between cases.
  
  
• Hiring mentors and coaches to speed up progress.
  
  

The average rep stops improving after they land the job. The best reps double down on growth and stay ahead.

The “Ignorance Tax” of Waiting

A lot of people tell me, “I’ll just figure it out on my own.” Here’s the problem:

If your goal is $100K/year ($8,333/month) but you’re only making $5K, every month you’re losing $3,333.

• After 3 months: ~$10K lost.
  
  
• After 6 months: ~$20K lost.
  
  

That’s the ignorance tax, the cost of waiting, guessing, and hoping instead of getting help and closing the gap. Meanwhile, others who invested in themselves are making $160K at 24 years old.

Final Thoughts

The difference between average and extraordinary comes down to mindset. Average people ask “What if it doesn’t work?” Top performers ask “What if it does?”

At 24 years old, one of our members answered that question the right way. They bet on themselves, took action, and now they’re in the top 10% of earners in America.

So I’ll leave you with this: whatever you decide for your future, just don’t be average.

Want More Details?

For the full story and more insights, watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Don't miss out on valuable lessons and experiences!

Ready to break into Medical Device Sales? 

If you’re serious about breaking into Medical Device Sales, our program is designed to help you break into the industry where our average person is breaking into Medical Device Sales in just 8.5 weeks at $105,502.

Click here to learn more and kickstart your journey to success.

‍

All the best,

Jacob McLaughlin