The Transformational Journey of a Full Cycle Sales Rep
In this episode of the Medical Sales Podcast, Samuel Adeyinka sits down with Alex Kinsel, a rising medical device rep specializing in noninvasive pain management. Alex breaks down what it really means to be a full cycle rep, from prospecting and clinician relationships to hands on patient education inside the VA system. He shares how autonomy, discipline, and strong CRM habits drive performance, what earnings can look like in a commission heavy structure, and why smaller companies can offer lifestyle freedom without sacrificing income. Alex also opens up about imposter syndrome, career trajectory, leadership growth, and the qualities every aspiring rep must develop, including empathy, honesty, tenacity, and the ability to truly listen. This conversation is a transparent look at building a high income, high impact career in modern medical sales.
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Transcription:
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Hello, and welcome to the Medical Sales Podcast. I’m your host, Samuel, the founder of a revolutionary medical sales training and mentorship program called the Medical Sales Career Builder. And I’m also host of the Medical Sales Podcast.
On this podcast, I interview top medical sales reps and leading medical sales executives across the entire world. It doesn’t matter what medical sales industry, from medical device to pharmaceutical to genetic testing and diagnostic lab. You name it. You will learn how to either break into the industry, be a top 10 percent performer within your role, or climb the corporate ladder.
Welcome to the Medical Sales Podcast. And remember, I am a medical sales expert sharing my own opinion about this amazing industry and how it can change your life.
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
I’m a full cycle rep, meaning I do everything from researching the accounts and the providers, where they came from, what they studied, and whether they’ve done any sort of clinical trial work.
I like to look at what they used back then versus what they’re using now.
That’s the first step, and then all the way at the end is patient education.
I’ve gotten a patient, I’ve gotten an order in, it’s been processed, and the patient is local. Typically older.
Someone younger might be more familiar with technology, but these older patients usually have caretakers and need more hands on guidance.
So I’ll meet with them, usually in a conference room that’s not being used at the time.
That’s where you become so important.
I don’t have a degree and I’m not a licensed medical professional. But they’re giving me an office and integrating me into their team.
Even though I’m a vendor, we’re working together and they acknowledge me. That integration becomes powerful.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Give us your hours. When are you up, when are you coming home, and are you working weekends?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
I do not work weekends.
I call this a unicorn job because everything relies on what I feel like I need to do that day.
And that’s something I touched on earlier. My schedule is based on what I feel I need to do versus what I have written down. I need to write things down instead of just getting in the car and getting distracted by whatever clinic is over here.
But to answer your question, I’m usually waking up around 7:00 to 7:30, and getting out the door hopefully by 8:00.
If I have a meeting, it’s typically at 9:00. Even a one on one with my manager can happen in the car.
That’s where I’ll talk through what I’m doing and make sure my Salesforce is up to date. And those meetings become less frequent if I’m doing a good job logging information.
For anyone wondering what CRM is, it’s just a way for everyone at every level of the business to know what’s happening, because it’s documented.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
And your days are ending usually what time?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
Usually 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Especially with the VA, clinics are usually done by 3:30. You’re at the will of other people’s schedules. You can get last minute add ons, cancellations, all of that.
By 3:00, I’m either in the car headed back from somewhere like Fayetteville, or I’m still in the perimeter in places like Brookhaven or Cobb County.
If I’m lucky, I’m over by Sandy Springs because my gym is over there. I’ll eat some Cava. That’s my favorite.
Then I’ll do the logging, make sure my appointments are scheduled for the next day, and wrap up.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Is there a team dynamic, or is this fully autonomous. You have your territory, you’re fully autonomous, the only contact is your manager, and that’s that?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
It is very autonomous.
And I struggled with imposter syndrome hard because I came in at 24. I was thinking, why would these people ever want to listen to me.
I was very lucky that my mentor, Jack, saw something in me and believed he could mold me.
Then we had leadership changes. We have a new manager now with a different style. More like, I’m not going to get in your way, but make sure we’re all on the same page.
So I’ve experienced two leadership styles, and it taught me a lot about how leaders lead, and how I operate as a rep.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Talk to us about earnings. What’s the range. What is the top person making. What is the entry level person making?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
On the high end in my company, we’re looking at $300,000 to $500,000 a year. Mid six figures is real.
The base salary is low because it’s eat what you kill. It’s enough to survive.
What my company does that’s great is they provide an 18 month guarantee.
So say you’re new, and maybe you have access to the VA, maybe you don’t. They give you a guarantee base plus guaranteed commission while you’re growing, so you can still move, handle life, and build.
If your commission becomes higher than the guarantee within the first six months, you get the higher amount.
Our commission structure looks like this.
7 percent if you’re under 90 percent of quota.
10 percent if you’re between 90 and 100 percent.
13 percent if you’re between 100 and 110 percent.
16 percent if you’re above 110 percent.
That can get very good very quickly if you’re doing a good job.
For me, one of my highest months last year was around $20,000 gross.
But things change with holidays and life. That number goes down some months.
So you always have to take inventory of where your business is at.
This year I’m excited because I’ve figured out a few things that helped me get past imposter syndrome, understand healthcare better, and manage time better.
Time can be your best friend or it can be your enemy.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
That’s common in medical sales. You’re running a business. You’re the CEO of the territory.
So what does career trajectory look like. Do you stay in this role long term, or move into management, then executive leadership?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
I’m glad you asked.
I always told the world I wanted to do medical device sales in Georgia, but not Atlanta, because I’m from small rural Missouri. The universe laughed at that and put me in Atlanta.
In college, I thought device sales was hard to break into. All I wanted was to get a job as a rep by 30 and make six figures by 30.
I was blessed that happened at 24.
Then I had to realign and ask, what’s next.
At first it was like, high rise condo, German car, whatever. But then I realized money won’t fulfill everything.
Helping others break into the industry became something I cared about, and that’s part of why I’m doing this podcast.
My vision has been to be a top rep until about 30, then potentially move into regional management, bring people in, develop them, and work up the ladder toward sales director or VP of sales.
Beyond that, there are new things coming with clinical trials and product development, and I want to be part of that too.
I don’t want to be famous. But I want to leave a lasting impact.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
If listeners are thinking, Alex is the truth, I want to do what he’s doing, what qualities do they need to bring to succeed in this space?
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
I hope you’re enjoying today’s episode. And I want to let you know our programs cover the entire career of a medical sales professional, from getting into the medical sales industry to training on how to be a top performer in medical sales, to masterfully navigating your career to executive-level leadership.
These programs are personalized and customized for your specific career and background, and trained by over 50 experts, including surgeons.
Our results speak for themselves, and we’re landing positions for our candidates in less than 120 days in top medical technology companies like Stryker, Medtronic, Merck, Abbott. You name it.
Would you run an Ironman race without training and a strategy. You wouldn’t. So why are you trying to do the same with a medical sales position.
You need training. You need a strategy. Visit evolveyoursales.com. Fill out the application, schedule time with one of our account executives, and let’s get you into the position that you’ve always dreamed of.
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
Heart is one. You have to have heart and empathy.
Two is being more of a listener than a talker. You have to listen, analyze, problem solve, and understand the real problem the customer is facing.
If you don’t have the answer in the moment, don’t lie.
So three is honesty. And honesty is tied to being able to be told no. Sometimes it feels like your solution is perfect, but circumstances outside your control mean it’s not a yes right now.
Four is tenacity.
Let me read something from my LinkedIn about section because it captures it.
A tenacious self starter with a knack for building strategic relationships and selling. I have a passion for consulting healthcare providers about clinically proven, evidence based treatment options via 21st century technology. I rely heavily on my sharp intuition to lead and coordinate projects with others eager to further my career goals within medical device sales and have a positive impact on patient outcomes.
All four of those pillars are in there.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
You’re absolutely right. I love it.
Last thing. You’re a young man making great money, having a huge impact on patients, and you get patient interaction so you actually see what’s happening.
What’s one thing you anticipate about where the future of this industry is going. You’ve been in this space for three years. Where do you see it in ten years?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
AI is never going to replace me, and it’s never going to replace anybody. Doctors, especially older doctors, don’t want to talk to more technology than they have to.
But AI will be used.
What happened during Covid was crazy. Regulations changed. FDA classification and timelines changed.
Things that used to take six years can take a year and a half now.
We’re in a revolution of healthcare. It feels like the wild west.
There’s never been a better time. Even if you’re going the clinical route, I’m not saying don’t do that.
But if you want to be clinical and your emotional bandwidth gets drained, consider medical sales.
If you’ve practiced, you can explain value fast. You can show time savings, fewer appointments, more free time, better outcomes. That’s where this is headed.
The next eight years of healthcare, we’re going to see things that make people say, whoa, what are they doing.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
One more thing. What did training look like for you. Was it mentor driven, formal training, or more like you were sent out to figure it out?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
I flew up to Washington, to Vancouver, in late 2020.
It was a class of only two people. Me and a former chiropractor.
I was there for a week with corporate. President, VP, everyone. It was intimidating, but they were good and helped me feel comfortable.
I came from a startup background, where things were loose, and moving into a more structured corporate environment was an adjustment.
After that week, most communication was through Teams and email.
I also have a counterpart in Florida named Myrna. I talk to her almost every other day. She’s been with the company for years and she’s been a huge support, not just professionally but personally too.
With bigger companies like Stryker, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, training will be extensive. It will be grueling. You’ll study nonstop.
I like smaller companies.
They give you the tools and a financial incentive program. If you are what they think you are, you can thrive.
It depends on the person. Some people should go to Medtronic and grind.
For people like me who want work-life balance, I like smaller outfits. I DJ, I do stand up comedy, I like having a life outside of work.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
So you’re saying the autonomy, flexibility, and freedom with smaller companies allows you to build a lifestyle that wouldn’t look the same at a bigger player.
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
Correct.
If you like sports, it’s like going to the NBA and working for the big guys.
But for me, I want to be a free agent. I want a G League style company.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
In 2026, it’s hard to get into medical sales. Everyone knows about it now. College students want in, career changers want in, and it’s more competitive than ever.
How do you see the value of programs like ours, and why do they matter for people serious about breaking into the industry?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
I’ll give you an anecdote.
Last year a new grad messaged me. Her name was Adeline. She had recently graduated and moved to Atlanta, and she wanted to learn about device sales. She asked for a call or coffee and included her contact info.
That stood out because she was willing to get off the keyboard and take action.
We met in January. She wanted to do a ride along, but with compliance and privacy, we couldn’t do that.
Then in December, I was at the VA and I saw someone who looked familiar. We started talking, and it was Adeline.
Now she was with Boston Scientific on the cardiac side.
That moment showed me how timing and persistence matter.
For programs like yours, I’d use the word rhythm.
For someone trying to break in, these programs give structure to the process.
They help you develop messaging, cadence, outreach, and they guide you through conversations, follow ups, and how to choose the right company based on your life stage, goals, and situation.
There’s a rhythm to it. And having that designed for you is valuable.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
I love it. Alex, this was awesome. You’re a treat to listen to. Thank you for being on the Medical Sales Podcast.
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
You’re a great interviewer. I love what the Medical Sales Podcast does. I think it’s valuable for people who are interested.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. And remember, I have a customized and personalized program that gets you into the medical technology industry as a sales professional, or any type of role for that matter.
Become a top performer in your position and masterfully navigate your career to executive-level leadership. Check out these programs and learn more by visiting our site.
Fill out an application, schedule some time with one of our account executives, and allow us to get you where you need to be.
Stay tuned for more awesome content with amazing interviews on the Medical Sales Podcast.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Hello, and welcome to the Medical Sales Podcast. I’m your host, Samuel, the founder of a revolutionary medical sales training and mentorship program called the Medical Sales Career Builder. And I’m also host of the Medical Sales Podcast.
On this podcast, I interview top medical sales reps and leading medical sales executives across the entire world. It doesn’t matter what medical sales industry, from medical device to pharmaceutical to genetic testing and diagnostic lab. You name it. You will learn how to either break into the industry, be a top 10 percent performer within your role, or climb the corporate ladder.
Welcome to the Medical Sales Podcast. And remember, I am a medical sales expert sharing my own opinion about this amazing industry and how it can change your life.
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
I’m a full cycle rep, meaning I do everything from researching the accounts and the providers, where they came from, what they studied, and whether they’ve done any sort of clinical trial work.
I like to look at what they used back then versus what they’re using now.
That’s the first step, and then all the way at the end is patient education.
I’ve gotten a patient, I’ve gotten an order in, it’s been processed, and the patient is local. Typically older.
Someone younger might be more familiar with technology, but these older patients usually have caretakers and need more hands on guidance.
So I’ll meet with them, usually in a conference room that’s not being used at the time.
That’s where you become so important.
I don’t have a degree and I’m not a licensed medical professional. But they’re giving me an office and integrating me into their team.
Even though I’m a vendor, we’re working together and they acknowledge me. That integration becomes powerful.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Give us your hours. When are you up, when are you coming home, and are you working weekends?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
I do not work weekends.
I call this a unicorn job because everything relies on what I feel like I need to do that day.
And that’s something I touched on earlier. My schedule is based on what I feel I need to do versus what I have written down. I need to write things down instead of just getting in the car and getting distracted by whatever clinic is over here.
But to answer your question, I’m usually waking up around 7:00 to 7:30, and getting out the door hopefully by 8:00.
If I have a meeting, it’s typically at 9:00. Even a one on one with my manager can happen in the car.
That’s where I’ll talk through what I’m doing and make sure my Salesforce is up to date. And those meetings become less frequent if I’m doing a good job logging information.
For anyone wondering what CRM is, it’s just a way for everyone at every level of the business to know what’s happening, because it’s documented.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
And your days are ending usually what time?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
Usually 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Especially with the VA, clinics are usually done by 3:30. You’re at the will of other people’s schedules. You can get last minute add ons, cancellations, all of that.
By 3:00, I’m either in the car headed back from somewhere like Fayetteville, or I’m still in the perimeter in places like Brookhaven or Cobb County.
If I’m lucky, I’m over by Sandy Springs because my gym is over there. I’ll eat some Cava. That’s my favorite.
Then I’ll do the logging, make sure my appointments are scheduled for the next day, and wrap up.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Is there a team dynamic, or is this fully autonomous. You have your territory, you’re fully autonomous, the only contact is your manager, and that’s that?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
It is very autonomous.
And I struggled with imposter syndrome hard because I came in at 24. I was thinking, why would these people ever want to listen to me.
I was very lucky that my mentor, Jack, saw something in me and believed he could mold me.
Then we had leadership changes. We have a new manager now with a different style. More like, I’m not going to get in your way, but make sure we’re all on the same page.
So I’ve experienced two leadership styles, and it taught me a lot about how leaders lead, and how I operate as a rep.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
Talk to us about earnings. What’s the range. What is the top person making. What is the entry level person making?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
On the high end in my company, we’re looking at $300,000 to $500,000 a year. Mid six figures is real.
The base salary is low because it’s eat what you kill. It’s enough to survive.
What my company does that’s great is they provide an 18 month guarantee.
So say you’re new, and maybe you have access to the VA, maybe you don’t. They give you a guarantee base plus guaranteed commission while you’re growing, so you can still move, handle life, and build.
If your commission becomes higher than the guarantee within the first six months, you get the higher amount.
Our commission structure looks like this.
7 percent if you’re under 90 percent of quota.
10 percent if you’re between 90 and 100 percent.
13 percent if you’re between 100 and 110 percent.
16 percent if you’re above 110 percent.
That can get very good very quickly if you’re doing a good job.
For me, one of my highest months last year was around $20,000 gross.
But things change with holidays and life. That number goes down some months.
So you always have to take inventory of where your business is at.
This year I’m excited because I’ve figured out a few things that helped me get past imposter syndrome, understand healthcare better, and manage time better.
Time can be your best friend or it can be your enemy.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
That’s common in medical sales. You’re running a business. You’re the CEO of the territory.
So what does career trajectory look like. Do you stay in this role long term, or move into management, then executive leadership?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
I’m glad you asked.
I always told the world I wanted to do medical device sales in Georgia, but not Atlanta, because I’m from small rural Missouri. The universe laughed at that and put me in Atlanta.
In college, I thought device sales was hard to break into. All I wanted was to get a job as a rep by 30 and make six figures by 30.
I was blessed that happened at 24.
Then I had to realign and ask, what’s next.
At first it was like, high rise condo, German car, whatever. But then I realized money won’t fulfill everything.
Helping others break into the industry became something I cared about, and that’s part of why I’m doing this podcast.
My vision has been to be a top rep until about 30, then potentially move into regional management, bring people in, develop them, and work up the ladder toward sales director or VP of sales.
Beyond that, there are new things coming with clinical trials and product development, and I want to be part of that too.
I don’t want to be famous. But I want to leave a lasting impact.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
If listeners are thinking, Alex is the truth, I want to do what he’s doing, what qualities do they need to bring to succeed in this space?
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
I hope you’re enjoying today’s episode. And I want to let you know our programs cover the entire career of a medical sales professional, from getting into the medical sales industry to training on how to be a top performer in medical sales, to masterfully navigating your career to executive-level leadership.
These programs are personalized and customized for your specific career and background, and trained by over 50 experts, including surgeons.
Our results speak for themselves, and we’re landing positions for our candidates in less than 120 days in top medical technology companies like Stryker, Medtronic, Merck, Abbott. You name it.
Would you run an Ironman race without training and a strategy. You wouldn’t. So why are you trying to do the same with a medical sales position.
You need training. You need a strategy. Visit evolveyoursales.com. Fill out the application, schedule time with one of our account executives, and let’s get you into the position that you’ve always dreamed of.
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
Heart is one. You have to have heart and empathy.
Two is being more of a listener than a talker. You have to listen, analyze, problem solve, and understand the real problem the customer is facing.
If you don’t have the answer in the moment, don’t lie.
So three is honesty. And honesty is tied to being able to be told no. Sometimes it feels like your solution is perfect, but circumstances outside your control mean it’s not a yes right now.
Four is tenacity.
Let me read something from my LinkedIn about section because it captures it.
A tenacious self starter with a knack for building strategic relationships and selling. I have a passion for consulting healthcare providers about clinically proven, evidence based treatment options via 21st century technology. I rely heavily on my sharp intuition to lead and coordinate projects with others eager to further my career goals within medical device sales and have a positive impact on patient outcomes.
All four of those pillars are in there.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
You’re absolutely right. I love it.
Last thing. You’re a young man making great money, having a huge impact on patients, and you get patient interaction so you actually see what’s happening.
What’s one thing you anticipate about where the future of this industry is going. You’ve been in this space for three years. Where do you see it in ten years?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
AI is never going to replace me, and it’s never going to replace anybody. Doctors, especially older doctors, don’t want to talk to more technology than they have to.
But AI will be used.
What happened during Covid was crazy. Regulations changed. FDA classification and timelines changed.
Things that used to take six years can take a year and a half now.
We’re in a revolution of healthcare. It feels like the wild west.
There’s never been a better time. Even if you’re going the clinical route, I’m not saying don’t do that.
But if you want to be clinical and your emotional bandwidth gets drained, consider medical sales.
If you’ve practiced, you can explain value fast. You can show time savings, fewer appointments, more free time, better outcomes. That’s where this is headed.
The next eight years of healthcare, we’re going to see things that make people say, whoa, what are they doing.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
One more thing. What did training look like for you. Was it mentor driven, formal training, or more like you were sent out to figure it out?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
I flew up to Washington, to Vancouver, in late 2020.
It was a class of only two people. Me and a former chiropractor.
I was there for a week with corporate. President, VP, everyone. It was intimidating, but they were good and helped me feel comfortable.
I came from a startup background, where things were loose, and moving into a more structured corporate environment was an adjustment.
After that week, most communication was through Teams and email.
I also have a counterpart in Florida named Myrna. I talk to her almost every other day. She’s been with the company for years and she’s been a huge support, not just professionally but personally too.
With bigger companies like Stryker, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, training will be extensive. It will be grueling. You’ll study nonstop.
I like smaller companies.
They give you the tools and a financial incentive program. If you are what they think you are, you can thrive.
It depends on the person. Some people should go to Medtronic and grind.
For people like me who want work-life balance, I like smaller outfits. I DJ, I do stand up comedy, I like having a life outside of work.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
So you’re saying the autonomy, flexibility, and freedom with smaller companies allows you to build a lifestyle that wouldn’t look the same at a bigger player.
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
Correct.
If you like sports, it’s like going to the NBA and working for the big guys.
But for me, I want to be a free agent. I want a G League style company.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
In 2026, it’s hard to get into medical sales. Everyone knows about it now. College students want in, career changers want in, and it’s more competitive than ever.
How do you see the value of programs like ours, and why do they matter for people serious about breaking into the industry?
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
I’ll give you an anecdote.
Last year a new grad messaged me. Her name was Adeline. She had recently graduated and moved to Atlanta, and she wanted to learn about device sales. She asked for a call or coffee and included her contact info.
That stood out because she was willing to get off the keyboard and take action.
We met in January. She wanted to do a ride along, but with compliance and privacy, we couldn’t do that.
Then in December, I was at the VA and I saw someone who looked familiar. We started talking, and it was Adeline.
Now she was with Boston Scientific on the cardiac side.
That moment showed me how timing and persistence matter.
For programs like yours, I’d use the word rhythm.
For someone trying to break in, these programs give structure to the process.
They help you develop messaging, cadence, outreach, and they guide you through conversations, follow ups, and how to choose the right company based on your life stage, goals, and situation.
There’s a rhythm to it. And having that designed for you is valuable.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
I love it. Alex, this was awesome. You’re a treat to listen to. Thank you for being on the Medical Sales Podcast.
Alex Kinsel (Guest):
You’re a great interviewer. I love what the Medical Sales Podcast does. I think it’s valuable for people who are interested.
Samuel Adeyinka (Host):
I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. And remember, I have a customized and personalized program that gets you into the medical technology industry as a sales professional, or any type of role for that matter.
Become a top performer in your position and masterfully navigate your career to executive-level leadership. Check out these programs and learn more by visiting our site.
Fill out an application, schedule some time with one of our account executives, and allow us to get you where you need to be.
Stay tuned for more awesome content with amazing interviews on the Medical Sales Podcast.