EPISODE 1: DAVE ESPOSITO

Dave Esposito is the CEO of ONL Therapeutics, a biotech company developing treatments to slow blindness from glaucoma and macular degeneration, diseases affecting 4-5 million Americans.

But his path to biotech leadership wasn't linear.

West Point grad. Combat platoon leader in the Gulf War at 22. Pharmaceutical sales. Multiple startups. And now, leading a Phase 2 clinical trial that could change millions of lives.

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IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:

→ Leadership lessons from leading troops in combat at age 22

→ Why having a plan matters, but adaptability matters more

→ The transition from military to pharmaceutical sales to biotech

→ What it takes to build a biotech company and raise capital

→ Why purpose-driven work matters more than the product

→ The defining moment with his daughter that taught him about presence

→ What he'd tell his 30-year-old self about being present

→ Advice for anyone navigating a major life or career transition

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KEY TIMESTAMPS:

01:03 – ONL Therapeutics: Fighting blindness from glaucoma and macular degeneration

02:19 – Why West Point? The calling to serve

04:38 – Combat leadership lessons: Direction and adaptability

09:30 – Getting into pharmaceutical sales

16:20 – Starting ONL Therapeutics: The problem they're solving

22:15 – The hardest parts of building a biotech company

28:45 – Leadership lessons from the military applied to business

47:37 – "Be present": The lesson he'd tell his younger self

50:22 – The moment with his daughter that changed everything

52:33 – Advice for anyone in transition

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KEY QUOTES:

"You need a plan, but you have to be able to adjust when things change rapidly and keep moving forward."

"Be present. Not just at home, but in the workplace. When you're with someone, you've got to dial in."

"Purposeful work isn't building a widget to sell a widget. It's solving problems that truly matter."

"Don't worry as much. Stick to your principles, have faith in the process."

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ABOUT DAVE ESPOSITO:

Dave Esposito is CEO of ONL Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on developing treatments for eye diseases. A West Point graduate and Gulf War veteran, Dave led an infantry platoon in combat before transitioning to pharmaceutical sales and eventually biotech leadership.

Connect with Dave:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidesposito2/

Website: www.harvesttimepartners.com

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ABOUT THE HOST:

Andre Moxie helps midlife professionals navigate major transitions with strategy and purpose. New episodes every Tuesday.

Connect with Andre:

Website: rewiredwithmoxie.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andre-moxie-7b1989a

Instagram: @moxie_andre

Free Clarity Compass: https://book.rewiredwithmoxie.com/midlifeclaritycompassebook

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