Matt Nealand is a paramedic, entrepreneur, and teacher who has helped thousands through his work in emergency services and by building a paramedic training program from the ground up. His story shows what’s possible when you focus on service, not status. Matt shares hard-won lessons from the front lines—of emergency calls, business ownership, and life itself. If you’ve ever wanted to build something bigger than yourself, this episode will make you stop and think.
Tune in to learn:
- Why separating emotion from outcome can save you from burnout.
- How to multiply your impact by building systems, not just doing more.
- The real secret to staying in the game—especially when it feels like you’re losing.
Don’t miss this one—hit play now and get ready for a fresh perspective on service, leadership, and life.
Get in touch with Matt!
Email: mnealand@emtsacademy.com
Website: EmtsacademyHome – EMTS Academy
LinkedIn: Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/matt-nealand-7a08a410
Podcast: YoutubeI See Rich People
Watch Full Episode Here!
00:02 – The WHY of Contribute: Meet Matt Nealan
02:31 – Early Drive to Serve: The Firehouse Kid
06:07 – Thriving in Chaos: The Paramedic Mindset
10:41 – E + R = O: A Formula for Emotional Survival
14:53 – The Hidden Reality of EMS Work
17:13 – From Firefighter to Entrepreneur: The Reindeer Hot Dog Hustle
19:59 – The Ripple Effect: Matt’s “Service Ratio” Philosophy
23:08 – The Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship
26:21 – Shifting Focus: From EMS to Empowering Entrepreneurs
32:07 – Best Advice: Keep Going, Even When It’s Hard
Listen to The Episode!
From Chaos to Clarity: How Matt Nealand Found His “Why” (and Why It Matters for You Too)
What do you do when your job is to keep people alive—and they keep dying anyway? Matt Nealand knows that feeling all too well. He’s a paramedic, educator, and entrepreneur who’s seen more than his fair share of chaos. From pulling double shifts on the busiest trucks in Austin, to running rescue operations in the wilds of Alaska, to building one of the few private paramedic schools in the U.S., Matt has been on a mission his whole life: to help people. And if you’re wondering why you should care about a guy who used to sell reindeer hot dogs on the side (yes, seriously), it’s because his story holds a truth that hits home for all of us—especially when we’re chasing success, but feeling burned out along the way.
This episode of Beyond Your WHY isn’t just about one man’s career; it’s a real talk about purpose, impact, and how to keep going when everything feels like too much. Dr. Gary Sanchez sits down with Matt to unpack what it means to contribute—without burning out—and how to build something bigger than yourself. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a parent, or just someone who wants to make a difference, Matt’s hard-won lessons will hit home. And yeah, there’s a story about a bathroom conversation that proves even paramedics get weird questions from strangers (because apparently, some people think ambulances run on nuclear energy—more on that later).
Chaos Happens—Your Response Is What Counts
Matt’s seen a lot. He’s been in the trenches of emergency services, where the stakes are literally life and death. But what helped him stay grounded wasn’t just experience; it was a mindset shift. He shared the formula that changed everything for him: Event + Response = Outcome. The point? You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond. “Sometimes you just need a second to breathe, separate the event from the response, and you’ll get a different outcome,” he says. That’s not just advice for paramedics—it’s for anyone who’s been knocked down by life.
Want to Make a Big Impact? Think Multiplication, Not Addition
Here’s where Matt’s story really gets interesting. As a paramedic, he could help one person at a time. But when he built a paramedic school, training thousands of EMS professionals, his impact multiplied. He calls this the service ratio—the idea that by teaching others, he can indirectly help tens of thousands of patients. “One paramedic can serve one patient at a time. But if I train 4,000 paramedics, and each of them helps 10,000 people… that’s a ripple effect I could never achieve on my own.” That’s the takeaway: if you want to make a difference, don’t just do the work—build systems that let you scale it.
The Entrepreneur’s Rollercoaster—And Why You Shouldn’t Get Off
Matt doesn’t sugarcoat it. Starting and growing a business is hard. He compares it to a rollercoaster: thrilling one minute, terrifying the next. “There were times I literally typed out my resignation letter, but I couldn’t quit,” he admits. The key to making it through? Keep going, even when it feels messy, awkward, or downright impossible. Matt’s advice is simple: “It’s going to feel uncomfortable. You’re going to want to quit. Keep going and figure it out.” Whether you’re running a company, raising a family, or just trying to get through a tough season, that’s advice we all need to hear.
Matt Nealand’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s practical. He reminds us that we’re not here to play small. Whether you’re a paramedic, an entrepreneur, or someone chasing a dream, your job is to take your time, talent, and treasure and use them to serve as many people as possible. That’s how you create impact. That’s how you build a life that truly matters.
Want more of Matt’s wisdom (and yes, the reindeer hot dog story too)? Listen to the full episode of Beyond Your WHY with Dr. Gary Sanchez. It’s packed with lessons you’ll want to replay when life gets tough.

Matt Nealand, BS, EMT-LP — a visionary leader in emergency medical education and the Program Director for EMTS Academy and the Paramedic Program at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center in Austin, Texas.
Matt took a program he built from the ground up and expanded it to eight locations across Texas. Along the way, he discovered that the key to lasting impact isn’t just professional success — it’s staying grounded in purpose and perspective. Now, he’s helping others ask the bigger questions: What’s next? What’s possible? And how do we build a life that truly matters?
Chris Daigle is a seasoned entrepreneur and the CEO of ChiefAIOfficer.com, where he teaches business leaders how to use AI in smart, simple ways. With decades of experience in fields like SaaS, real estate, and internet marketing, Chris has developed strategies for success that anyone can follow, especially in today’s fast-changing tech landscape. His insights on the power of AI for business are clear and actionable, making him a must-listen for professionals at any level. Tune in to learn:
Listen to the full episode for Chris’s top tips and real-life stories on succeeding with AI and business.