Jim Weiss has evolved Real Chemistry from a one-person consultancy into an international leader in health innovation. Currently, he serves as Chairman and Founder and as Executive Advisor to New Mountain Capital, Real Chemistry’s investment partner. Jim is a healthcare, biopharma, medical tech entrepreneur, business leader, and digital health pioneer. He’s been named a Top 50 Health Influencer and Innovator of the Year. Last year, he received the Trailblazer Lifetime Achievement Award. 

His affable curiosity began in our hometown of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and was furthered at his alma mater, Syracuse University, where he was inducted into the Newhouse School’s 50 Forward as one of its most accomplished graduates of the last 50 years. Jim and his wife Audra also founded the Weiss Center for Social Commerce at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. In this episode, Jim talks with Todd Stephens about taking the leap from big pharma to launching a start-up. He recounts his early days becoming the leader that, perhaps, no one saw coming. He also touches on the next phase of his career. Through it all, Jim says his commitment to family and giving back kept him grounded. Still, he dispels the myth of work-life balance. He believes the pursuit of “downtime” and "work time" will usually merge. When he's not working, he loves to watch his Northern California teams and listen to The Grateful Dead or see Dead and Co. live! Jim resides with his wife and two children in the Bay Area.