How does a successful business owner rebuild his life after waking up from a 10-day coma to discover he's lost his fingers, toes, and needs a new heart?
In this powerful episode of Life in Transition, host Art Blanchford sits down with Jason Zenger, who shares his extraordinary journey of survival and transformation following a devastating widowmaker heart attack in December 2023. Despite being health-conscious and physically active, Jason's life changed dramatically when he suffered cardiac arrest, leading to a heart transplant and the loss of parts of his fingers and toes due to necrosis. Through his story, Jason reveals how his experience reshaped his perspective on leadership, family, and faith.
As Jason navigates his ongoing recovery, he discusses the profound impact on his role as a business owner, husband, and father of three young boys. Our conversation delves into themes of acceptance, resilience, and finding new purpose, particularly through his transition from active company president to a more advisory role. This episode highlights the transformative power of community support, especially in his new home in Tennessee, and how his near-death experience deepened his faith and appreciation for life's simple gifts. Through music, faith, and family, Jason demonstrates how crisis can become a catalyst for meaningful personal growth.
About Our Guest:
Jason Zenger is a dynamic entrepreneur, podcast host, and business leader based in Tennessee. As the owner of Zenger's Industrial Supply and co-owner with his wife of Black Industrial Safety Supply, he brings decades of manufacturing industry expertise to his work. Since 2014, he has hosted the Making Chips podcast, pioneering manufacturing industry content in the podcasting space. A dedicated family man and person of faith, Jason experienced a life-altering widowmaker heart attack in 2023, which has led him to refocus his energy on family, faith, and helping others through sharing his story of survival and transformation.
Connect with Jason:
Jason Zenger LinkedIn
Making Chips Podcast
Zengers
About The Show:
The Life in Transition, hosted by Art Blanchford focuses on making the most of the changes we’re given every week. Art has been through hundreds of transitions in his life. Many have been difficult, but all have led to a depth and richness he could never have imagined. On the podcast Art explores how to create more love and joy in life, no matter what transitions we go through. Art is married to his lifelong partner, a proud father of three and a long-time adventurer and global business executive. He is the founder and leader of the Midlife Transition Mastery Community. Learn more about the MLTM Community here: www.lifeintransition.online.
In This Episode:
(00:00) The Widowmaker Attack: Initial Crisis
(01:26) Major Transition: Life Before the Heart Attack
(03:14) The Night Everything Changed
(05:41) Fighting for Life: Medical Interventions
(11:04) ICU Delirium: Dreams and Reality
(16:22) Midlife Transition Mastery Ad
(17:21) One Year Later: Loss and Gratitude
(21:18) Learning to Accept New Limitations
(26:06) Processing Trauma and Emotions
(31:14) Music as a Healing Force
(39:00) Transition Mastery Coaching Ad
(40:00) Finding Purpose Through Suffering
(44:20) Business Transition Plans: Zengers President to Owner
(53:50) The Power of Community in Tennessee
(57:06) Personal Growth Through Crisis
(1:01:47) Closing Thoughts and Contact Information
Send us your comments, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!
Resources:
Email Art Blanchford
Life in Transition Website
Life in Transition on IG
Life in Transition on FB
Join Our Community: art-blanchford.mykajabi.com/mid-life-transition-mastery-community
My new book "PURPOSEFUL LIVING" is out now. Order it now: https://a.co/d/cJKOpo6
Explore our website https://lifeintransitionpodcast.com/ for more in-depth information and resources, and to download the 8-step guide to mastering mid-life transitions.
The views and opinions expressed on the “Life In Transition” podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Life In Transition Podcast, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2025.