The Jake Turner Podcast Ep. 20 ft. Tommy Pohlman

Momentum is supposed to feel exciting. Growth. Freedom. Building something of your own. But what if the real shift happens the day you realize no one is coming to save you?

In this episode, Jake sits down with Tommy Pohlman, founder of Nashville-based Mad Local Media, to unpack what changes when you remove the safety net and take full responsibility for your life and business.

Tommy went from zero to $20,000 a month in eight months, grew a TikTok following past 100,000 in weeks, lived in ten states in seven years, signed with three modeling agencies, and dropped out of college without a fallback plan. What looked like bold momentum was actually discomfort, rejection, skill-building, and learning to sell without shame.

They break down why people avoid sales because it feels personal, how chaos becomes addictive when identity is unclear, and why removing Plan B forces clarity. The conversation moves through entrepreneurship, social media volatility, validation, anxiety, self-worth, alcohol, purpose, and maturity.

Tommy explains how real estate media became leverage in Nashville, why skill stacking can outperform traditional paths, and how burning the backup plan raised his standards. Jake challenges his internal “not enough” belief, leading to a raw coaching moment about peace and ownership.

This episode is about responsibility, discipline, and the psychological shift that happens when you stop waiting and start creating.

Together, they discuss:
• Shame around selling
• Removing the safety net
• Social growth vs real skill
• Why moving cities won’t fix you
• Turning anxiety into energy
• The illusion of “if they wanted to”
• Skill stacking as leverage
• Chaos and self-worth
• Alcohol and lost momentum
• Ownership before life forces it

If you are waiting for confidence or permission, this episode is your reminder that momentum begins when you accept it is on you.

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Chapters
00:00 Welcome
02:24 Selling shame
05:38 Running vs growing
10:14 Moving cities
18:16 Social media volatility
27:50 Modeling and identity
36:42 One daily focus
45:27 Chaos and growth
52:02 Rewriting rules
1:07:09 Significance vs love
1:14:43 First client
1:22:14 Advice to younger self
1:28:43 Rapid fire
1:30:43 Habit that changed everything

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Disclaimer: This episode is for educational, inspirational, and conversational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological, or legal advice, and it does not create a clinician-patient relationship. Always seek the guidance of qualified professionals regarding personal or mental health matters. Any stories or examples shared are anonymized, and details may be changed or combined for privacy. The views expressed are our own and do not represent any employer, hospital, institution, or professional organization.

#entrepreneurship #mindset #ownership #discipline #growth #selfdevelopment #leadership #business