#12: Leaving the Spotlight to Reclaim My Identity | Koni Dole Artwork

Pressed for Presence

Conversations with creative leaders about finding presence while pursuing big dreams.

Pressed for Presence

#12: Leaving the Spotlight to Reclaim My Identity | Koni Dole

May 19, 2025 • Drew Korf • Episode 12

Koni Dole is a co-founder of Montaniac, a sales team builder, and a former Division I athlete.

Koni's story has inspired people across the state of Montana, but in this episode we highlight how Koni's high-profile injury thrust him into a box of being an "inspiration," and stripped him of being able to forge his own identity.

After spending years in the spotlight, Koni left Montana to escape the weight of constant recognition and threw himself into building a new identity through business and sales.

He quickly found success in door-to-door sales, giving him confidence, purpose, and a path forward. But like many of us chasing professional achievement, Koni went all-in, and eventually found himself burnt out, uncentered, and disconnected from the things that really mattered.

This episode is about what it takes to reclaim your story, especially after it’s been written for you, and how even success can become a distraction if it’s not aligned with who you truly are.

Koni shares the tools he now uses to create presence in his life, the lessons from leading (and failing to lead) sales teams, and the shift from living to prove something to living with peace.

Key Moments from the Episode:

Resetting through fasting and rebuilding intention
The emotional weight of being seen as an “inspiration” too soon
Leaving the spotlight to reinvent yourself
Leaning on loved ones for accountability
Lessons from door-to-door sales, rejection, and resilience
Building a healthier version of ambition with presence at the center
Making time to enjoy your life

This one is for anyone trying to bring intention into their lives and balance a high-commitment professional life while creating time to enjoy life outside of work along the way.

Thanks for listening.

Be Where Your Feet Are,
- Drew 👣

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Find Koni Dole at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/konidole6/