The LowDowns

Ryan Baldwin

• Brent Downs • Season 1 • Episode 12

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Show Summary

In this episode of The LowDowns, Brent sits down with Ryan Baldwin, former superintendent and current distributor representative with Advanced Turf Solutions. Joined by co-host Mitchell Eickhoff, the conversation dives into the evolving role of distributor reps in the golf and turf industry—from sales stereotypes and EOP realities to personal stories of growth, gratitude, and baseball. Ryan reflects on the skills that helped him succeed on both sides of the industry, what pushed him to leave his superintendent role, and how he still gets that “dopamine rush” from perfectly sodded projects.

This episode is filled with light-hearted jokes, thoughtful career insight, and the kind of honest reflection you only get from someone who’s been around the turfgrass block. If you've ever wondered what makes a great rep—or what really goes on in those early order programs—this one's for you.

Top Takeaways

  • Distributor Reps Need Soft Skills – Listening, building trust, and being okay with rejection are critical in this side of the industry.
  • Transferable Traits from Super to Sales – Ryan’s superintendent experience gave him a foundation in empathy, precision, and building relationships.
  • Dopamine in Distribution – For reps, satisfaction comes from helping others succeed—seeing great projects finished, not just personal glory.
  • Early Order Program Myths and Truths – Ryan explains how EOPs work, when they’re beneficial, and when they might not be the best fit.
  • The Power of Saying Yes (or No) – Great reps aren’t pushy; they offer the right solution—even if it’s not a product.
  • Career Pivots Are Personal – Ryan shares an emotional story about a pivotal moment that convinced him it was time to leave his superintendent role.
  • Life Outside the Greens – A proud grandparent, baseball coach, and family man, Ryan shows there’s more to turf professionals than turf.
  • What Makes a Good Sales Rep – Spoiler: It’s not just samples. It’s humility, patience, and knowing when not to sell.
  • Don’t Judge a Rep by the Truck – Jokes aside, this episode challenges the clichés about sales reps—and honors the good ones.
  • The LowDowns Format Continues to Evolve – With recurring segments like “Four Down Territory” and “Two Truths and a Lie,” Brent’s podcast continues to entertain while informing.

Why You Should Listen

If you're looking for a candid, fun, and surprisingly deep conversation about what life looks like after the superintendency, this episode brings heart, humor, and industry insight in equal measure. Whether you're a superintendent, a vendor rep, or just love this community, Ryan Baldwin’s journey will give you something to think about—and probably make you laugh along the way.

 Chapters and Timestamps

  • 00:00 – Introduction
  • 01:40 – The Rundowns
  • 05:07 – The Breakdowns
  • 07:06 – Showdowns Introduction
  • 09:00 – Skills of a Distributor Rep
  • 14:10 – Ryan Baldwin Origin Story
  • 22:15 – The Effect of Dopamine in Turf
  • 26:30 – The Change from Superintendent to Rep
  • 31:17 – Benefits of Early Order Program
  • 37:05 – Ryan Baldwin Away from the Golf Course
  • 42:20 – Four Down Territory
  • 49:10 – Two Truths and a Lie
  • 50:50 – Fastest Two Minutes in Podcasting
  • 54:12 – Most Proud
  • 55:18 – Ryan’s Exit
  • 56:18 – Downs and Out (Outro)