Dr. Josh McConkey shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Josh, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are a mix of gratitude, reflection, and a little chaos. I wake up thinking about the heroes I carried off the battlefield and how their sacrifices shaped the life I get to live. Then I remind myself how blessed I am to have a wonderful wife and three amazing kids. From there, it’s the daily scramble—getting the kids moving, making sure they eat, brush their teeth, and get out the door on time. It’s hectic, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Josh McConkey, an emergency physician, military veteran, and founder of The Weight Behind the Spear Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting those in need across North Carolina. My journey—serving in combat zones and now in communities at home—has fueled my passion for leadership, resilience, and service. I’m also the author of Be the Weight Behind the Spear and am currently developing a children’s book series to teach values like leadership, integrity, courage, and empathy to the next generation. Now, I’m taking that commitment to service a step further as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, working to bring strong leadership, common-sense solutions, and a spirit of unity to our state.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
I learned the most about work by watching my father grind out over 35 years on the railroad. He didn’t love the job, but he never complained—not once. His focus was always on integrity, honesty, and providing for his family. His own needs always came second. That quiet strength and blue-collar work ethic shaped who I am today and has carried me through my military service, my medical career, and now into public service.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me lessons that success never could. Experiencing loss and standing with people in their weakest moments—even at the edge of life and death—has shown me how truly blessed I am. When I lost $5 million because of an unethical CEO who bankrupted our company, I learned a hard truth: I can’t control what others do, only how I choose to respond. Those losses don’t define me or change who I am. What I’ve learned is that integrity is priceless, and no setback can take that away.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would tell you that what matters most to me is my family, my faith, and service to others. Professionally, my combat tour is the accomplishment I’m most proud of—it taught me the true meaning of sacrifice and purpose. Personally, nothing compares to my family: my wife, Elsa, and our three amazing kids—Luca, Gabriel, and Alexandria. They are my greatest source of pride and my daily reminder of why I do what I do.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I’d stop worrying about money or material possessions. None of that really matters in the end. Life is about experiences, creating memories, and spending as much time as possible with the people you love. For me, that’s all about FAMILY—everything else is just noise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.weightbehindthespear.com/Foundation
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshmcconkeymd/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-mcconkey-md/
- Twitter: https://x.com/mcconkey007
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.mcconkey
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjoshmcconkey
Image Credits
Self
