ABOUT ME!
I’m John Torrens, a professor, entrepreneur, and advocate for living a balanced, intentional life.
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My career has taken me on an incredible journey—founding and scaling businesses in healthcare, education, and wellness while mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs. As a Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice at Syracuse University, I’m passionate about helping others navigate the challenges of building something from the ground up, all while maintaining their well-being.
Hello, and thanks for stopping by!
“Lasting success doesn't come from grinding harder and hustling more. It comes when you align your mind, body, and spirit so you can lead with purpose, perform at your peak, and thrive in every area of life.”
Lightening in a Bottle
How Entrepreneurs Can Harness Their ADHD to Win
I’ve shared my insights on ADHD and Entrepreneurship in my book, Lightning in a Bottle: How Entrepreneurs Can Harness Their ADHD to Win, and in my popular TEDx talk, ADHD as an Entrepreneur’s Superpower. Through these platforms and more, my goal is to show entrepreneurs how they can thrive in both their professional and personal lives.
“If you are looking for a high impact speaker for your next event, and would like to consider Dr. Torrens, download his media kit here.”
Speaking Topics
HeartMath Facilitation: Building Resilience and Coherence
As a certified HeartMath trainer, I help individuals and teams build resilience, improve focus, and cultivate emotional balance. In this session, you’ll learn evidence-based techniques to manage stress and achieve heart coherence—a powerful state where your body and mind are in sync. Whether you’re navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship or simply seeking greater clarity, HeartMath tools can help you thrive in business and life.
Selling Your Company: Best Practices for the Best Exit
Every entrepreneur leaves their company one way or another. The key is to be intentional about how you run your business so you can maximize your inevitable exit. In this session, I’ll share the best wealth-creation strategies I’ve gathered from interviews with 50 founders and CEOs who successfully exited their businesses. Not all exits are created equal—let me show you how to maximize yours.
​Becoming the CEO of Your Own Health
​Entrepreneurs and executives work harder than anyone else, but often at the expense of their own health. You probably have dashboards for your business, but do you have one for your well-being? Instead of spending your later years managing preventable conditions, why not create a strategic health plan to enjoy the life you’ve worked so hard for? In this session, I’ll help you develop the tools to become the CEO of your own health and make longevity a priority.
ADHD: An Entrepreneur’s Superpower
ADHD can feel like a huge challenge, often throwing curveballs in business and life. But here’s the secret: in the entrepreneurial world, certain types of ADHD can actually be a game-changer—if you know how to harness it. In this session, I’ll show you how to maximize the upside while minimizing the downside, so you can let your natural entrepreneurial abilities shine.
Growth Through Mergers and Acquisitions
Growth is essential, but it doesn’t always have to come organically. Sometimes, the best way to expand is through a strategic acquisition. Having navigated this process multiple times (and taught it at a leading university), I can help you learn the ins and outs of mergers and acquisitions. From the process to best practices, pitfalls, and traps to avoid, this session will equip you with everything you need to approach M&A with confidence.
Finding Joy & Happiness in Business
At the end of the day, we all want the same things: joy, happiness, love, and purpose. Yet, anxiety and depression are at all-time highs, while life satisfaction is on the decline. Here’s the good news: happy people live, on average, seven years longer. This session explores the science of happiness and how to claim the joy that’s already inside you. I’ll share practical techniques to help you feel happier every day and take a page from the playbook of the world’s happiest people
Is Your Good Idea a Good Business Opportunity?
Great ideas are everywhere—but how do you figure out if your great idea can actually become a successful business? I’ll teach you a simple, repeatable model to test your ideas for viability. Before you dive headfirst into launching a business or developing a product, let’s figure out if it’s worth the time, energy, and money
Negotiations & Dealmaking
​Life is full of negotiations, and as an entrepreneur, the deals you make—or don’t make—can have long-term consequences. In this session, I’ll teach you how to prepare for and execute high-impact negotiations. You’ll participate in simulations, learn advanced negotiation techniques, and get personalized feedback. The best way to become a better negotiator is to negotiate—let’s get started.
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Teens
​Helping the next generation of entrepreneurs get a head start is one of my greatest passions. This bootcamp is designed specifically for teens with big ideas and the drive to make them happen. Through hands-on activities, real-world case studies, and interactive lessons, I’ll guide participants through the fundamentals of entrepreneurship—idea generation, testing business viability, and creating a solid plan. Whether they want to launch their first venture or just learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur, this bootcamp equips teens with the skills, mindset, and confidence they need to turn their dreams into reality