Being a business owner never crossed Eric Zahn’s mind before Inspire® therapy changed his outlook on the future.

Zahn struggled with sleep issues, which began when he was a teenager well before he was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Morning headaches, irritability and a lack of energy were a few of the symptoms that went on for decades. Zahn still woke up tired even when he used a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine.

That went on for five years, but Inspire therapy ended up changing his life in more than one way.

Zahn is now able to sleep better, which improved all his previous OSA symptoms, but the extra energy also led to a new confidence to take more chances in life.

Zahn and his wife, residents of Crandon, Wis., were on vacation in northern Wisconsin over a year after his Inspire was implanted and activated, and they noticed a for sale sign on a sporting goods store.

This was a local store that they used for camping and fishing supplies when in the area, and it was a dream of theirs to own a business.

Zahn purchased the store in 2021, and today, Zahn and his wife are the proud owners of Tamarack Outfitters in Crandon.

He said it never would have happened without the benefits of restful sleep, which is something he only felt after using Inspire therapy.

Zahn said he remembers being in the military when others in his unit forced him to sleep alone in a tent far away from the rest of the group. Zahn’s snoring was so bad, it kept everyone up.

Zahn also had a tragic wakeup call when his 40-year-old brother passed away in his sleep, which is when he decided it was time to do something about his own issues.

Zahn saw a doctor and had a sleep study, which confirmed he had severe OSA. He stopped breathing around 100 times per hour, with some of the episodes lasting over a minute.

He was first prescribed a CPAP machine to treat his OSA, but he said the device made him feel “like he was drowning.”

Zahn later saw an ad on Facebook for Inspire therapy, which surprised him. He didn’t know alternatives existed.

He made an appointment with an Inspire-trained doctor and began the process to be approved for the procedure, including losing about 20 pounds.

Zahn eventually qualified and was implanted in December 2019.

Zahn said he feels so much better, he almost forgot what fatigue feels like. He now wakes up feeling well rested and with motivation to take on the day.

And it also led to another life-altering change: Zahn is now an entrepreneur.