I.T. to Reality Star

Wes Harper is the owner and President of LightWire, Inc. LightWire is an IT services company commonly referred to as a MSP (managed Service Provider). They provide IT support to small and medium size businesses across the Triangle and throughout the US. Wes started the company in 1996 and has grown it to employ 14 engineers and a small admin/sales staff.

Wes is married and has 5 grown children. He has a passion for all things outdoors and is also a recurring cast member on The Discovery Channel’s show, Naked and Afraid.

https://lightwireinc.com/

FB     @LightwireRaleigh 

FB     @wesnakedandafraid

www.marlanasemenza.com

Audio : Ariza Music Productions

Transcription : Vision In Word

Marlana: Wes Harper is the owner and president of the IT services company (Lightwire, Inc,) but you may know him from his other gig as recurring cast member on the Discovery Channel show Naked and Afraid. Welcome, Wes! So, on the show, you have earned the nickname The Assassin. What I want to do is ask you, how do you make that mind shift? You're a recurring cast member, how do you make the mental shift from mild mannered Wes Harper, which indeed you are to the Assassin? Also, how do you make the shift back after the show's over?

Wes: It's tough. It takes a couple of days to kind of weed the professionalism out of your system. When you go on a challenge, it takes a couple days before you get that wild streak back in you. And then all sudden, you just kind of get in with the environment and you're feeling it. Then the whole different persona takes place. But I mean, it's a transition and then coming back, it's not two days, it's two weeks, maybe a month before you really get back into a corporate, you know, business owner working in a professional setting. It's a tough return.

Marlana: Why do you think it's tougher on the way back?

Wes: Because things seem so trivial. When you're out there trying to survive, you can concentrate on food every day, and you're starving every day, and just staying warm and staying dry. I mean, those are just core things that you need, and so when you get back and you have to check email, you just really don't care, that just doesn't mean the same thing. And even worse, when your kids want to tell you about their day, you have to really take them and listen to them. And you know, at first, it's kind of boring, for everything that you went through, you know, just three days before and listen to somebody talk about their homework. It's hard. 

Marlana: Was it more difficult on the longer challenge? Because I know you did an Excel, was it more difficult then? Or it doesn't really matter whether it's 21 days or 40 days?

Wes: the longer you're there, the harder it is. I mean, you just keep getting Wilder, the longer you're there. I mean, you're really like the wild animals, and you just keep morphing every day, for better or worse into the environment. So, the longer you're there, the longer the recovery processes.

Marlana: And with that, what about the dynamic between you and your partner or in the group, perhaps that you're in? Does that dynamic seem to change and become wilder and more primal, the longer you're there as well?

Wes: That part becomes a little bit more of a close knit family. Actually, a mess! That's probably the part that's actually keeping you a little grounded as opposed to everything else you're going through. You still tell stories about when you're not in a survival mode, you share things about your family, and so it's a nice diversion from just trying to find something to eat.

Marlana: Each time does it get a little easier or no?

Wes: You know what to expect, that you're going to be pretty miserable. And so that parts easier. It's not such a surprise that you're starving to death, but no, it's very difficult. It's tough, and that part really doesn't get any easier. I've done three of them now, and the third one was by far the absolute worst. So now it doesn't get easier. It really depends on where you're located, I think as well, so it makes the third one the worst. It rains constantly. I mean, every day, it rains almost all day, every night during almost all night and mosquitoes and bugs were biting me to death. It was depressing and there really wasn't much to do. So, you just were alone with your thoughts, and that's sometimes a tough place to be.

Marlana: And with that one too, you wound up alone in the end. So, did that make it more difficult?

Wes: Yeah! I'm not someone who really likes to be alone. I'll do it, and for a weekend it's fine. But for a long term, I'm a people person, I like being around people. And so yeah, I mean, I had a lot of time to think. I was there for, oh goodness! 14 days by myself. And you know, a lot of introspection during that time for sure. 

Marlana: Would you learn about yourself, other than you're not a people person? I mean that you are a people person.

Wes: A lot of things, you know, you start having regrets about how you live some parts of your life, you celebrate things that you've done, you get a real perspective on what kind of person you are. You think back to every person you've ever slightly wronged in your life and you go, dang! I really shouldn't have said that, maybe when I get home, I'm gonna write a quick note and apologize. Your mind just has so much time to think and dredge up things from your past. It's a lot of thinking that you do out there.

Marlana: So, those scenarios that for some of us play out in the middle of the night, that that was just an ongoing scenario for you for 14 days?

Wes: Oh! Yeah, it was constant, it really was. I mean, when you are just sitting still looking at rain, and have absolutely nothing to do because it's too cold to get wet and be outside, you just have to hunker down. I mean, for me it's miserable. I solitary confinement, and I have not made up for that.

Marlana: And I know that they pulled you out of that challenge before you were able to complete it only because COVID, and what you had no idea was going on. So, when they first came to pull you out, what was your reaction?

Wes: I thought they were kidding, I thought it was a joke, I really did. I was like, No! This is ridiculous! You know, get out of here. I got three more days to go or two and a half. So, I really didn't believe them, and then as they pressed on, telling me details of what was happening, it kind of dawned on me that they were really not playing around. And this challenge was over.

Marlana: You know, it’s so interesting to me. That whole concept that you were so isolated that you had no idea what was happening globally.

Wes: Yeah, not a thing. You don't know the score, the ball game. You don't know COVID (Coronavirus) at the time, you really don't know anything, all you know is that you have to get some food, you have to stay warm and try to keep the bugs off. I mean, that's all you know, butter out there.

Marlana: So, was there any time in any of these challenges that you actually were afraid?

Wes: Oh! Yeah! There's many times. Mostly the fear came in Africa though, and that was really in relation to predators, to things that actually want to eat you and It's not passive. That's not like, well, maybe you know, something might pass by that might think about it. There were things that actually wanted to eat you and that was their goal, to get a meal, and you might be it. So, that was pretty frightening, especially at night, you can't see, and you hear weird noises. Yeah, that'll make you sit up. Think about it, for sure.

Marlana: How do you sleep? Because I don't think I could.

Wes: I have been given the gift of sleep. I can sleep pretty much anywhere. I wake up a lot on the challenges, especially, you know, wake up every 15 minutes or every hour, when you hear a noise or get too cold or some random bugs Scorpion bites, something. But I go right back to sleep. I don't have a problem with that and so I'm very fortunate that my wife says that's my number one survival skill, being able to sleep. And she probably is right.

Marlana: So, you hear all these bugs and fighting and starving all these kinds of things. What are some of the best parts of these experiences?

Wes: Think your small victories overcoming a challenge really, that makes it for you, you can reflect on a small victory for days and just smile about it. In Africa, I was able to procure a lot of food, and so even today, I reflect back on that and those are victories that make me smile. When you're out there on challenge, it can be a simple victory. Really, it can be finding fresh water and having a drink. That can propel you for two days and then build a shelter and have it rain, and you stay dry up. The victories that you have out there are huge and so those are things that you reflect on.

Marlana: What's been your favorite place?

Wes: Oh! you know, Africa really has to be my absolute favorite scared as well as an elephant or having a hyena dragging me out of the BOMA, the wildlife. They're the scenery, they're just living in the moment in the bush was absolutely fantastic. Yeah, I would go back tomorrow if they would let me.

Marlana: Is there any place that you'd say no to?

Wes: Oh! Yeah, I would never go to Alaska. I'd never go to North; I am not a cold loving person. Keep me somewhere hot, desert dry, I'll take that all day, but to even go three hours north and try to stay there during the fall, that's not for me.

Marlana: Do you have a choice? How long? If you are booked to be on a challenge? Let's say do you have the option to say yeah, I'm not going there. Or do you even know far enough in advance?

Wes: You know in advance, and really, no, you don't have an option. I mean, you go there, or you say, I'm not gonna be your guy. So, it's really all or nothing, and if they said, hey! we want you to go to Alaska, well, you know me well enough to know, I'm going to Alaska. Am I gonna be happy about it? Am I gonna enjoy it, the cold? No! I'm not, but yes! I'd go to Alaska, not to absolutely not.

Marlana: So, alright, let's talk for a minute about... By doing this, you stepped into a different spotlight, and I think sometimes we forget that when we do things like this, when we step onto a bigger stage, or any of those types of things, how it affects also not just us, but the people around us. So, what would you say? How has it affected your family? What has been their reaction to it all?

Wes: well, you know, I have five kids, and their reaction is really kind of, they shrug their shoulders and say, "Wow! That's really cool. No big deal." They're a little embarrassed when they see a picture, their friends get picture of mine naked, but on TV, they're like, Oh Dad, come on! But other than that, they're really cool with it. My wife is generally super supportive about it. But there are times when it gets to her, like when I talk about it too much or when I'm doing some shopping at a grocery store, and somebody recognizes me, comes over, and wants to do a selfie. That doesn't happen all the time, but it does happen. And sometimes ruin a moment that is just made for me and my wife (Molly).

Marlana: The first time somebody did that, recognize you or asked for a photo or an autograph or any of those kinds of things, what was your reaction?

Wes: Oh! I couldn't get my pen out quickness. I was so excited. And, you know, I had pictures prepared for it. You know, that's part of the deal. With Discovery Channel, you're there to promote the show as well. So, I had pictures, and they said, "Aren't you Wes from Naked and Afraid?" And I said, Yeah, they were like, can we get a picture? And I was like, "Yeah, I got a ton of my truck. Hold on! I'll be right back." You know, so excited! It was fantastic. And even today, when somebody recognize me or ask for a picture, or an autograph or selfie, I still get excited about it. It's an adrenaline rush. I enjoyed that part of it.

Marlana: Did it surprise you at all when somebody first came up to you?

Wes: Yeah! It really did. In fact, it still does today. I mean, Naked and Afraid has kind of a cult following. Not everybody watches the show. And even people will watch the show, they might not know who I am, especially when I'm going to work outfit, when I'm wearing a button up shirt. I had somebody say, "don't you work in South Carolina sometimes?" I went on vacation. Somebody asked, "don't you work for someone?" So, in South Carolina I said, "No! I really don't." But they knew me from Naked and Afraid. They just couldn't place me.

Marlana: Because you were overdressed?

Wes: Yeah, so I saw overdressed so that they knew me, but they didn't know. And so, you know, there's a fair amount of that. 

Marlana: speaking of which, how has this affected your business? Or has it not?

Wes: It has really had an impact and I'm not shy about promoting the fact that I've been on the show. A lot of people say, "Oh! Well! he's a guy on TV. So, let's do business with him." I mean, that's a real thing and so I don't shy away from that at all. You know, groups of 50 year old women, they kind of love that. They're like, "Hey! this guy from Reality TV. We've never met somebody on Reality TV." So, you know, I get invited into a lot of places and I'm given a lot of credibility. Because of the show, even though I'm the guy sitting out there naked, dirty, messy. I'm also the guy that's on TV. So that lends credibility in places where maybe it really shouldn't. 

Marlana: for everybody that doesn't know, tell us what you do as mild mannered Wes Harper.

Wes: My Clark Kent. Yeah, persona. Yeah, I own an IT company (Lightwire), I've owned it since 1996, with a name change in the middle. I have twelve engineers, a small admin staff, and my job is to make sure the company runs smoothly and correctly and grows. So, it's really a corporate professional setting that I'm in. For my real life. My everyday life is that.

Marlana: Have you ever had a client find out after the fact that you were the Naked and Afraid guy?

Wes: Yeah, and that's the most fun actually. That is the most fun because they'll say, I've been talking to you for two months and I just found out that you're Wes from Naked and Afraid. And then you can tell they went, and they Googled me and checked out stuff. Then they have little questions, you know, but it's fun. At that point, it's fun, because we already established a relationship and then you know, there's sprinkles on top. So, that makes it fun for both the client and me. 

Marlana: so how did you get your business to a point where you can go off and do these three week or 40 day challenges, and it still doesn't miss a beat?

Wes: Well, it actually started because of the first time I went away. Knowing that I was gonna go, probably I was clued in about six months before I was leaving, I was really good. So, I had to start preparing my staff. And so, I added responsibilities to people. I gave them the aim and power; I gave them the power to make decisions. By the time I left on the first challenge, my people were ready, they were pretty much running the company day to day operations without me. I didn't need to be there for every single decision. So, that was really what made it happen and then since I've been twice since then, it's only gotten stronger, my ability to take off for a month.

Marlana: And that's really so important I think, especially if you do have any kind of a business, if you want to do something bigger, or if you want to step up into the next level, you've got to be able to let go of things.

Wes: really do, and it's very difficult. Starting the business from scratch being the guy that was up on a ladder. That's really hard to let go of you always want to do it like you want to do it. You're a perfectionist and obsessive compulsive about things and then whoever takes your place might not quite be that obsessive compulsive. And you've got to grapple with that, but the more that you delegate, and the more you give it away, the more you can grow as a business, you can't do. You can't do everything.

Marlana: And I think sometimes too, we forget that people don't have to do it like us. And sometimes they will do it better than we have done it.

Wes: Amen! Yeah, absolutely! When I got back from Brazil, the company was in a better financial position than when I left. So that was a good lesson to learn right there that the people are capable, and they have their ideas that might not be your ideas that might be better.

Marlana: Is there anything that has surprised you about being known?

Wes: You people are crazy. We know that you get some weirdos every now and then. I knew that but I didn't expect it would happen to me that old story. You know, I've heard that happening and other people, I just thought it would happen to me that those people are out there. So, that was a little unexpected in real reality. Other than that, it's been pretty good. I mean, I get to do things like this. I get to do motivational speeches, and I didn't see that coming. But that's really a nice add on to everything that I'm doing. I mean, that's been a very pleasant surprise. 

Marlana: Is there anything that you weren't ready for that you wish you had been? 

Wes: I wasn't ready for how me going on the adventures would affect my personal life. That was a big one. I had to really learn how to come home from a challenge and be reimbursed in with my family. The first time I did not do good job on that, I was really self-absorbed when I got back from my challenge. And like I said about not caring about my kid’s homework, I mean, I was a bad father, I did not care about math problems, you know, I couldn't make myself and then after a month of self-reflection realize that you've been kind of Derp. And then you said, you pledge not to be that bad again. And on the next challenge, you're still a little bad, but not as bad as the first time. So, you progressively try to figure it out. By the third one, we were in full swing at COVID. I had no choice but to adjust. When I got back. There are two main critical issues that we all faced, whether they're getting groceries, toilet paper, or your business needs a PPP loan. I had no choice. I was back to being regular was in 24 hours after I got back home.

Marlana: In those circumstances other than COVID, do you have any kind of a support system or anything that will kind of cut you off at the knees and keep you in check or not?

Wes: Absolutely! And she's my dear sweet wife. I don't put up with a bunch of junk. Thank goodness! I mean, that's to her credit, she keeps me in check, keeps me grounded. If I start playing the Assassin role, Oh! Too much! She'll show yeah, jerk a whole. I mean, she'll say, "okay buddy! Let's relax on that", you know, so yeah, she's really good sounding board. She's very supportive. But when I go a little too far, she rails me right back in to her credit.

Marlana: How important do you think that is for people to have somebody that does that for them as they try and take the next leap for whatever?

Wes: I think it's great! I mean, I think if you are a single person, and you have no responsibilities, you know, you're renting an apartment and you're going for it, you don't have life, don't have kids, then by all means, no Hall, no holds bar, go for it all day, every day, do what you can, but when you have real life, you know that you've left to go do an adventure and come back. And you have to get back to real life, you have to pay your mortgage, you have to put your kids through college. These are nonnegotiable things, and so, to have somebody just kind of jerking back to reality is absolutely necessary in that environment. 

Marlana: So, what would be your advice to anybody who is going to be doing anything that pushes them either farther into the public Ile or onto a bigger stage?

Wes: I would say that no one is really going to push you, and no one's really going to promote you. You have to really promote yourself. For me, I'm always still a little embarrassed about promoting myself, it's a hard transition, but maybe that's because I'm 51 years old, maybe if I was 26, again, I wouldn't have any problem at all, but I would say self-promote, just self-promote, don't worry about it. Just go for it. Really! If you don't self-promote, no one else is going to do it for you then, and I guess that would be my best advice. Would just be go for it, put yourself out there. And if it doesn't work, that's alright. Because you did everything you could to get yourself up.

Marlana: With that Wes, I just have four final questions for you. 

Wes: Okay! 

Marlana: First one, what's the best piece of advice you're ever given?

Wes: it was from my father, and it was when I was young, and he was working for the Pentagon, commuting an hour and a half each way to work. And he sat me down one day and said, "Don't do this. Don't be like me." What he meant at the time was, don't commute an hour and a half each way. There was something bigger I took away from it, and that was don't get stuck in just day to day routines. Have your adventures, if there's a goal you want to reach That's not typical, go ahead and go for it anyways. It was really kind of live your best life and don't get trapped in the corporate costs. So, I think that's the best advice I ever got and even though I'm a corporate dude, obviously, I live outside the box. So that was great advice. 

Marlana: Show us one thing on your bucket list. 

Wes: OH! My bucket list is so vague. It's like an empty trash can with all the things I want to do still. 

Marlana: Tell us one.

Wes: This one I want to; I'm writing a novel. I'm currently in process writing a Novel, my bucket list is to finish the damn thing. That's the biggest part. I'm interested in building my own house, me building it myself. I want to be fluent in Spanish. And there's just a list, and of course, I really want to go back on Naked and Afraid. I don't feel like I've accomplished that. I've done it, but I haven't accomplished it. I haven't finished my run with Naked and Afraid. 

Marlana: So, when the toy companies finally get around to making an action figure of you, what to accessories will it come with?

Wes: Oh! I think if it’s my Naked and Afraid action, that's gonna have to come with a machete, and of course, a boner, because I am the assassin, but I've got something for you. Just in case you haven't seen this before. Now, that comes with a long story that I'm not going to tell in both Las Vegas. But I've already got a little mini me action figure that I keep to myself.

Marlana: So funny! And last one Wes, how do people find you?

Wes: Oh! That's easy. You can go to my business websites; you can go to LinkedIn. I mean, all you have to do is type my name into Google, and these days, there are pages of information on me, very easy to find. I would say I can give you every Facebook Instagram address and all that you want, but just take Wes Harper into Google and it will provide all that for you. Some good, some bad, you know, but it's all there. I can't get it out there. 

Marlana: Love it. Thank you so much, Wes, and thanks for being here.

Wes: Oh! Thank you. Always great to see you.