Inspiring individual in business shares story of tragedy and triumph over personal and professional obstacles. Watch video
CLEVELAND, Ohio - One day Timothy Beidleman was at the top of his game working as a military aviation electronics technician with hopes of becoming a Navy Seal. At 28 he was working in security with other branches of the military and he felt invincible.
He was an expert marksman, and a martial artist, with plans to become an officer. He had even started working on his third academic degree. Then his body betrayed him.
"One day, I was doing 250 push-ups, and the next day I could only do eight. I started getting tested by different doctors and my doctor refused to sign my re-enlistment paperwork because they couldn't determine what the infection was for a couple of months," said Beidleman, 36. "My foot doctor actually ordered the right test."
Beidleman learned he had Lyme disease, a bacterial illness that is spread by bacteria in tick insect bites. What initially mimics flu-like symptoms eventually wreaks havoc on the nervous system, including uncontrolled spasms and body movements.
He got so sick, that he was out of work for nearly two years - and he lost everything, including his home.
"There were some days I couldn't walk. My legs would just give out and I'd go to the emergency room. I thought I was dying," said Beidleman, who grew up in Lorain.
Today, Beidleman is the CEO of MaxMae Enterprises, a commercial real estate development company he started nearly three years ago. These days his small startup is working on a Cleveland lakefront hotel project with large developers and investors. Prior to that, he was a consultant in systems integration, working to combine technical products in the satellite industry. It's the second time he ended up becoming a consultant, because no one would hire him.
Three years ago, he took out loans to buy a 100,000 square-foot office building in Lorain with plans to put in a satellite communications center (a teleport). He planned to lease space to businesses and broadcasters for enhanced Internet and broadcasting purposes. That didn't work. Instead, his plans were blocked due to government regulations.
"It was a huge setback. I was crushed. I lost about $250,000, and each year the building sat vacant I was losing money. I couldn't afford to occupy it myself, so I went looking for tenants," he said.
That's when things started looking up. The more he talked to potential tenants about changing his property to fit their needs, the more they wanted to talk to him about uses for other properties. That was the beginning of his real estate development career.
"They liked the plans I had for my property and I turned into a glorified consultant. It enabled me to discuss with different municipalities uses for their land, and ways to add value and create jobs. Then I was able to bring in other investment and development partners," he said.
"I don't really think about the future too much. I focus on each day and put together a strategy. If it works...it works. If not, I try something different."
Q. What's one habit that you have that's been working for years?
I have to think about things ahead of time. I don't do anything in the moment. I'm a planner.
Q. How do your previous experiences help with your new role?
My previous experience in the United States Navy has taught me how to lead during stressful situations. It has also taught me how to finesse in a highly political arena. Our military is very political in the Washington, D.C., arena. I was previously stationed at Andrews AFB where I was an electronic countermeasures technician. The performance of my duties when stationed with 89th Security Forces of the Air Force required me to interact with the Marine Corps, NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service), and Navy personnel on security details and plans.
Q. What's the biggest challenge you've faced in your career?
Getting infected with Lyme Disease July 14, 2008 was my biggest challenge. I'll never forget that day as long as I live. I was 28, working in the Navy as an electronic counter measures technician at Andrews Air Force Base. I was happy, working for base security and I was training because I wanted to join the Navy Seals. Then suddenly my health declined.
Q: How do you relax?
I relax by going to the gym to run, swim, and lift weights. Listening to music calms my intensity, and I like to study all things. I also like holding my 2-year-old daughter. Her smile and antics give me peace.
Q. What's the best advice you ever received?
(It) came from Mr. Jimmy Haslam III, the owner of the Browns and CEO of Pilot Travel Centers. I met him at an event for the Greater Cleveland YMCA and I asked him for some advice. He said, "Don't ever be satisfied with where you are at." He said that's something his grandfather and father lived by, and that's how he operates. He said, I'd recommend you do the same for your small business."
Q. What are the top 3 apps you use the most?
The apps I use the most are Duolingo, a popular language learning platform. I use it everyday. I'm addicted to learning new languages. I speak Spanish and French comfortably. I can speak a little bit of Russian and Arabic and I do understand some Italian.
I also like Facebook, and the YouVersion Bible app.
Q. Can you offer one piece of advice for someone looking to reinvent?
The best advice I can offer is to learn all that you can about many things, and stay focused on the dreams you originally set for yourself. Study the book "Who Moved My Cheese" to try to understand how to redirect your focus and joy.
Check out other Reinvention stories.
Similar to The Plain Dealer's former column called "My Biggest Mistake...and How I fixed it," I'm now sharing what drives a person or company to make a drastic change that led to success. I feature career-changers - from millennials to people closer to retiring - and companies, from start-ups to major corporations. The focus: people who have drastically switched careers in the past five years, and businesses that have found new ways to survive and thrive in a changing and ever-evolving marketplace.