Photo above: Jim Bartleman and Caryl Kinney
Jim Bartleman did not plan to reinvent his life after 50. That decision was made in a moment that nearly took everything from him.
The realization came after a fall at work that caused a brain bleed and seizures, leaving Jim in a coma and forcing him to relearn how to walk, talk and even swallow. When he emerged from that experience, Jim did not return to the life he had before., so he built a new one.
“I realized that I don’t know how long I’m going to live,” he said. “I’ve always been healthy and active. Then something like this happens out of nowhere. That’s when it hit me. Work isn’t the main function of life. I needed to experience things and really live while I can.”
Today, Jim lives and travels full-time in an RV, works in the RV industry and has created a lifestyle centered on freedom, connection and purpose. His story is not defined by the accident. It is defined by what he chose to do next.
A wake-up call that changed everything
Jim was 49 when a routine day at work turned into a life-threatening emergency.
“I was at work as a service advisor, and the next thing I know, I wake up two weeks later in a hospital,” he said. “They had me in an induced coma because they couldn’t stop the seizures from the brain bleed. One minute I was healthy, and the next I was fighting for my life.”
The recovery process was long and humbling. He spent weeks in the hospital, followed by time in a rehabilitation unit where he had to relearn basic skills.
“They had to teach me how to walk, talk and swallow properly because I was taking in too much air and liquid,” he explained. “It took time, and it was frustrating.”
Even after leaving the hospital, the work continued. Therapy helped him rebuild memory, coordination and confidence.
“My short-term memory still isn’t great,” Jim said. “But, they taught me techniques to work around it, such as associating names with things and focusing on patterns.
In some ways, I think I’m better at remembering names now because I had to learn how to do it,” he added
More important than the physical recovery was the mental shift that followed.
“I realized that we all think we’re going to get to retirement and then enjoy life,” Jim said. “But, that’s not guaranteed. I’ve had friends who didn’t make it that far. That changes how you look at everything.”
Choosing a different path
Before the accident, Jim had built a steady career in the automotive industry. After months away, that job was no longer waiting for him.
“I was out of work for about seven months,” he said. “They held my position for a while, but eventually they had to replace me. So, I had to figure out what I was going to do next.”
At the same time, he and his partner, Caryl Kinney, had already been considering a different lifestyle. They had talked about traveling and living in an RV, But, like many people, they assumed it would happen later.
The accident changed that timeline.
“We were planning on going full-time in our RV anyway,” Jim said. “But, after everything that happened, we thought, why wait? Why not do it now while we can enjoy it?”
He transitioned into the RV industry, where he could continue helping customers while embracing a lifestyle that aligned with his new priorities. He also discovered Workamping, which allowed him to combine seasonal work with travel.
“I like meeting people and helping them,” he explained. “Workamping just fell right into that. It gave me the chance to do both while living the lifestyle we wanted.”
Living on the road
Today, Jim lives full-time in a Class C RV, blending work and travel in a way that gives him structure and freedom.
“We live in the RV year-round,” he said. “During the summer, we stay at a seasonal campsite in Memphis, N.Y. However, the dealership where I work lets me stay on-site in April and October when the campground is closed. Then we spend the winter months traveling through southern states.”
That seasonal campground in Memphis, has become an important part of his life.
“It’s a beautiful place, and there are a lot of full-time or seasonal RVers there,” Jim said. “We’ve gotten to know a lot of them. It’s unique because you still have neighbors and a sense of community, even though you’re living this mobile lifestyle.”
The RV also allows him to stay connected with his children, who live in different parts of the country.
“My kids are scattered all over,” he said. “The RV makes it easy to go see them. We can travel there, stay nearby and still have our own space. It works out really well.”
Travel is no longer something he saves for later. It is part of his everyday life.
Finding purpose through people
While the lifestyle offers flexibility, Jim knows what really gives his life meaning.
“I like helping people,” he said. “That’s what I’ve found I enjoy the most.”
At the RV dealership, he works closely with customers, building relationships and guiding them through service needs.
“I get about 45 minutes with each customer,” he said. “That gives me time to understand what they need and help them in a way that makes sense. I enjoy that connection.”
His experience living in an RV gives him added credibility.
“I live the lifestyle, so I can share that with them,” Jim said. “That helps build trust.”
The same approach carries into his Workamping roles, where he helps campers get settled and answers questions during their stay.
“I tell people I’m a beacon of hope for answers in a world full of questions,” he said.
In fact, work no longer feels like an obligation.
“It doesn’t feel like work anymore,” Jim said. “It feels like something I enjoy doing every day.”
A life rebuilt with intention
Jim does not see his current life as a return to normal. He sees it as something better aligned with who he is today.
“I’ve done a lot of different things in my life,” he said. “But, this is the first time where it really feels like everything fits together.”
That sense of alignment allows him to focus less on long-term plans and more on the present.
“I like where I’m at right now,” Jim said. “I want to travel more, see new places and just keep enjoying the experience.”
He is also returning to a passion he developed later in life.
“I started rock climbing when I was 35,” he said. “Now I’m working my way back into it. I’d love to climb in different parts of the country.”
Advice for those ready to begin
Jim knows that many people are curious about the RV lifestyle or making a major life change, but they hesitate to take action.
“Just do it,” he said. “You don’t have to have everything figured out.”
He encourages people to start by exploring their options and learning what works for them.
“Go to an RV show, talk to people and see what’s out there,” he said. “Figure out what fits your needs, then start with something and adjust as you go.”
He also emphasizes the importance of relationships.
“Find a place where people know you and take the time to help you,” Jim said. “That makes a big difference.”
For Jim, the key is taking that first step.
“You can always change things later,” he said. “But, you have to get started.”
The power of living now
Jim’s story is a reminder that life can change in an instant, and that waiting for the perfect time can mean missing the opportunity altogether.
“I just want to experience life now,” he said. “I want to see the country, spend time with my family and enjoy what I’m doing every day.”
It is not the life he expected, but it is the life he chose. And that choice has made all the difference.
For more information
People can connect with Jim on these platforms:
- Facebook = www.facebook.com/jim.bartleman
- Instagram = www.instagram.com/sweet_henry.adventures_ (don’t forget the underscore at the end)
