Episode Details

Jim Landsman, BSME, MBA.  Every business leader in 2020 is challenged to figure out how to run a successful business during a pandemic.  Jim not only forged that path but then had to deal with contracting the virus himself and living through a nightmare of being on a ventilator for 10 days and coming very close to dying.  He credits being a good physical shape at 57 for saving his life.  Listen to the fear he and his family had to go through to come out on the other end.  The support of friends, family and even complete strangers has been overwhelming.  He still is trying to get back physically what was taken during his fight to survive.

Jim is a co-founder and the President and CEO for Atlas Injury Prevention Solutions.  Atlas IPS is a leading nationwide injury (MSD) prevention service and technology provider.  Jim has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a masters degree in business administration, both from the University of Notre Dame.  Jim’s 30+ years of leadership experience is equally split between operations and sales/marketing.  Jim is originally from Grand Haven, MI but now resides in New Smyrna Beach, FL.  He is happily married to his wife and soulmate (Gayle) for almost 30 years, and has three children and two grandchildren.  Jim loves most to spend time with his family, but when he is not doing that he likes to run on the beach, fish, boogie board, kayak, and (pre-COVID) travel to and explore new and fun destinations. 

10 Lessons Learned by a COVID Survivor

I am the President of Atlas IPS.  Sometime between July 31 and August 9 I should have died.

The Background

When the COVID pandemic started in March, my family were considered the “nuts.”  We immediately wore masks, used hand sanitizer, went grocery shopping every 2 – 3 weeks, and didn’t get take-out food for over three months.  We did this to protect my wife who has had pneumonia twice and a thyroid condition that impacts her immune system.

I am 57 years old.  I have no preexisting conditions and do not take any prescriptions.  I don’t smoke.  I run 3 miles and swim laps 5 – 6 days a week.  

Our belief was that if either my extremely healthy 22-year-old son or I became infected, we might get a fever for 3 days.  If my wife was infected, all bets were off.

On July 22 I began to exhibit mild COVID symptoms. On July 24 the three of us went to the Florida Department of Health and were tested for COVID with a throat swab.  Because we were unsure about the accuracy of a throat swab, on July 27th we went to an urgent care facility and were tested with a nasal swab.

My symptoms continued to worsen including having a 102o fever and developing a mild cough.  Fortunately, my wife bought a pulse oximeter and found my oxygen level at 88%, when it should be at 95% or higher.  She called the hospital with that information and the nurse said I needed to get to the emergency room immediately.

On July 28 I was admitted to a nearby large top-rated hospital.  My X-rays showed one of my lungs was completed infected and the other was 1/3rd infected with pneumonia.  My breathing continued to worsen and on July 31 I was moved to the ICU and placed on a ventilator for 10 days.  Miraculously I was moved out of the ICU on August 17, and on August 21 I was discharged to my home. 

We were told in confidence by one of my nurses that I was the only patient to survive with COVID, who was also admitted to the ICU and placed on a ventilator, since March.  Whether or not that statement is 100% accurate, it seems not many people survive, and the ability for my family and me to tell our story is unique.

10 Lessons Learned

1. The risk of getting COVID is real and can hit anyone.  In the eyes of my family and friends, I was the picture of health and no one expected COVID to infect me, and more important almost kill me.  Since I got sick, we have heard o