What’s your name and what fills your time?
Tim Kline. I grew up in Neptune Beach, going to Neptune Beach Elementary and Fletcher Middle School before attending Stanton for high school. I joined the Volunteer Life-Saving Corps in the Summer of 2006 and have been an active and engaged member ever since.
After high school I enlisted in the Air Force, qualifying as a Pararescueman before returning to Florida as a reservist to attend the University of Florida, where I graduated with a degree in Telecommunications. During Covid I served as a Dynamic Medical Personnel in an ICU in the New York Presbyterian Hospital system and began working as an astronaut recovery specialist for NASA and Commercial crewed space missions.
Anything special going on for this summer? Any passion projects or focus for the summer?
I’m serving as Captain of the Volunteer Lifes-Saving Corps for our organization’s historic 112th consecutive beach season. I made my professional MMA debut with a first-round submission in front of an electric audience at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.
Any hobbies or interests worth telling us about? Favorite hobbies and/or new goals?
After college I moved to South East Asia and began training martial arts, when I got back to the states I started competing in MMA. In 2019 I began my amateur MMA career, accruing a 5-1 record, holding the amaetur Lightweight Championship title for Combat Night MMA and in 2022 being a top 10 ranked amateur Lightweight MMA fighter in Florida.
What’s one thing (funny, different, cool) that many might not know about you?
I once opened a bar in an undisclosed African country called “TK’s DUUUVALLL Pub” which consisted of an old railroad car painted teal.
How do you like living on the First Coast? What’s the best part of living here on the First Coast?
The best part of growing up on the First Coast was the community that helped raise me and my friends. I’m stoked to be a part of the next generation to hold our values strong.
Anything else that you would like to tell the community?
Joining the Volunteer Life-Saving Corps in Jacksonville Beach was the best decision I have ever made. It has allowed me and many other members the opportunity to grow as well as bring back wisdom and experience to the First Coast. To support our century-old mission. visit https://jaxbeachlifeguard.org/donate/
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Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.
