Jimmy May - Retired Navy SEAL and CEO of Beyond the Brotherhood

Jimmy May is a former Commander for the US Navy SEALs, and now leverages his exceptional experience, contacts, and training to help other retiring SEALs find meaning after they leave the brotherhood.

Jimmy began his career as a nuclear machinist mate in the Navy. However, Jimmy wanted to do something “hard” -? so he set his goal as entering the Navy SEALS as an officer.?

May first had to prove himself during “miniBUD/S” (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training), which consists of 2 weeks of selection and training similar to BUD/S. He excelled and was offered the opportunity to attend BUD/S upon graduation from Texas A&M.

BUD/S is a 6-month SEAL training course that is considered one of the most arduous trials for humans on the planet. It starts with 7 weeks of Basic Conditioning that peaks with a grueling segment called “Hell Week”, where potential SEALs are tested to their limit.

May started BUDS with 155 other men, and ended among the 22 who completed the whole training. It was the hardest thing he’d ever done.

Over his next seven tours with SEAL Teams, Commander May led his team through many successful missions, despite having to navigate the terrible grief of losing many of his brothers. It was through these deaths, and through helping his men move past them, that he learned how truly powerful the brotherhood of arms is. Even in death or honorable discharge, these men would always be brothers, and separation from them was hard.

In processing his own grief, Commander May realized that SEALs need more resources for their mental health and post-service careers. After completing the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard, May started Mayday Executive,? a consulting service that takes clients on unique experiences (like spearfishing) with Navy Seals. Commander May found these experiences fulfilling, but he wanted a way to give back more to the Brotherhood. His mantra has always been “I do good things for good people.”

This desire turned into his current nonprofit: Beyond the Brotherhood. The service screens retiring and former seals to find the best of the best. Jimmy then works with them to find where their passions align with a potential business model. He then secures them funding and mentorship while they establish and run their business. Sometimes its education they need (a real estate or pilot’s license), other times it's a business model, viable product, and marketing.

Last year Jimmy helped 12 former seals establish successful businesses and gave them the tools, resources, and training to succeed long term. His goal for this coming year is to help 24 men.?

Beyond the Brotherhood is an established 501c3 and is always looking for donations to help these SEALs find life after the brotherhood. They are currently organizing an event in conjunction with NASCAR where participants compete in a Pit Stop competition after learning the basics. They are also looking into establishing an annual fundraising dinner to honor the achievements of the SEALs at Beyond the Brotherhood.

To learn more about Beyond the Brotherhood and how you can help, visit their website at https://www.beyondthebrotherhood.org/ .