Tim Paul, better known online as One Ear Tim, joins Jim Belosic to talk about his journey from professional mountain bike racing to CNC machining and his new role at SendCutSend. From working at Autodesk and Toolpath to surviving a serious dirt bike accident, Tim shares the experiences that shaped his career, the importance of taking on challenges, and his thoughts on the future of machining and AI.
In this episode of Just Gonna Send It, Jim Belosic sits down with Tim Paul, better known online as One Ear Tim, to talk about his journey through the machining industry and his new role as Director of CAD/CAM Programming at SendCutSend. From racing mountain bikes professionally to discovering CNC machining and working at companies like Autodesk and Toolpath, Tim shares the unexpected experiences, career changes, and challenges that brought him to where he is today.
Tim’s career started in the mountain biking industry, where he raced professionally, worked as a mechanic, and helped develop bikes for Intense Cycles. While visiting their facility, he saw CNC machining in action for the first time and immediately knew it was what he wanted to pursue. That experience led him to enroll in machining classes, leave the bike industry, and eventually land his first job in a machine shop.
Tim’s path through manufacturing has been anything but traditional. From working in machine shops and building racing go karts to running his own business helping companies solve complex machining problems, he built his career by taking on new challenges and learning along the way. That experience eventually led him to L3 Communications, Autodesk, and Toolpath, where he worked on everything from CAD/CAM programming to business strategy and emerging manufacturing technology.
Throughout his career, Tim has found that showing what you can actually do often matters more than what’s on paper. He shares how going above and beyond during a job interview helped him land a position at Autodesk, why building relationships has opened so many doors, and how being willing to figure things out has shaped his career. Jim and Tim also discuss the value of hands-on experience, learning from mistakes, and hiring people for their abilities rather than just their credentials.
Outside of machining, Tim has always had a passion for racing, especially mountain bikes and dirt bikes. But a serious dirt bike accident in Virginia City left him with a broken neck, fractured vertebrae, and injuries that doctors struggled to explain how he survived. Tim shares what happened, the long recovery that followed, and how the experience changed his perspective on risk, racing, and what comes next.
After years of being a SendCutSend customer and knowing Jim through Instagram, Tim eventually joined the company as Director of CAD/CAM Programming. He talks about his first few months on the job, growing the programming team, and learning how SendCutSend approaches CNC manufacturing at scale. Jim and Tim also discuss what makes a great programmer, why making decisions quickly matters, and how finding smarter ways to work can make a huge difference.
Having worked at both Autodesk and Toolpath, Tim has seen firsthand how technology continues to change manufacturing. He and Jim discuss the growing role of AI in CAD/CAM programming, how new tools are making complex processes more accessible, and why people with real manufacturing experience have an important role to play in shaping the future of the industry.
Tim Paul, better known online as One Ear Tim, joins Jim Belosic to talk about his journey through the machining industry and his new role as Director of CAD/CAM Programming at SendCutSend. From racing mountain bikes professionally to discovering CNC machining and eventually working at companies like Autodesk and Toolpath, Tim shares the unexpected path that led him to where he is today.
They discuss how hands-on experience and taking on challenges helped shape Tim’s career, why building relationships can open doors that a resume can’t, and how a serious dirt bike accident changed his perspective on life. The conversation also covers the future of CNC programming, the role of AI in manufacturing, and why stepping outside your comfort zone is one of the best ways to grow.
