Why I'm Doing This (And Where I Hope It Takes Me)

What started as a simple how-to blog — a place to document Linux setups, server configs, and other nerdy experiments — has turned into something much bigger. Packets & Code is no longer just a collection of commands and walkthroughs. It’s a full-on passion project — and, if I stay on track, a roadmap to completely change my life.

The idea came together on a motorcycle ride. As I was riding into a setting sun on the horizon, I thought about what it would be like if things were different. I realized I wasn’t satisfied — not with where I was, not with the direction things were heading. In that moment, with the wind in my face and the day fading behind me, I made a decision: I’m going to change. I’m going to build a new version of myself, one line of code, one habit, one challenge at a time.

This Isn’t Just a Blog — It’s My Transformation Link to heading

Sure, there will be tutorials here. Write-ups on things I’ve built or broken. Guides on setting up servers, working with Linux, diving into C, or spinning up a secure home lab. That’s still a huge part of what I love to do — taking things apart, understanding them, and then teaching others how to do the same.

But underneath that layer of tech is a deeper goal: I’m using this blog to document a personal transformation. I want to become more skilled, more disciplined, stronger in every way — mentally, physically, professionally. I’m tired of feeling stuck. This is me taking control and holding myself accountable, in public, with no shortcuts.

Where I Want to Be by September 2026 Link to heading

I’m giving myself just over a year to change my life — not in a vague, motivational way, but in a focused, deliberate one. By September 2026, I want to be in a place where I can look in the mirror — physically, mentally, and professionally — and see someone I built from the ground up.

A Career in Software Engineering or Cybersecurity Link to heading

I want to be working full-time in a role that challenges me to think deeply and solve complex problems — something in software engineering, systems programming, or cybersecurity. I’ve always been drawn to how computers work under the hood, and I know I won’t get there by skimming the surface. That’s why I’m teaching myself the foundations — Linux, C, networking, system architecture — and documenting it all along the way. This blog is my open notebook. My proof of work. My resume in real time.

A Stronger Body, and Stronger Confidence Link to heading

I’ve been 6 feet tall and 160 pounds for as long as I can remember. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t break through — not just physically, but mentally. It always felt like building muscle, gaining confidence, becoming someone who could walk into hard situations and not shrink — that was for other people. I don’t believe that anymore.

I’ve come to realize that my past failures weren’t from a lack of desire, but from the wrong approach. You can’t just follow a cookie-cutter plan and expect to grow — in fitness or in life. Just like a bootcamp won’t make you a great developer, a gym membership won’t transform you unless you commit to learning, struggling, adapting, and showing up every day with purpose.

This time, I’m building a real plan. I’m tracking my progress. And I’m treating my body with the same level of curiosity and discipline I bring to my code. Because strength — real strength — is earned the same way everywhere: with consistency, knowledge, and a refusal to quit when it gets uncomfortable.

Why I’m Sharing This in Public Link to heading

I’m not doing this to be some kind of influencer, and I don’t have it all figured out. In fact, that’s exactly why I am sharing it.

I’m building this out in the open because it keeps me honest. Writing about what I’m learning — whether it’s a new tool, a failed server build, or a brutal gym session — forces me to reflect and stay accountable. It turns vague goals into real progress. And maybe, just maybe, someone else out there will stumble on this site and realize they’re not the only one trying to rebuild something from scratch.

There’s something powerful about putting your journey into words. It’s not about having a perfect roadmap — it’s about showing the messy parts too: the detours, the frustration, the lessons learned when things don’t go as planned. That’s where real growth happens. Not just in the wins, but in the process.

This site is my logbook. My proof that I’m doing the work. If it helps someone else get started, even better. But first and foremost, it’s here to keep me moving forward — no matter how far I still have to go.

The Road Ahead Link to heading

I know this is a big undertaking. It’s going to take discipline, time, and more than a few failures. But for the first time in a long time, I have a vision that actually excites me — one I’m willing to fight for.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up. About learning to build systems that support the life I want — whether that’s configuring a secure Linux server, writing clean and efficient code, or building the kind of strength that shows up everywhere in life.

By September 2026, I want to look back and be able to say: I did that. I didn’t just dream about becoming better — I put in the work. And I have the scars, the skills, and the story to prove it.

So here it begins — the journey, the project, the rebuild.

Until next time…

Keep your code clean, your ports closed, and your packets moving forward.