Shaping who and where I am today.
Every major decision I've made has been intentional. This isn't just a timeline of where I've worked or studied. It's the reasoning behind each step, what I learned, and how it shaped the way I build today.
Wash Factory · Roy, Utah
I was eager to work. School came easily, but I wanted responsibility, financial independence, and something that challenged me outside the classroom.
Freelance · Queen Creek, Arizona
I wanted to keep working, but this time I knew I wanted something more physical while still outdoors.
Rusty Taco · Gilbert, Arizona
I wanted to save money before joining the Army, but it also became the beginning of my interest in financial independence.
United States Army · Fort Campbell, Kentucky
I joined the Army because I wanted to challenge myself physically and mentally in ways civilian life couldn't.
Microsoft Software & Systems Academy · Remote
I joined MSSA to transition into civilian life, but it became the moment I realized software engineering was the career I wanted to pursue.
Taco Bell · Gilbert, Arizona
I needed a flexible job that allowed me to attend college while continuing to build my software engineering career.
JustJosh / Upwork · Remote
I wanted to solve real client problems, build my portfolio, and start creating a business of my own while finishing school.
Arizona State University · Mesa, Arizona
I wanted to become the best engineer I could be by strengthening my fundamentals and learning from people better than me.
Founder · Remote
I wanted to build the kind of software business I'd want to hire myself—honest, practical, and focused on long-term relationships.
The Journey Continues
I'm focused on becoming the kind of engineer people trust to solve difficult problems with practical, reliable software.
A few sayings I've carried since I was around 14 — not as motivational posters, just as reminders when things get hard or unclear.
“Do today what others won't, so tomorrow you can do what others can't.”
This quote has shaped how I approach almost everything. I believe consistency beats talent when talent stops improving. I intentionally look for the skills other people overlook or avoid because those small advantages compound over time. Whether it's learning responsibilities beyond my role, mastering a new technology, or improving a process by just a few seconds, those incremental gains eventually become meaningful. I've always been an underdog, and I like it that way. It reminds me there's always another level to reach.
“Life sucks, and then you die.”
Most people hear this quote and think it's pessimistic. I hear something different: life is going to be difficult whether you like it or not. You can spend your time wishing it were easier, or you can accept it, adapt, and keep moving forward. That mindset has helped me through some of my hardest days. When everything seems to go wrong, I remind myself it's just one day. Learn from it, laugh when you can, and keep going. None of us are here forever, so I'd rather spend my time building, learning, and enjoying the journey than complaining about the parts I can't control.
“Live for the challenge.”
Challenges are where I grow the most. Comfortable rarely means better, and I've found that the things I'm proudest of usually started by asking, 'Why not?' Whether it's stepping onto an MMA mat, learning a new technology, or taking on a project I haven't done before, I enjoy pushing myself beyond what feels comfortable. I don't chase difficulty for its own sake, but if a challenge helps me grow, teaches me something valuable, and is worth the risk, I'm all in.
“If I'm the smartest person in the room, leave.”
Growth happens when you're surrounded by people who challenge the way you think. If I'm the smartest person in the room, I'm probably not learning very much. I actively seek out people who are better than me, whether that's in software, business, martial arts, or life. The goal isn't to be the smartest person in the room. The goal is to grow by learning from people who see the world differently and solve problems better than I can today.
“Quality over quantity, always”
Quality means building things that last. Software should be useful, maintainable, and reliable long after it's delivered. The same philosophy applies beyond software. I'd rather have one great client than ten difficult ones, one dependable teammate than ten unreliable ones, and one well-built product than a dozen rushed projects. I've never been interested in being the biggest. I'd rather be known for doing quality work that people trust and recommend years later.
This page will continue to grow over time. Every project, challenge, and lesson adds another chapter to the journey.