The things that keep me grounded, sharp, and sane.
I started training at five years old. What began as a kid's activity became a lifelong practice that shaped how I think about discipline, patience, and continuous improvement. The parallels to software engineering are everywhere: form matters, fundamentals matter, and mastery is a journey that never really ends.
Over ten thousand jumps. There is something about stepping out of a perfectly good airplane that resets your perspective on everything. Risk management becomes instinct. Decision-making under pressure becomes second nature. And the view never gets old.
Riding is how I decompress. My wife and I ride together -- it is our shared escape from screens and schedules. There is a meditative quality to long rides that clears the head better than any productivity app ever could.
CNC machining, tiny house projects, and traditional joinery. Building physical things satisfies a need that code alone cannot fill. The feedback loop is immediate and tangible -- you can see and touch what you have made.
The art and science of timekeeping. Mechanical watches are tiny engineering marvels. Studying, collecting, and understanding the craftsmanship that goes into a fine movement is endlessly fascinating.
Started spinning at fourteen. Music has been a constant thread through my entire life -- from turntables to digital, from clubs to private sessions. It is the original creative outlet.
Beyond the decks, music itself is a deep interest. Genres, production techniques, the evolution of electronic music, and the intersection of technology and art.
The best engineers I know have interests outside of code. They bring perspective, empathy, and creativity that you cannot get from a terminal alone.
Every hobby teaches you something about patience, craft, and showing up when it is hard. That is the same muscle you use to build great software.