About

A black belt is just a white belt who never quit.

That saying has followed me from the mats to the data center. Martial arts have taught me that progress isn’t a straight line; some days you surge forward, other days you stumble back. However, the lesson remains: discipline and persistence always prevail over perfection.

Cybersecurity Path

I’ve carried that mindset into cybersecurity. Over the years, I’ve earned industry-recognized certifications (CompTIA, Azure, AWS, Google) and trained with leaders like CrowdStrike and ISC2. My focus has ranged from penetration testing and cloud security to automation, governance, and the fast-evolving world of AI.

Martial Arts & Coaching

Beyond the keyboard, I’ve spent more than 40 years training in martial arts across China, Taiwan, Thailand, and the U.S. For two decades, I’ve been a competitive athlete and coached competitors in Olympic Weightlifting and CrossFit, teaching the same resilience and discipline I practice.

Off The Mats

I’m also an author, mountaineer, and a lifelong learner. Whether it’s climbing peaks, writing, or digging into Austrian economics, U.S. Diplomatic History, Evolutionary Biology, Sports Performance, or the Antebellum Era, I’ve always been drawn to challenges that test both the body and mind.

What You’ll Find Here

This site brings those worlds together. You’ll find:

• Tech insights: Cloud security, practical defenses, certification prep, and tools that matter.
• Mindset lessons: Discipline, resilience, and lessons learned from the mats, the barbell and the ring.
• Real-world security breakdowns: Common mistakes, how to fix them, and how to build systems that last.

If you’re here, you’re probably chasing mastery too. Welcome, let’s keep sharpening the sword together.

Oh, and one last point that rarely gets mentioned, being a “Black Belt” is an intermediate rank, not an advanced rank. Onward and upward!