Edition #11: A Year Worth Reflecting On

With the new year starting, I’ve been reflecting on the journey through 2025. It came with accomplishments, lessons, and moments that reminded me why faith and consistency matter.

🚀 Milestones & Moments: Looking Back at 2025

2025 was one heck of a year. And as I step into the new year, I have been taking a moment to look back at everything I was able to accomplish. I’ll be honest, a lot of the things I ended up accomplishing were things I did not think I was capable of at the start. But when you stay consistent and have faith, a lot can happen.

Some of the more notable accomplishments for 2025 was being able to grow more of my social media, with LinkedIn being my biggest platform, and reaching eighteen thousand followers. 

I spoke on five podcasts this year, including my first in-person podcast experience. Here is the list of all my podcast appearances from 2025 (Click Here).

I also had a chance to speak at two conferences where I was the youngest panelist, and I participated in several virtual panels and fireside chats that allowed me to talk about my unique path in tech and help others find theirs as well. 

Lastly, on the professional side, I earned my sixth certification by passing the CompTIA CYSA+.

For those who did not read my last newsletter, I was literally in the Amazon jungles when it was released. And now that I am back home, I wanted to share that another accomplishment this year was getting the chance to travel overseas to Peru and experience it with my father. 

This was our first international trip together, and it will always stay with me. I am grateful to the facilitators, Warrior Retreats, and all of the participants for making it possible.

We were able to spend time in the jungles, explore the beautiful streets of Cusco, hike Machu Picchu, experience Pisac, and so much more. 

And most importantly, we had multiple charity days where we were able to give back to children in need by providing them with medicine, toys, and simply our energy and presence. 

The biggest takeaway I can get from the experience was that love is the universal language and always be in service to others. Because it’s never about you. 

It’s always about helping people, helping the next generation, and especially those who don’t have the resources to help themselves. I will always truly be grateful for Peru and its lands. Until next time.

Even though I had a lot of blessings and accomplishments this year, this year wasn’t perfect. 

I did not get a chance to accomplish every goal I set, and I had some personal things occur, but I am blessed to have a circle around me that kept me grounded and helped me get through everything.

Thank you to my mentors, friends, and most importantly, my family, for always holding me accountable, supporting me, and putting the right energy into the things I am passionate about.

I am truly thankful for 2025, and I am looking forward to seeing what 2026 has in store.

🌍 The Youngest in Charge Playbook

I’m proud to share that The Youngest In Charge Playbook will be released later this month.

I want to apologize for the extreme delay. I had some personal things going on that pushed the timeline back, but the quality and intention behind this project never changed. My goal is to have it released by the end of January.

This playbook is a guide to help you land your first job in cybersecurity, while also improving your health and wellness and building a foundation for financial freedom. It’s been in the works for months, and im excited to finally put it in your hands.

Inside, you’ll find the same tools, strategies, and mindset that have helped me along my path.

🛡️Cybersecurity Update: Five Things to Watch in 2026

2025 was a wild year for cybersecurity, from the Change Healthcare breach to telecom hacks and entire school districts being forced to shut down.

Federal News Network released an article breaking down five major cybersecurity trends to watch in 2026, including rising AI threats, impersonation attacks, and tighter federal security expectations.

For more details, read the full article on Federal News Network.

🔒Breach One, Teach One

This month, I shared tips on personal branding, certifications, and how they help you break into cybersecurity, along with a few moments from my journey through Peru.

🔹How Social Media Can Help You Land Tech Roles

🔹Why Security+ Is the Best Starting Cybersecurity Certification

🔹How I Landed a Cybersecurity Role Without a College Degree at 20 Years Old 😱

🔹My Experience in the Amazon Jungles

🔹My Experience in Cusco, Peru

If you want to keep up with my latest videos, Subscribe to My YouTube.

💪Your Health is Your Greatest Asset

As someone who is active and has been running for 721 days in a row, I am always looking for anything that can speed up my recovery. And one thing that has made a noticeable difference for me is foam rolling.

Foam rolling is meant to release tight muscles and break up the tension that builds from training, sitting for long periods, or just daily movement. One big benefit is that it helps improve blood flow, which speeds up recovery and keeps your body moving the way it should. And for a runner like me thats important. 

Remember, there are different foam rolling options out there, and the texture and size of each one serve a different purpose. 

Smooth rollers help with general tightness, textured rollers work deeper into the muscle, and massage balls are great for smaller areas that need more focused pressure. And foam rolling is not just for your legs. Your feet, glutes, hips, back, and even your shoulders all benefit from being released from time to time.

If you want a simple all-in-one option to start, here is a good one:

• Foam Rolling Set

❓Question of the Month

What is one habit or system that helped you this past year that you think more people should start doing?

🗓️Upcoming Events

BEYA Career Day:

On January 10th at 12 PM EST, I’ll be joining other student ambassadors live on the BEYA YouTube channel for Career Day, an open conversation centered around STEM careers, student journeys, and growth in the tech space.

🔗 Watch the Live Show

BEYA Conference:

The BEYA STEM Conference takes place February 12th-14th in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a great opportunity for high school and college students, along with early career professionals, to connect with each other and top professionals in the STEM industry.

📚What I’m Reading This Month

To start the new year, I decided to read The Inner Game of Tennis. Even though it’s a sports book, it goes deep into the mental side of performing at a high level. 

If you have any book or article recommendations, reply to this email and send them my way. I’m always open to new insights!

🔹Resource Spotlight: Big A## Calendar

This month, I wanted to highlight something simple that helped my whole family stay organized. It is called the Big A## Calendar by Jesse Itzler. The calendar shows the full year all at once without having to flip through pages.

The calendar comes with labels and is dry-erase, which allows you to keep track of important events, dates, and appointments throughout the week or month.

My family used it this past year, and it has helped tremendously with remembering what is going on and staying on the same page.

💭 A Thought to Keep in Mind

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” 

- Muhammad Ali

📩 Let’s Stay Connected

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Thank you kindly.