🖥️ whoami // Alex · Cyber Judo Academy

🖥️ whoami // Alex

What’s up everyone, I’m Alex 👋

──(cyberjudoacademy)-[~] : whoami

I’m a father 👨‍👧‍👦, a gamer 🎮, a martial artist 🥋, and a big fan of anime, comic books, and movies 🎥. Most of all, I’m family-first. Everything I do is about building a better future for my wife and kids.

So my path into cybersecurity wasn’t straightforward.

I spent four years in the Navy 🇺🇸 on an aircraft carrier ⚓ handling weapons and ammunition. After that, I worked a mix of jobs through my late 20s and early 30s, still trying to figure things out.

I always liked computers 💻, but I didn’t think I had what it took to work in IT. I doubted myself a lot.

Eventually, I took a chance.

I started learning, took IT and networking classes 📚, studied for the CompTIA A+ and Network + as well as my Cisco Certified Network Associate 🌐 so I could become a network engineer.

I earned the certifications, and got my start in IT as a Manual Software Tester (breaking things on purpose) and then took on a service desk role while I planned my next move.

I tried and tried but couldn't break into the network world.

I was lucky enough to advance from Service Desk, to IT Operations and even Cloud Migration Consultant.

Then I looked at cybersecurity.

And honestly, I almost didn’t go for it.

I thought it required heavy coding and advanced skills that were way beyond me.

But I took another chance.

Fast forward a bit...

I went back to school 🎓, earned my associate’s degree in cybersecurity as an online self-learner, and kept building my skills across cloud ☁️, security 🛡️, networking 🌐, and ethical hacking.

Then came the hardest part.

I had the knowledge. I had the certifications.But I didn’t have experience.

So I went through hundreds of interviews.

A lot of rejections ❌A lot of adjustments 🔄A lot of learning 📈

Eventually, I figured out the secret sauce.

I landed my first SOC role as a Cyber Defense Analyst 🛡️

From there, I kept pushing, kept studying, and kept improving.

Today, I work as a Threat Hunting and Forensics Analyst 🕵️‍♂️, proactively identifying attacker behavior and helping stop threats before they can impact systems ⚔️

And if you’re just starting out… I’ve been where you are.

I struggled. I doubted myself. I pushed through, hit walls, and kept going anyway.

So I know what that path feels like.

That’s why I’m here.

I’m following a new calling, helping others break into cybersecurity, build real skills, and gain the confidence to keep going when it feels overwhelming.

Do me a favor 👇 Drop a comment:

Where are you starting from in your cybersecurity journey?

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