This afternoon, I challenged myself on Cowles Mountain, jogging up sections of the trail and pushing toward the summit as fast as possible. I completed the 1.41-mile hike in 28 minutes and 33 seconds, averaging 3.0 mph. It was a powerful reminder that progress comes from consistent effort.
Beyond hiking, I’m working toward an even bigger goal—running a 5K in under 30 minutes. To reach that, I need to maintain a 6 mph pace, a big jump from my current 5.2 mph interval training at EoS Gym. But I’m determined to build up gradually, training my endurance and speed.
My cybersecurity journey is no different. I’m preparing for the CompTIA Security+ certification, expanding my knowledge to secure IT environments. Today, I studied mobile device vulnerabilities through Professor Messer’s Security+ video series, learning about rooting, jailbreaking, sideloading risks, and mobile security policies.
After my studies, I took action—applying for the IT Service Desk Analyst role at Realty Income. Every job application is a step forward, reinforcing my resilience in this competitive field.
Amidst all this, I reflected on gratitude through a short video by Jim Kwik. He emphasized celebrating personal achievements rather than comparing ourselves to others. Looking back, I feel grateful for my education, career, and experiences—from earning my Master’s in Cybersecurity at National University to mentoring students in robotics at Rosa Parks Elementary. Even my genealogy research, reaching back to William “Bill” Maynard III from the 1700s, reminds me of the legacy I’m building.
As I continue striving toward new goals—whether running faster, securing a cybersecurity role, or even exploring UK narrowboats someday—I remain deeply thankful for the journey so far. Every step, every lesson, and every challenge is part of the process.
Tomorrow is a new day, and I’m ready to keep moving forward.
Think Positive Cyber 