What drives me outside of work—from running to hardware hacking to building AI systems
Building AI from First Principles
Passionate about AI developments and actively building production AI systems. My approach is first principles—understanding how systems work from the ground up before building on them. This has led to creating real-world AI applications that manage significant operations.
AI-powered risk intelligence platform
15 specialized AI agents in production
Also developed the Credit Risk Workflow Application in Python, reducing processing time by 60%.
284+ Parkrun Events & Counting
Weekly 5K runs that have become a cornerstone of my fitness routine. Started as a way to stay healthy during the demanding years of banking, now it's a community I'm proud to be part of. The consistency teaches discipline—same time, every Saturday, rain or shine. Combined with weight management goals and a data-driven approach to health optimization.
Data-Driven Self-Improvement
Comprehensive personal data tracking using Apple Health, location analytics via Owntracks, and sleep tracking. Inspired by James Clear's Atomic Habits—building systems for continuous improvement through measurement and small consistent changes. The data doesn't lie, and patterns reveal opportunities for optimization.
First Principles Learning
Built a fully functional 8-bit computer on breadboard from logic gates—no microcontrollers, just raw chips. This project fundamentally changed how I understand computing. Every AND gate, every register, every clock cycle. It's the foundation for understanding how AI systems actually work at the hardware level.
Based on Ben Eater's excellent tutorial series, but with my own modifications and deep exploration of the architecture. Hours of debugging taught me more about computing than any textbook ever could.
View Project DetailsSmart Home Infrastructure
Built a comprehensive smart home system using Home Assistant, integrating 50+ devices across lighting, climate, security, and energy monitoring. The key insight: understanding systems deeply before automating them. Reverse-engineered proprietary protocols, flashed custom firmware (Tasmota), and built integrations from scratch including a custom SDR-based garage door opener.
Rapid Prototyping & Creation
Using a Bambu Labs printer for rapid prototyping and creative manufacturing. From functional parts to custom enclosures for electronics projects, 3D printing enables rapid iteration on ideas. It's the bridge between digital design and physical reality—essential for turning concepts into tangible solutions.
My interests share a common thread: understanding systems deeply rather than just using them. Whether it's computers, home automation, fitness tracking, or AI—I believe the best way to master something is to understand how it works from the ground up.
This first-principles approach is now being applied to AI—not just using models, but understanding how they learn, why they work, and how to build production systems from scratch.
These passion projects aren't separate from my professional work—they're the foundation. The discipline from running, the deep systems thinking from the 8-bit computer, the integration challenges from home automation, and the data-driven mindset from quantified self all inform how I approach building AI systems. Real understanding comes from building, not just reading.