Story


Me

I'm a software developer in the making — coming from 8+ years in the cycling industry, a background in outdoor education, and a lifelong drive to take on new challenges. This is the story of how I got here.

My Journey

  • Early Life & Work - From age 16 I worked in customer-facing roles, starting at Currys on the shop floor. A passion for the outdoors led me to study Outdoor Leisure at Bicton College, where I earned a National Diploma and discovered a love for teaching others.
  • Instructing & Travelling the World - I spent years instructing across France, Spain, Wales, and Austria — teaching kayaking, climbing, mountain biking, snowboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding. Travel was my classroom and physical activity was my career.
  • Years in the Cycling Industry - Settling in Exeter in 2013, I joined Saddles and Paddles in 2015, where I built a deep passion for cycling and worked my way up to Shop Manager — a role I held since 2017. I developed strong technical, problem-solving, and leadership skills managing a small team and keeping the workshop running.
  • The Career Change - Ready for a new challenge, I decided to learn programming from scratch. Since November 2022, with tutoring from a professional and a lot of personal dedication, I've been building the skills needed to transition into software development — including building this very site.
  • Family & What Drives Me - My partner and I have two children (born 2020 and 2023). Supporting my family is at the heart of this career change — I want a role that's mentally stimulating, financially rewarding, and gives me more time with the people who matter most.

What I Bring from a Non-Traditional Background

Leadership

Several years managing a bike shop team — hiring, training, scheduling, and making decisions under pressure.

Problem Solving

Bicycle mechanics is systematic, diagnostic work. I've spent years breaking down complex problems into logical steps.

Communication

Years of customer-facing and instructing roles have made clear, patient communication second nature.

Self-Motivation

Learning to code while managing a job and a young family takes real commitment — I've built that muscle over years.

Hobbies & Interests

  • Mountain biking — and honestly any form of cycling
  • Surfing
  • Climbing
  • Coding and building projects
  • Stand-up paddleboarding
  • Dog walks and time at the beach