An Unexpected Path to Code
My code has a backstory — and it begins far from a computer screen. Read along to learn more about my journey and why I choose this profession - a bit later in life than most...
The Architectural Beginning
Pencil met paper long before code met screen in my life. Drawing was my constant companion throughout school — I’ve always processed the world visually. This natural inclination drew me toward a dream of becoming an architect. At 19, this passion earned me a spot at Aarhus School of Architecture. Reality, however, proved different from the dream. The creative and artistic environment of the school didn’t provide the balance of structure and creativity I needed to thrive. Before the second semester concluded, I made a decision that seemed momentous at the time — I walked out of the architecture school and never looked back.
Chasing Dreams
A few years before my architectural detour, cycling had begun consuming my attention and energy. After dropping out, I spent the next 13 years living and breathing amateur road cycling. This wasn’t just a hobby - it was an identity that defined me through countless hours of training, rainy days, and the emotional rollercoaster of competition. I competed in countless elite national races and even international events. While I eventually accepted my physical talents weren’t cut out for the professional peloton, those years were an incredible adventure filled with the pure thrill of competition.
If given the chance, I’d do it all over again. The feeling of pushing through pain barriers, the dedication to work towards goals, and the rush of crossing a finish line shaped me profoundly. But everything has an end. This chapter in my life closed a year after the birth of my first child. The demanding schedule of training simply couldn’t align with fatherhood. I raced for a single season after my sons birth, but my priorities had shifted. Finish lines that once meant everything gradually gave way to first steps and bedtime stories.
Trading Wheels for Running Shoes
After cycling, running became my anchor while my professional life drifted. I joined the local athletics club and tackled everything from 5Ks to marathons. The discipline cycling taught me transferred perfectly to distance running. Running was great for maintaining work-life balance. I could incorporate training into my daily commute by running to and from work, leaving the rest of my time free for family.
My proudest moment as a runner came at the 2016 Hannover Marathon. Even though it was only my second marathon, I crossed the finish line in 2:33 hours and won my age group.
That taught me something crucial: the persistence I’d cultivated as an athlete could be used in a lot of different contexts. I just had to put my mind to it and keep going!
The Winding Career Path
Despite completing a bachelor’s in Human Nutrition (spending more time training than studying), I found myself with a degree I had no passion to pursue. The following years became a patchwork of work-roles that paid bills but drained my spirit
Customer support positions and a stint at a large bike shop left me feeling trapped. Even a brief leadership role couldn’t mask the Sunday evening dread that came before each workweek. I was skilled enough to perform and met a lot of great people along the way, but I was also disconnected enough to feel hollow at the end of each day
The Unexpected Discovery
Years of unfulfilling jobs and that persistent Sunday evening dread eventually took their toll. During a challenging period of burnout and recovery, I began experimenting with programming as a way to engage my mind differently. What started as a recovery activity revealed something unexpected: frontend development offered exactly what I’d been searching for —structured problem-solving with creative elements that matched my thinking style. As my health improved, so did my coding skills. Programming rewarded pattern recognition, systematic thinking, and focused problem solving in ways that made me feel truly engaged.
Starting Fresh at 40
Taking the leap into development as a career wasn’t easy. The biggest hurdle was convincing someone to take a chance on a 40-year-old with no formal programming background. But the persistency I’d developed over thousands of miles of training served me well. I approached learning to code with the same dedication I’d applied to my athletic pursuits: consistent daily practice, measurable goals, and patience with the process.
Where I Am Today
Today, I’ve found my place in small, focused development teams and I really enjoy it a lot! I’ve even caught myself looking forward to Monday mornings — perhaps the most surprising development of all.
The Lesson
Life rarely follows a linear path. Sometimes what appears to be a detour is actually the necessary journey to discover where you truly belong. And sometimes the perfect career is out there, patiently waiting for you to find it!
Keep chasing your dreams ❤️
