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Drew Marshall
Drew Marshall

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A Thank You to the Mentors Who Helped Shape My Learning Journey

For the longest time, I thought school was out of the question. Life threw one unfortunate circumstance after another my way, and the idea of returning to formal education felt impossible. But that never stopped me from learning.

Instead, I found another path—one paved by incredible educators and creators who shared their knowledge with the world. Through their courses, books, and streams, I navigated the world of full-stack development and React. This post is my way of saying:

Thank you.

Brad Traversy – Teaching the Core of JavaScript

JavaScript was my gateway into serious development, and Brad Traversy’s teaching made it click. His clear, no-nonsense approach to Vanilla JavaScript helped me build a solid foundation before diving into frameworks and libraries. The way he breaks down complex topics into something digestible is a gift, and I’m grateful for how much his content has shaped my understanding.

Brad Traversy

Maximilian Schwarzmüller – Guiding Me Through React and Beyond

When I stepped into the world of React, React Native, TypeScript, and Flutter, Maximilian Schwarzmüller was there to guide me. His courses weren’t just about coding—they were about understanding the why behind the tech. His structured yet approachable teaching style made these complex topics feel manageable, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without his lessons.

Academind

PirateSoftware – For the Morale Boost & Like-Minded Energy

Sometimes, learning isn’t just about the code—it’s about the mindset. PirateSoftware has been a huge morale booster, reminding me why I love tech and why pushing forward matters. Seeing someone so passionate about building, learning, and sharing knowledge has been inspiring. It’s good to know there are like-minded people out there who just get it.

PirateSoftware Twitch

Looking Ahead

Now, as I prepare to finally complete my Computer Science degree, I carry these lessons with me. School may have felt out of reach for a long time, but the knowledge I’ve gained from these educators has been invaluable.

So, to Brad, Max, and Thor—thank you for making learning accessible, engaging, and inspiring.

And to anyone reading this: **Who has helped you on your learning journey?

** Whether it’s a course, a book, a mentor, or even a streamer—drop a thank you in the comments! Let’s show appreciation to the people who help shape us. 🚀

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In the past few years in the web dev world, we’ve seen a significant push towards rendering our websites on the server. Doing so is better for SEO and performs better on low-powered devices, but one thing we had to sacrifice is TTFB.

In this article, we’ll see how we can identify what makes our TTFB high so we can fix it.

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