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Social Post Draft: 2025 Year in Review

Date: 2025-12-15 Platform: LinkedIn (primary), X (adapted version) Status: Draft Attachment: NVIDIA ASUS ARM Hackathon grand prize winner photo

REFLECTING ON A YEAR THAT CULMINATED IN WINNING AN NVIDIA HACKATHON

A year ago, I was confused and honestly pretty discouraged.

God had plugged me into a major faith institution to support innovation and digital transformation. Then that fell apart. I didn't fully understand why.

Then Austen Allred tweeted about Gauntlet AI. All expenses paid, in-person bootcamp in Austin, TX.

I'll be honest. I thought it was probably too good to be true. But I applied anyway.

I got in.

Because of Gauntlet, the first three months of 2025 were 100-hour weeks. Deep immersion in AI-first development. I hadn't coded seriously since my Google days years ago. After Gauntlet, I'd been a community guy. An education guy. Building movements, not software.

But God had other plans.

This year I:

  • Graduated from Gauntlet AI with a high recommendation
  • Consulted for a forward-thinking school system (with all its ups and downs)
  • Became cloe friends with a leading AI pioneer
  • Found spiritual covering under an incredible pastor
  • Finally got baptized

And yesterday? With a team called TABASCO (which mean Tech Augmented Bros Avoiding Seed-Contaminated Oils... obviously!)

... won the grand prize at the NVIDIA ASUS ARM Hackathon.

I share this for anyone wondering where their life is going.

If you're humble and seeking, God will lead you exactly where you need to be.

The path purusing the calling God has for you is incredibly narrow. But it's more interesting, meaningful, and fun than anything you could architect on your own.

The more I trust Him, the more I wake up and walk in faith each day. Even when I don't know where it's going. And the more I'm rewarded with just the next step of His plan.

2026 looks like:

  • More hackathons (hosting them, not just competing)
  • Helping new grads + engineers figure out how to make a living applying AI to real businesses
  • Playing a community to support what will be a Cambrian explosion of faith-based schools, thanks to state and federal policies
  • Enjoying life in Texas, which as a state might be the global capital of ambitious Christians

I'm wildly grateful.

To everyone who played a role this year. To God most of all.

Have a joyous Christmas and holiday season with the people you love.

Notes​

  • Photo shows Gary on stage at NVIDIA ASUS ARM Hackathon receiving award
  • Post emphasizes faith journey without being preachy
  • Vulnerable about confusion and discouragement
  • Specific details (3 days fasting, 100-hour weeks) add authenticity
  • Forward-looking but grounded in gratitude