The Hustle Isn’t Glamorous, But It’s Mine
Part 1 of 4 in “The Hustle Framework” series.
I’m James Moore, but most people call me Jamie.
My story isn’t glamorous, but it’s mine, and I’m proud of it. I’ve been a tech guy since I was six years old, the day my uncle handed me a box of computer parts and said, “If you can build it, you can have it.” I built it. That challenge turned into a lifelong obsession with technology and a career built on curiosity, grit, and a refusal to do things the “normal” way.
After serving in the Air Force supporting comms and satellite systems, I launched into corporate IT, starting on the help desk and working my way into data centers, virtualization, and the fast-paced world of enterprise storage. Today, I’m a Pre-Sales Engineer at a startup where I can be a technical evangelist, helping customers solve real-world problems. I live on a farm with my husband of 12 years, splitting time between software, hardware, crypto investing, and outdoor living. It’s a wild ride, and that’s just how I like it.
Why I Do It My Way
I’ve never been “normal.” I was always the out-of-the-box thinker—the kid who’d rather break something apart to learn how it worked than follow instructions. That mindset only deepened over time. One defining moment was working for a major construction company. I became the go-to fixer. The one they called when everything was on fire. And I loved it. That pressure, that chaos, lit a fire under me. It made me realize that traditional paths weren’t for me.
The Grind
Let’s be real: the hustle is brutal. Working 12 to 14-hour days in software sales, especially at a startup, isn’t for the faint of heart. There are no easy wins, and burnout waits around every corner. I’ve taken risks that didn’t pay off. I’ve worked on businesses and market plays that left me asking, “What the hell am I doing?”
But I always come back. Because when it gets hard, I keep swimming. That’s my mantra. Keep swimming, even if it feels like you’re drowning. I thrive in chaos. That could be my superpower.
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming
Dory – Finding nemo
The Quiet Wins
There have been some big moments, like helping roll out a new virtual desktop environment for a 50,000-person company right before COVID hit. Suddenly, the world needed what we had built. That was a moment I sat back and thought, “Damn. I did that.”
But it’s the quiet wins that hit hardest: the knowledge I’ve gained, the trust I’ve built with teams, and finally earning the title of technical evangelist at a company I believe in. These things don’t get shouted from rooftops, but they matter.
A Changed Mindset
Discipline has always been second nature for me—maybe even borderline obsessive. But control? That’s a different beast. I’ve learned that freedom doesn’t mean having full control. It means making the most of whatever comes your way. Success used to mean money. Now, it means trust, flexibility, and respect for doing great work.
What’s Next?
Honestly, I’m loving life. I’m not chasing the next big thing; I’m living it.
But The Monthly Hustle? That’s where I see the spark. I want this to grow into something big: a voice, a platform, or a movement. A place where people can come to get inspired, to get real, and to realize they’re not alone in this grind.
To anyone just starting: You are greater than you think. You can be successful, even when it feels impossible.
This hustle isn’t glamorous. But it’s mine.
And it could be yours too.
Next up: Part 2 — why “balance” is a myth and what actually works when life gets loud.
This post kicks off my 4-part Hustle Framework series. If you’re building a life that doesn’t fit the mold, you’re in the right place.
