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The most reliable way to learn cybersecurity is to touch the tools, break things safely, and build them back with intent. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with John Hammond, where we unpack how hands-on labs, community feedback, and a healthy mindset can speed up your growth and make it last.
We start with the spirit of DEF CON: presenters acting like instructors, guiding real exercises where attendees build muscle memory instead of passive notes. John explains how that approach inspired Just Hacking Training—an accessible, collaborative platform with expert-led curriculum, live ranges, quizzes, and walkthroughs you can actually use on the job. We talk about why practical, application-first learning is the quickest path for newcomers who don’t have enterprise tools at home and need portfolio-ready proof of skill.
From there, we explore the tension between chasing headlines and building evergreen skills. John’s framework is simple: anchor your time in fundamentals that compound—networking, scripting, Linux, detection engineering, exploit analysis—and use the latest vulnerabilities as sparks for practice. You’ll avoid the burnout of the news cycle while keeping your curiosity alive. We dive into “learning in public” as a force multiplier: sharing notes, repos, and writeups creates a feedback loop, accelerates improvement, and leaves visible evidence of progress for hiring managers and mentors.
Imposter syndrome and overwhelm come for everyone. John offers grounded ways to cope: compare yourself only to yesterday’s you, turn doubt into small daily reps, and step off the treadmill when you need recovery. Pair that with community—Discords, conferences, local meetups—and you’ll find both accountability and energy. For anyone starting today, the blueprint is clear: keep it fun, share your work, and show up where people learn together.
If this resonates, follow John on YouTube, LinkedIn, and X, and explore Just Hacking Training for name-your-price labs and courses. Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, leave a review, and tell a friend who’s trying to break into cybersecurity—what’s the one skill you’re doubling down on next?

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