We recently connected with Ahmet Amanov and have shared our conversation below.
Ahmet, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Overcoming imposter syndrome has been one of the most transformative journeys of my life. As someone who transitioned from a career in sports to the tech world, there were many moments when I felt like I didn’t belong. Whether I was coding late at night, sitting in meetings filled with industry veterans, or presenting my ideas, a voice in my head would whisper that I wasn’t “qualified enough” or “experienced enough” to be there.
What helped me push through was remembering the discipline I learned as an athlete. In sports, success doesn’t come overnight. It takes repetition, failure, feedback, and showing up every day. I started applying that same mindset to tech. I told myself: “If I can train for years to master my position on the field, I can also train to master coding, software design, and problem-solving.”
I also started keeping a journal of my small wins—projects I completed, skills I improved, or positive feedback I received. Over time, those wins added up and created a strong counter-narrative to the doubts in my mind.
Most importantly, I found that being open about my feelings with mentors, peers, and friends made a big difference. Almost everyone I spoke to admitted they had experienced similar feelings. Realizing I wasn’t alone made the experience less isolating and gave me the courage to continue.
Today, I view imposter syndrome as a sign that I’m growing—stepping into spaces where I have more to learn and contribute. Instead of letting it stop me, I use it as fuel to keep improving.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
About Me & My Work
My journey blends two very different worlds: sports and technology. I spent years as a professional soccer and futsal player and coach, which taught me invaluable lessons about discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Today, I’m channeling that same energy into my career in tech, where I work as a software engineer focused on developing intelligent systems and creating tech-driven solutions for real-world problems.
What excites me most about my work is its ability to directly impact people’s lives. Whether it’s creating a user-friendly interface or building a machine learning model for customer churn prediction, every project I work on feels like a step toward making technology more human-centered and accessible.
Currently, I’m also working on building a personal portfolio site that tells the full story of who I am—as both an athlete and a developer. It’s an ongoing project that I hope will inspire others to embrace their multifaceted identities and not feel boxed into a single path. Additionally, I’m exploring ways to merge sports and technology through community-focused apps and data-driven coaching tools.
I believe in using every part of my journey to add value—whether I’m speaking to young athletes about tech careers or mentoring aspiring developers who are new to the field. The most special part of what I do is connecting the dots between passions and helping others see that it’s okay to evolve, pivot, and pursue something bold.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities have consistently shaped my journey and growth: adaptability, discipline, and curiosity.
1. Adaptability:
Transitioning from professional sports to the tech world required me to embrace change wholeheartedly. I had to learn to pivot—fast. Whether it was shifting mindsets, learning new tools, or adjusting to unfamiliar environments, adaptability helped me stay grounded and forward-looking. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: embrace discomfort. Growth often hides in the unfamiliar.
2. Discipline:
My athletic background ingrained in me the power of showing up consistently, even on the days when motivation runs low. That same discipline now drives how I approach coding, system design, and project deadlines. It’s less about natural talent and more about daily effort. My advice: build routines that support your long-term goals and honor your commitment to improvement.
3. Curiosity:
Being curious has kept me learning and evolving. Whether I’m exploring a new programming language, reading about emerging technologies, or asking mentors questions, curiosity fuels my drive. For those starting out, I recommend staying curious—not just about your field, but about people, processes, and possibilities.
Ultimately, success is less about knowing everything from the start and more about developing the mindset and habits to keep going. Lean into learning, stay open to change, and never stop asking why?
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
If I knew I had only ten years left, I would spend every day playing soccer. Soccer has been a central part of my life—it’s more than just a game; it’s a source of joy, discipline, and connection. Playing every day would keep me grounded, energized, and deeply connected to my roots.
Beyond just playing, I would use those years to mentor young players, sharing not only skills but the values soccer taught me: teamwork, resilience, and passion. I’d also explore ways to combine my love for the sport with technology to create better training tools and experiences for athletes.
For me, spending that decade on the field, doing what I love, surrounded by community, would be the most fulfilling way to live fully and intentionally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://last-personal-website-main.vercel.app/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmet-amanov-685796275/
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