Hi, I'm Derek.
I built this site as an alternative to social media. A place to log my life, share what I'm reading and thinking, and let people know what I'm up to. Updated every few months.
About me
What's a Derek?
I'm a disciple of Christ, a husband and an entrepreneur. I spend the majority of my time building my company Talas. When I'm not working on Talas I'm reading, praying, exercising or exploring my new curiosity of the year including marathon running, blockchain, Sauerkraut, and much more.
In 2021 I began to cut social media out of my life (except LinkedIn which is a tragedy). There are endless benefits to this and I encourage everyone to do so. The one downside is that I no longer have a place to share/store photos (Instagram). And nowhere to post my random thoughts (Twitter).
So I'm using this website to do just that. Enjoy!
Some things I believe
Everyone pretty much gets what they want out of life. Most of us lie about what we want.
Photos
Photo Gallery
Here are some favorite photos of my life. I worry that I don't do a good enough job of storing photos and that one day I won't have memories to show. Also a small photography gallery of some of my favorite photos/edits. I'd like to spend more time practicing photography.
5 photos across all years
Life
My Life
A running log of the moments that have shaped me. More to come.
- 🚀
Today!
2026
- 🏠
Purchased home
February 2026
- 🥾
Hike Kumano Kodo trail
November 2025
- ✈️
First trip to Japan
November 2025
- 🎤
Preach my first sermon
May 2025
- 💼
Quit corporate world, went full time on Talas
September 2024
- 🤖
Founded Talas
January 2024
- 🏃
Chicago Marathon
October 2023
- 🌍
First trip to Europe
April 2023
- ✝️
Join Oasis Church Chicago's Senior Leadership Team
February 2023
- ✂️
I learn to cut my own hair
January 2023
- 🏃
Ran a solo marathon
October 2022
- 🦵
Started running 2 miles a day
April 2022
- 📖
Read Can't Hurt Me
March 2022
- 💼
Started working at Stryker
October 2021
- 🖼️
Bought my first NFT
September 2021
- 🎉
Wedding re-do celebration
August 2021
- 🏙️
Move to Wicker Park with Kayla
May 2021
- 🐶
Adopted Milly
April 2021
- 📚
Read Atomic Habits — snowballed into a lot of self transformation
March 2021
- 📖
Took up reading as a hobby
February 2021
- 💰
Bought crypto for the first time
November 2020
- ✝️
Joined Oasis Church Chicago
May 2020
- 💒
Private wedding
April 2020
- 💔
Wedding canceled
March 2020
- 🦠
Covid
March 2020
- 💍
Propose to Kayla
July 2019
- 💼
Start first post-grad job at Coyote Logistics
July 2019
- 🎓
Graduate college
May 2019
- ➕
Became a cofounder of PlayTogether
December 2018
- ❤️
Met Kayla
September 2018
- ✝️
Rededicated my life to Christ
August 2018
- 🎥
Videography internship at Summit Ministries, CO
June 2018
- ⛰️
Hiked Pikes Peak
June 2018
- 🎬
Campus rep for Universal Pictures
December 2017
- 🎨
Brand Ambassador for Adobe video editing
November 2017
- 🤝
Rush AKPsi
August 2016
- 🏫
Start Illinois State
August 2015
- 🏈
Started playing football
August 2011
- 🏫
Started public high school
August 2011
- ✝️
Became a Christian and got baptized
April 2006
- 📚
Started homeschooling
August 2000
- 👶
Born
1997