Daniel “phrawzty” Maher Datadog What MMA taught me about working in tech

Mixed Martial Arts Mixing techniques from multiple disciplines

Ancient history Pankration, Lei Tai

Recent history Merikan, Sambo, Shoot, Pancrase, Jeet Kun Do, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)

Contemporary history Ultimate Fighting Championship A one-day tournament held in 1993.

About me Hospitalised by both tech and MMA, so I know what I’m talking about

About Datadog Modern monitoring & analytics We’re hiring!

Elephant in the room MMA: Just two people beating each other up?

Further terrible definitions Programming: pressing plastic squares in more or less the right order

Not a vacuum Work with people, train with people

Learning #1: The right people Coaches and training partners Like managers and co-workers.

Identifying toxicity “Submitted— by a girl.” This shouldn’t be an insult.

Learning #2: The right environment Safe space to make mistakes and learn new things

Datadog post-mortem Eliminate stigma, learn, grow, and improve

Learning #3: The value of project management Organising your time and effort is key

Training camp Variable intensity, technical work, and recovery time Organised in two-week blocks…

Sprints, as in Agile Variable intensity, technical work, and recovery time Hopefully injury-free!

Learning #4: Getting enough rest You need to sleep and you need to rest

Burnout is a real thing Added bonus: you don’t know that it’s happening

Burnout is like over-training Burnout is incredibly dangerous Problem: it doesn’t feel that way.

Learning #5: Diet is everything What and how you eat matters

Thinking about food Quality, Quantity, and Timing

Generally good advice “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” – Michael Pollan Don’t forget to enjoy yourself sometimes!

Learning #6: Learn the basics Fundamentals win fights

Basics are critical, but… Don’t be dogmatic about fundamentals

Learning #7: Embrace diversity Diversity makes you better by default

A diverse fundamental There’s more than one way to throw a jab But people will try to tell you otherwise.

Tech needs diversity to succeed Fresh eyes and fresh ideas Not to mention testing and QA…

Learning #8: Penetration testing (seriously) An interesting parallel between the fight and security games

How to fight / pen test Observe, adapt, act; sometimes really quickly

Flying tiger, hidden dragon Don’t make it obvious Predictability will get you hurt.

Learning #9: Plan to change plans

Validation is a trap Data that challenges your model is a gift Where the really interesting things happen.

Learning #10: Deal with it “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” – Mike Tyson

Daniel “phrawzty” Maher Datadog What MMA taught me about working in tech Thanks! I hope you enjoyed it. :)