About Me
Hey there! I'm David Gilardi—a Developer Relations Engineer at IBM who's equally comfortable debugging distributed databases and training for ninja warrior obstacles. Welcome to my corner of the internet where tech meets athleticism.
What I Do
I'm currently a Developer Relations Engineer at IBM, where I get to combine my passion for technology with helping developers succeed. With over 30 years of experience spanning software development, database administration, infrastructure, and management, I've seen the industry evolve from many angles.
My technical sweet spots include distributed databases (especially Apache Cassandra and DataStax Enterprise), AI agents, RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), and context engineering. I love diving deep into complex systems and then finding ways to make them accessible and understandable for others.
Beyond the Keyboard
When I'm not writing code or creating content, you'll find me training for ninja warrior competitions—because apparently, I enjoy challenging myself both mentally and physically. I have a background in aerial arts (aerial silks and fabric climbing), which taught me a lot about persistence, body awareness, and the importance of a good grip.
I'm also a huge sci-fi and fantasy enthusiast, a gamer when time permits, and someone who genuinely enjoys home improvement projects (there's something satisfying about fixing things with your hands). And yes, I tinker with technology at home too—because apparently, I can't get enough of it.
Personal Life
I'm married with a family, and they're remarkably patient with my various obsessions—from late-night coding sessions to training for obstacle courses in the backyard. Life is about balance, even if that balance sometimes involves hanging upside down from aerial silks.
What You'll Find Here
This blog is where I share insights about distributed systems, databases, AI, developer relations, and whatever else catches my technical curiosity. I try to write the kind of content I wish I had when I was learning these topics—practical, honest, and hopefully helpful.
Let's Connect
I'm always happy to chat about technology, developer relations, distributed systems, or the best way to train for a warped wall. Find me on:
- GitHub - Where my code lives
- Twitter - Tech thoughts and occasional ninja warrior updates
- LinkedIn - Professional connections and career stuff
- YouTube - Videos, demos, and technical content
Feel free to reach out—whether you want to discuss distributed databases, share training tips, or just say hi. I'm always up for a good conversation.