In this episode of Data Engineering Central, I sit down with Kevin, who spent 13 years working at Apple before walking away at the end of 2025.

* Not to jump to another job.

* Not to start a company.

* But to take a step back from everything.

Kevin shares his full journey—from growing up in the suburbs of Atlanta to building a career at Apple, and ultimately reaching the point where he could walk away financially and mentally.

You can follow along with Kevin below.

We dive deep into what it’s really like working in tech: the high salaries, the lifestyle creep, the pressure, and the surprising reality that even people making great money often have no clear financial plan.

This conversation also explores the rise of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early), how Kevin discovered it through Mr. Money Mustache, and why his perspective on it has changed over time.

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What starts as a path to freedom can easily turn into a scarcity mindset—and that’s something most people don’t talk about.

We also get into:

* Why high income does not equal financial freedom

* The hidden trap of lifestyle inflation in tech

* The simple investing strategy that actually works (and why most people ignore it)

* Why many engineers are “close” to freedom—but never pull the trigger

* The psychology of money, status, and why people stay stuck

* How a failed project and burnout became a turning point

* And how Kevin went from overworked and unhealthy… to climbing mountains and preparing to backpack 1,000 miles

This is not your typical “get rich quick” or “retire at 30” conversation. It’s a grounded, honest look at money, work, and what it actually takes to build a life you don’t need to escape from.

If you work in tech, think about FIRE, or just feel like you’re stuck on the treadmill, this one will hit home.

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