The freeCodeCamp Podcast #183 From drop-out to backpacker to self-taught developer with Dominick Monaco
Aug 15, 2025
Dominick Monaco, a self-taught developer and former college dropout, shares his unconventional journey from the Appalachian Trail to tech. He recounts his experience as a forest ranger, complete with close encounters in the wild. Dominick discusses his $15 programming education and the importance of learning with ambitious peers. He explores the challenges of transitioning from nature conservation to coding, emphasizing resilience and community along the way. His story is a testament to the power of following one's passion and finding a path against the odds.
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Core Web Vitals Matter For Ranking
- Core Web Vitals are a Google-defined set of metrics that heavily influence indexing and perceived site quality.
- Focus on mobile performance, lazy loading, and reducing large media to improve rankings and user experience.
Remove Large Blocking Media Immediately
- Remove or lazy-load huge hero assets like long MP4s that block page load and hurt metrics.
- Start optimizing obvious performance issues before tuning smaller details.
SEO Gains Are Gradual And Contextual
- Technical SEO improvements can take months to show real traffic impact due to ecosystem dependencies.
- Fast Lighthouse scores help, but content quality and site architecture still determine long-term success.
