Who is Elias Lange?

I was born on a Wednesday in October 1980 in East Germany. My parents were a car mechanic and a chemical lab technician. Growing up in a small town, I didn’t know about things like Nutella and bananas, but that was fine because I had a garden full of fresh fruits and vegetables. In my early years, I loved exploring outside and living without any worries.

When I started school, everything changed. I struggled to fit in and faced bullying from other kids. It made me feel bad about myself. School felt strange because it was all about sitting still and following rules, which didn’t match who I really was.

Despite these challenges, I discovered a passion for computers and the internet. I taught myself how to create websites on an old computer running Windows 3.11. I loved this new world, but my parents thought it was just a hobby and encouraged me to choose a "real" job instead.

Not knowing what else to do, I became a car mechanic because I liked working with technology. But I wasn't happy doing that, so I switched jobs to build aircraft engines. Still, I spent my free time on the internet, creating websites.

Feeling stuck, I decided to make a big change and move to Australia. This was one of the best choices I ever made. Arriving in a new country was scary at first, but it quickly became an adventure. I took on many different jobs: driving a shuttle bus, helping in restaurants, and even picking fruit. Each job helped me learn more about life and myself.

In Sydney, I found a place I loved and started studying. After three years in Australia, I traveled around New Zealand but realized my visa was about to expire. I didn’t want to go back to Germany, but I did, with just a large green backpack.

Back in Germany, I had to adjust to everyday life again. I went back to school and became a Certified Energy Manager, landing a job in IT support. Although the work was easy, it was also boring, and I started to question what I wanted from life.

Then tragedy struck when I lost someone close to me due to mental illness. This experience was tough, but it helped me understand how strong I could be with the support of friends and family.

Eventually, I found a job at a software company, where I worked on website development and online strategies. This job reignited my passion for technology.

Wanting more freedom, I decided to become self-employed. I wanted to help others understand how to use the internet better. Now, I'm excited about the future with all the new opportunities in AI.

No matter how tough things get, it’s possible to keep moving forward and find what makes you happy.