BY: Angylina Zayn
If you’ve been following my journey, you’ll know I’ve been diving deep into cybersecurity — specifically ethical hacking. It’s been 112 days since I started this wild ride, and 91 days since I joined Zero to Mastery (ZTM). What a ride it’s been! From obsessing over tech tools to building my own home lab, this journey has been as thrilling as it has been challenging. But what makes it even more special is how it aligns with my neurodivergent superpowers.
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of building my home lab, let me set the stage for anyone new to cybersecurity. Here’s my first piece of advice: find your community. Whether it’s AWSN, WiCyS, ZTM, or all the above, like me, being part of a supportive group is a game-changer. These communities provide mentorship, answer your questions when you’re stuck, and help you avoid spiralling into frustration. Trust me, having people who “get it” makes all the difference.
Now, let’s rewind to where it all began.
Tech Obsession: The Spark That Ignited My Journey
My fascination with technology started long before I knew what cybersecurity even was. Growing up, I was captivated by movies like The Matrix, Eagle Eye, and the TV series Mr. Robot. The idea of uncovering hidden systems and solving complex puzzles felt like something out of a dream. But it wasn’t until I discovered I was neurodivergent that everything clicked into place.
Being neurodivergent means my brain thrives on patterns, puzzles, and problem-solving. It’s like having a superpower for spotting details others might miss. In tech, these skills aren’t just useful — they’re essential. As I learned more about ethical hacking, I realised this field was tailor-made for someone like me. It’s not just about breaking systems; it’s about understanding them deeply enough to improve them.
Why Zero To Mastery? A Learning Approach That Works
When I decided to take my self-education seriously, I knew I needed structure without rigidity — a learning environment that valued curiosity and creativity over rote memorisation. That’s why I chose Zero to Mastery (ZTM). Unlike traditional schools that often cater to neurotypical learners, ZTM’s approach felt refreshingly inclusive.
Here’s what stood out:
- Clear Structure Without Overwhelm: The courses are designed to be simple yet comprehensive. For someone who gets easily distracted by cluttered interfaces or irrelevant content, the clean design was a lifesaver.
- Community Support: ZTM isn’t just an online school; it’s a thriving community. Within minutes of posting a question in the Discord server, you’ll get responses from instructors and peers alike. This real-time feedback kept me from feeling isolated during tough moments.
- Learning by Doing: Instead of endless theory, ZTM encourages hands-on projects. This aligns perfectly with how neurodivergent minds often learn best — through active engagement rather than passive consumption.
- A Focus on Strengths: ZTM recognises that everyone learns differently. Their courses incorporate techniques like the Feynman Method (explaining concepts simply) and spaced repetition to solidify knowledge over time.
For someone like me who thrives on autonomy and purpose-driven learning, ZTM felt like home.
Building My Home Lab: A Rollercoaster Ride
Now let’s talk about the main event — building my home lab. This is where theory meets practice and where things got… complicated.
The idea of creating a virtual environment where I could safely practise ethical hacking sounded exciting but intimidating. Following ZTM’s Complete Ethical Hacking Bootcamp, I started by installing VirtualBox and Kali Linux on my M1 MacBook. Simple enough — or so I thought.
The First Roadblock
After setting up my virtual machine (VM), I encountered an error: “Display output is not active.” Cue frustration! Despite following every step in the course materials, my VM refused to cooperate. It felt like hitting a brick wall.
But here’s where being neurodivergent became an asset. My obsessive curiosity kicked in — I couldn’t let this problem go unsolved. I dove into research mode:
- Read through ZTM’s troubleshooting guides.
- Watched countless YouTube tutorials (shoutout to David Bombal).
- I posted it in ZTM’s Discord channel for advice.
- Reached out to mentors
Within hours, I came across alternatives like UTM (a hypervisor better suited for M1 Macs). One student even recommended VMware as another option.
Trial and Error
Switching to UTM required downloading everything again — from the app itself ($9.99 well spent) to Kali Linux directly from their gallery. Even then, errors persisted. At one point, I thought about giving up — but the support from ZTM’s community kept me going.
After days of back-and-forth troubleshooting (and a lot of kombucha), I finally got my VM running smoothly. The sense of accomplishment was indescribable — it wasn’t just about fixing an error; it was about proving to myself that persistence pays off.
Community Value: Why It Matters
One thing became crystal clear during this process: community is everything. As someone who often feels overwhelmed by traditional learning environments, having access to ZTM’s Discord server was a game-changer. Here’s why:
- Validation: Knowing others had faced similar issues made me feel less alone.
- Real-Time Help: Instead of waiting days for answers (like in some forums), responses came within minutes.
- Encouragement: When frustration set in, peers reminded me that I wasn’t alone.
For neurodivergent learners like me, this kind of support isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. We often process information differently or need extra time to work through challenges. Having a community that understands this makes all the difference.
Why This Journey Matters
Building my home lab wasn’t just about setting up software; it was about learning how to troubleshoot under pressure — a skill every ethical hacker needs. More importantly, it reinforced why cybersecurity feels like home for me: it combines creativity with logic and curiosity with discipline.
If you’re thinking about diving into cybersecurity (or any tech field), here’s my advice:
- Embrace Your Strengths: Whether you’re neurodivergent or not, lean into what makes you unique.
- Find Your Tribe: Join communities like ZTM, where collaboration is at the heart of learning.
- Be Patient With Yourself: Progress isn’t always linear — but every setback is an opportunity to grow.
And if you’re ready to take the leap? Now’s the perfect time — ZTM is running a sale until February 23rd at 11:59 PM EST. Invest in yourself and start mastering one of 2025’s top skills without breaking the bank.
And begin your adventure today!
In my next blog, I’ll walk you through the process of creating your first ethical hacking project from scratch. Whether it’s building an email scraper, writing a Python script for reconnaissance, or testing vulnerabilities in a safe environment, I’ll break down the steps and share what I’ve learned along the way. I’ll also talk about the challenges I faced, how I overcame them, and why building projects is such a powerful way to solidify your skills in cybersecurity. Stay tuned — it’s going to be hands-on and exciting!
Cybersecurity isn’t just a career; it’s a calling — a thrilling puzzle waiting to be solved every day. Are you ready to unlock your potential? Let’s do this!