2026-08-29
▶[drums] drum cover · New cover on tape:FlakeJack Johnsonwatch on YouTube->Ben Berman
software - drums - stuff
I’m a software developer in New York. Away from the keyboard, I play drums, lift weights, and hang out with my dog, Felix. Here’s what I’m making and getting into.
Say hi.Activity log
Flake
Lighterless
Jolene
I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
The Sunshine
I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor's Version)
The Recluse
FelixHe's named after Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter. In fact, all of my family's dogs are named after Jewish Supreme Court Justices, including Brandeis, two Cardozos, and a Ruthie.Felix Frankfurter on Wikipedia
Carolina DogA primitive dog "breed" native to the southeastern United States.Carolina Dog on WikipediaDingusSingular of "Dingo"What's a Dingo?
Fitness
My training log (lifting, running, walking)
Muscle load + next focus
Next: Bench Press
mid chest: about 35 volume points below its weekly target.
Explore exercises- anterior deltsRecent load 17.8 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 29 points; weekly target 30 points
- lateral deltsRecent load 13.3 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 20.4 points; weekly target 30 points
- posterior deltsRecent load 12.6 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 17.9 points; weekly target 15 points
- upper trapsRecent load 12 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 11.8 points; weekly target 20 points
- mid trapsRecent load 17.8 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 16.1 points; weekly target 30 points
- lower trapsRecent load 9.8 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 7.1 points; weekly target 10 points
- latsRecent load 22.9 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 21.5 points; weekly target 30 points
- rhomboidsRecent load 14.9 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 13.7 points; weekly target 14 points
- spinal erectorsRecent load 17.8 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 14.8 points; weekly target 25 points
- upper chestRecent load 4 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 16.5 points; weekly target 20 points
- mid chestRecent load 0 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 22.9 points; weekly target 35 points
- lower chestRecent load 0 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 13.8 points; weekly target 25 points
- serratus anteriorRecent load 3.2 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 7.4 points; no weekly target set
- bicepsRecent load 25.6 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 25.6 points; weekly target 35 points
- brachialisRecent load 28.8 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 22.5 points; weekly target 20 points
- tricepsRecent load 12.8 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 25.1 points; weekly target 30 points
- forearm flexorsRecent load 13 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 15.9 points; weekly target 35 points
- forearm extensorsRecent load 9.6 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 5.7 points; weekly target 20 points
- absRecent load 17.2 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 10.5 points; weekly target 20 points
- obliquesRecent load 7.6 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 2.2 points; weekly target 0 points
- hip flexorsRecent load 12 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 2.5 points; weekly target 0 points
- quadsRecent load 19.8 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 17.7 points; weekly target 25 points
- hamstringsRecent load 19 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 15.9 points; weekly target 25 points
- adductorsRecent load 6 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 7.2 points; weekly target 10 points
- glute maxRecent load 15.5 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 19.9 points; weekly target 25 points
- glute medRecent load 10.7 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 5.1 points; weekly target 5 points
- gastrocnemiusRecent load 3.4 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 2.7 points; weekly target 0 points
- soleusRecent load 0 volume points in the past seven days; usual weekly pace 0.4 points; weekly target 0 points
Training days
Activity log
Standard Legs
25m 05s · 7 sets
Zercher Squat
45 lb · 6 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
135 lb · 5 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
185 lb · 5 reps · Barbell + belt · 2 RIR
Set 01, 2 RIR
Recorded RPE 8
PR
185 lb · 5 reps · Barbell + belt · 2 RIR
Set 02, 2 RIR
Recorded RPE 8
185 lb · 5 reps · Barbell + belt · 2 RIR
Set 03, 2 RIR
Recorded RPE 8
185 lb · 5 reps · Barbell + belt · 1.5 RIR
Set 04, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
Leg Extension
115 lb · 8 reps · Lever Leg Extension · 2nd floor Vibe
Warm-up set
160 lb · 6 reps · Lever Leg Extension · 2nd floor Vibe
Warm-up set
230 lb · 11 reps · Lever Leg Extension · 2nd floor Vibe · 2 RIR
Set 01, 2 RIR
Recorded RPE 8
PR: max load
230 lb · 10 reps · Lever Leg Extension · 2nd floor Vibe · 1.5 RIR
Set 02, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
230 lb · 8 reps · Lever Leg Extension · 2nd floor Vibe · 1.5 RIR
Set 03, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
Arms? In this economy?
42m 01s · 11 sets
Overhead Press
45 lb · 5 reps · Barbell + pin press + standing
Warm-up set
95 lb · 3 reps · Barbell + pin press + standing
Warm-up set
115 lb · 3 reps · Barbell + pin press + standing · failure
Set 01, failure
PR
95 lb · 5 reps · Barbell + pin press + standing · 1.5 RIR
Set 02, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
PR: volume · reps
95 lb · 6 reps · Barbell + pin press + standing · 0.5 RIR
Set 03, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
PR: volume · reps
95 lb · 4 reps · Barbell + pin press + standing · failure
Set 04, failure
Bent Over Row
45 lb · 8 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
95 lb · 6 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
145 lb · 10 reps · Barbell · 0 RIR
Set 01, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
145 lb · 7 reps · Barbell · 1.5 RIR
Set 02, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
145 lb · 6 reps · Barbell · 1 RIR
Set 03, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
Overhead Single Arm Triceps Extension (rope attachment)
20 lb · 6 reps · Cable
Warm-up set
27.5 lb · 10 reps · Cable · 0.5 RIR
Set 01, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
PR: 1RM · volume
27.5 lb · 8 reps · Cable · 1.5 RIR
Set 02, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
Upright Row
90 lb · 15 reps · Barbell · 1 RIR
Set 01, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
PR
90 lb · 10 reps · Barbell · 1.5 RIR
Set 02, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
A moderate hamstring day
34m 27s · 9 sets
Romanian Deadlift
110 lb · 8 reps · Deadlift machine · 2nd floor Vibe + belt
Warm-up set
187.5 lb · 5 reps · Deadlift machine · 2nd floor Vibe + belt + straps
Warm-up set
220 lb · 7 reps · Deadlift machine · 2nd floor Vibe + belt + straps · 2 RIR
Set 01, 2 RIR
Recorded RPE 8
PR
220 lb · 7 reps · Deadlift machine · 2nd floor Vibe + belt + straps · 1.5 RIR
Set 02, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
Seated Leg Curl
100 lb · 6 reps · Leg Curl Machine · 2nd floor vibe
Warm-up set
180 lb · 8 reps · Leg Curl Machine · 2nd floor vibe · 1 RIR
Set 01, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
PR: max load
180 lb · 4 reps · Leg Curl Machine · 2nd floor vibe · 0 RIR
Set 02, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
Hip Abduction
120 lb · 8 reps · Outer Thigh Machine
Warm-up set
190 lb · 16 reps · Outer Thigh Machine · 0 RIR
Set 01, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
205 lb · 12 reps · Outer Thigh Machine · 1 RIR
Set 02, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
Captains Chair Straight Leg Raise
19 reps · Bodyweight · 0 RIR
Set 01, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
PR: reps
15 reps · Bodyweight · 0 RIR
Set 02, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
10 reps · Bodyweight · 0.5 RIR
Set 03, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
Fridarms
24m 06s · 6 sets
Straight Back Seated Row
100 lb · 10 reps · Cable
Warm-up set
160 lb · 13 reps · Cable · failure
Set 01, failure
PR
160 lb · 10 reps · Cable · 0 RIR
Set 02, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
160 lb · 7 reps · Cable · 1 RIR
Set 03, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
25 lb · 8 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
45 lb · 7 reps · Barbell · failure
Set 01, failure
45 lb · 4 reps · Barbell · failure
Set 02, failure
35 lb · 7 reps · Barbell · failure
Set 03, failure
Ush Pay Own Day
37m 00s · 11 sets
Chest Dip
-55 lb · 8 reps · Bodyweight
Warm-up set
-20 lb · 4 reps · Bodyweight
Warm-up set
25 lb · 8 reps · Bodyweight · 0.5 RIR
Set 01, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
25 lb · 7 reps · Bodyweight · 1 RIR
Set 02, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
25 lb · 5 reps · Bodyweight · 0.5 RIR
Set 03, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
Chest Fly
120 lb · 8 reps · Vertical Pec Fly · 2nd floor vibe
Warm-up set
195 lb · 14 reps · Vertical Pec Fly · 2nd floor vibe · 1.5 RIR
Set 01, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
PR
195 lb · 11 reps · Vertical Pec Fly · 2nd floor vibe · 0.5 RIR
Set 02, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
195 lb · 7 reps · Vertical Pec Fly · 2nd floor vibe · failure
Set 03, failure
Crossover
15 lb ×2 · 8 reps · Cable
Warm-up set
25 lb ×2 · 10 reps · Cable · 1.5 RIR
Set 01, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
25 lb ×2 · 9 reps · Cable · 1 RIR
Set 02, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
Overhead Triceps Extension
50 lb · 8 reps · Cable
Warm-up set
80 lb · 4 reps · Cable · failure
Set 01, failure
One Arm Lateral Raise
15 lb · 12 reps · Cable · 1 RIR
Set 01, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
PR: 1RM · volume
15 lb · 7 reps · Cable · failure
Set 02, failure
Quads and biceps, what else is new
1h 07m · 18 sets
Squat
45 lb · 8 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
135 lb · 6 reps · Barbell + belt
Warm-up set
185 lb · 3 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
245 lb · 4 reps · Barbell + belt · 1.5 RIR
Set 01, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
PR
205 lb · 10 reps · Barbell + belt · 1 RIR
Set 02, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
PR: volume · reps
205 lb · 6 reps · Barbell + belt · 1.5 RIR
Set 03, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
205 lb · 5 reps · Barbell + belt · 1.5 RIR
Set 04, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
Hip Adduction
150 lb · 8 reps · ROC-IT hip adductor · 0.5 RIR
Set 01, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
PR: 1RM
150 lb · 8 reps · ROC-IT hip adductor · 0 RIR
Set 02, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
150 lb · 4 reps · ROC-IT hip adductor · failure
Set 03, failure
Leg Extension
60 lb · 8 reps · Leg Extension Roc-It · 3rd floor Vibe
Warm-up set
110 lb · 6 reps · Leg Extension Roc-It · 3rd floor Vibe
Warm-up set
190 lb · 10 reps · Leg Extension Roc-It · 3rd floor Vibe · 0 RIR
Set 01, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
PR
190 lb · 12 reps · Leg Extension Roc-It · 3rd floor Vibe · 0.5 RIR
Set 02, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
PR
190 lb · 10 reps · Leg Extension Roc-It · 3rd floor Vibe · failure
Set 03, failure
Seated Face Pull With Dual Cable
42.5 lb ×2 · 14 reps · Cable · 1 RIR
Set 01, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
PR: 1RM · volume
42.5 lb ×2 · 10 reps · Cable · 1 RIR
Set 02, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
42.5 lb ×2 · 7 reps · Cable · 0 RIR
Set 03, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
Incline Row
120 lb · 8 reps · Historical Incline Row (Atlantis)
Warm-up set
180 lb · 8 reps · Historical Incline Row (Atlantis) · 0.5 RIR
Set 01, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
180 lb · 7 reps · Historical Incline Row (Atlantis) · 0 RIR
Set 02, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
25 lb · 6 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
45 lb · 5 reps · Barbell · failure
Set 01, failure
40 lb · 4 reps · Barbell · failure
Set 02, failure
35 lb · 3 reps · Barbell · failure
Set 03, failure
B4 Ultra Interview
33m 41s · 7 sets
Incline Bench Press
45 lb · 10 reps · Cambered bar
Warm-up set
95 lb · 4 reps · Cambered bar
Warm-up set
145 lb · 6 reps · Cambered bar · 1 RIR
Set 01, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
PR: 1RM
125 lb · 8 reps · Cambered bar · 1.5 RIR
Set 02, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
125 lb · 6 reps · Cambered bar · 1 RIR
Set 03, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
125 lb · 5 reps · Cambered bar · 2 RIR
Set 04, 2 RIR
Recorded RPE 8
Chest Fly
115 lb · 8 reps · Historical Pec Fly (Roc It Machine)
Warm-up set
195 lb · 4 reps · Historical Pec Fly (Roc It Machine)
Warm-up set
215 lb · 10 reps · Historical Pec Fly (Roc It Machine) · failure
Set 01, failure
PR: 1RM · volume
One Arm Lateral Raise
10 lb · 8 reps · Cable
Warm-up set
15 lb · 11 reps · Cable · 0.5 RIR
Set 01, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
15 lb · 8 reps · Cable · failure
Set 02, failure
Legs but also arms
1h 11m · 16 sets
Power Clean
20 lb · 10 reps · Sandbag
Warm-up set
45 lb · 10 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
95 lb · 6 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
115 lb · 10 reps · Barbell · 1.5 RIR
Set 01, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
PR: 1RM · volume
115 lb · 10 reps · Barbell · 1 RIR
Set 02, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
115 lb · 5 reps · Barbell · failure
Set 03, failure
Hip Thrust
45 lb · 6 reps · GluteBuilder · 2nd floor vibe
Warm-up set
95 lb · 6 reps · GluteBuilder · 2nd floor vibe
Warm-up set
185 lb · 10 reps · GluteBuilder · 2nd floor vibe · 1.5 RIR
Set 01, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
PR
185 lb · 10 reps · GluteBuilder · 2nd floor vibe · 0.5 RIR
Set 02, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
185 lb · 10 reps · GluteBuilder · 2nd floor vibe · 0.5 RIR
Set 03, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
Seated Leg Curl
100 lb · 8 reps · Leg Curl Machine · 2nd floor vibe
Warm-up set
175 lb · 10 reps · Leg Curl Machine · 2nd floor vibe · 1 RIR
Set 01, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
PR
175 lb · 9 reps · Leg Curl Machine · 2nd floor vibe · 1 RIR
Set 02, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
175 lb · 8 reps · Leg Curl Machine · 2nd floor vibe · 0.5 RIR
Set 03, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
Hip Abduction
140 lb · 8 reps · Outer Thigh Machine
Warm-up set
205 lb · 13 reps · Outer Thigh Machine · 0.5 RIR
Set 01, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
205 lb · 10 reps · Outer Thigh Machine · failure
Set 02, failure
Recorded RPE 9
↳ 155 lb · 11 reps · Outer Thigh Machine · 1 RIR
↳ 105 lb · 13 reps · Outer Thigh Machine · failure
Preacher Curl
25 lb · 10 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
45 lb · 6 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
65 lb · 9 reps · Barbell · 0 RIR
Set 01, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
PR: 1RM
65 lb · 5 reps · Barbell · 0 RIR
Set 02, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
55 lb · 7 reps · Barbell · failure
Set 03, failure
Upright Row
70 lb · 13 reps · Barbell · 1 RIR
Set 01, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
PR
70 lb · 9 reps · Barbell · failure
Set 02, failure
Pulls up @ home bc sick
1h 50m · 2 sets
Pull Up (Parallel Grip)
13 reps · Bodyweight · failure
Set 01, failure
8 reps · Bodyweight · 0 RIR
Set 02, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
Almost Finished One Huberman Podcast
1h 53m · 20 sets
Bench Press
95 lb · 8 reps · Cambered bar
Warm-up set
115 lb · 5 reps · Cambered bar
Warm-up set
160 lb · 7 reps · Cambered bar · 1 RIR
Set 01, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
PR: 1RM
145 lb · 6 reps · Cambered bar · 0.5 RIR
Set 02, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
145 lb · 5 reps · Cambered bar · 1.5 RIR
Set 03, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
Overhead Press
45 lb · 8 reps · Barbell + standing
Warm-up set
95 lb · 4 reps · Barbell + standing · failure
Set 01, failure
65 lb · 9 reps · Barbell + standing · 0.5 RIR
Set 02, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
65 lb · 6 reps · Barbell + standing · failure
Set 03, failure
Deadlift
65 lb · 8 reps · Barbell
Warm-up set
155 lb · 6 reps · Barbell + belt + straps
Warm-up set
245 lb · 3 reps · Barbell + belt + straps
Warm-up set
295 lb · 6 reps · Barbell + belt + straps · 0 RIR
Set 01, 0 RIR
Recorded RPE 10
PR
245 lb · 6 reps · Barbell + belt + straps · 1 RIR
Set 02, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
Flexion Row
80 lb · 8 reps · Cable
Warm-up set
220 lb · 5 reps · Cable · 1.5 RIR
Set 01, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
220 lb · 3 reps · Cable · 0.5 RIR
Set 02, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
Seated One Leg Curl
60 lb ×2 · 6 reps · Seated Leg Curl Machine · 2nd floor Vibe
Warm-up set
80 lb ×2 · 11 reps · Seated Leg Curl Machine · 2nd floor Vibe · 1 RIR
Set 01, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
PR
80 lb ×2 · 8 reps · Seated Leg Curl Machine · 2nd floor Vibe · 0.5 RIR
Set 02, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
Chest Fly
195 lb · 9 reps · Historical Pec Fly (Roc It Machine) · 1.5 RIR
Set 01, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
PR: 1RM
195 lb · 9 reps · Historical Pec Fly (Roc It Machine) · 0.5 RIR
Set 02, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
195 lb · 7 reps · Historical Pec Fly (Roc It Machine) · 0.5 RIR
Set 03, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
Overhead Triceps Extension
45 lb · 7 reps · Barbell + standing
Warm-up set
70 lb · 9 reps · Barbell + standing · 1 RIR
Set 01, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
PR
70 lb · 7 reps · Barbell + standing · 1.5 RIR
Set 02, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
55 lb · 9 reps · Barbell + standing · 1 RIR
Set 03, 1 RIR
Recorded RPE 9
One Arm Lateral Raise
12.5 lb · 12 reps · Cable · 0.5 RIR
Set 01, 0.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 9.5
12.5 lb · 10 reps · Cable · 1.5 RIR
Set 02, 1.5 RIR
Recorded RPE 8.5
Résumé
Experience
Co-founder, Executive Software Lead
DigiChem · New York
- Co-founded a chemical synthesis startup with two chemists
- Raised a seed round with MVP
- Lead / mentored a team of three engineers
- Heavy involvement with strategy, market research, investor relations etc.
- Product: a custom ERP/MRP for novel specialty chemical synthesis and optimization
- LLM-powered workflows used cheminformatics tools such as retrosynthesis, property prediction, and vendor price lists to propose and optimize synthetic routes
- Company shut down summer of 2026 due to lack of product-market fit and overall shrinking of the specialty chemical research industry
Software Engineer
Standard Bots · New York / hybrid
- First dedicated software engineer; left a post-Series A company of ten-plus engineers and twenty employees
- Built and maintained the robotics engine — kinematics, dynamics, control systems, motion planning, vision
- Built the platform that runs the robots: a React remote control, a real-time server, WebRTC, ThreeJS, WebAssembly
Software Engineer / Lead Engineer
A Plus · New York
- Joined a team of 6
- As the company dwindled, became lead and only engineer, running the entire site's engineering
Software Engineering Intern
Wolverine Trading · Chicago
- Fun summer during which I learned how to drink
- Good environment but low-impact and not intellectually stimulating
- While I already knew a good amount about finance, they did have us take an options trading course in which I learned a lot
Software Engineering Intern
Royal Caribbean
- Kinda regret this one. Cruises are terrible for the environment!
Research Intern
Jackson Memorial Hospital
- Kinda regret this one too. A lotta mice died, fortunately none directly by my hand.
Education & skills
Washington University in St. Louis
BS, Computer Science
Minor in Design.
I technically made these contributions to these projects.
Almost all meaningless, but, hey, I've been interested in cool stuff for a long time!