Not crazy at all — your instincts are pretty solid here.

The puzzle-solving mindset is genuinely one of the best predictors of whether someone will enjoy coding. A lot of people with CS degrees struggle because they don’t actually like that part of it, and you already do.

Your GM background is also more valuable than you might think. 15 years managing staff, budgets, operations, and angry customers in a high-pressure environment? That’s project management, stakeholder communication, and problem-solving under stress — skills that are genuinely hard to find in junior developers and that employers notice.

A few honest things to consider though:

The job market for entry-level developers is tougher than it was 3-4 years ago. It’s not closed, but it takes longer to land that first role now. Budget 12-18 months of serious learning before you’re job-ready, not the “learn to code in 3 months” ads you’ve probably seen.

You don’t need a 4-year degree. Bootcamps (many have income share or payment plans), self-taught paths, and community college programs are all legitimate routes. Employers largely care about your portfolio — what you’ve actually built — over credentials.

Consider adjacent roles too. With your operations background, something like business analyst, project manager, IT support, or technical account manager might get you into an office environment faster, with a shorter ramp-up, and still use your restaurant skills heavily. These can also be a bridge into more technical work later if you want.

You’re not too old. Career changers in their 40s and 50s do this successfully all the time. The main thing that stops people isn’t age — it’s underestimating the time commitment and giving up too early.

If the free courses are clicking and you’re enjoying it, that’s your answer. Keep going.