I Was Supposed to Reveal My App. Then I Got Hospitalized.
August 8, 2026
Heyloooooo!
Two minutes of silence for everyone who thought I’d miss publishing today’s blog. Hehe. 😁 See? I’m not that much of a procrastinator after all! 😎
I’d love to take full credit for my incredible discipline, but the truth is... I have nowhere else to be. Remember last week when I casually mentioned I had a hospital appointment? Yeah, well, to my absolute surprise, the doctor took one look at me and said, “Get admitted. Right now.”
So, I did. They ran a bunch of tests over the next few days, and skipping all the boring, dramatic medical details, the verdict is that I seriously need to take care of myself for the next couple of months. Fir sab changa si (then everything will be fine).
Right now, I am completely torn. My inner child is absolutely thriving—sleeping on a hospital bed all day, eating healthy, zero chores, total VIP treatment. But the rest of my brain is screaming, because the amount of chaos I have coming up in the next two weeks is actually insane.
Here is my upcoming schedule:
- Hosting the massive VibeHack competition for our Dataverse committee.
- Participating in another hackathon at NM College.
- Giving my college internal exams.
...all on the exact same dates. 😭
Honestly, I’m glad to be investing my time into cool stuff instead of wasting it, but I’m just praying my immune system gets its act together so everything goes smoothly.
We Have a Comment Section!
Before we get to the app stuff, scroll down to the bottom of this page. Go ahead, look.
THAT’S RIGHT, WE HAVE AN ACTUAL COMMENT SECTION NOW! 😎
I spent some time messing around with a couple of different frameworks, banged my head against the keyboard a bit, and finally learned how to build and maintain a working comment section. Yes, I know, I’m smart. (Let me have this, I’m sick).
The Shadowing App: Your FAQs Answered
Okay, enough with the sad hospital violin music. Let's talk about the productive stuff.
A massive THANK YOU to everyone who filled out the research paper form for my new app idea! I kept it anonymous, so I can't thank you personally, but your sweet reviews truly touched my heart. Since a lot of you asked some brilliant questions, I wanted to do a rapid-fire FAQ right here.
1. Will this app be a paid platform? Do I have to pay mentors?
No. The platform is completely free for both learners and mentors. There are no hidden fees, paywalls, or subscriptions. The goal is to build a community and share knowledge, not monetize it.
2. How are mentors verified, and how is learner safety protected?
Authenticity and safety are the top priorities. Anyone starting a community as a mentor must submit proof of proficiency (past work, portfolios, or awards) and pass a screening process. Additionally, all user accounts are verified via Google, LinkedIn, or phone numbers to prevent fake profiles and maintain a secure space.
3. Are lessons provided through pre-recorded videos, live sessions, or one-on-one calls?
There are absolutely no pre-recorded videos—that defeats the whole purpose of the app. Mentors schedule live, real-time sessions where learners can shadow them, actively participate, and get immediate feedback on their progress.
4. Will this involve face-to-face meetups, or is it strictly online?
Both. While the app serves as the digital hub to discover mentors, chat, and schedule sessions, the actual skill-sharing is designed to be a mix of live online interactions (like a shared coding session) and real-world physical meetups (like joining an expert for a calisthenics workout).
5. How does communication work between learners and mentors?
The app features a built-in community chat system. Once you join a mentor's group, you can communicate directly with them and other learners, similar to a dedicated group chat, keeping all coordination in one place.
6. Is there a review system to know if a mentor or learner is reliable?
Yes. There is a two-way rating system. Learners can review mentors after every session to highlight the most helpful veterans. Mentors also review learners based on behavior and proactiveness, ensuring mutual respect and transparency across the platform.
7. Is this useful for all age groups?
Yes. The platform is completely skill-agnostic. Whether you are a student learning to program or someone older picking up a new hobby, the focus is purely on the skill being shared, making it useful for any age group
8. What’s in it for the mentors if the platform is completely free?
Mentors aren't expected to create lesson plans or go out of their way to "teach." The core idea is shadowing—they are simply allowing someone to tag along while they do what they were already going to do (e.g., coding a personal project, going for a morning run). Additionally, highly-rated mentors will earn community badges, networking opportunities, and a strong verifiable profile of leadership.
9. How do I find a mentor who matches my exact skill level?
The app will feature a structured search and filtering system. You can filter mentors by specific skill, location (for physical meetups), and proficiency level. This ensures absolute beginners aren't thrown into advanced, fast-paced sessions where they might feel overwhelmed.
10. How are the real-world or digital meetups actually scheduled?
Mentors will have a built-in calendar on their profile where they post their upcoming routines (e.g., "Saturday 9 AM: Outdoor Sketching at National Park" or "Tuesday 8 PM: Python Debugging via Screen-share"). Learners can simply RSVP directly through the app to secure their spot.
11. Can I be a mentor for one skill but a learner for another?
Absolutely. You might be an expert Python developer but a complete beginner at Calisthenics. You can host shadowing sessions for your coding while joining someone else's community for workouts. The platform encourages this exact kind of cross-learning.
12. What if I live in an area where there are no local mentors for my chosen skill?
While physical, real-world meetups are highly encouraged to fix the isolation of learning, the platform fully supports live digital shadowing. For skills like coding, graphic design, or writing, you can join a mentor's live screen-share or video call from anywhere in the world.
13. What happens if a user is inappropriate or unprofessional during a session?
We have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, unsafe behavior, or spam. The two-way review system allows users to flag inappropriate conduct immediately. Since accounts are tied to verified credentials (Google, LinkedIn, phone numbers), any user with severe or repeated complaints will face a permanent ban to keep the community ecosystem safe.
I hope that clears things up! If you have any more doubts, suggestions, or queries, drop me a message on LinkedIn. Let's build this platform and grow together.
We also made significant progress in planning the VibeHack hackathon this week (details will be published soon, hold tight!).
Drop a comment below to test out the new feature, and I'll see you in the next one (hopefully from my own desk and not a hospital ward)!
If this chaos somehow resonated with you, go bother a friend with the link.