Hey everyone, I’m John Malecki. Born and bred in the heart of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, my veins run black and gold – Steelers through and through. Today, I channel that Steel City grit into my craft as a builder in Braddock, a neighborhood I’m proud to serve. I share my passion and skills with my clients and with all of you online.
While woodworking has become my life’s work, it wasn’t always the game plan. Growing up, my dream was to make it to the National Football League (NFL). My dedication on the high school football field earned me a full athletic scholarship to play for my hometown team, the University of Pittsburgh Panthers. Starting as an offensive lineman from my sophomore year and leading as team captain in my senior year, football paved my way to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Pitt in 2010.
The journey continued after graduation when I signed a futures contract with the Tennessee Titans. The NFL is a tough business, and I navigated my way through a few teams. With a stroke of luck and the help of a persistent agent, I landed a spot with my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. For two incredible years, I lived out my childhood dream, representing my city on the gridiron. It’s an honor I cherish every single day.
After hanging up my cleats in the NFL, I took a year to recharge and explore what was next. During that time, I started dabbling in DIY woodworking projects. To my surprise, I discovered a profound passion. The endless possibilities of creation with my own hands ignited something new within me.
Woodworking presented challenges, offered immense satisfaction, and most importantly, it was fun. Before I knew it, I was hooked. As my tool collection grew and I began working out of a friend’s garage, a new vision took shape: building a life as a builder – as the builder. I haven’t looked back since.
Over the past few years, the response to my work has been nothing short of amazing. It turns out dreams evolve; they might shift from scoring touchdowns on Sunday nights to sharing your craft with a global audience. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to live this new dream. So, join me! Explore my videos, dive into my blog, and find the inspiration for your next project. You might be surprised at just how much you can build with your own two hands.
