From Astrophysics to Cybersecurity - Irene Shaji on AI, the 10X Mindset & Choosing to Be the One Who Controls It | Wake Up X

What happens when you 10X your goal until it feels almost unrealistic?

You end up sitting across from people like Irene Shaji.

WakeUpX host Efren Salazar was at ISACA Sacramento sharing the philosophy behind the podcast — Grant Cardone's 10X Rule — and why he took it so seriously he got it tattooed on his arm. The X in WakeUpX stands for 10X. Every goal, every episode, every conversation — multiplied.

Then Irene sat down.

An international student at Sacramento State, Irene started in astrophysics before pivoting to MIS and business analytics. She found her way into cybersecurity through a sharp, clear observation about where AI is heading — that the future belongs to the people who understand and control it, not the ones who simply survive it.

Cybersecurity gave her a field that is secure, creative, and never stops evolving. She's following it to see where it leads — and with that kind of clarity and openness, it's going to lead somewhere great.

We cover:🔥 The 10X Rule and what it actually means in practice💪 Why Efren built WakeUpX around this philosophy and got it tattooed🎓 Irene's path from astrophysics to cybersecurity at Sac State🤖 Why AI makes cybersecurity one of the most important fields right now✅ The mindset of choosing to control technology rather than be controlled by it

▶️ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1axM1mSsAWo🌐 Full episodes: www.wakeupxpodcast.com

📖 Book mentioned: The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone

Topics: 10X Rule, Grant Cardone, cybersecurity mindset, AI security, student stories, ISACA Sacramento, WakeUpX podcast, career growth, personal development, Sac State, international students, astrophysics, MIS