Our Team
We bring different perspectives to the table. We’re united by a shared goal, turning real-world movement into something meaningful, engaging, and worth coming back to.
Michael Johnson
I built Terravela to turn real-world movement into something meaningful. Every day, people are traveling—commuting, exploring, experiencing new places—but none of it feels like real progress. I wanted to change that.
I think people don’t actually miss old Instagram or YouTube—they miss the feeling they had when they first used them. Everything felt new, exciting, and worth exploring. That’s the feeling I’m building Terravela around bringing that sense of discovery back, but in the real world.
My background is in account management, logistics, and working closely with customers to solve real problems. I’ve taken that same mindset into building Terravela—focusing on user experience, long-term engagement, and creating something people actually want to come back to.
Outside of building Terravela, I enjoy staying active through tennis, kayaking, and traveling experiences that directly inspired the idea behind the platform. I’m also involved in trading, which has shaped how I think about strategy, risk, and growth.
My goal is to build the default map of your life where every mile you move unlocks progress, achievements, and real-world value.
Founder
Mysterious Phung
I’m a full stack software engineer with over 4 years of experience building modern web applications and scalable systems. I enjoy working across the stack bringing ideas to life through clean architecture, efficient backend systems, and intuitive user experiences.
I have a strong interest in emerging technologies, especially AI/ML, LLMs, and retrieval-augmented systems, and how they can be applied to solve complex, real-world problems. I’m always looking for ways to push products forward through smarter, more adaptive technology.
At Terravela, I’m focused on building a platform that is both technically robust and engaging at scale. From core infrastructure to user-facing features, I’m passionate about creating systems that perform reliably while delivering a seamless experience.
Co-founder & Full stack Engineer
Software EngineerTyler Smith
I’m a software engineer passionate about solving complex problems and building innovative, scalable solutions. I focus on creating clean, maintainable code and developing systems that enhance user experience, from intuitive frontends to efficient backend architecture.
I have a strong background in Computer Science from UNC-Chapel Hill, with experience across Python, Java, JavaScript, and modern development frameworks. I enjoy working across the full stack and turning ideas into real, functional products.
At Terravela, I’m focused on building a platform that’s not only technically strong, but also engaging and seamless for users. I enjoy working in collaborative environments where creativity and problem-solving come together to build something meaningful.
Outside of development, I enjoy cooking, going to the gym, traveling, and spending time with friends, things that keep me balanced and continuously inspired.