.about-hero {
    background: var(--ink);
    padding: calc(var(--nav-h)) 0 72px;
    position: relative; overflow: hidden;
  }
  .about-hero-bg {
    position: absolute; inset: 0;
    background:
      radial-gradient(ellipse at 80% 30%, rgba(37,99,235,0.15) 0%, transparent 55%),
      radial-gradient(ellipse at 10% 80%, rgba(37,99,235,0.08) 0%, transparent 45%);
  }
  .about-hero-dots {
    position: absolute; inset: 0;
    background-image: radial-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,0.035) 1px, transparent 1px);
    background-size: 36px 36px;
  }
  .about-hero-inner {
    position: relative; z-index: 1;
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr auto;
    gap: 56px; align-items: center;
  }
 
  .about-hero-intro { }
  .about-hero-intro .section-label.light {
    color: #93c5fd; margin-bottom: 14px;
  }
  .about-hero-intro h1 {
    font-family: var(--font-head);
    font-size: clamp(2.2rem, 3.8vw, 3.2rem);
    font-weight: 900; line-height: 1.1; color: white;
    letter-spacing: -0.025em; margin-bottom: 6px;
  }
  .about-hero-intro .hero-role {
    font-family: var(--blue-soft); font-weight: 700;
    font-size: 1.05rem; color: #93c5fd; margin-bottom: 18px;
  }
  .about-hero-intro p {
    font-size: 1.05rem; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.85);
    line-height: 1.8; max-width: 560px; margin-bottom: 28px;
  }
  .hero-meta-row {
    display: flex; gap: 20px; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center;
  }
  .hero-meta-item {
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px;
    font-size: 0.85rem; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5);
  }
  .hero-meta-item strong { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.85); font-weight: 600; }
 
  /* Photo card */
  .about-photo-card {
    flex-shrink: 0; text-align: center;
  }
  .photo-frame {
    width: 250px; height: 305px; border-radius: 20px;
    overflow: hidden; margin: 0 auto 14px;
    border: 3px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.12);
    box-shadow: 0 20px 60px rgba(0,0,0,0.4);
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #1e3a5f, #0f2040);
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
    position: relative;
  }
  .photo-frame img {
    width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; display: block;
  }
  /* Placeholder shown when no photo yet */
  .photo-placeholder {
    display: flex; flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center; justify-content: center;
    gap: 8px; width: 100%; height: 100%;
  }
  .photo-placeholder-initials {
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 900;
    font-size: 3.2rem; color: white; line-height: 1;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--accent), #93c5fd);
    -webkit-background-clip: text; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
  }
  .photo-placeholder-text {
    font-size: 0.72rem; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.35);
    letter-spacing: 0.06em; text-transform: uppercase;
  }
  .photo-name {
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 800;
    font-size: 1rem; color: white; margin-bottom: 4px;
  }
  .photo-since {
    font-size: 0.78rem; color: var(--paper);
  }
  .upwork-badge {
    display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px;
    margin-top: 12px; padding: 8px 14px; border-radius: 10px;
    background: rgba(20,184,166,0.12);
    border: 1px solid rgba(20,184,166,0.25);
    text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s;
  }
  .upwork-badge:hover {
    background: rgba(20,184,166,0.2);
    border-color: rgba(20,184,166,0.45);
    transform: translateY(-1px);
  }
  .upwork-badge-icon { font-size: 1rem; }
  .upwork-badge-text {
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 700;
    font-size: 0.78rem; color: #5eead4; line-height: 1.3;
  }
  .upwork-badge-sub {
    font-size: 0.68rem; color: rgba(94,234,212,0.65);
  }
 
  /* ── Journey Timeline ── */
  .timeline {
    display: flex; flex-direction: column;
    gap: 0; position: relative;
  }
  .timeline::before {
    content: ''; position: absolute;
    left: 23px; top: 24px;
    bottom: 0; width: 2px;
    background: linear-gradient(to bottom, var(--accent), rgba(37,99,235,0.1));
  }
  .timeline-item {
    display: flex; gap: 20px;
    align-items: flex-start; padding-bottom: 32px;
    position: relative;
  }
  .timeline-item:last-child { padding-bottom: 0; }
  .timeline-dot {
    width: 48px; height: 48px; border-radius: 12px;
    background: var(--white); border: 2px solid var(--border);
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
    font-size: 1.2rem; flex-shrink: 0; position: relative; z-index: 1;
    transition: all 0.25s;
  }
  .timeline-item:hover .timeline-dot {
    border-color: var(--accent);
    box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(37,99,235,0.1);
  }
  .timeline-dot.featured {
    background: var(--accent); border-color: var(--accent);
  }
  .timeline-body { padding-top: 10px; }
  .timeline-year {
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 900;
    font-size: 0.78rem; letter-spacing: 0.09em;
    text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--accent);
    margin-bottom: 4px;
  }
  .timeline-body h3 {
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 800;
    font-size: 1.05rem; color: var(--ink);
    margin-bottom: 6px; line-height: 1.25;
  }
  .timeline-body p {
    font-size: 0.9rem; color: var(--ink-soft);
    line-height: 1.75;
  }
  .timeline-highlight {
    display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px;
    margin-top: 8px; padding: 5px 12px; border-radius: 100px;
    background: rgba(37,99,235,0.07); color: var(--accent);
    font-size: 0.78rem; font-weight: 700; font-family: var(--font-head);
  }
 
  /* ── Stat Cards ── */
  .about-stats {
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(6, 1fr); gap: 16px;
  }
  .about-stat-card {
    background: var(--white); border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: var(--radius-lg); padding: 24px 20px;
    text-align: center; transition: all 0.25s;
  }
  .about-stat-card:hover {
    border-color: var(--accent);
    transform: translateY(-3px); box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
  }
  .stat-icon { font-size: 1.6rem; margin-bottom: 10px; }
  .stat-big {
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 900;
    font-size: 2rem; color: var(--ink); line-height: 1;
    margin-bottom: 4px;
  }
  .stat-big span { color: var(--accent); }
  .stat-lbl {
    font-size: 0.8rem; color: var(--ink-soft); line-height: 1.4;
  }
 
  /* ── Expertise Grid ── */
  .expertise-grid {
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); gap: 18px;
  }
  .expertise-card {
    background: var(--white); border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: var(--radius-lg); padding: 26px 24px;
    transition: all 0.3s; position: relative; overflow: hidden;
  }
  .expertise-card::before {
    content: ''; position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; bottom: 0;
    width: 4px;
    background: linear-gradient(to bottom, var(--accent), var(--accent-2-light));
    transform: scaleY(0); transform-origin: top;
    transition: transform 0.3s;
  }
  .expertise-card:hover { transform: translateY(-3px); box-shadow: var(--shadow-md); }
  .expertise-card:hover::before { transform: scaleY(1); }
  .expertise-card-icon {
    width: 46px; height: 46px; border-radius: 12px;
    background: var(--paper); color: var(--accent);
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
    font-size: 1.2rem; margin-bottom: 14px;
  }
  .expertise-card h3 {
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 800;
    font-size: 1rem; color: var(--ink); margin-bottom: 8px;
  }
  .expertise-card p {
    font-size: 0.88rem; color: var(--ink-soft); line-height: 1.7;
  }
  .expertise-card .core-badge {
    display: inline-block; margin-top: 10px;
    padding: 3px 10px; border-radius: 100px;
    background: rgba(37,99,235,0.08); color: var(--accent);
    font-size: 0.72rem; font-weight: 700; font-family: var(--font-head);
  }
 
  /* ── Working with me ── */
  .work-with-grid {
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 16px;
  }
  .work-with-item {
    display: flex; gap: 14px; align-items: flex-start;
    padding: 20px; border-radius: var(--radius);
    background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05);
    border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);
    transition: all 0.25s;
  }
  .work-with-item:hover {
    background: rgba(255,255,255,0.09);
    border-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.15);
    transform: translateX(4px);
  }
  .work-with-icon {
    width: 40px; height: 40px; border-radius: 10px; flex-shrink: 0;
    background: var(--paper); color: #93c5fd;
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
    font-size: 1.1rem;
  }
  .work-with-item h4 {
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 800;
    font-size: 0.9rem; color: white; margin-bottom: 4px;
  }
  .work-with-item p {
    font-size: 0.83rem; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.65); line-height: 1.65;
  }
 
  /* ── Upwork verification card ── */
  .verify-card {
    background: var(--white); border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: var(--radius-lg); padding: 32px 36px;
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 28px;
    box-shadow: var(--shadow-sm); max-width: 680px; margin: 0 auto;
  }
  .verify-icon-wrap {
    width: 64px; height: 64px; border-radius: 16px; flex-shrink: 0;
    background: rgba(20,184,166,0.1);
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
    font-size: 1.8rem;
  }
  .verify-text h3 {
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 900;
    font-size: 1.1rem; color: var(--ink); margin-bottom: 6px;
  }
  .verify-text p {
    font-size: 0.88rem; color: var(--ink-soft);
    line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 12px;
  }
  .verify-stars {
    display: flex; gap: 3px; margin-bottom: 10px;
  }
  .verify-stars span { color: var(--gold); font-size: 1rem; }
  .verify-stars strong {
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 900;
    font-size: 0.9rem; color: var(--ink); margin-left: 6px;
  }
  .btn-upwork {
    display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px;
    padding: 10px 20px; border-radius: 9px;
    background: #14b8a6; color: white;
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 700;
    font-size: 0.88rem; transition: all 0.2s;
    text-decoration: none;
  }
  .btn-upwork:hover {
    background: #0d9488; transform: translateY(-1px);
    box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(20,184,166,0.4);
  }
 
  /* ── Testimonial pull quotes ── */
  .about-quotes-grid {
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 18px;
  }
  .about-quote {
    background: var(--white); border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: var(--radius-lg); padding: 24px;
    position: relative; transition: all 0.25s;
  }
  .about-quote:hover { transform: translateY(-3px); box-shadow: var(--shadow-md); }
  .about-quote::before {
    content: '\201C';
    font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 4rem; line-height: 0.6;
    color: var(--accent); opacity: 0.12;
    position: absolute; top: 18px; left: 18px;
  }
  .about-quote p {
    font-size: 0.88rem; color: var(--ink-soft);
    line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 16px;
    position: relative; z-index: 1;
  }
  .about-quote-author {
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;
  }
  .quote-avatar {
    width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 100px; flex-shrink: 0;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--accent), var(--accent-2-light));
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 900;
    color: white; font-size: 0.85rem;
  }
  .quote-name {
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-weight: 800;
    font-size: 0.85rem; color: var(--ink);
  }
  .quote-loc { font-size: 0.75rem; color: var(--ink-soft); }
  .quote-stars { display: flex; gap: 2px; margin-bottom: 2px; }
  .quote-stars span { color: var(--gold); font-size: 0.75rem; }
 
  /* ── CTA band ── */
  .cta-band {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--accent) 0%, #1d3a8a 100%);
    border-radius: var(--radius-lg); padding: 56px 48px;
    display: flex; align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-between; gap: 32px;
    position: relative; overflow: hidden;
  }
  .cta-band::before {
    content: ''; position: absolute; top: -50px; right: -50px;
    width: 220px; height: 220px; border-radius: 100px;
    background: rgba(255,255,255,0.06);
  }
  .cta-band-text { position: relative; z-index: 1; }
  .cta-band h2 {
    font-family: var(--font-head); font-size: 1.9rem;
    font-weight: 900; color: white; margin-bottom: 8px;
    letter-spacing: -0.02em;
  }
  .cta-band p { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.72); font-size: 1rem; }
  .btn-white {
    flex-shrink: 0; position: relative; z-index: 1;
    padding: 14px 32px; border-radius: 10px;
    background: white; color: var(--accent);
    font-weight: 700; font-size: 1rem;
    font-family: var(--font-head);
    transition: all 0.25s;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.18);
    white-space: nowrap;
    display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px;
    text-decoration: none;
  }
  .btn-white:hover {
    transform: translateY(-2px);
    box-shadow: 0 8px 28px rgba(0,0,0,0.25);
  }
  
  #page-about p {margin-bottom:20px;}
 
  /* ── Responsive ── */
  @media (max-width: 1024px) {
    .about-stats { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
  }
  @media (max-width: 768px) {
    .about-hero-inner { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .about-photo-card { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 20px; }
    .photo-frame { width: 100px; height: 100px; margin: 0; border-radius: 14px; }
    .about-stats { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
    .expertise-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .work-with-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .about-quotes-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .verify-card { flex-direction: column; text-align: center; padding: 28px 22px; }
    .verify-stars { justify-content: center; }
    .cta-band { flex-direction: column; text-align: center; padding: 40px 24px; }
  }
  @media (max-width: 540px) {
    .about-stats { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
    .hero-meta-row { flex-direction: column; gap: 10px; align-items: flex-start; }
    .timeline::before { left: 19px; }
    .timeline-dot { width: 40px; height: 40px; }
    .cta-band h2 { font-size: 1.5rem; }
  }