Ask HN: How to get into algorithmic thinking and leetcode?

My company looks like it‘s dying and I want to hunt for a new job or at least become interview ready enough, in case push comes to shove.

I can build you scalable CRUD apps from https ingress/terminator to dockerized HAProxy/nginx/traefik api gateway to ouauth2 protected spring backends using SQL/redis/bigtable/s3/sns/sqs and despite not ever having been a frontend developer, I probably know more about angular, JS and browser quirks than your average frontend junior. For my bachelor thesis, several years ago, I developed a simple react native app. I am a backend dev for 11 years now, but also a jack of all trades. I feel ready to talk about application/system/solution design/architecture.

I also like to write documentation, talk to third parties and engage in requirements engineering. You can confidently leave me alone with third party partners. I have done hiring and interviewing. I hold a MSc and worked at two companies you have heard from, one of which produces applications you probably came into contact with.

Yet I can‘t solve any easy leetcode problems. If I can, then maybe the n*n brute force solution. Medium and hard problems? Absolutely impossible. Any work on it gives me severe anxiety, which makes even dumb memorizing solutions hard. I love programming, but I hate algorithmic thinking, algorithms and puzzles. With a passion. At least I can do fizz buzz...

Do you have any input for someone like me to become competent with leetcode?

Anyone else in this predicament?