In this episode, I chat with Mandrik, a legendary Bitcoin OG who’s been around since 2011. He shares deep honest reflections on proof of work, health and hardship.   We talk about what it was like working customer support during Mt. Gox, the emotional impact of long bear markets, and why kindness, consistency, and situational awareness matter.   ––– Offers & Discounts –––   Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric   Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/matrix   The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order.   Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/   ––– Get To Know Today's Guest –––   • Mandrik on X: https://x.com/Mandrik • Mandrik on Nostr:  npub1qex7yjtuucs6ac49kjujdgytrjsphn5a4pdscu2w3qlprym4zsxqfz82qk   ––– Socials –––   • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs   ––– Chapters –––   00:00 - Intro  01:08 - Mandrik: Bitcoin OG & Baklava Boss  04:30 - Freedom, Cash Traps & the Baklava Origin Story  08:30 - Cooking Roots: Diners, Grandmas & Fat Kid Energy  12:30 - Keto in 2011, Divorce & the First Bite of Baklava in 13 Years  17:00 - Health Journey, Delayed Gratification & Bitcoin Parallels  21:00 - Captain Crunch, Crunchberries & Hedonic Burnout 25:30 - Tweets of Struggle: Pushing Through the Pain  30:00 - Scrubbing Toilets Over Fiat: Escaping a Dead-End Job  34:30 - Closed Loop Bitcoin Economy in New Hampshire  39:00 - Cooking at Porkfest, Meeting Bitcoiners Through Food  43:30 - Jump to Blockchain.info & Early Bitcoin Startup Chaos  48:00 - Startup Grind, Family Balance & 24/7 Bitcoin Life  52:30 - Meaningful Work vs. Mediocre Office Jobs  56:30 - 4 AM Mornings, Short Sleepers & Existential Impact  1:01:00 - Walking, Sunrises & Psychopath Hour Reflections  1:05:30 - The Power of Kindness, Random Compliments & Awareness  1:10:00 - Feeding the Homeless: Lessons from Dad’s Diner  1:14:30 - Situational Awareness & Travel Safety  1:19:00 - Bacon Weave Sandwiches & Caitlin Long’s Memory  1:23:30 - Feeding the Masses: Deep Fried Everything  1:28:00 - Mandrik’s Roots: Nicknames, Gaming & Identity  1:32:30 - Toilets & Baklava: Humble Bitcoin Beginnings  1:37:00 - Getting Paid in Bitcoin for “Low Status” Work  1:41:00 - Advice to the Young: Take the Risk While You Can   DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions/views of any of our guests or sponsors.   I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing.   Thank you for listening!