{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Mandrik - Pain, Purpose and Proof of Work","description":"In this episode, I chat with Mandrik, a legendary Bitcoin OG who\u2019s been around since 2011. He shares deep honest reflections on proof of work, health and hardship. &amp;nbsp; 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. &amp;nbsp; \u2013\u2013\u2013 Offers &amp;amp; Discounts \u2013\u2013\u2013 &amp;nbsp; Theya is the world\u2019s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us\/cedric &amp;nbsp; Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com\/matrix &amp;nbsp; The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order. &amp;nbsp; Become a sponsor of the show: https:\/\/thebitcoinmatrix.com\/sponsors\/ &amp;nbsp; \u2013\u2013\u2013 Get To Know Today's Guest \u2013\u2013\u2013 &amp;nbsp; \u2022 Mandrik on X: https:\/\/x.com\/Mandrik \u2022 Mandrik on Nostr: &amp;nbsp;npub1qex7yjtuucs6ac49kjujdgytrjsphn5a4pdscu2w3qlprym4zsxqfz82qk &amp;nbsp; \u2013\u2013\u2013 Socials \u2013\u2013\u2013 &amp;nbsp; \u2022 Check out our new website at https:\/\/TheBitcoinMatrix.Com \u2022 Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https:\/\/x.com\/cedyoungelman \u2022 Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https:\/\/x.com\/_bitcoinmatrix \u2022 Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs &amp;nbsp; \u2013\u2013\u2013 Chapters \u2013\u2013\u2013 &amp;nbsp; 00:00 - Intro&amp;nbsp; 01:08 - Mandrik: Bitcoin OG &amp;amp; Baklava Boss&amp;nbsp; 04:30 - Freedom, Cash Traps &amp;amp; the Baklava Origin Story&amp;nbsp; 08:30 - Cooking Roots: Diners, Grandmas &amp;amp; Fat Kid Energy&amp;nbsp; 12:30 - Keto in 2011, Divorce &amp;amp; the First Bite of Baklava in 13 Years&amp;nbsp; 17:00 - Health Journey, Delayed Gratification &amp;amp; Bitcoin Parallels&amp;nbsp; 21:00 - Captain Crunch, Crunchberries &amp;amp; Hedonic Burnout 25:30 - Tweets of Struggle: Pushing Through the Pain&amp;nbsp; 30:00 - Scrubbing Toilets Over Fiat: Escaping a Dead-End Job&amp;nbsp; 34:30 - Closed Loop Bitcoin Economy in New Hampshire&amp;nbsp; 39:00 - Cooking at Porkfest, Meeting Bitcoiners Through Food&amp;nbsp; 43:30 - Jump to Blockchain.info &amp;amp; Early Bitcoin Startup Chaos&amp;nbsp; 48:00 - Startup Grind, Family Balance &amp;amp; 24\/7 Bitcoin Life&amp;nbsp; 52:30 - Meaningful Work vs. Mediocre Office Jobs&amp;nbsp; 56:30 - 4 AM Mornings, Short Sleepers &amp;amp; Existential Impact&amp;nbsp; 1:01:00 - Walking, Sunrises &amp;amp; Psychopath Hour Reflections&amp;nbsp; 1:05:30 - The Power of Kindness, Random Compliments &amp;amp; Awareness&amp;nbsp; 1:10:00 - Feeding the Homeless: Lessons from Dad\u2019s Diner&amp;nbsp; 1:14:30 - Situational Awareness &amp;amp; Travel Safety&amp;nbsp; 1:19:00 - Bacon Weave Sandwiches &amp;amp; Caitlin Long\u2019s Memory&amp;nbsp; 1:23:30 - Feeding the Masses: Deep Fried Everything&amp;nbsp; 1:28:00 - Mandrik\u2019s Roots: Nicknames, Gaming &amp;amp; Identity&amp;nbsp; 1:32:30 - Toilets &amp;amp; Baklava: Humble Bitcoin Beginnings&amp;nbsp; 1:37:00 - Getting Paid in Bitcoin for \u201cLow Status\u201d Work&amp;nbsp; 1:41:00 - Advice to the Young: Take the Risk While You Can &amp;nbsp; DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions\/views of any of our guests or sponsors. &amp;nbsp; I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing. &amp;nbsp; Thank you for listening! ","author_name":"The Bitcoin Matrix","author_url":"http:\/\/bitcoinmatrix.libsyn.com\/website","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/37480620\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/190976590"}