[0:00]Today, I'm chatting with my bestie Erica, about the fear so many of us have about moving our Bitcoin off exchanges and into self custody to become fully self sovereign. It's a big step for some.
[0:13]We also talk about Bitcoin as being curious, truth seekers, Bitcoin meetups, and realizing that the rat race might not be the answer. Fiat depletes, Bitcoin replenishes.
[0:27]Thanks for joining us. I really appreciate you being here. Please hit the like and subscribe buttons to help me grow the channel and leave a comment below if something resonates. Let's get into it.
[0:44]Today, I'm excited to welcome Erica back to the podcast. Erica is my best friend and the first time we spoke, she was just starting out on her learning in Bitcoin journey.
[0:57]Today we're going to chat about the option of moving her Bitcoin off an exchange into self custody and how Bitcoin has given her hope and lots more. Great to see you, Erica.
[1:08]Great to be here, Paula. I'm so excited for this conversation and just to be with you. I feel so honored.
[1:14]Oh, I love it. I think what you are going through is something that many people go through. And I know you really well, so let's start out. Tell me, do you really trust yourself to hold your own Bitcoin?
[1:27]Well, it's definitely been a process of trusting myself because initially I want to say, yes, I do trust myself, but then when I think about moving my money over to cold storage and the responsibility of that, it's kind of a little split with me because it's very exciting knowing that I would be self-responsible, self-accountable.
[1:56]And like I've learned from you and so many other podcasts, not your keys, not your Bitcoin. So I do have my keys. I just haven't gone to that next step of transferring.
[2:08]And yes, it's interesting how it brings up a fear in me and, you know, just wanting to have my my money in a in a safe place. And I do believe in Bitcoin and from so many years I started in Bitcoin because of you.
[2:24]And that was during COVID and so many things were changing and I'm a big person of transformation. So I'm like, okay, what's the next thing? Like, I'm a truth seeker. And Bitcoin, I do believe is about truth. It's mathematically in that category for me.
[2:43]Well, I am so happy you got into Bitcoin because you are my only friend who got into Bitcoin. And that was a good time to get in and start learning, which is what you've been doing.
[2:58]And you know, I've been thinking about getting into self custody myself. I know everybody's on a journey on this and everyone's in a different stage. I think it's important to be comfortable.
[3:10]And I think we talked about moving a small amount into self custody for practice. And I think that's a good place to begin and then go from there.
[3:21]Yes, definitely. And it goes right along with my spiritual practice of doing microscopic steps to have it you know, the baby steps of having more confidence and, you know, getting through the anxiety and the emotions of it. But then I think on the other side of the anxiety is that excitement and just a a new paradigm shift, which I I love.
[3:49]So I love watching all your podcasts and getting educated, really. It is an education because so many people just don't know and I think that's what the fear is about with people.
[3:59]Yeah. And it's often hard to understand everything just from watching the podcast, but it's a beginning and it's a great way to see that different people have different journeys.
[4:12]I just wanted to say one more thing about the exchange because you you've seen on the podcast, I've spoken to Tony from the Bitcoin Way and he lost all his money in a bank in Lebanon.
[4:24]I mean, part of my story is that my mom lost all of her money in a bank in Zimbabwe and it can happen. In the US, we think that we are mostly safe in our banks.
[4:39]And Coinbase is a very reputable company, and so far everything has been good with them. But there's that chance that at some point we don't know what's going to happen with the government and what rules are they going to make.
[5:00]And then the other thing is just being able to feel that self sovereign position. So, it's a journey and for now, it's okay, but it's just something to move towards.
[5:11]Yes, it's a definitely a process because I think we've been talking about this for probably at least six months.
[5:21]So I know time goes by quickly and, you know, there's part of me that's that just wants to do it. And I know we've talked about where you're there with me.
[5:31]So I know that I'm doing it correctly. And then here in Arizona, there's also this Bitcoin Social Club that I belong to of Tiffany and Natalie Varty and Harry Beckwith and they've been so incredibly helpful and kind and inclusive. So I'm so happy that I found them from your podcast.
[5:54]So grateful that they were here. And yes, Harry was encouraging me as well to be self sovereign or just to do little by little to have the experience because once you do a little thing, then you get the confidence to do more and more and it kind of builds on itself.
[6:14]So that's that is my goal. I guess I need to put a timeline. But that that as far as like something little.
[6:22]And yes, because I think we all need help because it is something that is so different and, you know, dealing with money and the currency and not having it in a bank, like in a sense, we're our own bank.
[6:36]And I love that idea because everything that's been going on especially since COVID. There's so much like untruths that are being exposed and things that like just haven't felt right.
[6:50]And I'm like, well, I don't want to just subscribe to what other people are saying. So I've been on this journey of finding not only my own truth and what feels right for me, but um, you know, what's good for other people too.
[14:40]Yeah. Me too. Do you think there came a time when things flipped for you?
[14:48]Because I know you you got into Bitcoin in 2021, but you've really seemed to understand it and start taking a lot more interest more in the in the last year.
[15:00]Was there something in your life or in your mind that said, now I need to pay attention? Um, that's a really good question.
[15:06]I I think there's probably a couple of different key points in my life, but especially when I moved from Santa Barbara to Arizona to be with my family.
[15:20]I had to start my business over, and it was a very good decision for me, but it was also a little scary because obviously starting a business over, there's a lot of things that I that I needed to do and also the fear of am I going to have enough money and so I feel like when I started to listen to more of the podcast and be a little bit more educated of what it was.
[15:45]You know, not listening to other people of oh, it's it's a scam or it's an MLM or I didn't believe that because there was also kind of like a spiritual thing of of hope with with Bitcoin and the whole scarcity thing that they can't print it.
[16:05]And that there's only so much that we can all we can all have and that it's open for everybody. So I think for me starting starting over.
[16:19]And I think a lot of people that also struggle with, you know, paying their rent and living paycheck by paycheck. It it gives people hope and so I saw that with a few other people too.
[16:33]And also another client of mine who had a his son had Bitcoin and made a lot of money with it. He bought at the right time, sold at the right time, you know, it is can be a timing thing.
[16:47]But I think the more that I know about it and also going to the Bitcoin Social Club, that gave me more confidence that there are other people out there. You know, obviously I'm not not alone.
[17:00]But having the community really helped shift my perspective because I also didn't want to be in the dog race of just going around in circles and circles that like now there has to be a better way.
[17:16]Yeah, that hamster wheel that we're on because it it's really hard to keep up with the cost of living cost of buying houses, like you mentioned, groceries. And I love that you're talking about the community because many of us in Bitcoin don't have that many people to chat with about it.
[17:39]And it's nice when you go to a meetup to see other people who think like you in real life. And and are staying, you know, convicted and just even more convicted as time goes on because in your life, I don't think I don't know if your family are into it or
[17:58]Um, I've told my family about, well actually, my brother-in-law is into Bitcoin and and other crypto. So he totally gets it. Um, my sister, she doesn't really understand it, but uh, she just gives money to my brother-in-law to invest in it.
[18:16]She's like, I don't have time. I have kids and a full-time job and a dog and a house and so I think that's the thing too, is what I love about Bitcoin is the low time preference that I'm seeking to spend more time with my family.
[18:30]To yes, I love uh my work, but also to do other things in life like the question that I ask myself, like, how do I want to live my life? Because life goes by quickly.
[18:41]And my parents are open to it. It's it's really funny because I tried to explain it to my mom. She's like, oh, I don't get it.
[18:49]I'm like, it's okay, I didn't get it either. But, you know, my family, I have to say gratefully, they are, um, they're open to at least uh, listening.
[19:00]And like I said, my brother-in-law is is into it. So when when I'm over my family's, he and I talk about it and we're both very convicted, not convicted. Never been convicted. Um, conviction of being in in Bitcoin and just having the excitement of a new way.
[19:20]A new paradigm shift, like I said before and a new system because the system that is in place now that has been in place for many, many years, to me, it's not the person that's in there or persons in in our government.
[19:39]I think it's it's more of the machine that that works and whoever's in there has to really adopt to the machine. And hopefully things are going to change. But things, you know, change slowly.
[19:51]And so when Bitcoin is volatile, I'm like, oh, well, that's to me, a good sign.
[19:56]I love it. What did they say about volatility? Volatility is vitality. And, you know, as somebody in my own life who likes more calm and steady, it's taken a little bit to get used to.
[20:14]But I can see what they're saying. I can see what they're saying. And I love that you brought up low time preference because I'm not really a patient person as you know. And with Bitcoin you have to be patient.
[20:28]I thought that I was going to, you know, completely stop working at the end of this bull run and it didn't play out the way I thought.
[20:39]Even though I didn't think it was going high as as many people said, and it wasn't necessarily because I'm not I'm not selling my Bitcoin. I think I use Bitcoin, I spend and replace. That's another conversation, but I don't spend my savings.
[20:56]I love that you said you have a 10-year time frame because that's one thing we do tell people who get into Bitcoin is at least give yourself five years to, in the meantime, learn about it.
[21:08]When you buy it, learn about it for those five years. And because of the volatility, you need that time to see the number go up if that's your goal to one day get a house or buy something with it.
[21:24]But I have found that it's taught me patience and it's taught me to look deeper because as I've had more time, I I do have that backing of knowing I have the Bitcoin, I have more time to look within and look at the spiritual side and the social side of Bitcoin.
[21:45]So are there any other areas that you have noticed that Bitcoin has has changed you from that perspective? Well, I definitely think uh the the spiritual aspect, if I can say something about that.
[22:00]With having a little bit more time and and patience because I think I used to just run almost run on empty. You know, I give everything from my cup and it'd take me a long time to replenish and now I feel like I'm more in in balance.
[22:30]So I'm able to contain my energy instead of giving it away. And with Bitcoin, yeah, I feel like it's that stored energy. Like uh, you were saying that Jack was saying.
[23:00]Yep. Yeah, it certainly is. We just have to have that low time preference because as we mentioned in the short term, it can go up and down, but in the long term, it's holding its value as we have seen from the 17 years.
[23:59]And and we want, you mentioned this, to get regular people in, but not force anybody to come in because it is an open and honest system that anybody can opt in and opt out of that other system.
[24:16]But it's not a forcing because nobody was going to tell me what to do. And I'm I'm sure the same for you. It's you get it when you get it and uh hopefully you get guided to Bitcoin sooner than rather than later.
[24:30]Yes. And it is something, you know, very, very different and a little obscure because most people that I talk to about it, they're like, well, where is it?
[24:40]They they don't understand, you know, they don't and I barely understand but they're like I can't touch it. Like how do you exchange? So what I think is if people are curious, that will lead them, you know, to finding out more.
[25:54]And that's I think how I started too of the curiosity of, oh, there's a there's a new a new way.
[26:01]I mean, just like with AI, I mean, even though it's been around, but it's like ramped up now and, you know, people using all these different platforms and you it's something that you get used to. And just like when the internet first came out, people didn't know like what that was. But now I mean, and it's worldwide, and I love that the Bitcoin is worldwide that anybody can buy Bitcoin.
[33:28]Yeah. I love that too. I really do because it's it's not everybody's going to have the same amount, but even a small amount down the line will help people.
[33:41]And you know, I'm from Africa and people are using it there already as a medium of exchange in many circular economies. And it's all starts in a different way. You mentioned that people don't understand it, and that curiosity is a big reason. And I agree, curiosity and then a need.
[34:02]We have to have a need for it. Because like you mentioned about your sister, she's so busy. She does an incredible job raising a family and she is wonderful at her own job, but she doesn't have time to really study Bitcoin. And there many people like that.
[34:21]And and maybe also not a need, she makes a good salary and she's okay. For us, there was a great need because well, for me personally, I hadn't saved enough in retirement.
[34:31]And I'm like, oh dear. But I but I so I do think it's curiosity, a need, and then many of us come for number go up, which is why I came. But I but I stay because there's even more to it.
[34:46]I mean, how great. Yes, not only can I potentially retire when I want, there's also something in this truthful protocol that allows everybody to participate and that makes me feel even better.
[35:03]Yes, I mean, I I totally agree with everything that you said. And it kind of it evens the playing field. And like you said with the need, I I think some people and this is very unfortunate, but I think it's kind of a human trait that we have to go through some pain before we change.
[35:23]And I feel like our our whole world is really going through a lot of transition and and pain and upset and all of that stuff. And then there's also beauty.
[35:36]I mean, there's such beauty and joy, um, availability. I think it's our perspective as well. But, you know, just like, um, a mother giving birth to a child, there's a lot of pain.
[35:48]I mean, I was there when my my sister birthed her first child. I was like, oh my God. I mean, I haven't had children but what she went through. But then the joy after that and then she forgot about all all that pain, but it was worth it. So I kind of feel like, you know, the people that are already very wealthy, they don't think that they need it.
[36:12]Whether it's true or not, but I do feel like the regular people, you know, working class people. The more that could get into Bitcoin, the more hope and, you know, I always think with my business because being a massage therapist for almost 21 years now, I love helping people and being of service and having people feel good.
[36:34]I mean, that's like so satisfying for me and I feel like with Bitcoin, when people do feel good about it, know more about it and where it can fulfill a need, but I think it definitely will take time.
[36:50]Yeah, that that's so true. And I I like that you mentioned what's going on in the world because we have a war going on. We have the Epstein files. And if I focus too much of my attention there, then I can also become down.
[37:08]So I like to know what's going on, but I like Jeff says, want to focus on the world that I want to live in. And you're so right. There's so many people doing wonderful things in this world at the same time. So it's where I want to put my focus is how I choose my happiness today.
[37:31]And and Bitcoin, a truthful, honest system. You know, it's not all about Bitcoin. I could do this without Bitcoin, but now I can get my money situation in my life right. It just gives me more hope overall.
[37:44]Yeah. And I think the great thing is that it just opens up conversations. And whether people, you know, get into Bitcoin, it just opens a a conversation, uh whether you talk about spiritual things, about life things, about about money, what money is about retirement, about self care.
[38:05]I think it's really a platform to to talk about things because I think pretty much ever since COVID, I I feel like communication has really lapsed because of how we had to behave during that time and the limitations that were put on us.
[38:24]Especially the social aspect and everything was on Zoom and thank God for Zoom and all these different platforms that we could, you know, talk to each other with.
[38:35]But there's also an element of the humanity of being able to hug someone and being in person. I mean, that's why again, I'm so grateful for the community that I found here because yeah, we're we're human. We need the touch, we need the, you know, the in-person facial expressions.
[38:53]Even though we see it, but it's it's just different. The energy is different. And I'm grateful for Bitcoin because it allows for a lot of different possibilities.
[39:06]Do you have anything else you want to add? You have any superpowers in your life that really help you just in life in general? Um, well, the first thing that just came to mind when you asked that was a kindness.
[39:21]I think if we are all more kind to each other, it doesn't mean that we need to agree. We get agree to disagree. I wonder whatever happened to that. You know, fighting and killing each other and, um, so yeah, kindness is really up there for me.
[39:41]Because also with truth, everybody really has their their own truth, their own perspective. So I think respect is another thing. So me respecting myself is number one and then me respecting, um, you know, other people and and where they're at.
[40:00]I mean, just like when when you started with the whole Bitcoin journey and you you talked to me about it. You know, I respected you and getting on this this new uh road of discovery.
[40:14]But I also needed to figure it out myself or, you know, be curious about it and I know you said you're not patient, but you were very patient with me. You never forced me. So I I always, um, respected you for for that. Yeah. So I think kindness and respect. I think the foundation of life and of course love.
[40:37]You know, just love each day because that's what we got right now. We got we have our our now.
[40:45]That's all we have. I love that. Yeah, treat others as you would like to be treated. And that is one reason I do not call myself a toxic maxi. I have no problem if other people call themselves that, but I don't want to label myself as a toxic maxi because I want to be I'm a maxi.
[41:03]But come to Bitcoin whenever you're ready and uh because we need people to adopt this. We we don't we don't need people to be chased away because Bitcoin survives as more people find it too. And it'll survive even if they don't.
[41:20]Because it's it's run by energy and it just keeps going. Tik Tok next block. But um, I really appreciate you being on today and your very positive message. That's why I love you. And I love you too. And this will be the first and only time we say that.
[41:43]I mean. Well, nobody goes till the end anyway, don't worry. Let's not say nobody. There are some. There are some really great audience and fans who who do watch my shows and support because I I can be honest with you. You know, I'm I'm a little older. We're, you know, both in our 50s. And it's not the best time to start a podcast.
[42:07]The best time is in your 20s. The next best time is in your 30s probably. But but I think that everybody has a voice. And that's what I'm going to Vegas to talk about is that, uh, everybody has a voice. And if you feel a calling to do it, there are at any age. It is possible. It's just, you got to keep going.
[42:32]I totally agree with you. And I think the time is now. You know, whatever anyone else wants to do. And yeah, of course, it's it seems better to do things when you're younger, but also you have the experience and knowledge. So, you know, just like with Bitcoin, you you get in it when you get in it.
[42:55]And just like you got in it in the podcasting, uh, when you got in it. And I think you're doing brilliant and a lot of people that are, you know, 40 and up, uh, could relate to you better than uh, maybe a 20-year-old that we watch. So I think you're perfect, Paula. And I'm so happy that you you're going to Las Vegas and also to Prague.
[43:18]So let's keep going on our journeys. And we're we're all on different parts of our journey. Just keep going and keep spending a little more time in Bitcoin and learning. I really appreciate you being on today. Tell us where. Thank you for having me.
[43:35]Tell us where people can find you. I'll put links to the meetup in Arizona below. And I I know you're on X but not a lot. Okay. Yeah, you can find me at uh flexfit.studio for my uh website. If anyone's in Arizona and needs a great massage therapist.
[43:57]That's right. Or I will travel. Thank you. Thank you, Paula.
