Mike Pirie on Growing Up in South Africa, Cybersecurity, Crypto Scams & Building New Skool Communities

Mike Pirie is a cybersecurity and technology leader with a risk-first lens on crypto; and one of the most unexpectedly fascinating life stories you'll hear. From being raised in a beach lighthouse hostel in Port Elizabeth to navigating apartheid-era schooling, mandatory military service, and eventually landing in South Carolina, Mike's path is anything but linear.

In this episode of Hair Stories with Carin Chantel, we get into the real stuff: Flock of Seagulls hair, painting himself with oil-based paint as a kid, and the honest journey of a receding hairline. But also; crypto. Mike entered in May 2020, grew a portfolio fast, got burned by scams, and turned those hard lessons into communities that help everyday people (especially busy parents) navigate decentralized finance with real security guardrails.

We also talk about his spiritual life, reiki mastery, a decades-long journaling practice, a bipolar misdiagnosis he only learned about two years ago, and what it means to parent a 27-year-old and a 21-month-old at the same time.

In this episode:

• Growing up in South Africa during apartheid & attending multiracial private school
• How mandatory military service led him into forensics, tech, and eventually Microsoft
• International career stops: Israel, the UK, Canada, and beyond
• Entering crypto in 2020; the wins, the scams, and what he learned
• Building crypto communities on Discord, Patreon, and now Skool
• Launching "Mystical Mic" a community rooted in spiritual practice
• "Palmetto Tech" tech support for solo entrepreneurs and mompreneurs
• Journaling, poetry, creativity, and trusting intuition
• A misdiagnosis that changed everything

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  Mike’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cryptoeasewithmike

  Follow him on Skool https://www.skool.com/@mikepi

  Mystical Mike Skool

  
  

  
  

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Album photo by: Hannah Pirie

HanSheng Lee discusses his professional and personal journey, highlighting his current work with the Art Collective International (ACI), a creative ecosystem designed to uplift and support artists. Lee delves into his childhood experiences growing up as a dual citizen of Taiwan and America, which involved a deep connection to nature, food, and art. He reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his plans to open a tea house, which ultimately led him to focus on ACI. Lee talks about his multifaceted approach to art and his entrepreneurial background, stressing the importance of collaboration, creativity, and kindness in business. The conversation also touches on the supportive community found on the Skool platform, contrasting it with the toxicity often present on other social media platforms.

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In this engaging episode, Ian shares his journey from Ohio to coaching and building 'The Fire Games' in Manchester. He emphasizes the importance of genuine relationships, joy in decision-making, and the need to confront life's challenges head-on. Ian reflects on his early ambitions in science and creativity, his unique approach to personal branding through his hairstyle, and his transformative experiences in business coaching. He discusses the critical role of confidence, agility, and authenticity in achieving success and fostering deep connections. Listeners are encouraged to take inventory of their lives, challenge perceived limitations, and live without regret.