From Gold Pan to Bitcoin: Michael O’Keefe on Proof of Work, Fatherhood and Going All In - Episode 4

Michael O’Keefe dredges for gold in freezing Alpine creeks, stacks Bitcoin every single day, and homeschools his kids in Queenstown. He holds both kinds of hard money: one dug out of the ground, one secured with energy. Nell sits down with Michael to talk about how a birthday gold pan turned into a mining claim, why it was Bitcoin (not gold) that taught him about money, and how listening to The Bitcoin Standard in a digger changed his life. He bought near the top, held through the drop, and came out with more conviction than ever. They also get into his 500 day Bitcoin stacking challenge, having his first son at 17 and getting a second chance at fatherhood, why he’s moving away from the word “homeschooling”, and stepping into the ring because his teenage son said “if you do, I will.” Michael is speaking at the Sovereignty Summit, 2 and 3 April 2027, Coronet Peak, Queenstown. Tickets at SovereigntySummit.nz Chapters 00:00 Listening to The Bitcoin Standard in a digger 00:35 Welcome Michael O’Keefe 01:03 How do you become a gold miner in 2026? 02:30 Seven mil wetsuits and four degree creeks 05:14 From a gold pan to a mining claim 07:40 Gold didn’t lead him to Bitcoin 09:43 Buying in near the top 11:52 Holding through the drop 15:07 Women in Bitcoin: curiosity vs trust 16:30 The 500 day stacking challenge 20:58 Gold, calisthenics, homeschooling and Bitcoin 23:24 A dad at 17 and a second chance 26:36 Moving beyond “homeschooling” 29:22 The seven pillars of the Sovereignty Summit 31:21 Talking to your kids about Bitcoin 34:32 Fighting alongside his son 37:44 Calisthenics and small daily habits 39:41 “My journey is enough” Follow on X: @SovSummitNZ and @TheBitcoinBasin Instagram: @sovereigntysummitnz and @thebitcoinbasin Follow Michael: Instagram @*michael_0keefe* Tiktok @michaelOkeefe *Tickets to the Sovereignty Summit *https://sovereigntysummit.nz/ Music licensed through Soundstripe. License code: 7EZPPWBNVNTCLKXI #Bitcoin #Sovereignty #NewZealand