Ep 424: How I Lost 1.2 Billion Dollars

16 snips

Sep 9, 2025

In this discussion, Jim Fortin shares how a missed opportunity to buy Bitcoin at ten cents cost him $1.2 billion. He explores the role of fear, uncertainty, and procrastination in losing chances for growth. Listeners learn the importance of acting swiftly on opportunities and how the past can hinder present decisions. The conversation encourages embracing change and taking action, highlighting that even imperfect steps can lead to personal development. Emphasizing awareness around financial decisions, it's a call to overcome limitations and seize potential.

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INSIGHT

Fear And Uncertainty Explain Inaction

Jim identifies fear and uncertainty as the two main reasons people forgo opportunities.
He links both to past conditioning that sabotages present action.

ANECDOTE

The $1.2B Bitcoin Miss

In 2009 Jim Fortin was told by Don Javier to buy Bitcoin at $0.10 and to hold $1,000 worth.
Jim and the 31 people in the room did not act and that $1,000 would be worth about $1.2 billion today.

ANECDOTE

Passing On Early Amazon

Around 2000 Jim was advised to invest $10,000 in Amazon but hesitated.
He later realized that waiting cost him a very large missed return.

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Start Your Transformation Now

In this episode of the Transform Your Life from the Inside Out podcast, Jim Fortin shares one of the biggest missed opportunities of his life—how not acting on advice to buy Bitcoin at ten cents a coin cost him $1.2 billion. Through this story, Jim explores the deeper lessons behind missed chances, fear, and procrastination, showing how hesitation keeps us stuck while action opens the door to growth.

This conversation isn’t about regret—it’s about how fear, uncertainty, and waiting for the “perfect time” sabotage us more than bad decisions ever could. Jim explains why opportunities slip away, how to shift your perspective around risk, and why action—even imperfect action—is the only way forward.

If you’ve ever looked back and thought, “I should have done that,” this episode will change how you see opportunities and give you the mindset shift you need to stop hesitating and start acting.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

Why Opportunities Slip Away (02:00)
Jim explains how fear and uncertainty cause us to ignore the chances right in front of us.

The Bitcoin Story That Cost $1.2 Billion (08:00)
The now-famous moment when Jim was told to buy Bitcoin at ten cents—and why he didn’t.

Fear, Uncertainty, and Procrastination (15:00)
Why waiting for the “right time” is the surest way to lose opportunity forever.

How the Past Sabotages the Present (22:00)
Your fears and limitations come from the past—and they keep you from acting now.

The Only Time You Have Is Now (25:30)
Why opportunities only exist in the present moment, never in the past or future.

Action as Salvation (36:00)
Jim’s biggest transformational takeaway: growth only happens when you take action, no matter the outcome.

Listen, apply, and enjoy!

Transformational Takeaway

Action is your salvation. Every moment presents an opportunity, but waiting, fearing, or second-guessing only guarantees loss. When you choose to act—even if the outcome is uncertain—you grow, evolve, and move forward. Don’t wait for tomorrow; it never comes. The time to act is always now.

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With gratitude,
Jim