#fastforpeace “My 15 Day Fasting Journey to explore mental resilience and celebrateBitcoin”

After 15 days water-only fasting just before breaking the fast.

Those who know me know that I embrace challenges with a strong passionate curiosity. Physical endurance and mental resilience is weaved into how I approach life which has led to what my three year old daughter calls me ‘ein Kaltduscher’. Having not showered with warm water for the past 4 years coupled with my regular/weekly plunges in cold lakes has tested my resilience to a certain degree. I have gotten used to the stares of passers-by eyeing my shorts and short-sleeves while they zip up their down-jackets in sub-degree temperatures.

With that said though, taking the water-only 15 day fasting journey took my
determination, resilience and curiosity to a whole new level. Since January 2022, driven by the knowledge that fasting strongly contributes to a healthy lifestyle, I have been regularly fasting for at least 30 hours every week. This routine has become a vital part of my life where my body craves the fasting days before they come about every Monday. Inspired by Russell Okung’s 40-day fast, in June 2023, I spontaneously joined him for 8 days, curious to see what this would do with my body and mind. Surprised at how good it felt and how much easier my body coped than I had thought, I vowed to
push my boundaries even further.
On October 15th, leading up to the upcoming celebration of Bitcoin’s 15 th year of Whitepaper Day, I decided to fast for 15 days without intaking any calories; essentially powering through with just water. Starting at 89.5 kg, I took on the challenge with the hashtag #fastforpeace, weaving a narrative that connected personal discipline with the global movement toward a separation of money and state.

I was surprised that the initial days were smooth sailing. I told my wife that it would be easy-peasy but then challenges emerged. Sleepless nights, fueled by my kids’ minor flu, tested my resolve. By day 4, I had already shed 5.1 kg, a testament to the body’s adaptability to water loss. To maintain muscle mass, I incorporated bodyweight exercises and stretching into my daily routine. On day 5, a 90 km cycling tour pushed me to the brink of exhaustion. However, those continued dips into cold water, I must
admit, provided moments of exhilaration, reinforcing the connection between body and mind. It is fascinating what the body is capable of when the mind is ready to play the same game.

Before and after the 15 day fast. About 12 kg lost.

The second week brought increased awareness, concentration, and occasional dizziness. Towards the end, cravings intensified, especially for red meat, setting the stage for a carefully planned finish line on Whitepaper Day. By day 12, I had lost over 10 kg, dipping below 80 kg for the first time since I was 18. On the final day, day 15, the feelings of exhaustion and cravings battled for dominance and as midnight crawled
closer, I knew that I would not be bound to the conventional advice of breaking such fasts slowly. I would listen to my body and since it was screaming for red meat, a dry-aged T-bone steak awaited me at the finish line.

The fast, I realized, is not just a physical ordeal; it’s an inward journey where mind and body converge, creating a heightened state of awareness, a meditation on life.

As my story unfolds, so does Team Satoshi, celebrating five years since the inception of “Tour de Satoshi” on the coming 3 rd of Jan.

Join us in the Running Bitcoin Challenge, a sportive start to the year, commemorating Bitcoin’s 15th birthday on January 3rd, 2024. With Fran Finney, we’re raising funds for ALS research, honoring Hal Finney’s love for running. The challenge ends on January 10th, marking the anniversary of Hal’s iconic “Running Bitcoin” tweet from 2009.