Ask Nicky Anything About His Past Thread.

[nickycakes]

Since this seems to be a hot topic I figured it could use its own thread.

Here are the basics:

Prior to 2003, I was living a pretty bad life, complete with drug addiction and everything involved. This eventually led to me being homeless, abandoned basement style, and eventually being caught for all the stuff I had been fucking up for the previous couple years. This resulted in me in jail on christmas eve '02 with many charges of many kinds, mostly drug and a few computer related (this is where 'reformed blackhat' comes from, it has nothing to do with 'blackhat seo' which isn't really 'blackhat' anything in my book).

This ended up being the major turning point in my life, and made me realize that my options were to change, be locked up for the rest of my life, or end up dead. I started the long process of changing my life including my 4th rehab, halfway house, and a 12 step recovery program which I am still actively involved with today.

I was able to get a decent lawyer and only ended up with 6 felonies (yes this is a lot, but there were a lot of charges that dropped. i got off easy) and was given 2 years backup, 5 years probation, and time served for the couple months I had already spent in jail.

After a couple years of putting my life back together, my parents wanted me to go back to school, and I enrolled in Harvard's extension school program, which lets you work your way into a Harvard degree program if you perform well enough. I hate school, and since I didn't have much money, I started affiliate marketing, which eventually took off, and allowed me to leave school and live my dream of being my own boss.


So, if you have any questions about my past or related topics, please ask and I will answer the best I can.

Good things to ask about: Drug addiction/alcoholism, 12 step programs, the stories behind any of my convictions (gta, forgery, theft over, burglary, uttering, and a federal compter crime), state/federal probation, drug culture (especially drug culture in west baltimore) etc.

Things I won't talk about: People other than me, including my family, past relationships, etc. I can say that I now have a great relationship with my folks who are now really happy with where I'm at.

I'll be deleting any drama posts in here, so be a retard elsewhere. Hopefully this will help someone, since close to 50% of the US population is related to someone with a serious drinking problem.

Keep it real.

[Bofu2U]

How long did it take after quitting (drugs, alc, etc) to notice a difference in motivation or general drive? I've heard people say things from "I felt it the next day" to "it took months". Trying to get a better understanding of this, as I have a few friends going through the "west baltimore lifestyle" at the moment as well, though they may not admit/realize it fully.

[Magic Hat]

Where can I get decent bud in Baltimore

[Infinite Keith]

I'm interested in the story behind the forgery charges. It sounds like you printed up some money on a computer to buy dope. Whats the story? How did you get caught?

[barman]

how much H did you do?

uttering? Don't tell me you sucked dick for coke man!

[gerMAN]

who's the real clay davis?

[tygoldberg]

who cares.

what everybody is wondering about,


























do you have any wincest stories?

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by Bofu2U

How long did it take after quitting (drugs, alc, etc) to notice a difference in motivation or general drive? I've heard people say things from "I felt it the next day" to "it took months". Trying to get a better understanding of this, as I have a few friends going through the "west baltimore lifestyle" at the moment as well, though they may not admit/realize it fully.

That's a bit hard to answer, and I think different for everyone. My motivation was not going back to jail, for the most part, and knowing myself, I didn't think I'd be able to stop the life I was living, so for a while I just shut the fuck up and did what anyone told me to. I was completely crazy for the first year or so, but after that I really started working hard to start making the life I wanted.

[tygoldberg]

Originally Posted by gerMAN

who's the real clay davis?

YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.

[Bofu2U]

Originally Posted by nickycakes

That's a bit hard to answer, and I think different for everyone. My motivation was not going back to jail, for the most part, and knowing myself, I didn't think I'd be able to stop the life I was living, so for a while I just shut the fuck up and did what anyone told me to. I was completely crazy for the first year or so, but after that I really started working hard to start making the life I wanted.

Got ya, thanks.

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by Magic Hat

Where can I get decent bud in Baltimore

No idea, I got bored of weed when I was 16 anyway.

[harrymouni]

I really should be working, but I'm a sucker for AM drama...

Can you divulge what the Federal computer crime was? What was the hardest drugs you were taking? Do you not even drink alcohol now?

Not that I know ya, but you seem like you come from good stock, good family and shit, what the funk made you do all this shit at 18?!

[zimok]

I didn't know about the 12 step program, read up on wikipedia, there seems to be numerous statements about 'god' etc..

1. Did you get through this with your own personal willpower or did you metaphorically surrender yourself to your personal representation of a god?

2. What's the primary source of your motivation today? [Edit:Pretty much answered this with bofu2u's reply, but if you feel like elaborating more]

3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

[BigWill]

How much drugs did you do?

I bet I win lol

[Infinite Keith]

Originally Posted by harrymouni

Not that I know ya, but you seem like you come from good stock, good family and shit, what the funk made you do all this shit at 18?!

YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.

[HiGhPeR]

Nothing wrong w/ your passed man.. it sounds like you grew up and got your shit together..Props & good job.

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by Infinite Keith

I'm interested in the story behind the forgery charges. It sounds like you printed up some money on a computer to buy dope. Whats the story? How did you get caught?

I'd have to go back and read the court documents on my cases, since It was quite a while ago and I can't remember which ones got dropped, and which ones stuck.

I have 2 related convictions, forgery, and uttering. IIRC, the forgery was for the counterfeit money, and the uttering was for writing fake checks.

As for how I got caught with the fake money thing:

I was under investigation for dealing, and one tactic the state uses for these kinds of things is called a "trash rip." Basically, since the trash you leave out on the street is automatically public property, they can legally come at 3AM on trash days, grab all your trash, and bring it back to the station and go through it for evidence. They found scraps of printed money, and then called the secret service who handles money couterfeiting cases. Needless to say, the secret service has their investigation game on lock.

Originally Posted by barman

uttering? Don't tell me you sucked dick for coke man!

Uttering was for stealing checks from people, writing them to myself, and then going to the bank to cash them. One of the stupidest things you could possibly do.

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by barman

how much H did you do?

At the end, I was doing a couple hundred worth a day. Enough to kill a few people with no tolerance. That made for a pretty bad withdrawal in jail, but at least you can't die from kicking opiates like you can from alcohol or benzo (xanax, etc.) withdrawal.

[Human]

I'm interested to know the story behind the grand theft auto charge. That seems like quite the story.

Also, what kind of paper did you use to forge money on a home computer? Or did you purchase a press?

Did the computer crime have anything to do with a bot mentioned in the movie Office Space?

And how has this recent upbringing of your past affected you personally currently, if at all?

Six felonies to Affiliate of the Year, I'd say you're doing extremely good for yourself, Nicky. Keep on keepin' on.

[evelynds]

Nothing but respect, cakes!

I don't understand why in the fucking world all that drama came about in the first place. You launched a product. It had a price. Those who saw use in it paid said price and got what they sought. Where's the fucking issue?¿ Haters gon' hate, sure... but as reasonable businesspeople we should applaud initiatives.. Not burn them down!

One thing a lot of folks seem to overlook with [affiliate] marketing, is that many of these products are paid for in time. Perhaps a DP programmer can put together something similar at $100 one-off. Perhaps someone is a programmer himself and 'could do it for free lol' -- but the person looking to implement a due diligence layer on to his apps quickly, pre-researched/developed and ready to go? Honestly he's only looking for a solution. And if cakes made that solution and offers it at $50/mo, and the person looking for that solution finds that its features do what he's seeking..... imo it's a closed deal and everyone can toast a Whiskey!

I really don't see the nature behind all this hostility.

The only thing I /could/ possibly imagine is some hidden built-up animosity towards the Cakes, after being directly or indirectly flamed on his website in some way. Some of the 'people coverage' posts on nickycakes.com make me blink twice at consequences too, gotta be honest there.

Still I'd say Cakes is a real down to earth, resourceful and likeable dude, No homo.

PS: what's with all the story exhibitionism?? i don't think cakes is proud of any of this. if he were, he'd be writing motivation bestsellers now instead of marketing =p

my past's been pretty wild myself. i sometimes joke they could prob base the mission impossible 5 script based off my life alone, lol.

[mj1133]

how did you like Harvard?

[Jon]

Nicky, you can't go making a thread here and then deleting posts in it because you disagree with them, even if they are overly retarded and useless. That's censorship and if you remember back to how upset you got with me when I was doing it to you, it works both ways dude. Just let people say what they want and don't take it so personally, ya know?

[Jon]

Originally Posted by gerMAN

who's the real clay davis?

If you have nothing good to contribute here, then don't post at all dipshit. I restored your post and the others because they shouldn't be censored but you're still being a retard.

[harrymouni]

nickycakes is an ex-junkie. mind = blown

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by harrymouni

I really should be working, but I'm a sucker for AM drama...

Can you divulge what the Federal computer crime was? What was the hardest drugs you were taking? Do you not even drink alcohol now?

Not that I know ya, but you seem like you come from good stock, good family and shit, what the funk made you do all this shit at 18?!

-The federal computer crime was some bullshit like "unlawful computer use". They had a bunch of other charges they were going to stick me with, but decided to not persue after I completely changed my life. Unfortunately, these assholes at this college I messed with wouldn't let up, and the feds were forced to charge me something like 4 years later.

-Hardest drugs? Toward the end it was speedballing (shooting coke/h mixed).

-No I don't drink anymore. Alcohol wasn't my biggest problem, but I'm not in recovery if I'm drinking. Do I think I would have alcohol problems if I drank these days? Maybe, maybe not, but if there's any chance that drinking would lead to me doing drugs again which would inevitably lead to jail or death, the choice is pretty obvious.

What made me do all this stuff at 18? Was fun, at first anyway.

[Infinite Keith]

Originally Posted by nickycakes

I'd have to go back and read the court documents on my cases, since It was quite a while ago and I can't remember which ones got dropped, and which ones stuck.

I have 2 related convictions, forgery, and uttering. IIRC, the forgery was for the counterfeit money, and the uttering was for writing fake checks.

As for how I got caught with the fake money thing:

I was under investigation for dealing, and one tactic the state uses for these kinds of things is called a "trash rip." Basically, since the trash you leave out on the street is automatically public property, they can legally come at 3AM on trash days, grab all your trash, and bring it back to the station and go through it for evidence. They found scraps of printed money, and then called the secret service who handles money couterfeiting cases. Needless to say, the secret service has their investigation game on lock.

Thank you for that. Were you ever able to use the printed money in a successful transaction?

[writtenstyle]

Once you got into AM, how and where did you learn the neccassry skills to become a super affiliate? Why were you able to do so good, when others fail all the time?

[moratraffic]

I don't know you personally but I do read your blog every now and then and respect what info you have shared in the past. But now I have real respect for you, because you are not just successful in am, but you also have went through some real shit most of us can't even imagine. /lovefest

Anyways, props to you for turning your shit around and don't worry about the drama.

[ricdes]

How many different people have you had sex with in your lifetime? (BE HONEST!)


nah man. props for this. I see why you never drink now.

[natewitt]

Do you see any irony in this situation?

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by zimok

I didn't know about the 12 step program, read up on wikipedia, there seems to be numerous statements about 'god' etc..

1. Did you get through this with your own personal willpower or did you metaphorically surrender yourself to your personal representation of a god?

2. What's the primary source of your motivation today? [Edit:Pretty much answered this with bofu2u's reply, but if you feel like elaborating more]

3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

1. I think the reason people need 12 step programs is because they don't have any willpower. If i had willpower to quit I'd have done it before my life got fucked up. As for the "god" thing, people who go to 12 step programs who are looking for an excuse to keep drinking will often say they don't want to believe in god as a reason for why the program "doesn't work for them". The reality of the situation is, 12 step programs don't require you to believe in a god, but a higher power, or something more powerful than yourself that can help you change. For me, for a while, that power was all the other people who were there trying to help me.

2. My primary source of motivation today is my love for what I do. I'm the type of person that gets really bored and lazy if I'm not extremely interested in what I'm doing. Luckily I've found a job that interests me and that I'm good at. For me, waking up and working is what I love doing, so it doesn't even feel like work.

3. 5 years probably married with a kid or two and a nice house somewhere quiet.

[HiGhPeR]

Well no shit? I didn't know that......

Originally Posted by nickycakes

At the end, I was doing a couple hundred worth a day. Enough to kill a few people with no tolerance. That made for a pretty bad withdrawal in jail, but at least you can't die from kicking opiates like you can from alcohol or benzo (xanax, etc.) withdrawal.

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by Human

I'm interested to know the story behind the grand theft auto charge. That seems like quite the story.

I'm glad you asked. I was in a halfway house after my first attempt at a rehab. They kicked me out for using someones bike without asking, so I came back in the middle of the night, broke in, and stole the halfway house van, and was arrested the next day after driving through the hood and buying drugs in said halfwayhouse van.

Also, what kind of paper did you use to forge money on a home computer? Or did you purchase a press?

Nothing sophisticated.

And how has this recent upbringing of your past affected you personally currently, if at all?

I work for myself, I don't really answer to anyone (no boss), and most of the people in the industry who know me more than in passing already know the basics of my past anyway.

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by mj1133

how did you like Harvard?

I hate school.

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by evelynds

PS: what's with all the story exhibitionism?? i don't think cakes is proud of any of this. if he were, he'd be writing motivation bestsellers now instead of marketing =p

I love writing, which explains the blog. Anyone who's attempted a blog can tell you that if you don't like writing and aren't extremely interested in your work, you can't keep writing about it.

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by writtenstyle

Once you got into AM, how and where did you learn the neccassry skills to become a super affiliate? Why were you able to do so good, when others fail all the time?

What the fuck is a "super affiliate" anyway? Ask anyone successful at ppc, and they will tell you that all it takes is trial and error, dedication, and a little creativity. I have zero official marketing training, so I'm certainly no guru. I just work harder.

[nvanprooyen]

Originally Posted by nickycakes

I'm glad you asked. I was in a halfway house after my first attempt at a rehab. They kicked me out for using someones bike without asking, so I came back in the middle of the night, broke in, and stole the halfway house van, and was arrested the next day after driving through the hood and buying drugs in said halfwayhouse van.

Wow. That is some crazy shit.

[Webwonder]

Damn dude, I'm glad you were able to get your life back together. You really went through hell.

[Garrett]

Props dude.... I grew up in a similar way so I can definitely relate. Good to see that you kicked everything and are doing well now.

Was H your drug of choice? Or were you the type (like me) who would mix/match everything?

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by Garrett

Was H your drug of choice?

yep.

[majorbta]

Originally Posted by gerMAN

who's the real clay davis?

omg i just cried form laughing so hard

[productionhead]

Shit just got real

[conv3rsion]

after H, what was your favorite drug and why? Least favorite?

3rd question, during all this, is there a particular situation that sticks out as "man I really fucked that person over"? If so can you talk about it?

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by conv3rsion

after H, what was your favorite drug and why? Least favorite?

3rd question, during all this, is there a particular situation that sticks out as "man I really fucked that person over"? If so can you talk about it?

Meh, I don't think any of the others really compared.

I can say there were quite a few people that were hurt in the wake of all the stuff I did during that time period. Part of 12 step programs is making amends for those things, which I've since done via paying back money, or simply apologizing. The worst is having to sit down with family members and make amends, but it feels really good afterwards.

[bgd2010]

cakes you have a great understanding of what the 12 steps are designed to be. i was a drug counselor for many many years, and the reason most people failed is the "lack of faith" excuse. That or "doesn't matter if I use today. god will forgive me."

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by bgd2010

cakes you have a great understanding of what the 12 steps are designed to be. i was a drug counselor for many many years, and the reason most people failed is the "lack of faith" excuse. That or "doesn't matter if I use today. god will forgive me."

Addiction really fucks with peoples heads. If someone hasn't been beaten down enough to where they want to stop, they will come up with an excuse for why they can't. It's really hard to see this fallacy in yourself until even like a year after being sober, which makes it really tough.

[xtacx]

I'm not sure what to think exactly at this point, lol@ this soft ass thread.

Ya its nice to know you overcame some odds, and I'm proud of you I really am - but big fucking deal. Go make iAma or something.

Half the AM's I know have a criminal and or druggy past, nothing new but I find it hilarious this comes up right after you caught feeling with that lockdown thread.

If you would have started this maybe two weeks ago it would be most interesting, and thoughtful but right now its such a blatant attempt to divert attention.

I mean I could care less about the lockdown thread either but it was amusing, and it is what it is, deal with it or don't deal with it, but don't start making soft ass threads about your hardships, that's some fugaazi shit.

[BrynYoungblut]

What were some of the federal charges? Forgive me if you already told them, there is way too much crap to read in the lplockdown thread. Also props for talking about your past and being open, I hate people that just hide online.

edit: was the computer crime the only Federal?

[nickycakes]

Moved a bunch of irrelevant posts to the drama thread where they belong. Please stay on topic or don't bother posting.

[nickycakes]

Originally Posted by BrynYoungblut

What were some of the federal charges? Forgive me if you already told them, there is way too much crap to read in the lplockdown thread. Also props for talking about your past and being open, I hate people that just hide online.

Yep, just read my OP. The federal charge that stuck was an unlawful computer use charge.