[roel_v]

"I'm impressed that you managed to navigate this area. It sounds like you have a very intelligent approach."

To be honest, it's likely more survivor bias than skill or successful execution of a preconceived plan. This is important to recognize as I'm asked a few times a year how to end up in the place I'm in, but I don't think there is a solid path to do so, nor am I in a position to give advice beyond the standard 'think hard, work hard, keep your eyes out for opportunities, pay yourself first'.

Just saying - in case anyone is reading this in the hope of steering their career one way or the other, don't take the answers I gave here as anything more than an anecdote :)