And to answer your initial question:
You made me believe that crap was beatable, so up to this day I believe I can overcome the odds when somebody offers odds on an under18 women basketball game between Madagaskar & Mali or some bushleague soccer game in the middle of nowhere in Norway...
In general just seemed easier & more fun than bum around at an office job for 10-12hrs per day, so why not at least have some fun: No risk, no fun, right?