You probably think that pickup as a thing is dead. You may think they’re dated, maybe even anachronistic, and misogynist to boot. There’s a good chance you even cringe at the concept, not to mention the horde of gurus who’ll be happy to sell you their best “lines” for a price.
Or maybe you’re into Erik von Markovik, the Canadian pickup artist who carved a career out of this kind of thing. Back in the day he was the king of pickup, going by the name of “Mystery,” and formed a group of guys to chat up women in nightclubs.
He’s made thousands of dollars “teaching” men how to pick up and date attractive women. The pickup artist (PUA) was the focal point of a 2005 book called “The Game” by Neil Strauss that became a New York Times bestseller.
He also featured on a VH1 show called The Pickup Artist. Markovik is now trying to get back into the spotlight to tell everyone that he’s all grown up now, and that he’s here to introduce version 2.0 of “The Game”.
In 2004, he set up a company called the Mystery Method Corporation, and two years later he started a new one called Venusian Arts. The updated version is called “3 Second Rule.” It’s based on the idea that men need to make eye contact with a potential target within three seconds of meeting them.
It’s an interesting venture for sure given the backdrop of the #MeToo era. Markovik has repackaged all of this to make himself seem sweet and charming rather than pushy.
What is Mystery Doing Now?
Now in his early 50s, Markovik is anything but retired. After nearly a decade away from live in-field training, he has returned to the arena in a big way, partnering with coach Rob Beckster to run bootcamps internationally.
Recent events have taken place in cities including Munich, Barcelona, and Las Vegas, with a world tour underway featuring planned U.S. dates in Dallas, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville extending into 2026.
He has also embraced online training, completing six live online workshops in 2025 in partnership with wingman Ablaze (Erik Carlberg), with further discounted sessions announced to make his training more accessible. His website, askmystery.com, remains the hub for bookings and content.
Beyond bootcamps, Markovik has been making a renewed push in media. He appeared on The Michael Sartain Podcast in both March 2024 and July 2025, discussing social dynamics and the impact of dating apps on modern pickup. He has also grown a social media presence of over 58,000 followers on Instagram, where he posts regularly.
One of his newer ventures is Headspace OS, a ChatGPT-enabled interactive audio experience focused on personal development and mindset, reflecting his broader move into self-improvement territory beyond pure pickup artistry.
He did go big when it comes to his overall net worth, which is estimated to be around $1.5 million. Mystery is definitely a mystery when it comes to his personal life. It’s unknown if he is currently in a relationship, though he does have two kids, a daughter and a son, and lists himself as a proud father in his social media bio.
It’s a different era, and Markovik seems aware of that. Whether the world is ready for another run from the original pickup king remains to be seen – but on the evidence of his packed bootcamp schedule and growing online following, there are clearly still plenty of people who want to find out.
