Wait wtf founders are taking liquidity in second rounds?!

Had I known this was possible I would have totally changed my strategy years ago.

I've founded 3 startups and always thought I could only take out whatever ramen salary I could defend to the most scrutinizing investors. I've given a heck of a lot more in employee bonuses than I've ever taken directly out of the investor pot, where was this "de-risk your own life" essay all those years ago!