To answer the original question: Well, it all started with a goldfish that I didn't manage to kill. ... It finally died this year, but I think it was over 8 years old by then.
I got into koi because I bought a fish at Petco and not long after that I bought Koi Kichi (the first one, hardback) from Amazon. I also dug my first pond (with a pickaxe) and threw in a liner.
If I knew then what I know now, I'd be rich.
Now I know enough to know that there is alot I don't know. So I hang around here to learn more and perhaps help a few make their first pond their best pond.