How I lost $2,000,000 and why I left YouTube

Summary

In this candid video, the speaker reflects on their past mistakes, personal growth, and the lessons learned from their YouTube career. They share how their initial success led to a sense of invincibility, resulting in poor financial decisions, including promoting a stock without disclosure. After facing consequences and experiencing humility, the speaker emphasizes their journey of self-improvement, financial recovery, and accountability. They return to YouTube with a focus on honest, transparent content, aiming to help others in similar situations by sharing their financial journey and a slower, safer approach to trading.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on their past mistakes and how those experiences shaped their personal growth.
• 😀 They describe the process of learning humility and the importance of self-awareness in achieving happiness.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the value of being content with oneself, rather than seeking approval from others.
• 😀 They share that, despite their past success, they struggled with maintaining genuine relationships and had a need for validation.
• 😀 The speaker acknowledges a specific mistake where they were paid to promote a stock without disclosure, taking full responsibility for it.
• 😀 They clarify that this was the only instance of such behavior, and they have not repeated it since.
• 😀 The speaker reveals that they are currently in debt and are seeking to make positive changes to improve their financial situation.
• 😀 They plan to return to YouTube, not only for financial recovery but also to share their journey of personal and financial growth.
• 😀 The speaker intends to provide value to their audience by documenting their journey in managing finances and getting out of debt.
• 😀 They highlight their approach to finance, focusing on long-term investment, managing money more responsibly, and avoiding high-risk trades.
• 😀 The speaker stresses the importance of taking small, gradual steps to rebuild their life, using the metaphor of stacking bricks to build a house.
• 😀 They encourage others in similar situations to take a slow, deliberate approach to improvement, even if progress feels slow.

Q & A

What was the speaker's mindset when they first experienced sudden success on YouTube?

The speaker felt invincible and believed they could do no wrong, as sudden fame and success on YouTube fundamentally changed their psychology. They saw themselves as someone above mistakes.

How did the speaker's view of themselves evolve over the course of their journey?

Over time, the speaker learned to be humbled by their experiences, realizing that they were not invincible and that they could make mistakes. They also learned the importance of being at peace with themselves, focusing on personal growth rather than external validation.

What major lesson did the speaker learn from their time on YouTube?

The speaker learned the importance of personal accountability and self-reflection. They realized that their past actions, driven by a desire for external approval, were misguided and ultimately led to negative consequences.

What specific mistake did the speaker admit to making during their time on YouTube?

The speaker admitted to being paid to promote a stock (ZKIN) without disclosing the payment to their audience, which they later recognized as a serious ethical lapse.

Why did the speaker promote a stock without disclosure, and how do they justify their actions at the time?

The speaker's justification was that, at the time, they were not well-off and were motivated by financial need. They were offered money to promote the stock and, in the context of a booming crypto market, they chose to accept the offer, prioritizing the potential benefits over ethical transparency.

What steps has the speaker taken to address the consequences of their actions regarding the paid promotion?

The speaker took accountability by publicly admitting the mistake and explaining their rationale at the time. They also made it clear that this was a one-time occurrence and that they have not made similar mistakes since then.

How has the speaker's approach to finances changed since their earlier mistakes?

The speaker has shifted to a much more cautious and responsible approach to finance, avoiding high-risk behaviors and adopting a safer, smarter strategy for managing their money and investments.

What are the speaker's two main goals as they return to YouTube?

The speaker's primary goals are to get out of debt and share their personal journey of financial recovery with their audience. They aim to provide value through their experiences and insights.

How does the speaker plan to rebuild their financial situation and approach YouTube moving forward?

The speaker plans to take a slow and steady approach to rebuilding their life, focusing on long-term, less risky investments, saving money, and managing debt. They intend to create content that shares their financial journey with a real, transparent approach.

What does the speaker mean by 'building a house one brick at a time' in the context of their life and YouTube return?

The speaker is using the metaphor of 'building a house one brick at a time' to emphasize the importance of taking small, consistent steps toward their goals. This approach reflects their intention to rebuild their life and career gradually and methodically, rather than expecting instant results.