Have you ever wondered what it's really like
to become like a YouTube star?
Well, today we're gonna do a deep dive
into the world of Joe Sugg.
We're gonna be using his interview
on the Diary of a CEO podcast as our guide.
Yeah, that's a great one.
I know I was so excited to listen to that one.
Me too.
This guy went from like a roof thatcher
to just internet mega star,
like millions of subscribers by the time he was 22.
It's incredible.
Talk about a wild ride, but like behind the scenes
it wasn't all just like glitz and glam.
Joe opens up about like the pressures of fame
and some mental health struggles that he had,
and also just the need to constantly evolve
in like the world of online content.
Yeah, because that's like the thing with the internet,
it's constantly changing.
So fast.
Yeah.
Are you ready to kind of uncover
the real story behind the screen?
I'm ready, let's go.
Let's dive in.
It's just so fascinating how his story reminds us
that there's like often a human side
to these like larger than life internet personality.
And his journey like started way before YouTube, you know?
Oh for sure.
With a childhood that was marked
by both creativity and shyness.
Yeah, he wasn't always the confident guy we see on camera.
No.
He actually described himself as like a loud annoying child.
Oh wow.
Who later became pretty introverted as a teenager.
Interesting.
But that creative spark was always there.
Absolutely, he loved drawing
and he even created these like DIY radio shows
with his sister Zoe.
Oh, that's right.
It's like he was almost destined
for a career in entertainment.
Right, and speaking of destiny,
can you believe he almost became an animator?
Oh yeah.
He dreamed of working for Ardman animations.
The Wallace and Gromit people.
Yeah, can you picture him like sculpting
those iconic characters?
I can totally see that.
So wild.
It's amazing to think about like the alternate paths
our lives could take.
And speaking of alternate paths,
remember how Joe actually trained as a roof thatcher
for a while?
That's right, and here's where it gets really interesting.
Okay.
Imagine this, Joe's like up on a rooftop, work it away.
Yeah.
And suddenly he gets this email inviting him
to interview Simon Cowell in Los Angeles.
What?
Talk about a life changing moment.
That's crazy.
It's a perfect illustration of how the internet
can like catapult someone from obscurity to fame.
Overnight.
Practically overnight, one day you're working
in traditional trade, and the next,
you're rubbing shoulders with A-list celebrities.
Exactly.
It's no wonder he experienced some serious imposter syndrome.
Totally.
It's like how do you even process that kind of sudden shift?
And Joe admits that even with all that success,
he struggled with self-doubt.
Yeah.
It just goes to show that those feelings can creep in
no matter how accomplished you are.
It's a really important reminder that outward success
doesn't always equate to inner peace.
So true.
And Joe's experience kind of highlights a broader issue.
A mental health challenges that so many young creators face
in the world of online fame.
It's such a tough world.
Yeah.
Around 2016, 2017, he went through a period
of like intense burnout and anxiety.
I can only imagine.
He was juggling multiple YouTube channels,
book releases, appearances, all while feeling
this immense pressure to maintain this online persona.
It's like he was living a double life.
Yeah.
And it's understandable why he felt that way.
The constant demand for new content,
the pressure to engage with fans,
the scrutiny of being in the public eye,
it can all take a toll.
It's exhausting.
Absolutely.
And it's during this really challenging time
that Joe's story takes an important turn.
OK.
He recognizes that he needs help.
Good for him.
And reaches out to his sister Zoe, who also happens
to be a YouTube star.
Oh, wow.
That's so great that he had her to talk to.
It's such a crucial point.
Having someone who understands the pressures of that world
must have been incredibly valuable.
Absolutely.
And it highlights the importance of having
a support system, especially when you're
going through tough times.
Right.
And Joe didn't stop there.
He also sought help from a therapist.
Wow.
Which is such a powerful message.
It is.
It normalizes in therapy and shows
that it's OK to ask for professional support
when you're struggling.
It's a sign of strength, not weakness.
So true.
To acknowledge that you need help,
and Joe's willingness to be vulnerable
about his mental health journey can inspire others
to do the same.
Now let's talk about Joe's decision
to do strictly cum dancing.
OK.
It seemed like such a bold move at the time.
It really was.
What prompted him to step outside of his YouTube comfort zone?
Well, Joe was already starting to feel the need
to evolve as a creator.
Yeah.
He realized that the type of content that had brought him
early success might not resonate with his audience forever.
He even said that the kind of videos he made back in the day
probably wouldn't be popular now.
Yeah.
You know, the internet moves so fast.
It's so fast.
Audience tastes are constantly changing.
Exactly.
And that's where Strictly comes in.
OK.
It offered him this incredible opportunity
to try something new, connect with a different audience,
and show off a whole other side of himself.
Like showcase his dancing skills?
Yeah.
Plus, let's not forget, it's where he met his current girlfriend,
Diane Buswell.
Oh, that's right.
Who knew finding love on a reality dance
competition could be part of the YouTube success story?
It's certainly not the most conventional way to meet someone.
It's not.
But their relationship seems to be thriving.
Yeah.
And it's interesting how Joe initially had reservations
about dating so publicly because of his large female fan base.
Yeah.
That makes sense.
It's one thing to share your life online.
Right.
But navigating a relationship in the public eye
adds a whole other layer of complexity.
Absolutely.
But Strictly kind of forced them together.
Yeah.
In this unique high pressure environment,
they spent weeks rehearsing, performing,
and essentially living in each other's pockets.
With their crash course in relationship building.
Exactly.
And Joe even joked about seeing the best and worst of each other
during that time.
Oh, I bet.
It sounds like they really formed a strong bond
through that shared experience.
For sure.
And speaking of shared experiences,
have you heard the story about Joe and Diane being followed
by paparazzi while driving a borrowed Aston Martin?
No way.
Tell me everything.
So Joe had borrowed this fancy car.
Ooh, trying to impress Diane.
Yeah.
And as they're driving along, they
realize they have a photographer on their tail.
Oh, no.
Did they get caught?
Well, Joe, being the quick thinker that he is,
decides to have a little fun with the situation.
OK.
He tells Diane to crank up the James Bond theme song.
Are you serious?
That's amazing.
Right.
And thankfully, they managed to shake off the paparazzi.
Good for them.
It's a perfect example of Joe's ability
to find humor even in stressful situations.
He seems like a fun guy to be around.
And that's what makes his story so relatable.
Yeah.
He's achieved this incredible level of success,
but he's still grounded.
Yeah.
He's honest about his struggles, finds joy
in unexpected places, and doesn't take himself too seriously.
Exactly.
And that's why his story resonates with so many people.
He's a reminder that even those who seem to have it all
figured out are still on their own journey,
navigating the ups and downs of life,
just like the rest of us.
So what does all of this mean for us?
To a good question.
What are the key takeaways from Joe Sugg's experience
that we can apply to our own lives?
I think Joe's journey just highlights
a really important point.
It's OK to acknowledge and manage self-doubt,
that feeling of imposter syndrome.
It's something so many of us struggle with no matter
what we've accomplished.
Totally.
It's like that nagging voice telling you,
you're not good enough, even when you have achieved
some amazing things.
But Joe shows us it's possible to work through it,
like to push past those doubts and just keep growing.
Absolutely.
He also emphasizes the importance of seeking help
when you're facing mental health challenges.
Sure.
Joe's openness about his struggles with anxiety and burnout
is a powerful reminder that you don't have to go through
those tough times alone.
Yeah, it's OK to reach out.
And seeking help can come in different forms,
like reaching out to a trusted friend or family member,
like Joe did with Zoe.
Or seeking professional guidance from a therapist.
Absolutely.
There's no shame in asking for support whatever form it takes.
In fact, it's a sign of strength to recognize when you need
help and to take steps to get it.
So true.
Joe's story also highlights the importance
of adapting and evolving as our interests and goals change.
He went from creating those lighthearted YouTube videos
to exploring new avenues strictly
and writing a book about nature and the outdoors.
It's a great reminder that it's OK to pivot.
Totally.
To explore new paths and just let go
of what no longer serves us.
Our passions and priorities can shift over time.
And that's perfectly normal.
It's like he's saying, don't be afraid to write a new wave.
It's inspiring to see him embrace those changes
and continue to pursue his passions.
Let's not forget the importance of finding balance
between the online world and real life experiences.
Joe's shift towards nature and gardening, connecting back
to his roof-fatching days, shows us
that it's vital to nurture those offline connections
and passions.
It's so easy to get caught up in the digital world
with its constant demands for attention and engagement.
But Joe's story reminds us to step away from the screen
sometimes, to reconnect with ourselves
and the world around us.
And speaking of stepping away, Joe's decision
to move on from that peak of YouTube fame,
even though he could have easily just kept riding that wave,
is a powerful statement.
It sounds like he really needed to step back and reassess
his priorities.
It makes you think about your own goals.
Like, are you chasing someone else's idea of success?
Or are you building something that truly fulfills you?
That's such a powerful question for all of us
to consider Joe's willingness to step away from a platform
where he had achieved such massive success speaks volumes
about his commitment to personal growth.
For sure.
You know, he recognized that clinging to past triumphs
could actually hinder his evolution as a creator
and as a person.
It's almost like he's saying, don't be afraid to let go
of the way of your riding if it's no longer taking you
the direction you want to go.
There's real wisdom in that.
There is.
And it's a reminder that true success isn't
about clinging to like a fixed point.
But about embracing the journey of continuous learning
and exploration.
Joe Sugg's story is a testament to the power
of self-awareness, adaptability, and the courage
to redefine success on your own terms.
It really makes you think, like, what does success actually
look like?
Is it just about hitting those external milestones?
Or is it more about aligning with what truly matters to you,
even if it means taking a less conventional path?
Yeah, it's about recognizing that sometimes
the most fulfilling journeys involve detours
and unexpected turns.
Joe's story reminds us that it's OK to embrace those shifts,
to trust our instincts, and to redefine success
on our own terms.
He's shown us that you can achieve massive success online
and still prioritize your mental health
and your personal growth and those real world connections.
Yeah, find that balance.
Absolutely.
And his story is a testament to the power
of being open to new experiences and embracing
the unexpected.
Who would have thought that a roof catcher
would become a YouTube star?
Find love on a dance competition and then rediscover
his passion for nature?
It's wild.
It's like his life has come full circle in a way.
From building roofs to nurturing gardens,
he's found ways to connect his creative spirit
with his love for the outdoors.
It's really cool.
It's inspiring to see how he's, like, woven those seemingly
disparate interests together.
And I think that's a really powerful takeaway for all of us.
We don't have to limit ourselves to one path or one passion.
We can explore different avenues,
combine our interests in unique ways, and create a life that
feels authentic and fulfilling.
Joe Sugg's journey is a reminder that even those who seem
to have it all figured out are still evolving,
still learning, and still figuring things out along the way.
For sure.
It's a reminder that it's OK to embrace the journey
with all its twists and turns and to define success
in a way that feels meaningful to you.
And ultimately, that's what matters most, you know?
Yeah.
Finding what brings you joy.
Yeah.
Pursuing your passions and creating a life that
aligns with your values.
Joe's story is an inspiring example of how to do just that.
Really?
And it encourages us all to embrace our own unique journeys
with courage, curiosity, and a healthy dose of self-awareness.
That's it for our deep dive into the world of Joe Sugg.
What an inspiring story.
Yeah.
We hope you enjoyed it.
Me too.
Make sure to tune in next time for another fascinating deep dive.
See then.