Shay Carl — From Manual Laborer to 2.3 Billion YouTube Views
Image from Instagram
Shay Carl (@shaycarl) got his first computer at age 27.
He was a manual laborer for ages and uploaded his first YouTube video while on break from a granite counter top job.
Flash forward to today:
His SHAYTARDS channel now has roughly 2.3 BILLION views. Celebs like Steven Spielberg have appeared alongside Shay and his family.
He co-founded Maker Studios, which sold to Disney for nearly $1 billion.
He has been married 13 years and has 5 kids.
He has lost more than 100 pounds since his overweight peak.
Shay came to San Francisco to spend 2 days with me, we did a bunch of weird shit together (a lot of firsts for Shay), and we covered a ton, including:
The most important decisions and inflection points in his life
Tools of the trade and tips for creating on YouTube
Favorite books, quotes, etc. that he lives by
Stories he’s never shared anywhere before
And much, much more
If you only have 5 minutes, listen to Shay’s thoughts on the decisions that helped Maker Studios become a massive success.
Enjoy!
Listen to it on iTunes.
Stream by clicking here.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Want to hear another podcast related to YouTube stardom? — Listen to my conversation with Casey Neistat. In this episode, we discuss how one renegade filmmaker breaks rules, reinvents himself, and gets thanked for it (stream below or right-click here to download):
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QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
Selected Links from the Episode
Connect with Shay Carl:
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Shay Carl’s Instagram video with Joe Biden
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
Watch the first episode of SHAYTARDS
Watch Shay Carl’s first YouTube video or the leotard video
Check out Philip DeFranco’s YouTube channel
Check out Kassem G’s YouTube channel
Watch Amy Cuddy’s TED talk on body language and happiness
Check out Shay’s driver’s license (Don’t be alarmed by the video title. See 3:16 in the video.)
Listen to my podcast with Tony Robbins on priming
Learn more about Maker Studios
Shay Carl’s clothing company, Trixin
Join a diet betting pool to win or lose money with DietBet.com
Shay Carl’s vlogging equipment:
My simple podcasting equipment:
Zoom H6 | XLR Cables | Shure Microphone SM58
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
Shay Carl’s favorite podcasts:
The Joe Rogan Experience | Dear Hank and John | This American Life
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Learn more about Hank and John Green on their YouTube channel, the vlogbrothers
A Facebook page focused on cutting-edge technology – Hashem Al-Ghaili
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University
The Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith Jr.
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Read Chapter 2 of the Book of Mormon, The Book of Alma
Interested in immortality? Check out Transcendent Man with Ray Kurzweil
Want to learn about vlogging? Check out Vlogumentary
Captain Fantastic with Viggo Mortensen
Check out Boosted Board – Shay Carl’s favorite electric skateboard
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Use SocialBlueBook.com, a tool for influencers to find their value
Show Notes
Shay Carl’s origin story [11:05]
On growing up a Mormon [13:33]
What Shay looked for in a mentor [23:11]
On near death experiences [31:17]
On the duration between starting and experiencing success as a YouTuber [34:21]
How Shay got his first gig in entertainment [39:11]
How daily vlogging helps Shay choose to be happy each day [43:09]
A funny story about great driver license photographs [46:07]
When did Shay Carl realize daily vlogging could be more than a hobby? [50:07]
From grocery money to mortgage money on YouTube [52:55]
The day Shay Carl decided to drop out of college [57:41]
How Shay Carl defines success, and who is the first person who comes to mind when you hear the word “success?” [1:04:27]
Thoughts on how physical tranformation impacts your mental state [1:10:08]
Discussing alcohol abuse [1:12:57]
Important decisions that allowed Maker Studios to succeed [1:36:00]
The story behind Trixin Clothing [1:51:03]
Suggestions for someone interested in vlogging [1:56:42]
Shay Carl’s vlogging camera equipment and editing software [2:16:02]
Favorite motivational quotes [2:22:12]
Fatherhood tips for first-time dads [2:23:25]
Favorite podcasts and audiobooks [2:29:08]
Most gifted books [2:33:34]
Chapters from the Book of Mormon that can help non-believers [2:35:31]
What purchase of $100 or less has most positively effected your life [2:41:35]
Morning rituals [2:45:30]
If you could put anything on a billboard, where would it be and what would it say? [2:47:19]
Families are forever [2:48:08]
Advice to your 25-year-old self [2:51:05]
People Mentioned
Philip DeFranco
Kassem G
Danny ‘Diamond’ Zappin
Lisa Donovan
Casey Neistat
John & Hank Green
Ray Kurzweil
Morgan Spurlock
Matt Mullenweg
Eric Weinstein
