01) You explore so many remote locations, what’s the most unexpected thing you’ve encountered while out in the middle of nowhere?
Probably the most unexpected thing I’ve found in the middle of nowhere was a very nicely built wooden deck with a bunch of clawfoot bathtubs that were plumbed to allow hot spring water to fill them. There were even hooks to hang your bathrobe! It was like stumbling onto a spa in the middle of a cow pasture –which was way, way, way, WAY out in the middle of nowhere –even by my standards!
I had gone to this location knowing there was some kind of hot spring there, but according to my guide book, it was just a muddy little ditch and I wasn’t expecting much. So when I saw the whole bathtub setup, I really freaked out!
Unfortunately, it is no longer there. The BLM dismantled it, as it is against the law to build any kind of permanent structure on public land. So I only got to soak there once, but it was wonderful.
02) What’s one thing you wish more people knew or understood about remote exploration?
That it isn’t anywhere near as scary and dangerous as others make it out to seem. Watching the news, you’d think there were serial killers behind every bush, and meth labs in every abandoned shack. As someone who has spent way more than my fair share of time exploring very desolate areas, I can state for a fact that this is not the case 99.99% of the time.
But the news does this because they know fear sells. People like to be scared, and businesses like to sell them alarm systems, guns, window bars, etc. It’s also easier to control people when they are afraid.
And it’s not just the news –other YouTubers are the worst about this! Certain of my direct competition is guilty of this, and it makes me want to puke. I get it — acting like everything is 10 times scarier than it really is will get you views, but it’s so fake, and obviously just a cash grab.
Yes, of course trouble could befall you in remote areas –so you just have to be prepared. Drive a capable, well-maintained vehicle with good, well maintained tires, let someone know your travel plans, and/or bring a satellite phone so you can call someone if something happens. Watch where you step, and where you put your hands (snakes etc), and make sure to carry plenty of food and water in case you do get stranded for a few days.
It’s all relatively simple and straightforward. Yeah, it’s kind of a lot of preparation work….which is why many folks prefer to just stay home and watch remote places on YouTube! Which works great for me!
03) You’re such an open book on camera! How do you balance authenticity with the privacy of your personal life?
I don’t, unfortunately. At this point, after about 8 years of YouTubing, I have no personal life. I actually don’t mind being an open book — I have long adhered to the principle of radical transparency. Basically, the fewer secrets you have, less you have to worry about. Like, most people would worry about nude photos of them leaking to the press –well, guess what? All my nude photos are already out there. So no one can hold that over me or try to blackmail me or anything like that. It’s very liberating!
Of course I do hold certain personal beliefs that I don’t talk about online, simply because I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, or alienate anyone who is enjoying my content. People are always curious about where I stand politically, but I don’t really talk about that online. If I did, I would probably alienate everyone who watches my channel in one way or another, across the entire political spectrum!! But I feel it isn’t relative to what I’m doing, so I don’t talk about it.
My personal life, such as it is, it’s probably a little spicier than my viewers would expect –but not in any exciting way. I just cuss more, and I’m way, WAY more vulgar.
Other than that, I am pretty much exactly how I present on YouTube, and I like that. That way I don’t have to put on a front or an act. I just clean it up a little for public consumption!
(The reason I said “unfortunately”at the beginning of this answer is that I do feel like my YouTube success has come at the cost of my actually having a personal life. I have absolutely zero free time to spend doing the things I enjoy –literally every second of every day is filled with shooting, editing, responding to email, etc. I don’t know what I would do if I did have a romantic partner –I just don’t even have the time for that, which I feel like is kind of a bad thing that I need you examine)
04) What are some of the biggest challenges that come with creating content while on the road?
Biggest challenge is finding strong enough Wi-Fi to upload YouTube videos! I have struggled with it for years!!
I used to do a lot of work at Starbucks, but the music is loud and distracting when I’m trying to score a video, plus then you have to buy coffee or whatever to justify sitting there all day. Nowadays I much prefer going to public libraries to work, because it’s quiet and free. Downside is every time you get up to go to the bathroom you have to pack everything up so no one steals your laptop.
So I would say the one biggest advantage about being at home is that I am able to sit and work in my office, with good Wi-Fi!
05) How do you stay motivated and inspired, especially when dealing with the ups and downs that come with being a content creator?
It’s a huge challenge, but my m.o. is “The show must go on!” So even if I’m freaking out about stuff, which I very often am, I plaster on a smile and just do my job.
I am very good at putting on a brave face and just gettin’er done. If my viewers only knew how many times I was bawling my eyes out and screaming just before I shot a video, they would be surprised!
This might sound melodramatic, but I’m here to tell you that being a content creator is actually a very toxic line of work for a sensitive person like me. I am constantly questioning my self-worth based on the number of views I’m getting in the amount of money I’m making, which is all kinds of messed up.
If I was serious about living a happy life, I would probably quit YouTubing altogether… but I’m kind of addicted to it. I thoroughly enjoy exploring weird stuff and making videos about it! I just need to learn how to not care if the content I want to create performs well.
06) As a 4Runner owner myself, do you think you’ll ever find another vehicle that can match its capabilities?
I’m probably going to buy another 4Runner soon. I can’t say enough good things about that particular car! It is tough, capable, reliable, and big enough to sleep in. The gas mileage sucks, but that’s about the only downside.
Every now and then I consider getting a van and trying van life…..but I would sacrifice so much mobility. I like being able to get into these little nooks and crannies that vans and RVs can’t. Even some badass 4×4 adventure van has a longer wheelbase than I do!
So for now, I can’t think of anything other than a 4Runner that suits my needs. It is unique in its class.
07) For those just starting their YouTube journey, or have a small channel like mine, what’s one piece of advice for them?
When I first started to get serious about my channel, I watched a bunch of videos teaching you how to succeed at YouTube, and the one thing they all stressed was consistency! Pick a day of the week to upload new content, and stick to that. No matter if your boyfriend broke up with you or you’re sick or you’re traveling or whatever….the show must go on. As mentioned above, many’s the time I have bawled my eyes out the night before (or even the morning of) a video I shot…..but I still sacked up and did it.
If you are consistently putting stuff out, you will grow a following.
08) Is there a particular location or destination that you’ve always dreamed of exploring? Why?
I’ve always wanted to go to the Chernobyl exclusion zone!! I’m fascinated with abandoned places and horrible stories, and that fits the bill better than just about anywhere I can think of! An entire abandoned city, being overtaken by nature, in the shadow of a giant radioactive disaster covered up with a concrete sarcophagus. Better than Disneyland!!
09) Is “Chipotle” the only thing you miss about living in Las Vegas?
I miss a lot about living in Las Vegas. Everything was so much easier there –shopping, services, medical care, the list goes on and on.
But the thing I miss the most unexpectedly is people! I like to be in the middle of nowhere, and I definitely like my alone time.. but it can be frustrating to be stuck in a tiny outpost with only a limited pool of people to interact with.
As much as I complained about the population of Vegas being a bunch of fake idiots… I have come to really appreciate the weirdness and uniqueness of Las Vegas. It’s such a bizarre place, and there’s a little bit of everything, for everyone.
10) As a huge Huell Howser fan myself, I’m curious—what do you think he would say if he saw your videos?
Golly — I hope he would have something nice to say! I am a huge fan of his, although late to the party. I never watched any of his stuff growing up, but one of my friends told me about him about 10 years ago and he was a definite inspiration for what I’m doing. I’m so sad I never got to meet him, because he seemed like a truly wonderful person….but then again, it could have just been an act. I certainly hope not, though!! I love the idea that someone like that existed at one time, and found great popularity and success.
11) Where do you see your channel in the next few years?
This is the toughest question of all, because I have absolutely no idea. YouTube keeps changing things in its algorithm, and my income has been steadily declining the past few years because of it. But I don’t really have an idea of anything better to do, so I’m just going to keep grinding along, making less and less money, until I guess finally one day I just can’t justify the work involved for the amount of money I’m making. I seriously don’t know what else to do.
I mean, on the one hand, it would be nice to think that virality is just around the corner, and despite the fact that I’ve been banging away for 8 years and still only have 280k subscribers, I will eventually claw my way to the top. But I’m a realist, and I don’t see that happening. I just have to figure out a way to keep having fun and enjoy what I’m doing, while still making enough money to make all of the work worth it.
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