When reality crashes into you... Struggling as a Youtuber and a Father
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 พ.ค. 2024
- Not really much I can say to describe this video.
Give it a watch, and tell me if you have felt the same.
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/ @offroadcrusader - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
Mate, as an ex veteran who deployed when our second daughter was 10 months, and a toddler, all struggles are real. As a team, ur wife and kids will work through it. As a team is the key. Now that 2nd daughter is 18, and there's 5 of us.
One never fails, their just little life hiccups.
As a father and a husband, your family unit is everything.
We've had mates choose to bang out, what's left behind is devastating.
Best thing is to chat, and that's an awesome place to do it with that view, and a brew.
So chin up you no longer a Prado driver 😂, your a 200 series driver hahaha.
You’re bogged mate, life has slowed you down, there’s no rush you’ll slowly get traction and pull yourself out if someone doesn’t snatch you first.. You have succeeded in TH-cam don’t even question that, Very hard vid to share, hats off to you
Thank you so much for your comment mate, it really makes me feel appreciated in the tough TH-cam world!
Todd never look at the channel as a failure you might not have reached your expectations of where you wanted to be right now but your channel is certainly not a failure and your not a failure of a father you always put your kids first as any good dad would do, TH-cam will always be here you can always come back and give it another crack on your terms. I have always enjoyed your content brother can’t wait to catch up with you this weekend if you can make it bro!
And always remember
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new”
Thanks brother, wise words as always!
Yes lets brave this cold front together without awnings haha.
@@offroadcrusader we are gonna get smoked 😂
New Subscriber. Hang in there, life is a marathon not a sprint or series of sprints. Been there, and still practicing.
Hi Todd, love your honesty mate. By the way, you have achieved more than you know. Success is about challenging yourself and creating an opportunity. You have done that. Life is more than just getting likes on TH-cam. Being a father of four (much older than you) I understand the importance of family, having kids that are safe and healthy and also having a caring partner and being a good partner. If you have a passion keep going with it and ensure you have a back up plan. Sometimes things happen for a reason. Don’t let the pursuit of excellence be the enemy of good.
Thank you friend, your words help me feel better about where I'm at! Perfectionism is a double edged sword most of the time, but hey we work though our falicies and strive to be better!
Cheers mate, all the best!
hi bro all the way from Kenya. bought my Prado cause of your channel. its tough this life but we push on. wish I had your courage
Thank you for your kind words! I hope your Prado is serving you well, they are an awesome car!
Dude sorry to hear that things not working out the way you wanted do what you have to do for your family and I watched your videos with the 120 Prado because I also have one and it’s was very helpful you hang in there bro 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I just came across your channel, keep going . it will get better Im sure you will succeed
Just came across your channel subbed and notification is on
You will get throught it mate positive thoughts u and your family got this 💪👍🤙
Thanks mate, really appreciate it!
Mate you have to aim high and have a goal to reach. Where you are right now is just part of the journey!
I’ve made over 400 videos over the last 5 years. I’ve removed most of them. You tube is a creative outlet.
Tis a journey mate.
Thanks for sharing.
Todd, as a regular watcher over the last 6 months let me assure you that you haven't failed at TH-cam. I enjoy your channel and if you bring joy or entertainment to others, that is noble not a failure. Sorry it hasn't been a success, but you never chased the $$ , sponsorships etc that others do. Not being for sale is alright. Good luck with expanded family.
Total respect - followed your brilliant videos from the 120 days - keep goin mate
Mate, you’ve given it an awesome crack and you’re one of the most relatable characters out there. Hope to see you again soon mate, look after yourself and the family 💙
Cheers mate, really appreciate it!
“The one who falls and gets up is stronger than the one who never tried. Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying” -Roy T Bennett.
From one adventurous father to another, I really hope you’re doing ok Todd, I completely understand your frustration and pain!! I’ve followed your journey since the 120 days and really enjoyed all you have to offer (we both had 1kz-te’s and now 200 series together at roughly the same time too). You inspire me to get in front of the camera but my anxiety has too much of a hold over to be able to haha, so I’m absolutely in awe of what you’re able to achieve in your videos, I’d love to be able to propose half the things you’re able to do but mine are limited to mostly no talking haha 😅😅
I wanted to reach out to say it does get easier on the father front as time goes on, try not to beat yourself up too much along the way (although easier said than done) you’re a genuine, honest human and that’s what matters to me watching your content!! Don’t let the # of subs discourage you I think I have 50 at the moment and could only wish for half the amount of yours, you’re actually doing it and should be so so proud of yourself mate.
Keep your head up, keep your thoughts on track, keep your family close and the cruiser even closer haha, time will always move forward and your circumstance will always move forward with it.
Sending love mate ❤️
Mike - Xploring Five
Hey Mike, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment mate! 120 series and 200 series Brothers!
Thanks for your kind words, I do my best on camera and luckily you only get to see the best bits. Lots of outtakes when I film!
I'll keep your advice in mind moving forward with my family into the future. Hopefully we catch up on a track somewhere sometime!
Cheers
You are incredible mate, always love the content and I've appreciated everything you've given us. whatever you decide moving forward I'm with you and I hope it leads top a happy life for you. that's absolutely the most important thing
Thanks for your kind words my friend! I'll still be doing what I'm doing now don't worry. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
Hi Todd. I've watched a couple of your vids and found them really easy to watch because of your easy going and relatable nature. Great stuff. This video was obviously difficult for you to make and its a reflection of life - it's not always easy and there are some tough decisions that have to be made along the way. You should be very proud of what you have achieved with TH-cam and not be looking on it as a failure - its a wonderful achievement to put yourself out there and to actually do what you dreamt of doing. No one can take that away from you. 100% not a failure. As for being a dad and a husband...it ain't always easy but it does get better. Most dads have felt the way you feel and it takes strength to stay the course but you will start to see the benefits when the little buggers start kickin the footy with you and want to crawl under the car with you. Go look after your family and we'll all still be here if you decide it's right for you. Take care mate.
Allan, you've hit the nail on the head mate. Thank you for taking the time to write all that, it's very cathartic to read from someone elses perspective!
Can't wait until my boys get that bit older and I can do some fun stuff together.
Cheers buddy, stay safe!
Hurts to see this Todd and know you’re not in a good space! As a father of 2, who begun my parenthood journey at a very similar time as you, I understand the struggles you feel. What I learnt through becoming a father is that the every day battles of having with your children is far more rewarding then it is negative though.
The dark times with kids seem real dark.
The sleepless nights, the constant illness and the flow on effect it has on your relationships both at home and through your social network.
I always refer to it as character building, and like to remind myself that when the dark time passes, you will come out the other side feeling prouder of yourself, your wife and your kids then you can ever imagine.
Proud that you have done everything physically possible to be the father your kids need, and the husband and support your wife needs.
There is nothing more important in this world then family, and whilst there may seem at times your not doing a lot, you will pick up the pieces later when no one else can.
Hold tight man, this wave will pass and you will be better for it ❤
Beautiful, thanks mate!
Cheers Scott and Anna, really appreciate your comment!
It's amazing how our kids seem to do the smallest things to make us forget everything we go through for them, a smile, a nice comment, a hand hold. It's an intoxicating feeling and it leaves us chasing it more, working harder to spend more quality time with the kids.
Enjoy your Gibb trip with the fam! I will be following with great jealousy!
All very mich resonates with me, I’ve been there too. It’s good to keep going and struggle through, especially with the kids - just being there consistently means you’re not failing them. Keep reaching out for support, even to people you might not know yet. Plenty are there to listen and it certainly helps. Great honest video.
Thank you for your comment Andrew, hugely appreciate it mate!
Being there for my kids no matter what is a huge drive for me, and it's something that I know they will look back on and appreciate when they are older. We are still only human and sometimes we will struggle and fail, but all that matters is that we eventually get back up and be there for our kids.
Cheers Brother, all the best!
One of the most heartfelt moments I’ve ever watched on the tube… having gone through two kids one which was very difficult and in the end we had to accept the reality that our child has a life altering disability felt like life would never get better. I’m here to tell you Todd, life does get better. Support each other and look after each other first and your kids will reap the benefits. If you still enjoy creating then keep doing it, even small projects on that cruiser, after all that’s why I started following you…. Keep being real wear you heart on your sleeve, roll those sleeves up mate and dig in. You got this brother 🤛🏼
Thank you for your comment mate. I feel much better hearing from other parents about the light at the end of the tunnel. I highly commend you for sticking it through with your kids, especially with the knowledge and realisation of the length of your path. Massive kudos to you and your partner.
I'm enjoying seeing others (as well as yourself) tell me that they enjoy seeing me be genuine and honest on my channel. As a creator its easy to fall into the belief that I need to become like others to be worth watching, at the cost of my own character. I'm glad I can feel better moving forward being my own goofy, ecstatic and flawed self without my subscribers making for the door haha.
Cheers mate, hope to see you out there some day!
Thanks for your honesty Todd! I can resonate with you on the being a father side of it. Don’t be too hard on yourself, there is only so much you can do with babies etc, you just gotta realise that you help out the family in other ways, and can just do other jobs around the house to help out etc. As far as the TH-cam side goes, I’ve been here since your 120 Prado days. I’m sorry to admit that since you changed vehicle and made your channel more generic, it probably hasn’t been as much of a draw card for me. As I own a 120 myself, I found having that specific content drew me into watching it, but I can understand that it probably wasn’t a big enough niche for you, and also locked you into having to drive a specific vehicle. Unfortunately the 4wd TH-cam channel market is flooded with so many creators now, and you really need things to draw people in. My subscription list is so long now that I just can’t watch everything that comes through it anymore, so that’s when the dreaded clickbait actually helps draw me in haha! Aside from the Prado specific content, I have liked some of your reviews of things other people hadn’t really reviewed, at least not in a 4wding perspective, electric chainsaw being one of them that I can think of. I wish you all the best for your future, whatever that may bring!
P.S the thumbnail and title of your video is a perfect example of clickbait to draw people in, it worked on me 😜
Haha I'm glad the thumbnail worked on someone! :P
Thank you mate, your words mean a lot to read and reflect on. I suppose the catalyst of this video was the combination of all the hardships at once, and realising how far from my initial goal I was. But I still want to keep doing what I'm doing, and I will endeavour to keep showing up as a good dad that my kids will be proud of.
Cheers mate, look forward to chatting again!
Chin up mate, we will still be here supporting you for whenever the next episode comes out. Life is tough for millions of people and I know you well enough to see you and your amazing wife become bigger and stronger after everything settles down with family life
Cheers Blake, really appreciate it mate! We will have to tee up a trip sometime
take your time ,the TH-cam community is there for you.
G'day Todd, a great video raising many relevant points of running a business whilst juggling the demands of a young family. Firstly, don't sweat the TH-cam side of things. If it makes you happy, then keep doing it, but maybe find some other people eg. university/TAFE media students to do the stuff (like editing) you'd rather not do. Putting it aside for a while is also a good option to free up time to spend on yourself and your family. Importantly, the 'struggling father' discussion is one that many men should have, but don't. Best way to get through those tough times is with friends and family. As a father of three (all now adults in their own right), I speak from similar experience, and especially with the colicky child. Looking forward, I think the family-oriented series of Offroad Crusader is a natural progression (I watched the Leyland Brothers show on television when I was a kid) worth considering. Until the next video, look after yourself and take care.
Thank you for your comment mate, its brightened my evening to read your thoughts :)
Yes I think the strugging father topic is swept under the rug a lot, stigmafied with the notion that 'a real man is always a good father'.
By the sounds of a lot of these other replies I think we aren't alone.
Keep doing what youre doing mate, you are always welcome on my channel :) Cheers
Appreciate your honesty mate. I have two young boys as well and completely understand where your at. It is absolutely not easy and your definitely not alone with your struggles. So from one Aussie battler to another, I wish you and your family all the best with where ever you go to from here.
Thank you friend, its nice to know that I'm not the only one struggling with being a dad.
All the best to you and your family too mate!
Hi Todd don’t be hard on yourself mate. Ever since joined up to your channel you have put great content out there for people to watch. Just do whatever you can mate. We’re all with you. Take care of yourself and family. Have a good one mate. 👍🏻🇦🇺
Ross, thank you for your kind words mate, I really appreciate it!
It's good to know there are still the OGs from years ago who still follow the channel, and as a creator that's hugely inspiring.
Todd no worries mate whatever content you come up with it’s still gonna be good. You just take care of yourself and the family mate when you have good content coming your way. You’ll still produce good stuff. Hope to see you out on the track one day mate. I’ve got a Nissan patrol GU wagon and it’s a 1998 series. Just take care yourself mate and the family and you produce good content when it comes to you have a good one mate. 👍🏻🇦🇺
Life is always up and down...keep on doing mate ! :-)
Thanks, will do!
Hey Todd, first vid of yours to land in my feed. Youtubing can be a lonely game at times and yes the reward vs effort isn't there for some time for most of us. Generally, it's a time based thing as well for most of us, unless as you mentioned we happen to hit a particular niche that resonates with a demographic that spends a lot of time online.
Glad you're keeping at it, measure your success against yourself, not others. If you're growing and getting views, keep doing it and look for the 1%. LIke you I've managed to connect with other youtubers, some of which have been extremely helpful in providing suggestions and feedback.
Finally sounds like you've had a tough year mate and in some ways I can relate. Hats off to you and others who have the courage to make these kinds of videos. I agree there's a benefit for everyone knowing they're not alone. take care mate.
Good on you mate, I like watching your vedios. I have two kids and I am a father as well. I like 4*4 and I got a J120 Prado for the last 7 years and I am planning to replace it into a Lexus lx 570. I wish you all the best and be happy mate😊
Great video, mate. Everything will be ok. This will pass, and lifes goodies will come in time.
I've been through absolute hell in my life. My son died at 21 this time last year. Don't stress about the kids, it gets better. You'll always have challenges but once they hit primary school and more independence it helps a lot.
You're a good bloke Todd. Just stay present and let go of the past. It doesn't exist anymore. Only today does. You'll be ok 👍
Mate it sounds like you've had a really hard time with the loss of your Son. I can't even comprehend the pain you must be still going through. My hat off to you mate for lifting me up in my own hardships, really shows your strength of character.
Cheers mate, first drink is on me!
Mate, you've always come across as a really genuine and down to earth creator and as a fellow small creator from Perth, and Prado 120 owner, I've always enjoyed your channel. YT can be tough. I put very little energy into it and focus on my business which allows me to create content and I prefer it that way. Maybe don't focus on YT and instead focus on you, your family and feeling better. If you ever feel like a beer or a chat, I'm in!
Cheers mate, I really appreciate your kind words and watching the video!
Yes my priorities are needing to shift moving forward, but I don'w want to stop what I'm doing as I move forward.
Hope to see you out bush mate, first beer is on me!
@@offroadcrusader Good on you mate, understand completely and yeah, hope to see you out there!
Love you mate. Chin up, you’ve given me good times and that I can thank you for. Thank you Todd.
Thank you! That means a lot to hear! Hope you come along for all the future adventures!
The fact you hit post on the video shows that you haven’t failed, the growth of the channel is not something you can control directly, try and get back to the roots of why you started the channel and most importantly have fun doing it, as far as the parenting side of your struggles, it’s tough for a bloke when they’re so little, but as they get older and you can do more with them it gets easier, you’ll still have the “bad” days but over all it’s better, hope your mindset is doing better a week on
You gave it a red hot crack mate. Your videos have helped me a few times.
Take care, look forward to your next video
Cheers mate, that means a lot! I'm glad some people are getting value out of my videos to help them on their own offroad journeys!
Nothing is a failure. Fail your way to Success. Edit : btw, there is no spiritual growth without suffering.
Kids, YT and life... A tough mix. Young kids are a challenge, no doubt about that. Surviving that challenge is never easy.
Lock the hubs, grab second low, and crawl. Slow and steady, one eye on the final destination and the other facing each rock to get over. Consistency at home and online will see you gain momentum with grater rewards than peristancy and burnout.
We will see you again, and we're all looking forward to hearing how youre going. Look after yourself.
Hey mate, watching from my side of things, youtube has changed massively over the years, id rather go camping with you and all our mates etc then for you to burn your self out trying to feed the YT beast and not see you camping ❤ im doing ok, but i know we have some really good people in our group so that makes me happy 😊
Yeah camping with a good bunch of blokes does wonders for the noggin! Let us know if you are ever in my corner of Aus and we can tee something up! Cheers
Head up Todd. I love your content. You'r a ripper mate
Legend!
Hey mate
Failure is the side affect of having a crack
Don’t think the last 18 months was a waste, it’s all growing and learning
Keep your head high mate
Cheers Tom, I will!
Cmon mate, you can do it. Push on, and keep going. I just watched your Hilux review, was great.
Thanks for that mate, glad you enjoyed the Hilux review! I'm not going to stop doing what I love, will just be taking a bit of a step back for a bit to reassess things in my personal life.
Cheers!
Only just came across you channel,bit funny seen iam on here every day
Wouldn’t say you have failed Todd at all… your a great guy you own your own channel your handy on the tools you own a amazing rig you have kids you have a misses and kids no dought great family….. look around you a value what you have and relate to what someone in Gaza always somone worse of m8. With every storm there’s a calm…. Exercise eat good food surround yourself in good people and snatch yourself out you’ll be good. I myself is struggling witnessing my mother suffer with dementia I just have to lift my head the best I can and move on…. Hope to see you out again sometime if a get my visa to return to Oz…. I can pull you out again 😊
Hey Todd, I didn’t even need to watch the full video to know you’re not a failure. Sounds like you’ve had a real dud time recently. Take some pressure off yourself if you can, gather thoughts, and look forward to when the motivation will inevitably return!
It takes people literally years to grow their channel to a point where it provides meaningful passive income. I watched a video just the other day about MrBeast explaining that your first 100 videos will be shit, but it’s important that you learn one thing with every video, constantly improve and be persistent.
I know of other big 4WD channels who didn’t become big for 3-5 years. Look through the video history of some of the big channels we know, their earliest posts are from between 5-7 years ago! I know you’ve been posting for roughly a similar amount of time, but don’t think I’m wrong to say you may not have been as structured/focused on growing the channel until recently?
I think you’re doing a great job. I went away for Christmas and wasn’t on TH-cam much for the first 4 months of the year. I looked up your channel out of interest, as I’ve been enjoying watching it grow, and saw that you’d gone from something like 2k subs near the end of last year, to 8.Xk now. So good! That’s a 120% increase. I noticed your video quality and posting frequency had gone up, and you had a couple new popular videos. Including that Hilux review that could be a niche worth exploring.
Aim for 10k subs, it’s a great milestone and one I know you can hit soon. Good luck and I wish you strength.
Gary form Nerdrotic was a nothing much uploader for eight years before "making it" so one has to ask what makes you think you failed as a youtuber?
it's a super demanding platform to be on if you're not uploading near daily. it takes time, lots and lots of it unless you just trip over the lucky magic sause.
Hang in there Todd, you’re tube vids are great, once the kids stop teething and get good night sleep it’ll be like Christmas for you and the wife woohoo
Haha we are hanging out for that full sleep to come!
Cheers mate, all the best!
Hey mate, as a youngish father of 5 kids, my advice would be that it's all perspective. When you're down in the trenches it's hard to see the forest for the trees. There will be times in the future when the kids relationship with their dad will evolve dramatically. Enjoy it while they are young because you will miss it I guarantee.
On the TH-cam front, showing your fallible, honest self "warts and all" makes me want to watch more of your content. I don't really enjoy the "successful" 4x4 channels anymore. They are clickbaity, predictable, disappointing to watch and full of ads. Many lack integrity.
Keep making content because tomorrow will be a new day and the sun will rise again. At worst, your failed TH-cam career will be an amazing catalogue for your kids to enjoy in the future.😅
Thank you so much for your comment Nathan!
Worst case scenario my kids will have a plethora of videos to watch as their old man figured out 4WDS and getting out bush. Good point!
It is hard to see the silver lining from down in the trenches sometimes, but the reception from this video has really opened my eyes to it all. Thanks for sticking along for the journey for so long mate, I'm lucky to have a subscriber such as yourself!
Hey mate,
just think it's less than 1% of people and channels become successful to the point where they earn a decent income from TH-cam.
So don't get down on ya self for not making it as such. Just keep doing what you enjoy doing and make videos when you want to make a video.
The first baby just makes you think a second baby will fine 😂 nope it's a trap.
Haha! We heard that advice regarding the second child too! "No way the second will be as hard as the first.."
To his credit though my second Son is much crusier than Koda, but the combination of raising them both at the same time is a lot!
Thanks for your comment mate, really appreciate it!
Todd children will eventually grow up.. Enjoy the time now cause it wont come back again.. Take a break and come back stronger than before 😊 this too shall pass brother
Very true mate, thank you!
YT.....5 gazillion channels and nothing on
Sucks mate, and here's my opinion. In your all time most popular videos, from the 50 or so most viewed videos virtually all of them are about the 120 series, and the few popular ones not about the 120 are things like "My 200 series caught fire" and "five thing i hate about my 200". And that sums me up also, you seem like a great bloke but when you changed the channel name and ditched the 120 for a 200 you went from being a big fish in a small pond to being a small fish in a huge pond. You were carving out a great niche what that 120, i really wish you kept it and done cool things with it that would stamp your place on the map.
Oh and Seek Adventure blew up fast over there, he had cool topics to explore and methods/products to test and had a great way of doing it. He's been gone years now, but jump on his channel for pointers on what video's do well, and what content delivery styles bring best rewards. Not saying copy him, but if the method works then... Hey not your fault it works. :)
Putting any future and reliance on youtube is a bad mistake.
Hey Todd!
I know what you are going through. I have two little sons alswell and the second one changed everything. It's been really hard for my girlfriend, my older son and for me with this little baby joining our family. We all had to stop doing the things we loved to do. It's been exhausting for all of us. No offroading, no DIY carwork, no vacation..
But I can tell you one thing from my point of view when our second son is getting older now: There will be better times to come. And you will enjoin doing your stoff with both of them on your side. It will bee different but it will be better! Please give all your love to your family. I'm sure you will get all your love back from your sons!
Sorry for my bad english.
I love your 120 Prado videos. I watched them as tutorials for me and my 120 Prado which I bought when our first son came to life!