Vikkstar: What It Really Took to Build The Sidemen (we didn’t plan for anyone to leave)

Vikkstar opens up about the extraordinary rise of the Sidemen, the relentless work that built his YouTube career, and what happens when the group you built your life around begins to change. He reflects on KSI’s departure, the future of the Sidemen, and why they never really had an exit plan.

Vik looks back on going from a quiet teenager who never felt like he fitted in to turning down a place at UCL and spending up to 16 hours a day making videos. He reveals how YouTube became his entire identity, why he sometimes went days without speaking to anyone in real life, and how seven gamers accidentally created one of the biggest creator groups in the world.

He also speaks candidly about living with Crohn’s disease, the reality of having an incurable condition, and the impact years of relentless work had on his health and perspective. Vik reflects on criticism, success, money and the point at which he realised he needed a life beyond views, uploads and Vikkstar123.

From scoring at Wembley after being the kid nobody picked for football to building businesses alongside the Sidemen, this is a conversation about obsession, friendship, reinvention and the hidden cost of turning your childhood hobby into your whole life.

Vikkstar, We Need To Talk

This episode includes discussion of mental health. If you’re struggling, remember you’re not alone. You can find help and resources at the links below:

MIND:  https://linkly.link/2dx8b

Samaritans: https://linkly.link/2dx7Z   

CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H   

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(00:00) Intro
(02:18) Upbringing in Sheffield
(09:39) Vikkstar’s Pet Duck
(15:58) Identity as a Teenager
(17:03) How Vikkstar Started Making Gaming Videos on YouTube
(21:48) Why Vikkstar Started Appearing on Camera
(23:31) Realising YouTube Could Become a Business
(31:25) Shopify Ad
(32:27) Reality of Growing a YouTube Channel
(42:35) Paul Shows Vikkstar a Photo of The Sidemen
(43:42) How The Sidemen Were Formed
(49:28) The Sidemen's Goals and How They've Changed Over Time
(53:14) What It Was Really Like Living in the Sidemen House
(01:00:17) Dealing With Online Criticism
(01:04:31) Inside The Sidemen Business Empire
(01:08:50) How The Sidemen Handle Disagreements
(01:12:23) The Sidemen's Latest Projects
(01:17:00) Vikkstar's Music and DJ Career
(01:23:50) Struggle With Crohn's Disease
(01:33:32) Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s
(01:36:18) Future Goals
(01:38:01) Advice to His Younger Self
(01:40:27) Most Memorable Conversation
(01:43:23) Paul's Takeaways

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