Jimmy Donaldson, widely known as MrBeast, has built an $85 million entertainment empire, becoming the most popular YouTuber in the world. However, despite his incredible success, he recently revealed the immense pressures that come with his fast-paced career.
Speaking on The Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett, Donaldson shared how the relentless demands of his businesses and content creation have shaped his daily life. “The average person does not want to live the life I live, or be in my head,” he admitted. “They would be miserable because they’re just working all the time.”
With a YouTube following of 370 million subscribers and videos that rack up over 764 million views per episode, MrBeast is at the forefront of digital entertainment. Beyond YouTube, he has expanded his brand into multiple ventures, including Feastables, a chocolate company that secured $60 million in Series A funding earlier this year. He also launched Lunchly, a packaged food brand similar to Lunchables, as well as MrBeast Burger, a virtual restaurant chain operating through delivery and pickup services. His production company, MrBeast LLC, plays a crucial role in creating his viral content.
Despite his packed schedule, Donaldson acknowledged that he occasionally craves personal time but finds it difficult to step away from work. “Obviously I’m not a robot. There are times when I’m like, ‘F—, I really want to play this strategy board game or I want to do this thing, then I look at the schedule and think, ‘Ah, maybe I could do that in four days,’” he said.
To manage the pressures of his career and maintain his mental well-being, Donaldson has adopted a mindset shift. “You gotta control your thoughts and [think], Well, this is the life I chose. You want success, you want to change the world? This is the price you have to pay,” he reflected.
His candid insights offer a rare glimpse into the realities of extreme success, shedding light on the sacrifices behind his record-breaking achievements.