Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast to his colossal 364 million YouTube subscribers, is famed for his elaborate giveaways and high-stakes challenges. But behind the scenes of his viral video empire, the 26-year-old has confessed that his astonishing success has taken a serious toll on his mental health.
In a candid conversation on the Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett, he said: “If my mental health was a priority, I wouldn’t be as successful as I am – and that’s just a sad fact.” Donaldson, who also fronts an Amazon Prime reality game show, described the relentless work ethic that sets him apart.
He said: “There’s a reason no one makes videos like me – like not even close – because no one wants to live the life I live. I think being able to push through unhappiness and do things you don’t want to do consistently, year after year, over the course of a decade, is the ultimate advantage.”
In addition to being a top YouTuber, MrBeast has ventured into entrepreneurship with Feastables, his own food company specialising in chocolate. The exact wage MrBeast earns through his various ventures is not public knowledge, but in 2024, Forbes projected his annual income at around $85m.
Looking to the future, the internet celebrity contemplates why he believes nobody is likely to push themselves to become the ‘next’ version of MrBeast, reports the Mirror. He said: “I think we’ll hit a billion subscribers, and I don’t think anyone will be anywhere near close, because once you make a couple of million dollars, why would you live the life I live? Why would you not take weekends off?
“Why would you not just film locally even if it means less views so you can be on the right time schedule?” He added: “Why would you not prioritise your sanity? It makes no sense – but that’s why no one else does it.”
MrBeast previously confessed to having mental breakdowns “every other week” due to his hectic schedule. There were times when he filmed 25 days every month, he said, in addition to his other commitments.
He admitted that quitting social media altogether had crossed his mind “countless times”, but he always persevered. The most challenging part, he claimed, is being the sole face of the brand, which puts him in high demand and leaves little time for much else.
He said: “The average person does not want to live the life I live or be in my head. They would be miserable because you’re just working all the time. This is the life I chose. [I say] you want success, you want to change the world and this is the price that you have to pay.”
If you need someone to talk to at any time, there are people available to help, regardless of what you’re going through. You can:
- Call Samaritans on 116 123 (UK-wide)
- Text SHOUT to 85258 (UK-wide)
- Call C.A.L.L. on 0800 132 737 (Wales only)