Digital Social Hour: Fresh – He Lost YouTube Money + Got Banned… Then This Changed Everything | DSH #1816

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Fresh (Walter Weekes, known as Fresh from Fresh & Fit)
Date: February 7, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Sean Kelly sits down with Fresh for a candid conversation about navigating massive setbacks in the online creator world. After being demonetized on YouTube and banned from Instagram, Fresh discusses adapting his strategy, rebuilding his network, and staying relevant in an era of viral content, economic upheaval, and AI disruption. The duo also chat about viral interviews, NBA betting scandals, the harsh realities of car ownership, crypto wins and regrets, and the shifting dating landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Losing Platforms & Reinventing Networking

• Fresh describes hitting rock bottom when he lost both his YouTube monetization and Instagram account—the main pillars of his brand and networking.
  • Quote [00:00]:
    • Fresh: “When I was like, down and out, bro, we lost YouTube money. My Instagram got banned... My two main contributors to like, networking and pushing progress was done.”
• Instead of quitting, Fresh doubled down on in-person networking and traveling for events.
  • [00:19]
    • Fresh: “Reset. Go myself in person more and do more connections... Networking is basically you adding value to other people's lives.”
  • [00:54]
    • “So I travel to different spots... being ready for opportunity right in front of you.”

2. Virality, 6ix9ine Interview, and the Social Landscape

• Fresh recounts the viral impact of his 6ix9ine interview, with strangers recognizing him thanks to TikTok.
  • [00:58]
    • Fresh: “I’m walking outside my building, two girls that are not fans of my show are like, ‘I see your podcast with six nine. Oh my God, TikTok.’... I’m like going viral everywhere, bro. It's crazy.”
• He weighs in on 6ix9ine’s future, industry double standards on “snitching,” and the complexities behind real loyalty.
  • [01:12]
    • Fresh: “Danny, which is 69, is fucking hilarious... However, I think his case coming up shortly may be an issue because... broke his probation.”
  • [01:48]
    • Fresh: “Most people call them like stitches because they actually snitch on people in real time, right? Danny? Did it because they don't have his friends... So is that really stitching?”

3. NBA Betting Scandal and Capitalism’s Dark Side

• Fresh discusses the potential NBA rigging scandal and its disastrous impact on bettors and fans.
  • [03:23]
    • Fresh: “If I'm betting on a game and it's rigged, I just took a major loss... I'm giving away for nothing. Because it's rigged.”
    • [03:58]
    • Fresh: “I have friends that are big bettors. They bet 200k minimum. Jeez. And they lost a bunch of money.”
  • [04:10]
    • “America is what, a capitalist society. So it’s kind of like, this is not weird... NBA, you thought it was legit, but it’s not.”
• Talks about the unfair information gap between insiders and casual fans.
  • [04:37]
    • “If somebody’s watching this... they drunk in a club before the game, they're probably gonna lose. So I can bet against them... it’s not fair because now, as an average person, I don't see that.”

4. Economic Realities: Recession, Inflation, and Car Ownership

• Both host and guest express their certainty that the U.S. is in a recession, despite official denials.
  • [06:08]
    • Fresh: “People are kind of like dumb... they don’t think we’re in a recession right now because they are 100%.”
• Fresh critiques Biden’s economic management, praises Trump’s previous term, and discusses the rise in repossessions and inflation, particularly in Miami.
  • [07:06]
    • Fresh: “All time high... The average car price now for a new car is 700 bucks a month... On the high end, it’s $2,000.”
  • [07:44]
    • Fresh: “Never buy a new car... if you got the money to pay for a cash, then that’s a better option for you. But... you’re gonna do a loan or finance. Never buy a new car. Never.”
  • [08:08]
    • “You gotta know the market and... have somebody on the inside. It's so scummy, bro... Dirty game.”

5. Crypto Misses & Wins

• Fresh shares how a missed tip on Zcash cost him a huge potential payday, but he’s still heavy into Ethereum and Bitcoin.
  • [08:16]
    • Fresh: “A friend of ours, he said to get zcash. I'm like, what is zcash, bro? I was so mad I didn't put me in zcash... More than a million [dollars]...”
    • [08:33]
    • Host: “Shout out to Gary. He gave me the biggest wedding gift at my wedding.”

6. Views on Relationships & Dating

• Fresh opens up about his new relationship, the transactional nature of modern dating, and his own non-monogamy.

  • [09:06]
    • Fresh: “Dating... is important to learn somebody new and see what they're about. But currently... I'm dating somebody... She's actually here.”
  • [09:24]
    • Fresh: “I think dating nowadays is tough because it's kind of like a battle between men and women. What can I get out of you?”
  • [09:34]
    • Host: “You're not exclusive, though.”
    • Fresh: “Right now, I don't know. It's open on your end. 100% bro. I'll say this, man. It's still new, but she's cool.”

• Notably jokes he won’t let a woman drive him, citing past accidents.

  • [09:46]
    • Host: “Would you ever let a woman drive you?”
    • Fresh: “No.”
  • [09:50]
    • “Whenever, say, home driver on my Uber app, I cancel it... My both accidents on my motorcycle by women. One was drunk and was on her phone.”
  • [10:11]
    • Host: “Would you ever ride a motorcycle again?”
    • Fresh: “I want to, but I don't want to give up everything I work for to die... But it's also drivers, bro... they could be distracted. You're gone.”

7. AI, Automation, and Planning for the Future

• Conversation shifts to the future of work, AI disruption, and financially protecting yourself.

  • [12:03]
    • Fresh: “By 2030, we want to put every company aspect into AI which means what's going to happen to jobs... Gone.”
  • [12:14]
    • “If you’re not focused on building AI, bettering AI or being part of the system, then what are you going to do?”
  • [12:42]
    • “Nvidia... every company is trying to optimize... AI works 24/7. I'm going to maximize my profits... But an employee insurance, sick leave... it’s headache.”

• Expresses worry that many people are too distracted by entertainment (celebrities, streamers) to prepare for the coming economic shift.

  • [13:16]
    • Fresh: “People are focused on the wrong things. Kim Kardashian, what's happening with Speed and Kai and Aiden like... Your life is more important than streamers... you gotta think for the future and ahead.”

8. Fresh’s Rebuild & What’s Next

• Fresh details his ongoing process to regain YouTube monetization, the return of his Instagram, and upcoming high-profile podcast guests.
  • [14:10]
    • Fresh: “I'm back to how I used to be. Instagram is back. Secret Order Life. YouTube is almost back with money.”
  • [14:23]
    • Host: “Did they unban you yet on YouTube?”
    • Fresh: “We're not banned, but we're demonetized... should be working shit out.”
  • [14:28]
    • “Other than that, in the gym. Focus on fitness, making more money.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On hitting bottom and adapting:

  • “Reset. Go myself in person more and do more connections that way. Because networking is basically you adding value to other people's lives.” — Fresh [00:19]

• On 6ix9ine and industry loyalty:

  • “They kidnapped him. Smash this girl. Is that your friend? I think that's the enemy. Hell no.” — Fresh [02:13]

• On NBA scandal’s toll on fans:

  • “If I'm a better, I believe I'm the one that suited people. Because draftkings, all these people, they robbed me. Literally.” — Fresh [03:46]

• On the recession and inflation:

  • “The average car price now for a new car is 700 bucks for a month. A month. And that's average. On the high end, it's $2,000.” — Fresh [07:12]

• On AI and the job market:

  • “If you're not focused on building AI, bettering AI or being part of the system, then what are you going to do?... you're cooked.” — Fresh [12:14]

• On digital distractions:

  • “Your life is more important than streamers. And at the same time it's entertaining. But once it turns off, what do you do?” — Fresh [13:16]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Loss of platforms & networking reinvention: [00:00–00:31], [02:23–03:02]
• 6ix9ine, virality, and loyalty dilemmas: [00:51–02:21]
• NBA betting scandal & impacts: [03:21–04:37]
• Recession, economics, and car advice: [06:08–08:08]
• Crypto regrets: [08:16–08:33]
• Dating and gender dynamics: [09:06–10:05]
• AI and work future: [12:01–13:34]
• Fresh’s comeback and next moves: [14:07–14:28]

Tone and Style

The conversation is raw and candid, with Fresh and Sean speaking openly and without much filter about personal setbacks, controversial cultural topics, and the challenges facing modern entrepreneurs. Their dynamic is friendly and humorous, often cutting through the noise with blunt assessments—or “no cap,” as Fresh would say.

This summary covers the most insightful and memorable content for listeners who want to understand Fresh’s mindset, journey, and outlook without the filler.