Digital Social Hour - Episode Summary: "How I Gained 1M Subs in a Day: My YouTube Journey | The Professor DSH #864"

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: The Professor DSH
Release Date: November 6, 2024

In this engaging episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly sits down with the multifaceted personality known as The Professor DSH. The conversation delves into The Professor's extraordinary journey from street ball legend to YouTube sensation, his foray into acting, and his insights on the evolving landscape of basketball both domestically and globally.

1. From Street Ball to Pro Level: The Professor's Basketball Journey

The Professor opens up about his early days in street basketball, emphasizing the high level of play within the A1 Mixtape Tour. He asserts, "It was actually pro and like we would mix it up with NBA players and run all the time. You might not even be able to tell who's in the league and who's not" (08:25).

Training and Overcoming Challenges:
Despite showcasing exceptional skills from a young age—mastering moves like the Iverson crossover in fourth grade—the Professor faced significant setbacks. He recalls being cut from his high school varsity team due to his size and playing style: "I was all like, guard with like handles and stuff. Didn't favor the way we played" (03:53). Undeterred, he intensified his training regimen, engaging in three-a-day workouts to hone his craft: "Wake up 5:00 am, make 500 jumpers, go to class, open gym, hit the weights, and then come back and work on my game again in the evening" (05:27).

Breaking into the A1 Mixtape Tour:
His perseverance paid off when he tried out for the A1 tour, leading to immediate recognition: "People started going crazy. But it was my look... I forever just don't look like a Hooper" (06:10). This platform elevated his status, allowing him to perform alongside his idols and cement his reputation in the streetball community.

2. Transitioning to Acting: Pursuing New Opportunities

The conversation shifts to The Professor's burgeoning acting career. He reveals his move to Los Angeles and his role in the movie Hustle alongside Adam Sandler: "I had a lead role in a movie in 2006... Trying to put one foot into acting and kind of like pursue it a little bit more" (01:02). Despite filming Hustle two decades ago, its release faced delays, with plans to debut it on Amazon Prime: "It was supposed to be the first ever movie on Amazon Prime in 2009" (01:38).

Collaborating with Adam Sandler:
Working with Sandler was a highlight for The Professor. He describes Adam as "super down to earth, loves basketball," highlighting the mutual respect and unexpected support he received: "Adam was just telling me how much he loves my YouTube channel" (02:45).

3. Embracing Digital Platforms: The YouTube Surge

A pivotal moment in The Professor's career was his strategic pivot to YouTube. Initially leveraging fan-edited highlight reels that amassed millions of views, he capitalized on the platform's growth: "I started my own page in 2009... When 2013 I had a video go viral and I got a million subs in one day" (13:08, 13:13).

Building a YouTube Empire:
Despite early endorsement deals restricting his full-time dedication to YouTube, The Professor recognized its potential: "YouTube is... the top streaming platform in the world... You could get a DM on YouTube back then" (11:57). This foresight allowed him to transform his channel into a lucrative business, eventually surpassing traditional endorsement earnings.

Content Creation Philosophy:
He emphasizes the importance of staying ahead with trends and continuously engaging with younger audiences: "Trying to stay ahead of the trends... trying to be a consumer of it too, not only a creator" (13:49). His dedication is evident as he personally edits his videos to ensure quality and authenticity: "Till this day. I'll only edit it if I feel like it's like a banger" (14:49).

Achieving Viral Success:
The defining moment came when one of his videos went viral, catapulting him to rapid subscriber growth. He reflects on this achievement, highlighting the unpredictability and massive potential of digital platforms: "It became a business like overnight" (13:15).

4. Navigating the Evolving Basketball Landscape

The Professor provides a thoughtful analysis of how basketball has transformed over the years, particularly with its incorporation into digital media and changes in play style.

Physicality vs. Entertainment:
He contrasts the more physical, defense-oriented basketball of his time with today's perimeter-focused, entertainment-driven game: "When it was more physical... it's better for the defense... today's game is probably better for entertainment" (19:24). This shift, he suggests, aligns more with business interests but may detract from the sport's traditional toughness.

Impact of Injuries and Rehabilitation:
Discussing his own Achilles injury, The Professor commends advancements in sports medicine: "Sports rehab is getting better and better... You can almost recover from anything" (16:03). He draws parallels with NBA players like Kevin Durant, who have successfully returned from similar injuries, underscoring the role of modern rehabilitation techniques.

Global Influence and Growth:
The conversation highlights basketball's exponential growth worldwide. The Professor notes, "The global fan base of basketball was like 400 million... now it's actually 900 million" (28:53). He observes that the sport's globalization has led to a diverse array of talent in the NBA, with many top players hailing from Europe and other regions: "The game is getting so global it's insane" (30:16).

Cultural Experiences from Touring:
Having played in over 40 countries, The Professor shares memorable cultural interactions and the unique energy of international games: "Our highest crowd energy games that we ever went to was in Tokyo, Japan... and Sao Paulo, Brazil, with like 20,000 people" (27:14). These experiences have enriched his perspective on the universal appeal of basketball.

5. Maintaining Relevance and Future Aspirations

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, The Professor discusses his strategies for maintaining relevance and adapting to changing audience expectations.

Adapting Content Amidst Physical Limitations:
Facing aging and injuries, he contemplates shifting his content but remains committed to basketball: "I'm trying to hoop till I'm 50... that's a good goal" (16:24). While considering rebranding if viewership declines, his passion for the game remains steadfast.

Setting High Standards:
Drawing inspiration from YouTube giants like Mr. Beast, The Professor sets ambitious goals for his channel: "With Mr. Beast, you got... think about him... He's at the top of the YouTube food chain" (15:40). He aims to achieve significant milestones, striving for videos to reach a million views as a benchmark of success.

Engagement with the NBA and Fandom:
Though now a casual follower, supporting the Lakers and attending games when possible allows The Professor to stay connected with the NBA: "I'm in LA, so I support the Lakers... I try to go to like three or four games a year" (18:22). This connection keeps him attuned to the current state of professional basketball.

6. Final Thoughts and Promotions

In wrapping up the episode, The Professor encourages listeners to engage with his digital platforms and upcoming projects. He promotes his YouTube channel, Professor Live, and announces his new ball handling program, "Crossed Up University": "If you go to crossover5.com, you get a free video right now. Five steps to the perfect crossover" (31:11).

Sean Kelly concludes by thanking The Professor for sharing his inspiring journey, leaving listeners with valuable insights into leveraging digital platforms for personal and professional growth.

Notable Quotes:

• The Professor: "It was actually pro and like we would mix it up with NBA players and run all the time. You might not even be able to tell who's in the league and who's not." (08:25)

• The Professor: "Wake up 5:00 am, make 500 jumpers, go to class, open gym, hit the weights, and then come back and work on my game again in the evening." (05:27)

• The Professor: "I started my own page in 2009... When 2013 I had a video go viral and I got a million subs in one day." (13:08, 13:13)

• The Professor: "Sports rehab is getting better and better... You can almost recover from anything." (16:03)

• The Professor: "If you go to crossover5.com, you get a free video right now. Five steps to the perfect crossover." (31:11)

This episode provides a comprehensive look into The Professor DSH's dynamic career, offering listeners inspiration and practical insights into navigating the intersection of sports, entertainment, and digital media.