Digital Social Hour: How I Overcame Internet Hate and Built My Brand | Lacy DSH #1167

Host: Lacy
Guest: Tyler
Release Date: February 7, 2025

In this compelling episode of Digital Social Hour, host Lacy engages in an intimate and unfiltered conversation with Tyler, a streamer who has navigated the turbulent waters of internet hate to successfully build his personal brand. This detailed summary captures the essence of their dialogue, highlighting key moments, insightful discussions, and the transformative journey Tyler has undergone.

1. Introduction to Tyler's Struggles

The episode opens with Tyler candidly discussing a pivotal moment in his streaming career. He reveals the emotional toll of his first face reveal:

Tyler [00:00]: "I've said this on stream before. When I first face revealed that night... people are like, damn, he looks like this. Like, he's fat. I'm not watching anymore. I was genuinely thinking about, like, killing myself."

Lacy responds with astonishment, highlighting the severity of Tyler's experience:

Lacy [00:13]: "Holy. Damn. It was that bad?"

Tyler confirms the depth of his despair, explaining the immediate aftermath:

Tyler [00:16]: "Yeah. I didn't stream for the whole week."

2. The Impact of Internet Hate on Mental Health

Tyler delves deeper into the mental anguish caused by online criticism. Living alone amplified his isolation during this dark period:

Tyler [00:18]: "I didn't really know what to do. I was living by myself."

Lacy empathizes, setting the stage for a heartfelt discussion on mental health challenges faced by content creators.

3. Navigating the Streaming Scene and Gambling Ventures

Shifting gears, Tyler recounts his foray into poker at a celebrity tournament, infused with humor and vulnerability:

Tyler [00:31]: "So I'm gonna be honest. I was on my last leg... I had an ace, so I thought that was good... and then Adrian Peterson, he had three sixes."

Lacy encourages him, but the outcome leaves Tyler feeling luckless:

Tyler [00:49]: "I didn't."

They also touch upon Tyler's experiences with sports betting during college, where he initially invested $2,000 and grew it to $12,000 before stepping back:

Tyler [01:19]: "So I actually haven't done it in a while. I used to do it in college... I went up to, like, 12K and then never did it again."

4. Shifting Content Strategy: From Gaming to IRL Streaming

Tyler discusses his strategic pivot from Fortnite streaming to IRL (In Real Life) content, aiming to diversify his content and maintain audience engagement:

Tyler [09:35]: "I was very strategic with how I did it. I started slowly shifting over to GTA... and then I do a couple IRL streams a week."

Lacy praises this gradual transition, contrasting it with abrupt changes that often fail to retain viewers.

5. Overcoming Physical Insecurities and Reinventing His Image

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Tyler's personal transformation. Initially hesitant to reveal his face due to insecurities about his weight, Tyler faced harsh online backlash after his face reveal:

Tyler [10:50]: "I was super overweight and, like, genuinely, like, scared... I was terrified to show my face."

This criticism drove him to take decisive action:

Tyler [11:04]: "I got in the gym, started losing weight... I'm comfortable."

He proudly shares his weight loss journey:

Tyler [11:37]: "I lost like 90 pounds. I was 296... I'm at 205 now."

Lacy connects with Tyler on a personal level, sharing her own experiences with body image and bullying:

Lacy [11:53]: "I had the opposite issue. I was a twinkle in lifted."

6. The Ruthlessness of Internet Culture

Both hosts reflect on the harsh realities of online communities, emphasizing the superficiality and judgment prevalent on the internet:

Tyler [12:02]: "People judge off looks. Especially on the Internet."

Lacy [13:01]: "Let’s judge the character. I know this is gonna sound kind of weird, but like, you know, it's true."

They discuss how appearances often become currency, particularly in places like Los Angeles, where Tyler resides.

7. Resilience and Building a Support System

Despite ongoing challenges, Tyler acknowledges the support from his community and peers within the streaming group, Phase:

Tyler [15:07]: "It's really mentally taxing."

Lacy [15:10]: "Yeah, that's tough, man."

He credits his friends and group members, such as Banks and Adapt, for providing a crucial support system:

Tyler [15:13]: "They all have. Especially Adapt's been huge, like big Brother for me."

8. Current Achievements and Future Endeavors

Looking ahead, Tyler shares exciting plans, including a major event planned for December and a month-long stream scheduled for 2025:

Tyler [13:47]: "We have something planned... it's gonna be a big month-long stream that we're doing."

Lacy expresses her support and skepticism initially felt by others regarding Phase's success, but acknowledges how Tyler and his group have overcome adversity:

Lacy [14:21]: "I mean, I doubted the comeback. Guys are pulling a lot of people did."

9. Confronting Ongoing Hate and Moving Forward

In a surprising twist towards the end of the conversation, Tyler reveals that he is still experiencing significant hate, though the reasons remain unclear:

Tyler [14:36]: "I'm in a stage right now where I'm getting a lot of hate."

They speculate on possible reasons, considering changes in his content or community dynamics, but Tyler remains uncertain:

Tyler [15:08]: "I tried to be super nice to everyone... people just... I don't know."

Lacy offers empathy, highlighting the unpredictable nature of online interactions and the impact of cancel culture:

Lacy [15:24]: "I really don't understand what the hell's wrong with people."

10. Conclusion

The episode concludes with Lacy acknowledging Tyler's resilience and the value of his contributions to the streaming community. She encourages listeners to support him by linking his content:

Lacy [15:26]: "Well, dude, it's been cool. We'll link your stuff below. Thanks for coming on."

Tyler reciprocates the gratitude, emphasizing the importance of transparency and authenticity in building his brand.

Key Takeaways:

• Facing Online Criticism: Tyler's face reveal led to intense online bullying, severely impacting his mental health and streaming career.

• Personal Transformation: In response to criticism, Tyler embarked on a significant weight loss journey, improving his self-esteem and confidence.

• Strategic Content Shift: Transitioning from Fortnite to IRL streaming helped Tyler diversify his audience and stabilize his brand.

• Community Support: The backing from friends and peers within Phase played a crucial role in Tyler's resilience against ongoing hate.

• Transparency in Streaming: Tyler emphasizes the importance of being open about earnings and personal struggles to build trust with his audience.

• Ongoing Challenges: Despite progress, Tyler continues to face online hate, highlighting the persistent challenges content creators endure.

Notable Quotes:

• Tyler [00:00]: "I was genuinely thinking about, like, killing myself."

• Tyler [11:04]: "I got in the gym, started losing weight, and I'm comfortable."

• Lacy [13:01]: "Let’s judge the character. I know this is gonna sound kind of weird, but like, you know, it's true."

• Tyler [15:07]: "It's really mentally taxing."

• Lacy [15:18]: "I really don't understand what the hell's wrong with people."

This episode of Digital Social Hour offers a raw and honest look into the struggles and triumphs of a streamer battling internet hate. Tyler's journey underscores the importance of resilience, community support, and strategic adaptation in the ever-evolving landscape of digital content creation.