Cleetus McFarland's Near Death Experience Flying, Dangers of Drag Racing, & His Key to Success

Summary

Podcast Summary: Life Wide Open with CboysTV

Episode Title: Cleetus McFarland's Near Death Experience Flying, Dangers of Drag Racing, & His Key to Success
Release Date: November 19, 2024
Guests: Cleetus McFarland (Garrett Mitchell)
Hosts: CboysTV: CJ, Ben, Ryan, Ken, Evan, Micah

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode is a deep-dive with automotive YouTuber and motorsport impresario Cleetus McFarland, recorded in his airplane hangar ahead of a big racing event at the Freedom Factory. The crew discusses Cleetus's unique approaches to business, content creation, teamwork, work-life balance, parenting, and adrenaline-heavy motorsports. Notably, Cleetus shares the harrowing details of a near-death experience while flying his helicopter, reflects on the dangers of drag racing, and opens up about how he maintains his humble, relatable presence while achieving high-profile success.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Behind the Scenes at the Freedom Factory & Event Organization

• Hosting major races with 40+ drivers is no longer stressful for Cleetus due to a strong staff, notably Josh and Ryan who now manage the track operations ([02:06]).
• Cleetus expanded from “just a few friends at the shop” to a 30+ person operation, illustrating the growth and professionalization of his business ([04:31], [04:40]).

Notable Quote:

"Now I'm like, I'm not even stressed...my employees are so good. I can do it." – Cleetus ([02:38])

• Story of how Josh, a former lawn company owner, joined Cleetus's team after volunteering at a cleanup day, highlighting Cleetus's approach to recruiting loyal, committed staff ([02:42]).

2. Culture of Collaboration vs. Competition on YouTube

• Cleetus credits his mentor, Kyle Loftus (1320Video), for instilling a “rising tide lifts all boats” mentality, emphasizing helping others in the community ([05:44]).
• He isn’t secretive or competitive about merch or operations, contrasting with other creators who are territorial ([05:23]).

Notable Quote:

"His theory was like, bring everybody up with you..." – Cleetus ([05:44])

3. The Freedom Factory Event: Why It Attracts Everyone

• Huge diversity of competitors: from NASCAR drivers to YouTubers, making it a "Disney on Ice of racing" that attracts even non-racing fans ([07:41], [09:21]).
• Minimal requirements for racers: “No obligation on time. You don't have to promote. There's zero requirements besides arriving and racing.” – Cleetus ([07:49]).
• The track experience is more than just racing: includes monster trucks, fireworks, RC planes, and parachute jumpers ([09:57]).

4. Content Creation Philosophy & Merch Insights

• Treating fans well in paid scenarios (giveaways, PPV): Cleetus believes creators must respond to constructive criticism, especially when money is involved, and quickly make things right ([25:23], [26:59]).
• Lessons on merchandise: Importance of quality control and not burning bridges with fans by shipping poor products late ([26:26]).

Notable Quote:

"If you advertise a pay per view...and it's just awful and the stream cuts...you will receive a roasting like you've never had in your life." – Cleetus ([25:27])

5. Craziest and Most Relatable Moments

• Honest self-deprecating humor about bad driving and drifting incidents from the Cboys, including Ben wrecking a car and the importance of keeping the show entertaining ([12:56], [15:19]).
• Cleetus shares that his son Rip is a huge SeaboysTV fan, and how screen time negotiations sometimes help with parenting ([13:33]).
• The “Crown Vic graveyard” and how Cleetus’s buying habits have affected Crown Vic prices ([18:03]).

6. Lessons from Failure and Handling Criticism

• Openness about a failed truck giveaway and how pivoting (adding a $100k TRX as an option) turned it into his top-performing promo ([23:05]).

Notable Quote:

"The giveaway just did bad because no one liked the truck, man." – Cleetus ([23:09])

• Admits he doesn’t enjoy negativity in the comments: prefers positive energy but listens to feedback and adapts ([23:42], [24:44]).

7. The Dangers of Drag Racing

• Cleetus has recently run the quarter mile in 5.80 seconds at 250 mph ([28:11]).
• Parachute deployment is the most intense physical sensation in deceleration ([28:31]).
• Discusses why he’s cautious about stepping up to top fuel dragsters (330+ mph), citing risk and minimal margin for error. Mentions having a helicopter on standby for races in case of catastrophic crashes ([30:04], [38:44]).

Notable Quote:

"They keep a helicopter here when they run them...because it's so life or death if something goes wrong." – Cleetus ([30:38])

• Details advances in safety gear (20-layer fire suits) and notes that while drag racing is dangerous, drifting often has higher impact crashes ([32:24]).

8. Near Death Experience in a Helicopter ([57:46])

Segment Starts: [57:44]

• Cleetus recounts a harrowing helicopter flight:
  • Departed in visual meteorological conditions, climbed above a broken cloud layer, but then realized he couldn’t find a safe way back down since the sky at his destination was also closed ([57:46]-[61:05]).
  • With only 30 min of fuel, he attempted to descend using gauges and iPad GPS only; almost missed the airport by over a mile and ended up hovering over a forest ([61:20]-[62:23]).
  • Found a gap in the trees, landed safely in a random field, and waited out the fog.
  • Lesson: “They say everybody at some point will, like, scare themselves with weather. ... I have never touched weather like that in a helicopter ever again.” – Cleetus ([62:46]).

9. Work Ethic, Burnout, and Content Output

• Cleetus challenges the Cboys on why they only post once a week despite having a team, sparking a candid conversation about burnout, productivity, and maintaining high-quality uploads ([38:39]-[41:54]).
• Cboys explain their intense but sustainable schedule, balancing filming, editing, and ongoing project development.

10. Parenting, Family, and Life Balance

• Cleetus shares real talk about fatherhood, the challenges of the first months with a newborn, and the importance of family support structures, especially for creators ([43:53]-[45:58]).
• He describes the joy of hearing his child say “dada” for the first time and encourages the next generation of creators to balance business before having children ([47:07]).

Notable Quote:

"Whether it's the helicopter...it will not hold a flame to the words dada." – Cleetus ([46:21])

11. Humility, Relatability, and Success

• Cleetus discusses the challenge of continuing to share bigger and cooler toys (helicopters, airplanes, custom house) on camera while remaining relatable and not “flexing” ([66:05]).
• He prefers to share the journey—restoring the helicopter or building a house—so fans can feel connected to the process ([68:59]).

Notable Quote:

"What am I supposed to do, not spend it? Like, you guys are giving us this money by viewing our channels...I want to burn it to keep you entertained." – Cleetus ([68:35])

12. Iconic Theme Song

• Cleetus's use of “Hate it or Love it” as a recurring theme song on his Instagram, and why he refused to change it despite some fans’ complaints ([34:36]-[35:55]).
• The importance of musical branding in content creation—fans now associate the song directly with Cleetus ([36:17]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On bringing up others:

  "Bring everybody up with you..." – Cleetus ([05:44])

• On the stress of hosting races:

  "The most amount of stress I've ever experienced in my life was, like, the COVID first one..." – Cleetus ([02:06])

• On drag racing risk:

  "They keep a helicopter here when they run them...it's so life or death if something goes wrong." – Cleetus ([30:38])

• On the near-death helicopter experience:

  "I don't think I've ever told this story online...We were over the top of a forest. Missed the airport by over a mile." – Cleetus ([61:41])

• On humility and success:

  "I don't get off on the feeling of showing off...I love sharing that with people." – Cleetus ([67:19], [68:59])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Staff & Event Management | [02:06]-[04:47] | | “Rising Tide” Mentality & Kyle Loftus Influence | [05:44]-[06:37] | | Why Big Names Come to the Freedom Factory | [07:41]-[09:57] | | Merch Philosophy and Paid Content Ethics | [23:05]-[26:59] | | Dangers of Drag Racing | [28:11]-[33:23] | | Helicopter Safety vs. Airplanes | [56:10]-[57:44] | | Cleetus’s Near-Death Helicopter Story | [57:44]-[62:46] | | Parenting Advice & Family Life | [43:53]-[47:07] | | Staying Humble with Expensive Toys | [66:05]-[68:59] | | The “Hate it or Love it” Song & Branding | [34:36]-[36:17] | | Reflections on Travis Pastrana’s Inspiration | [70:25]-[71:14] |

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Tone & Atmosphere

The tone is candid, warm, self-deprecating, and packed with friendly joshing. Cleetus is open about mistakes, unafraid to credit his team or mentors, and regularly delivers behind-the-scenes realities from both motorsports and YouTube. The conversation also blends genuine wisdom about risk, business, and personal growth with onscreen hijinks and infectious enthusiasm for everything on wheels (or rotors).

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For Listeners Who Haven't Tuned In

This episode is a must for anyone interested in the realities behind YouTube stardom, the risks of extreme hobbies, and what it takes to blend business, passion, and family in the public eye. Cleetus’s authenticity, humility, and willingness to pull back the curtain on both triumphs and near-disasters make this a standout feature-length interview—equal parts inspiring and entertaining.

Transcript

[A]

Some people bring the show. Some people come to win.

[B]

I can see why. Yeah, you keep inviting us back.

[A]

Yeah, the amount of recklessness, watching you guys all try and drift at the same time. Giveaway just did bad because no one liked the truck, man. I don't think I've ever told this story online. By the way, the helicopter is sitting there ready because it's so life or death if Something goes wrong.

[C]

Eight, 31. One minute late.

[A]

That's not bad for us.

[D]

Are we going? Are we good?

[E]

I mean, that's a mirac for me.

[C]

The first thing he said was, just tell your boys not to be too late today.

[A]

Okay.

[E]

And then you said, the earlier, the better, and that stressed me out.

[A]

Oh, this is perfect.

[E]

This is great.

[B]

Well, Cletus McFarland, thank you for having us, brother.

[A]

Hell, yeah. Thanks for having me on. I'm pumped.

[B]

We're actually sitting in Cletus's hanger right now on his compound. So thanks. For one, having us to your compound and your hanger. But two, having us to the race tonight.

[A]

Dude, I'm excited. I, you know, I was just telling you guys, I cannot believe you guys come and bring the whole crew. That's an operation. So thank you so much for coming.

[B]

Yeah, man, we're rolling deep. How many guys we got right now, like, in the Airbnb? It's always tough when you get to the Airbnb and we got like 10 guys because we're always like, who gets what room and where's everyone staying? Who has to stay with each other? Nobody wants to sleep together. And with Evan, so it's always like a race to. To figure out who's where.

[C]

Dude, he was sleeping in the garage last night.

[D]

Yeah, it was a pretty dope garage. Yeah, I mean, it's like, it's got a nice couch and stuff. But the problem with Evan is he. He really likes egg salad. So if you know where I'm going with that.

[A]

Yeah. Now George is, like, terrible to sleep with too, so. And they're kind of a like, man.

[B]

I don't know about that, dude.

[A]

I mean, George snores. Like, you might as well have his airplane running in your room with you if you sleep with George.

[B]

Yeah, that's always tough. Well, we know you got a busy day. That's why you wanted to start.

[A]

It's gonna be a cranker.

[B]

So, like, what is that? Like, when you're putting on an event for all these people come in, you got the pay per view, and then you got a corral. What, 40 different racers and influencers.

[A]

Well, I can tell you this. It used to be the most stressful thing in my life. Like, by far. These race days, this race, and then the Freedom 500, like, the most amount of stress I've ever experienced in my life was, like, the COVID the first one I would dread these weeks. But you do them because they're not only are they successful, they're a blast. But now they're not stressful because I have Josh and Ryan, those two guys who run the track. Holy smokes. Now I'm like, I'm not even stressed. Like, to do this on the day of the race is unheard of for me. But they're so good. My employees are so good. I can do it.

[B]

How'd you find them?

[A]

Well, Josh, the head guy for the racetracks, I hosted a track cleanup day, like, a month after I bought the Freedom Factory. The dude showed up with his entire lawn crew. He owned a lawn company. Not, like, charging me or anything. It was just a volunteer day. So there was, like, random people just helping clean up the weeds because you, like, every crack in the track had weeds up to here. Shows up with an actual lawn commercial, lawn company, mowers, all the equipment, real employees, and just stayed for two days straight and knocked out a ton of work. And then he just kind of hung out, like, came to all the events, and I was like, dude, this guy is, like, so committed to making the track great for no reason. One day we're standing there, I was like, do you want a job? Like, would you work here? And he told me he has a successful business. I said, how? You know, what would it take? He came up with a number and said, done, if you want to do it. I poached him from his.

[B]

From his own.

[A]

Yeah. Shut down his own business.

[C]

Wow. He shut it down.

[A]

Oh, he owned the business.

[B]

That's pretty crazy. He must have definitely seen, you know, know the potential and where it was going to.

[A]

Dude, he sold his trucks, found other jobs for his employees.

[C]

He probably was like, where do I want to mow lawns at a racetrack and, like, manage this whole racetrack and be cool or in whatever Lakewood ranch we're in.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, I don't know what that was like for him, but he has two kids and a wife, and he made a big change in his life.

[D]

That puts more pressure on you, too, though, to, like, make it work.

[A]

I never was scared to have that pressure, but I know he was worried about it, like, going to work for a YouTuber, as you guys know. Doesn't sound like the most promising thing because YouTubers are one incredibly unstable, like just inherently because they're like, we're like squirrels. But to like, how do you tell your wife, like, hey, I'm going to, I'm going to shut down the company to go work for a YouTuber. That's probably pretty scary. But he did it. And he's the greatest, greatest guy.

[B]

How many guys you got around you?

[A]

I think the Freedom Factory right now. Damn. I know. There's like 25 people in the group chat, so that's full time heavy.

[B]

That's a full operation.

[A]

That's between Freedom plus Freedom Factory and the Race Shop. And that's just those full time plays. And then merch is probably like 30.

[D]

Oh, wow.

[C]

Dang.

[B]

Now it's always cool to see the back end operations of other YouTube channels, you know, because a lot of times people watching, you know, might just think it's just you and George and the, and the boys at the shop.

[E]

Right.

[B]

But like, little do they know, there's so much more.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That goes into the back end.

[A]

And merch is like probably 10 full time and then 20 temps. Like when it's busy, it's a lot of temps.

[B]

Yeah. We've actually, with, with our operations and, and our merch guys, you know, we've taken a lot of advice from just what you've done with your operation and how you've set them up and really appreciate that.

[A]

Oh, I wish we could help more. We're in.

[B]

You're the man. You're not like, you're not one of those guys that has the mentality of like, there's a scarcity to competition. Competition and viewership and like, you know, merch success. Like, since we met you, you've wanted nothing but success for us. And I think that that says a lot because we've met other YouTubers that think the complete opposite.

[A]

Oh, yeah, we all know. But, you know, I can just give you a quick thing. Like the guy, Kyle Loftus, who brought me up, started my career. His theory was like, bring everybody up with you. And like, when I wanted to start my channel, it was never like, oh, I want 20% to help you. Or like, I was like his top guy for social media. And he was never like, hold on, whoa, what's this Cletus thing about? He started it. I mean, he's the one who helped me start. He was always like, let me help you.

[B]

That's from 1320.

[A]

Yeah. Kyle Loftus, he's like, let me help you. He helped Me the whole way, never a hesitation.

[B]

Is that why you still have 1320 as your Instagram username?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, you still kind of just pay homage to it.

[A]

Yeah, it's just where I came from and, like, that mentality, I use it every day. That's just how I learned to be around people and, like, care for people is like, just help everybody. And it actually just works out way better in life than worrying about so much. Yeah. Competition, like, yeah.

[B]

Rising tides rise rises all boats. Why do you think that a lot of YouTubers or creators or just business people in general don't think that way?

[A]

I think they're just scared. You know, they're just scared of what other people could potentially take from them. I do understand that mentality. If you have a lot of obligations, high overhead, something like that, you might be real worried about what someone could take from you.

[B]

But it's like a lack of confidence in yourself, maybe. Right?

[E]

Like, scared.

[A]

That's probably it.

[E]

The lifespan of your said channel might be shortened because someone else is doing better.

[B]

I think that's also why, you know, you can get 40 people to show up and support you on these races. And it's definitely not just like, they're just supporting you and putting money in their pocket. They have something to gain by. By showing up and making content, too.

[A]

But it's still insane that all you guys, like, guys like you take four or five days out of their schedule to come do this. I think it's insane. 40. 40 drivers will be here tonight from all walks of life and motorsport. I'll still never understand that. How I'm lucky enough to get you guys.

[D]

Dude, like, insane list, too. Like, really big names. How do you go about getting them?

[C]

Yeah, when I was racing, my mom was like, who are you racing against? I was like, oh, well, NASCAR drivers, action sports legends, like, celebrities, just everybody. She was like, and you?

[A]

Yeah. It really doesn't make sense. I think, to put, like, the most tangible things down. It's the car costs you nothing. You know, you don't have any setup required, no obligation on time. You don't have to promote. There's zero requirements besides arriving and racing. And, you know, as us YouTubers and other guys, we don't want any obligations. Like, we hate that. At least I do. And so for you to just show up, do whatever you want in the car, and then walk away, it's kind of nice. So I think that's true. That's a good point. It's not like we're texting you guys, like, hey, can you promote Freedom Plus? It's literally just a, if you mention it, great. If not, like we're just happy to have your name on the driver's list. So that works out good. And you know, now it's grown to a level of viewership that I think some of the racers who are just actual racers, they're allowed to say to the, their sponsor like, hey, I'm, I'm racing Cletus's race and it's legit enough and it has more exposure than, yeah, I would say 98 of other races. So it's like their, their brands love it, so it works out good for them. That's how we get the big dog racers like the NASCAR guys. And so I think that those are probably the reasons they show up.

[C]

It's really cool because obviously the streaming is gigantic. But every time we mention that we're going to the Freedom Factory, someone in the airport will go, hey, me too. From all over, three different airports we're in. People are coming from like around the country. I'm sure there's some guy from Australia coming over here for this thing.

[A]

But like 100%.

[C]

Yeah. Like people come from all over and that they aren't sure. And they aren't like people that probably attend every weekend race. They're like, I'm going to Cletus race because it's cool.

[A]

I bet half the people here, well, I'd say a third of the people here this weekend have never been to a track in their life. This will be their first time at a track. Like it's, it's kind of like Disney on Ice of racing than it is like, you know, oh, I'm going to the track.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

You don't really like skating, but you like Disney.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Are you Disney?

[A]

Are you the ice just, you know, the whole show. Like you don't, you don't have to like ice skating to go to Disney on Ice with your kid and think it's just a cool show. So like all these wives and stuff that'll come with these guys who are just hardcore car guys, they'll be like, this is the best track experience I've ever had because the bathrooms are clean and it's not just a race.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's like there's going to be like RC planes flying. There's going to be parachute jumpers from the Golden Knights Monster truck, bro. I'm Monster trucks. I'm telling you, the fireworks we bought for this are, wait, heavy topped.

[C]

Your birthday though, because that was, that was insane.

[A]

Way Bigger. We had four like safety sections for that one. There's nine.

[B]

What do you mean safety sections?

[A]

Like you can't go in areas like launching zones. Yeah. Hell yeah. I think it was five and now there's nine. I know. There's already nine.

[D]

Crazy.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

One thing to mention is it is much more than just a race. Like and the last time we were here for your birthday. Yep. For freedom. It just blew my mind. Yeah. Over and over and over and over.

[B]

Well, you had a helicopter on the line.

[E]

Well, I mean that. That was just one of many things.

[A]

Oh yeah. Wait.

[B]

The winner got a helicopter.

[A]

Dude, here's the deal. After this, you guys need to go home and train somebody because there's a sick prize for the April race.

[B]

Bro, we're so fucked.

[A]

Need to get. We need to, need to get. Evan. We need our own track on the simulator, bro.

[D]

What do you think the key is to winning one of these races? Because it seems like it's normally not the like NASCAR guys even. It's like this race. Jh.

[B]

I got to keep winning.

[E]

I went back and watched the JH footage.

[A]

Only race.

[B]

Oh, did you? Oh damn, Mike. I didn't know you've been training.

[E]

I mean that's about all I did.

[B]

But.

[E]

Dude, he was lasered last race.

[A]

First and only race he's ever wondered really.

[E]

Exactly. So it's like other people. You could study other people too.

[A]

He's just a big redneck. I don't know how man.

[B]

I. I know a big.

[D]

Everybody needs a big redneck in their crew.

[B]

He ain't gonna win the race.

[A]

I don't know how he won.

[D]

So what do you think the key is?

[A]

Well, the key for this one is you know how it's. You guys know about the kidney being layout, right? You know that the race goes down into the best.

[B]

A lot of crashes. Yeah. Ken. Ken took out like three barrels.

[A]

Oh, that's right.

[D]

So entertaining, dude.

[B]

He was the most entertaining racer on the track.

[A]

I know. Sometimes. See that's the thing. Some people bring the show, some people come to win.

[B]

I can see why. Yeah. You keep inviting us back. Yeah, yeah. Cuz it ain't. It ain't for the competition aspect of it.

[A]

Well, I love the SE boys but if you can protect the car who's driving first?

[B]

We got to figure that out.

[E]

I haven't figured it out.

[A]

I'm probably the most run faster.

[D]

I can try either of them, dude.

[A]

By a little bit, dude.

[B]

But yeah, but I'm going to break the car more than likely.

[A]

Whoever's going to protect the car. Needs to go first. You can't win in the first half.

[B]

I saw you kind of cook me up in your prediction video.

[E]

I mean, it was hilarious.

[B]

Nothing personal. It's nothing personal. And then you just go in on me for five minutes.

[A]

I've been meaning Ben and Micah. My boys are not drivers. Dude, Ben, I saw him hit that tree. I knew you're about to say that. I've embedded tree and said it was his brace. He's been there all last 30 years. All right. Where are they going? This is no personal offense, you know what I mean? No, yeah. No.

[B]

The se boys, great guys. Let's talk about Holy. They do not know how to drive.

[D]

I mean, it's the truth. It's just facts. It's just facts.

[A]

Dude. No offense.

[B]

No.

[A]

Not taking about those brakes, cuz I was actually reviewing the footage. It appeared as though the wheels were locked up.

[B]

I'll tell you the problem. Yeah, I'll tell you.

[D]

The back wheels were.

[B]

I'll tell you. And Ben gets out of the car. Tell you the problem.

[A]

That E bra didn't work.

[E]

I'm like, you didn't even pull it.

[B]

It didn't work at the beginning. So I come in, I go to initiate it. The E bra doesn't lock them up. And then I black out and panic. So it didn't put me sideways. And I was like, in my brain, it goes. I was supposed to be sideways at this point. What do I do?

[A]

Dude, I love that video.

[E]

So good.

[A]

By the way, my household. Me and Rip are big Seaboys fans. Rip, I think I've sent you guys all videos my son watches. Like, I think a lot of parents do this. We tried to, like, limit screen time for our kids, but also when the little guy won't eat, like, kids just won't eat. Like, those. Be like, today, I'm just not going to eat. It really rattles the mom because they're like, you have to eat, honey. You know, we throw on Sea Boys. Dude, he loves it so much. You can just like feed him the whole time. No way. This is stuff you guys will learn when your parents.

[E]

But what YouTube channel to put on.

[A]

We go, we. It's guaranteed seaboys for us 2023 boys video where it opens up and Evan crashes the dirt bike into the frozen lake.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Like, if you show that to Rip, he's just like, oh, man.

[C]

Got him in peace.

[A]

He's in. And then we're just feeding the guy.

[B]

So that's funny. I actually heard somebody Else was telling us the other day that their little one just watches that video of Evan going through the ice on repeat. Like, that can't be.

[D]

Is that kid gonna be okay?

[E]

Can't be.

[B]

Good for the young brain.

[A]

A little bit of brain rot.

[E]

I got an email about that, but it was specifically hot dogs. They're like, yep.

[B]

I just show.

[E]

Show them the video of you with your hot dog stand, and then I feed him hot dogs because it's the only thing you'll eat.

[A]

It's bizarre. Feeding America toddlers don't make a lot of sense.

[E]

No.

[A]

Well, I don't want to skip over this break situation.

[B]

I thought we were done.

[A]

So we're, you know, we're big fans. So when we watched this video, it was so funny. Like, I was literally.

[B]

I'm glad that. I'm glad that me hitting a tree in our unicorn was funny.

[A]

It wasn't just that. It was like, when I got my racetrack, I'm out there, no helmets, bombing around, just being an idiot. And I'm watching. I'm like, these guys are being complete idiots with no helmets.

[B]

So stupid.

[A]

I'm not trying to back on you guys driving too much, but, like, the amount of recklessness watching you guys all try and drift at the same time.

[B]

And then we got trees everywhere.

[A]

Couple you. You know, you guys can drift, but, like, the separation together.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Crazy. And then Ben is just. I'm watching him like, oh, no, I already seen the title and thumbnail. So I'm like, just watching him like, oh, my God, he's got no helmet on. Well, he's just yanking the break and then puts her in the tree. Tough break.

[B]

Yeah, tough break. You're gonna have that. But I've never claimed to be a wheelman.

[A]

You get when you.

[B]

I've never claimed to be a wheel man, dude. So going into this. Going into this race, I'm like the previous SE boys that have raced in it. Set an insanely low bar.

[A]

You're good.

[B]

And then two, it's like everyone that sees me out there is just like, holy. Which wall is he going to hit?

[A]

Well, the Crown Vicks are easier to drive than what you were trying to do on the day you were drifting.

[C]

Horn is half super hard to drive.

[B]

But, yeah, it was half Crown Vic. That's not good for me.

[A]

Be familiar. Oh, that's true. That's true. But it's just that car is off. Probably harder to drift than a typical drift car. You have a trees, no helmet. Like, all that was just. It was hilarious to Me. And then I watched you guys all learn the lesson at the same time. Like, oh, damn. And I did the same thing. I spun out a Lambo that a guy let me drive right here in turn three. No helmets. Went within inches of the wall at, like, hauling. And I'm like, damn. That was the moment it all clicked. And I saw that happen to you guys. And then I. I had to bag on you a little bit because you pulled the brakes card out. Well, yeah, obviously.

[B]

What else was I going to do?

[A]

You got to do something.

[B]

Yeah, just take all of it.

[A]

Yeah, that tree, dude. Can't believe it was there for 20 years.

[D]

That's the thing though, Ben, is what the other drivers are going to be scared of is that you're just a complete wild card. They don't know what you're going to do.

[B]

Yeah, I don't even know what I'm going to do.

[A]

A couple people have shown up and won on their first race. So Brian Deegan.

[D]

Oh, it's a big difference between Brian Deegan and Ben.

[B]

It could be, man.

[A]

Might be your night.

[B]

Might be your night if I win. Boys, we say this every time, but we're getting a private jet, we're going straight to Vegas, and we're betting the company 100%.

[D]

Let's go.

[A]

I'm actually going there. I'm going on Monday. You guys can just come with. All right, all right, fuck it.

[B]

We'll come with, I guess.

[A]

I think you'll be all right. And I will tell you this. Your car and qualifying. Damn. Like, I. I should double check, but I'm pretty sure your car, like, we run them all for 15 laps like you do have. It's a good one. Setting the bar for you. You have the best car. You have the.

[D]

Oh, man, dude. Cuz we needed that.

[B]

I'm pretty sure that we've been getting. We've been getting some lemons.

[A]

I don't think so.

[B]

Yeah, you're right. We might be the problem. How much money in Crown Vicks do you have?

[A]

I don't know. I heard there's 140 on property.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[B]

140 Crown Vicks.

[A]

That's what I heard.

[B]

Where do you keep them?

[A]

They're all back there.

[D]

Oh, my God.

[E]

What?

[C]

The Crown Vic grave.

[B]

Dude, don't let Evan see that. That's his dream. One day he wants to have just like every vehicle that he's ever broken lined up in one spot. But we don't. We don't have a big enough spot to put them.

[A]

There's a ton back there. You should walk back there at some point.

[C]

Have you driven up the prices on Crown Vicks? Like, there's no way you find a Crown Vic on Facebook marketplace around here.

[A]

I don't know, dude. There's a million. That's called the Panther chassis. There's over a million of them between all the Grand Marquis and, like, the Marauder and all of them. I'm sure for P71, like, police car Crown Vicks, there's got to be 300, 400, 000 of them. I don't know the number. There ain't no way. If I only have 140, I've driven up the price. They're just such a good vehicle price.

[B]

So don't people try and drive up the price on you if they find out that you're buying?

[A]

Yeah, dude. Freaking local auction. It's been jacking me.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yeah. I have to secretly buy them now.

[B]

Like, they weren't. They weren't sell them to you, or they were just, like, making them outrageous prices.

[A]

Dude, this dirt bag auction company. I was buying Crown Vicks online. Normally I would go in person, but it was so busy, I was buying them online. So I bid on, like, 20 in one day, and I just set the price at, like, 4. You know how you can set the high bid and then when someone bids, it just automatically goes a hundred dollars above them. I set the price at like, 4,000 for all 20 of them. Guess how much all 20 of them sold for?

[B]

4,100.

[A]

4,000. 4,000 even. Oh, they made it to my max bid and stopped.

[C]

Yeah, but, like, that's really suspicious. Over 20.

[A]

Essentially, they bid it up. And a guy called me, he goes, did you set all your max bids at something? He goes, yeah, someone ran. Ran all your cars to the max bid. And they were different. They were like. Actually, it was like 3, 800. And then like, 2011, I'd go like, 4, 400. And so in one auction, I got smoked. And, yeah, they got me bad because I was buying them for like, 2500 to 3000, and they just screwed me.

[B]

Yeah, we kind of had the same situation on a much less scale, but with our sixes. Just because we so many R6, you.

[C]

See us coming, people know. They're like, all right, they need it.

[A]

Buying stuff. As a YouTuber, they see you pull up and they know you. It's not a great negotiating tactic.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, it's really bad. Especially when they see Mike because they know this guy's money Mike, you know, he Ain't going to negotiate either. He might even pay more. He might even pay him more. I've seen him. I've seen him do that.

[A]

He's leaving with it.

[E]

It's bad. And trying to sell stuff is not good either.

[D]

Impossible. I don't know if we've ever sold anything.

[A]

Selling stuff as a YouTuber just sucks.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

Because you don't know if someone's going to start a YouTube channel based off of what you sold them. And like, you're just going to have to deal with that for months. Coming. Like, I'm terrified to sell anything because sometimes we do hack job stuff under the.

[E]

Really?

[A]

If we have to. Like if I got to get a car out to go race, there might be something, a little sketch going on. Like, you know what, Re welding a control arm bracket to the frame rail. And then someone comes along and likely just does garbage work on this car. I'm always just worried about that.

[D]

See, I was going to compare your collection. Everything seems to run ours. Really? Nothing works anymore after a video.

[A]

I think they're actually the same style collection.

[D]

Oh, really?

[A]

Yeah, most of my stuff's broke.

[C]

To fix it, use it, leave it broke until you need it next.

[A]

Yeah, we'll use it. And then it's just like put away and left to die.

[D]

Yeah, you forget about it because you got to just keep going to the next. It's on to the next thing.

[A]

Yeah, it's kind of a bad habit.

[D]

It is terrible habit. It's like not cleaning up your mess.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

It's the hardest part because having fun with it is easy. But I saw your mini trx, dude. Ah, man, that hurt to see it go.

[A]

Tough break, dude. 30 GS.

[C]

It looked real fun when it worked.

[E]

To do that just to do the single cab.

[A]

I killed the motor in it.

[B]

Yeah, you blew it up.

[A]

$30,000. Health. Killed it in the dunes. Just being an idiot.

[B]

Yeah, the dunes eat up mot, man. We figured that out. We brought two snowmobiles there. Who would have thought those would have blown up?

[A]

Who would have thought? That's crazy.

[B]

Honestly, I was a little surprised though. Did you ever figure out, like why it did that?

[A]

No, I haven't even messed with it. It's just sitting there in the corner.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Project for another day.

[E]

The second motor's blown up.

[A]

The hell of a motor. They just killed it.

[B]

Wait, you said you still got the original. Still got Hellcat motor to put in it.

[A]

Put it back in if we have to.

[B]

Man. We would have slapped that Hellcat motor in Something I know, like the next day that didn't need a Hellcat motor.

[A]

I think it might just be a supercharger. We'll see.

[C]

Do you think if it was a Raptor R, it would have made it a mini Raptor R?

[A]

I think what it comes down to is the air filtration. So we had sand go through the engine.

[B]

Yeah. You're going to have that in the sand dunes.

[D]

It's crazy.

[A]

Dude.

[B]

That's what we were. How the hell did we get sand in the motor?

[A]

Yeah, you know, we're just kind of idiots.

[B]

So you were given that mini TRX away?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I remember when we were hanging out in Glamis last year, you were telling us that you were having that TRX built and then when you dropped it, you were kind of getting cooked.

[A]

I got cooked.

[B]

Yeah. So I remember you saying that you hate when people hate so much that you went out and you bought $100,000 TRX to have as the second option if people wanted that, which the winner ended up taking.

[A]

Right.

[B]

But you don't like getting hate. I mean.

[A]

Yeah, well some people like Frickin Jake, Paul and Whistle and Diesel, like those two examples, like they, they kind of let it. They love kind of riding the hate. I hate when my comment section is like, just not positive. Yeah. Like when it gets real toxic and they're like, you're an idiot. You know, I usually take that into account. I'm like, okay, maybe I am. Maybe I did make a bad call here, so I'm willing to fix it. Plus, you know, the giveaway just did bad because no one liked the truck, man. So I was like, I gotta do something here to save this promotion and.

[C]

Just like double it up.

[E]

Which yeah, I guess in my opinion, like watching from the outside was probably the most notable giveaway because of that move.

[A]

It actually overall highest performing giveaway ever.

[E]

Really so entertaining.

[A]

All of it. Yeah. I think it was down probably 60% in the start and then it came back to be the best one ever.

[D]

Dude.

[B]

It was just funny that the whole thing was over a mini trx. Like when you just look, every time I'd look at it, I would just laugh. I'd see you promote.

[A]

Great. Yeah, I would just chuckle. Maybe a bad call. Dude. People were like, they just hated it. They hated it so much. Like you took a perfectly good $90,000 truck and cut the doors off and now it looks stupid. I'm like, damn, I didn't think about that.

[C]

It took like a year. I remember last year you were Talking about it, I mean, forever, which sucks. You're probably pretty excited.

[A]

Done. Spent about 20 grand. Shorten it the right way because I wanted to be super legit. And then the dude, like, missed on the paint job and it just snowballed bad.

[B]

I get what you're saying, though, how you. You do listen to the comments of, like, you know, if there's an overwhelming amount of criticism, you do take that into account of, like, oh, I, you know, I don't know everything, and these people are here to keep me in check.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And I think that if you're a creator that just completely disregards that and you're like, no, my followers are stupid and they don't know. I know better. I think you're just delusional in that aspect. But I think there's like a fine line of, like, giving people what they think that they want versus maybe what they need or not what they need.

[D]

Give them the content they need, not that they want.

[A]

There's a. There's two ways also, like the content the whistling makes, for example, it brings hate, which brings more views. The things that I'm referring to specifically, like pay per view or giveaway, people are spending money on it. So if you then screw up, it's like, if you sell people bad T shirts, obviously that's bad business. If you advertise a pay per view, they spend $10 on it, and then it's just awful and the stream cuts and the website crashes. You will receive a roasting like you've never had in your life. You can't play around in those situations. You have to own it immediately, refund, you know, where necessary and make some major changes. Because if you do it twice in a row, like, for the same reason, you're pretty much toast. And I think in the merch world too, like, you. You guys do a good job with your merch, but some of these YouTubers, dude, just burn the bridge with their customers. Like, six months later, they ship out their limited edition hoodies and they're just garbage.

[D]

Yeah, we talk about that all the time. I mean, for the last, like, probably two years or I'd say a year, we've been just like, experimenting or like, trying to come up with a. With a product or another way that we can bring some value. But, like, every time we're like, okay, if we do this, we need to do it right and perfect because, like, we can't. You don't. You only have so many shots really, at like, hey, like, I'm bringing this. And you guys can and can buy it. If they buy it and it's shitty, your take two, you're gonna have much less of a pool. And then obviously take three, you're probably.

[A]

You'Re probably out of there, but you're toast.

[D]

Yeah, you're, you're, you struck out.

[A]

But yeah. So on the content side, you can do it, you can screw up and they'll come back, but when they're paying money, you gotta treat them right, dude. Let's all about how you fix the problem.

[E]

Let's talk about drag racing. Yeah, you came a long way. And, and that's not just coming from me. That's coming from, you know, some of the old timers I'm around that watch you. They're, they're like, dude, he's, he's, he's big time in it now when it comes to drag racing.

[A]

Let me tell you something, dude. I have a car that I'm setting up for you for really anyone to drive. And it was almost done for this, but whenever you're down here next, I like want to let a couple of you guys make a riff in this thing. We'll put that like tentatively out there, but we're doing some passes.

[B]

Sounds like a bad idea, bro.

[A]

It's gonna be sick. You're gonna love it. And you just have to go straight and there's no trees.

[D]

No trees.

[C]

That one at the beginning.

[A]

But, you know, and we'll make sure the brakes are the goal dial. We'll make sure those brakes, they work. Parachute whole night. But drag racing? Yeah, dude, it's, it's a great sport. You just got to try it out a little bit. You'll probably love it. You'd probably get hooked.

[E]

I think I would love it.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, I've been in.

[E]

Ridden in a few, but. So like what, I mean, as of recent, like what, you're. You're in the fives?

[A]

Yeah, I went to 580 at 250 last week.

[B]

What does that feel like?

[E]

That's nuts, brother.

[A]

It's fast. I mean, from zero to 250 in five seconds. It is fast. It's, it's stupid. Like you're talking 0 to 60 and like, I think it's 0.8.

[B]

What, like, what does your body feel like?

[A]

You feel that you just blast the parachutes more than anything.

[E]

But she's saying you kind of feel the, the, I guess reverse GS of the.

[A]

Yeah, the parachutes actually hit harder than the car, but it just boom. Yeah. So like a lot of Free.

[D]

Does anything feel fast after that? Like you hop in other cars feel slow, I'm sure. Like you hop in this Supra. What does this have, like 1300 horsepower?

[A]

Yeah, probably.

[D]

Like what is that? Like driving just a Subaru nowadays?

[A]

Nothing. It actually helps you because when you're in a really fast car and your brain gets to that level. Because now I can drive the 5 second car and I understand it as we're traveling down the track. I understand the feelings of okay, the tires are off the ground or they're on the ground or they're just touching or I'm going left or right. Like you get, you catch up with it. Then you get in the slower car. It's second slower and like I'm like fully locked in every part of the car. So it actually helps you, I think because you go. You slow down. It's.

[D]

I think I know what you're saying. Kind of on a much smaller scale.

[A]

Say you're driving a 450 dirt bike on the track. It's probably a little more bike than like I could handle. Then I go down to my 110, right. And like I'm on. Then I can just like I'm wide open through the berms. Like you're ripping totally different. It's actually more fun driving a, a slow car fast than driving a really fast car fast.

[B]

It's just, I think the Supra is like the fastest car I've ever been in, honestly. And it's your street car.

[A]

Yeah. That thing's turd. I mean it's fast, but it's like doesn't even hold a flame to what the seller stuff does.

[B]

Would you ever do a, a nitro car?

[A]

So I don't fit in top fuel dragsters unless it was a custom chassis. And like I don't think the wrist or reward exists too fast. What do they go, 330? Yeah, 330 mile an hour. I know they're going 330 here.

[E]

That is a good question though. Like you're climbing the ladder of, you know, you're in the tens.

[D]

Exactly.

[E]

So that's. That is what I was wondering. Like top fuel just seems like you got to make it your like your life.

[A]

I guess it's a big risk. Like you're going 330 mile an hour. If that puppy blows over or whatever, you're going for the ride. Your life.

[B]

Yeah. I can't even wrap my mind around that.

[A]

They keep a helicopter here when they run them. Like the helicopter is sitting there ready Ready? Because it's so life or death if something goes wrong. That kind of scares me.

[B]

Yeah, no kidding.

[C]

Yeah, I feel like there's no like easy crash in that. Like no matter what at that speed.

[A]

Yeah. Like if you're parachutes don't come out or something. Like only a few things have to go wrong. You blow a tire. I don't know, dude. I don't know. That's a good question. I don't know when we'll stop, but.

[E]

It might be there.

[A]

But we might be close and that's.

[E]

That doesn't mean necessarily stop. I mean there's so much fun to be had in the, you know, in the fives.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

I mean just the fives.

[A]

Yeah. I'd be willing to run a top fuel car for the eighth mile and then I'm sure if I ran it to the eighth, I'd feel comfortable enough to. To the quarter, but damn crazy, bro. Three seconds to go. A thousand feet.

[C]

Do they have like, like if your parachute doesn't go, there's no way the. Do they even have brakes on it.

[B]

Or is it just the parachute?

[A]

They have brakes but you're going off the track, you're going off the end at probably 130I would think is what.

[B]

You could get down to if your parachute doesn't go.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Which is crazy cuz that's about twice the legal limit on this interstate. So yeah, go twice.

[A]

I mean there ain't really a crumple zone like that thing. Depending on what you hit, you're just going to take the brunt of it. It's not going to slow you down. I don't know.

[B]

Have you seen that?

[A]

I've seen parachute. Yeah. I actually just this last weekend where I was racing Eagles, one of the cars in my class, parachutes stripped right off it, dude. Through the shoes. Both came off immediately rolled and slid on its roof like more than a quarter mile. Jesus, dude.

[B]

Yeah, it's good. One of those things, man.

[A]

He was good.

[B]

You don't really think about. I guess if you're doing it, you do. But like to the general public of how many people race in it versus how many people probably get injured or die, like the percentage got to be insane, right? It's got to be pretty high, like higher than most sports Drag racing is.

[A]

Really good because for the most part your inertia remains in one direction and can't be stopped immediately. You know what I mean? Unless you go over the wall, there's nothing that can stop you. So your inertia doesn't have an immediate change, you know, I mean like no trees. Yeah, there's no trees in drifting. I think they have probably more high impact hits than most drag racers. But if you blow over, you know, which is like if you're doing a power wheelie and you get up in the higher 150s, like maybe closer to 200 and you fly. Yeah. And you go off over the walls and find something that can stop all your inertia. That's where people really get hurt or fires. You know, if you're going 250 and a fire breaks out, you can't get stopped for another 20 seconds. That's where your suit, like my suit is 20 layers. It's supposed to be able to survive those 20 seconds while I get the car hopefully stopped or it slides to a stop or whatever.

[B]

Your wife like get worried.

[A]

Well, I mean we're talking about this in the worst case scenario.

[B]

True.

[A]

No, I know.

[B]

But even when you're doing, you know.

[A]

I think five seconds, I think she gets nervous. But we have the best equipment so that helps. I think she's pretty comfortable with it now. We've been drag racing for a long time and I think she gets worried. When I'm racing those real short wheelbase cars that are crazy, they're like, you know, there's a lot of idiots with fast cars too. That's something you got to account for. We know you frickin pull into this guy that you know, crashed last weekend. That sucks.

[C]

Oh, like up against him. You're looking at him, dude.

[A]

People will crack, crash and then fix their car in the staging lanes.

[D]

That's what Ben's got going for him tonight. People are gonna be scared. They are going to be scared of you. Just drive aggressive.

[A]

I see that Sea boys driving around like, damn, let him pass, let him pass. What if his brakes go out? Who knows what he'll do. Like I saw guys this last weekend crash, fix their car in the pits and then be right back on the staging lanes and I'm like, damn, I don't want to race him. Yeah.

[C]

Because that's a patch job. Like you're throwing it together.

[A]

Yeah, maybe. Oh yeah, no, I mean they do it. It's just a little sketch.

[B]

I got a question for you. What's up with you and the song? Love it or hate it?

[A]

Oh, I just, when I turn that song on, it hits so damn hard.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

When I, I listened to it on the way to work. Listen to it this morning.

[E]

That's really said hater.

[A]

Love it. The Dog's on top.

[B]

The best part about that.

[D]

That's true.

[E]

Is that you. It wasn't some premeditated.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[E]

So the reason I use that song, you're just like, I just love it.

[A]

Good stuff. Just love it, dude. I posted it a couple times and someone was like, pick a new song. I said, you know what? Hate or love it.

[E]

I love this.

[A]

I'm posting this for the rest of my life. My Instagram.

[C]

Do you know how many times you've posted it?

[A]

No.

[C]

You've posted it 103 times. The main audio just on Cletus McFarland. Not on all the other ones. Not on Stories.

[A]

That's pretty good.

[C]

Just main audio on thing.

[E]

I would have thought it was more, but that's.

[D]

Yeah, that makes sense.

[B]

When you say not counting stories, only rising.

[A]

I'm trying to get 50 Cent to come race.

[E]

Yes.

[A]

That'd be sick.

[D]

You could have him perform or something.

[A]

How hard. For your birthday.

[D]

That's how you just.

[B]

On repeat.

[D]

That's all. It's just one song, just to keep it cheap.

[A]

What if we got him for the Freedom 500? I wonder what his fee is. I wonder if someone could reach out to his team. He.

[D]

He'd probably do it for a discount just to be here.

[E]

Yeah, you're boosting his charts, and I.

[A]

Think I've had a few people unfollow because of it, but hate or love, dude. Yeah, 100 dogs on top.

[B]

I mean, yeah, the comments are pretty funny, though. Like, judging by what you said earlier in the podcast, I would have thought that you would have switched because there is so many people that are just like, dude, seriously, stop.

[A]

Yeah, see, that's something. I don't care about that opinion because, like, said, I. I. You know, I guess it goes back to the thing. It's like, it's a free Instagram account. It's not that deep. I'm playing the song Hater. Love it.

[C]

Dude, I don't want to blow up your spot, but, like, I bought the rights to Chill Bill, so I was wondering if you did that with Hated or love it. Like, you. You bought some of the streaming rights for it and now you're, like, pushing it out there.

[A]

No, dude, I'm just. I'm just playing. But you should do that or Love it possible, you know, if I could buy it, make a little coin off.

[D]

You just own, like, point 1% of.

[E]

It, basically, it goes public.

[A]

I didn't even think of that. Yeah, genius. Now I'll keep rocking it probably till I die.

[B]

Well, I'll tell you this much. Every time I hear the song, I think of you. Yeah, good.

[E]

So 100%.

[B]

You got that going.

[A]

Imagine they ban it or something. I'd be so.

[E]

Actually, I mean, you were the first one to tell me that. Like, back when I would edit a little bit of the videos I would try to use. I mean, I'll just admit it. Like, I just use not good songs, and I would try to use a different song every single time.

[A]

And then Brutal.

[E]

CJ was like, dude, so what we're trying to do is, like, if you use a good song, kind of not use good music.

[A]

Yeah.

[E]

But, yeah, like, if we find our song and, like, use it over and over, then people recognize it. And then I was like, yeah, you do have a point. And then it's. There's a hundred percent truth to that. Like, Danny Duncan has his transition song, and that's kind of. You use that as an example.

[A]

You guys have.

[E]

And you just know.

[A]

Yeah.

[E]

And you guys have done a great job of that. So I think using the same song over and over goes way farther than using a different song.

[A]

My viewers rage if I change my time lapse song.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Really? Yeah.

[D]

Do you got to have one of the most, like, loyal fan bases on YouTube for how much you post and how it's always, like, over a million views.

[A]

I definitely am so lucky. Like, I have, like, the easiest audience to work with of all time, I think. Like, they're very responsive, they're cool. They're not, like, insane. Like, if I meet someone at the grocery store, it's. It's a great experience. It's not like. It's not like I've, you know, I know what some people deal with. I don't have stalkers. I mean, I've had a couple crazy people that have come to my house, but I don't have, like, crazy people that'll, like, interrupt my dinner to tell me they hate me, you know, I'm sure some people have that. Imagine being in politics, like, how much people can hate you over an idea. Yeah, I'm sure we share quite.

[D]

Yeah, we. Ours is the same experience, honestly. But, yeah, no, it's just. It's just crazy watching your work ethic. I feel like we work really hard, but if there's another person that works harder than us, it's you, for sure.

[A]

I mean, appreciate. I know you guys work really hard and actually, something I want to talk about. Why do you guys only post once a week? Why can't we up those numbers?

[D]

What's they're going to love hearing you say that.

[A]

The hell are we doing here? How many? Five guys.

[E]

You sound just like them.

[A]

Six guys making these videos.

[B]

Are you working for the office?

[A]

The content. Where is the content?

[D]

Well, I mean, look at the content. Look at the content. I mean, great. Every Thursday, it's just. It's just jam packed. And it's as high a quality as we can while still keeping it consistent. I mean, we're filming up till Wednesday to make Thursday happen. Then we edit it in one day. God damn it. Maybe.

[E]

Maybe we don't have a good answer for you.

[A]

I'm pissed about it.

[E]

One day when we have a. I'll.

[D]

Just say this, dude.

[B]

It's hard enough to do one a week for us. Honestly, we literally couldn't.

[D]

I mean, we were. We were uploading in the airport last night. We were editing at the airport on the plane.

[A]

So talk me through a week here. What time do you guys get to the shop?

[B]

Well, I mean, yeah, we'll get to.

[D]

The shop if you're Micah Noon.

[B]

I don't know, 9 if it's a Monday. If it's a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, I'll keep going. We'll film on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesdays, a lot of Saturdays, we got to corral the crew, you know, so we might start filming at 10, 11. But then we're also working on projects. You know, usually when we do a project, it's not like we put some in one video and then some in the next. Like, it's like one. One project is one video, right? And some projects take two months. So we'll film a bit for that project that we got going on. And then, yeah, we'll film a podcast, and then we'll film another bit for another video that we got going on. And then we'll sit down and we'll edit the video on Thursday. So CJ and I'll show up at like 6, 7am and then. And Dalton will edit all day on Thursday.

[D]

Like seven to eight, seven to nine.

[B]

So it's like a 13, 14 hour. It's just a lot of.

[D]

A lot of footage. Because, I mean, you were mentioning the five, six guys. But like, when you're just running the camera, you have so many people talking. So then it's like you have so many jokes you kind of got to sift through and. And you try and keep it consistent moving forward. At least that's what we do. But a lot of it, like Ben said, is. Is like we're working on projects that are a month or two out and you're filming, you're picking up. So like oftentimes we're, we're working on like 3, 4 videos at one time.

[A]

Yeah, but.

[D]

And then you got of course like calls and shit and whatever else. But we could up our numbers. We used to do two a week and we just found that we could make a better video by just doing one a week.

[A]

Everyone does have a different strategy. Not saying you have to post more than once a week.

[D]

I just feel like nobody posts more than you though. Like if you look at us compared to most other YouTubers posting consistently once a week in terms of like big, bigger YouTubers, most people aren't doing it.

[A]

I know.

[D]

So like you are an anomaly. You really are. And I mean I've, I've watched you work. You show up, you just on it, dude. And you have such a good crew. It's like everything's ready to go.

[A]

And yeah, yeah, that's huge. Employees is probably the number one thing to make you able to post a lot. But every YouTube channel has a different strategy and if once a week maximizes your guys ability to reach your audience, then so be it.

[B]

Yeah, I mean we just focus on the one video. We make it as good as possible. That's just, has been working for us. And honestly the biggest thing is we're just trying to mitigate burnout too. Like with all of us, you might not believe it, but like we're all like strong dude. Like very rarely do we work less than six days a week, seven days, a lot of weeks. Also, Evan lives four hours away and he's got a whole nother life. Right. So we got to keep that in mind too of, of his time and when he's at the shop. So you know, there's just a lot of different moving parts that we, you know, try and juggle and that's just kind of what we found works for us.

[A]

I'm definitely not trying to criticize you guys. I just, you know.

[E]

No, no.

[D]

Putting us on the hot seat.

[A]

I just want to know, so like.

[D]

Do you even take a day off ever?

[A]

All the time.

[E]

Really?

[D]

How do you ever have time to take a day?

[A]

Employees.

[B]

Like what do you.

[D]

I mean we have great employees too.

[A]

But I have, you know, here's the thing. Now I try to edit, you know, when I'm at work or I just edit when everyone's asleep. So that just solves that problem. Like so you just don't sleep well. I mean in all reality it's like how much sleep do you need a.

[D]

Couple hours is good.

[A]

If you're getting six a night, that's pretty solid. I mean, I think Elon sleeps.

[D]

That's true.

[A]

If you got to sacrifice some sleep, that's how I get back ahead is I'm just willing to do that. Yeah, like what you said about my guys get stuff ready and that's crucial. It really doesn't matter how much you post. I guess if you've analyzed this is going to be the most watch time for the channel period, then that makes sense. You don't have to post. You might lose money by posting twice a week.

[D]

Well, our videos cost a ton of money and nothing's worth anything at the end of it. So it's like, like everything's totaled out, it's on fire. You can't sell stuff. But something I think about a lot which goes back to you is like, you have two kids and eventually, like, I'm gonna have kids. These guys will have kids. How much is having kids changed the way that you operate in terms of a business? Obviously it's changed your personal life.

[A]

But like, all right, I'll tell you this. So like, the first four months of having a kid, your first kid, it will take you and your wife to rock bottom just because of the situation of losing all your sleep. You will lose it because you're gonna be so strung out about keeping the thing alive long term. As long as you can set your wife up correctly to have, like, help, like we have grandmas that help a lot and you can get her that free time to, like, spend time with you, it can not affect your work life too much. And you definitely have to sacrifice work life first to, to be with mom and baby because, you know, there was certainly a point where I didn't prioritize them enough. That doesn't help anything. And like, the baby just multiplies all your issues. So if you have for, say, a drinking problem, the baby is going to take whatever your issue in life is and multiply it by 2000%, because that's what they do. They just make your life complicated because of the loss of sleep and what it does to your wife and things like that. So what I would encourage you to do is get to your point where you're not strung out and the businesses ran really well and you can rely on those trustworthy employees, then have a baby. And it's really, it's a great process. But no matter what, you're going to hit rock bottom at some point because of loss of sleep or any outlying issue you may have in your life, like, that's what babies do. I think it's actually designed. Part of the process is they're so difficult to raise. We in particular, I think, had a tough baby. Our first one, Rip, for some reason, they just don't want to sleep or they don't want to eat. What it does to your wife is unbelievable because their mom brain is, I have to keep this baby alive, and I love it so much. They won't prioritize anything but the baby, and you're trying to prioritize other stuff, and then it's just like, boom. It's crazy. Once you get through those difficult times, like right now, I know the kids are set. I don't stress about it at all. The whole day certainly is a process to get to that point.

[E]

It's great advice.

[C]

Yeah. Sorry, we're quiet on this one.

[A]

We got no.

[D]

I mean, I've seen. I've seen Maddie just like, you know. Yeah, obviously she's always around and she's got the kids with, and she's an awesome mom. I don't know if it was your mom or her mom, but they came up to us and. And told us last time we were. Yeah, RIP loves watching the vids. I don't know whose mom it was.

[A]

But it was either of them. But, like, grandmas are absolute key. I mean, obviously some people don't have the luxury of having a grandma, but, like, you got to find someone that really cares for the kids to help the mom, especially with two. And I will tell you guys this. Whether it's the helicopter, the freaking, the coolest thing you've always wanted in your life, it will not hold a flame to the words dada. When your kid says dada, there's nothing that touches it. Not the greatest freaking Stark Varg powered Ferrari with wings you've ever seen in your life. The first six months, it's like this little baby. You're like, okay, I get it. I'm a dad. When you walk home and that little guy says, dad, nothing touches it.

[B]

Were you scared to have kids?

[A]

It was scary when we found out we were pregnant. Then we were excited. And then when we went to the hospital, it was pretty scary. We waited too long. So Maddie was in labor in the car. Oh, not awesome. And then she was, like, really in hardcore labor during check in. And they're like, dude, the valet guy's yelling at me. Just take it. No, dude, the valet guy.

[D]

You can't park here.

[A]

I'm in our time.

[C]

I don't care, I was gonna ask.

[A]

What car did you take in the Tahoe? And we got all our stuff, right? Like, you. You packed for this. So you just load that stuff, and then you go, dude, Maddie's, like, screaming. The valet guy. I'm trying to get her stuff because it's crucial we have her stuff. You know, she has spent weeks organizing this stuff. I'm not gonna let the valet guy jumps in the Tahoe and just starts moving it. He's like, I'll park it. Worry about your wife, brother. Let me get my bag and her phone. You know, me and the valet guy are beefing. Maddie's screaming, and then they.

[C]

Rips coming.

[A]

Yeah. Rips on his way. They take your wife into a room. Well, this is this particular hospital. And they ask your wife, are you, like, safe? I don't know why. It's probably because people beat their wives or whatever. And they. You know, people are addicted to drugs or children trafficking. I have no idea. But they take your wife, and they want to ask them if they're safe. They also want them to sign some paperwork and stuff. And Maddie's, like, screaming through all this. So that experience for us was just not good. From the moment the labor started, that was all really scary until the baby was out and alive. And then we were like, now it's amazing again.

[B]

But it's got to be one of those things, too, where you're. When you're going into it, you don't know what to do. You don't know what to expect. This is your first time. You're like, my wife's pregnant. Where do I go?

[A]

It is.

[B]

Or how's that work?

[A]

Or do you call ahead? You tour the hospital prior.

[B]

So, you know, I've never.

[A]

But it is finding this most incredible experience. Experience of your life to see your child come to life from your wife that made it. It's nuts. It's the most, like, what is it? It's euphoric. It's also, like. It takes you to, like. You're just. You feel like an. You're like animals. Like, oh, yeah. You know, this is real life stuff. No, no. Nothing else matters. Like, your wife made this baby. And hear this. So I'm not trying to bore you guys, all right? I can't wait for you to all do. Experience it if you're gonna do it.

[D]

I can't wait to see Rip run around this freedom factory dude when he's older.

[A]

Yeah, he's. He rips now. I don't know the last time you saw him but that dude is on it.

[D]

Really?

[C]

How old is he now?

[A]

Two. Just turned to just turn two Wednesday. Yeah. So he'll be. He'll be bombing around with his little helicopter, just living his life. He'll be here.

[B]

Yeah. Are you gonna get him a helicopter?

[E]

Flies it.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, he's got it. He has a toy helicopter that he's. He'll be rocking today. I'd be shocked if he didn't have it on him, but love spriding in the helicopter. Him and I cruising it together. He rides up front by himself now? No, mom, that's awesome.

[B]

Like, some kids get a first car when they turn 16. He's getting a helicopter.

[A]

Oh, dude. He little two seater. I don't think I'll let him fly solo for a long time. But he lives for that, though thing.

[B]

Do you have to be 16 to get your helicopter license or your pilot license? Like, how's that work?

[A]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's 16. I think you can solo at 14, but you can't ride with Pat. You can't take passengers as a solo pilot until you're 16.

[C]

It's kind of like having your farm permit, right?

[A]

Yeah, exactly. Same deal.

[B]

When I turned 15, I couldn't figure out how to get to school because I was outside of a district and my parents didn't know what to do. Should have just got a helicopter.

[A]

There you go. Imagine.

[D]

But this dude used to drive himself to school with no license.

[B]

Well, yeah, tell that story.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Might be incriminating me now. Yeah.

[D]

They're gonna get you now.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, dude. No, his parents let him do it. No, I lived outside of where any school buses went. My parents worked 50 minutes the opposite direction. And, you know, they work nine to six. And so, yeah, I would just drive with my permit at a farmer's permit? No.

[D]

Oh, it was completely illegal drivers.

[B]

Just a normal driver's permit permit. And I would drive to my buddy's house and then hop in with my buddy that lived outside of town.

[A]

A little bit stuff.

[B]

Yeah. And then we would ride to school together. Yeah, I did that for a while.

[A]

Yeah. We had farmers permits in Nebraska, so I drove to middle school. You could drive at 14. Is that crazy?

[B]

Like when you meet a 14 year old now that has.

[A]

Oh, my God, is that wild.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Dangerous.

[A]

You know, you start to understand, like, young people so much more when you have kids, like, and they're into the same stuff as you. So it's just so fun. Like, Riv only loves helicopters because I love them. If Evan Has a kid. It's gonna love dirt bikes.

[E]

That's how I feel like having Dalton around. I learned so much about young people.

[D]

Yeah, Dalton does.

[A]

Really? They love what you love.

[E]

That is awesome. It's.

[A]

It.

[E]

Yeah. It's still the coolest thing that you take him up in the helicopter. I mean, like, Evan, he's a grown man. He can't do that stuff.

[D]

It's even flying, though, for Evan. Like, just flying in a commercial plane. Like, really. I mean, yesterday, it was a nightmare for him, but it was even a nightmare for us because he's so nervous. He starts, you know, drinking a little bit. We had three different planes we had to hop on. Dude, we felt bad for the whole plane. This guy is yelling. Not, like, in a mean way, but he was just happy.

[B]

Hey, cj, we should.

[D]

And he's also deaf in one ear.

[B]

So he's already a little loud.

[D]

Oh, my God. I thought Ken was going to strangle the guy. And then Mike had to sit next to him. We hop off the plane, and Mike just goes, I have a headache.

[B]

Well, Evan said that he had eight or ten drinks, and they were all doubles. And then Ken added to the point that when you're in the air, it's. It's like one drink equals three.

[A]

Yeah. The oxygen's lower.

[B]

Yeah, so. So, Evan.

[A]

They're hitting a little harder.

[B]

Evan had 63. No.

[D]

I don't know if those numbers are accurate, but he's pretty proud of it, as you can tell.

[A]

Yeah. We need to break you out.

[B]

Yeah, Ken did strangle him a little bit, actually, Pop, I. Yeah, I didn't have my flash on, so you can only just imagine what happened in the dark. But Ken got two hands on his neck and wiggled him around.

[D]

He did. It looked like Homer Simpson and Bart. But you really pissed him off when you took your skateboard out in the Airbnb and you were insisting on skateboarding on the hardwood floors. In our Airbnb.

[A]

So my boy was tore up?

[D]

No, he was just acting normal. But, yeah, he was drunk, too.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

But it is funny, though, because, like, you're really only a year or two older than most of us. You don't necessarily feel older, but you're just so much more mature than us.

[A]

I don't know.

[D]

I feel like you are.

[A]

I mean, I think that you guys might catch me in a certain environment. I mean, like in Glamis.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

When we were all having a blast together. It's like we're all. I mean, I think you guys are certainly more mature than you think. Like, you guys are running a frigging massively successful company. You're very legit.

[D]

Like, we're almost, like, professionally immature. Like, our job is to stay immature.

[A]

That's good. And.

[D]

But like, like, don't. Don't slip up and start, like, acting serious.

[C]

You know, it's a balance because you got to be serious, and then you also got to be loose. That's why it's great to have Evan.

[A]

And, well, it makes sense characters because they are loose. I mean, if you don't have the maturity, it's like all the cards will come crashing down. So, yeah, the balance, dude, I think.

[B]

That you're in a lot of situations too, where you got to be mature. Like when you're flying that helicopter, dude. Like, I watched the video when you were in North Carolina and you were doing all the rescue missions with the helicopter and you were delivering the water and, like, you were landing on the sketchiest landing pads in roads that were broken up people's yards, and you were giving them rides back. Like, the whole time I watched it, I was just like, man, Cletus is one outstanding guy, but two so dialed, dude. Like, you were so laser focused. And I was just. I put myself in that situation, and I was like, God, I don't know if I could do that. I don't know if I could put that many people's lives in the. In the back seat, too.

[A]

It's not Cletus and that puppy. Like, it's Garrett. And I'm like, you have to understand, like, that thing will yard sale if it touches a stick. You know what I mean? So it's like, there's just zero room for error. And you learn a lot of that when you start flying them. You guys have been around enough to see people, like, some people hot dog them pretty hard. Like, they tear it up. Like, they'll do some sketchy stuff.

[D]

I'd imagine a lot of them, like.

[B]

The buddy that, like, our only other friend that has a helicopter.

[A]

Well, you. I think Dave definitely pushes it, but, you know, I think there are some guys out at the cabin with the other helicopters who are ripping and like, some guys just are willing to. To push it pretty far in a helicopter. And it depends on the helicopter you have. If you have a really good one, like a Blackhawk, which is one of the best ever, you can push it, because that puppy would get you out of most everything. Talking about these cheaper helicopters that I know you guys have seen and been around those things, you don't have really Any room for air.

[C]

It's like, because you're operating at the.

[A]

Limit you're operating, you're already operating them at their max weight and horsepower. And it's like at that point, if anything goes wrong, everyone's toast. And the pilot on board sometimes doesn't take that as serious as I would. So it's. It's like anything. You have to set your own limits. Mine are pretty strict in the aircraft because they are death trap if they're treated incorrectly.

[B]

Is it true that a helicopter is as safe, not safer than an airplane?

[A]

Airplane safer. Okay.

[B]

Because people always have the argument like, no, you can hover down to the ground. But like, in my mind, I'm like, dude, I just picture a brick falling out of the air.

[A]

Yeah. I can for sure land no engine. We could go do it right now. I'm good. Yeah.

[C]

I saw your testing video.

[A]

I still have good. I mean, I can do it 10 out of 10 times.

[E]

Great confidence.

[A]

If we were all in that thing and that engine died, I can tell you that if just the engine failed and there was a field underneath us, I feel 100% confident I would land it and the helicopter would be completely okay. Oh, wow. We just need the engine replaced.

[B]

So where do things go wrong when you're in, like, sketchy environments that you can't land in a field? Like, so in the mountains.

[A]

When I say, like, I could save it. Yeah. Perfect scenario. We're flying at 500ft, 100 knots straight. The engine fails. I got it. When you're hovering 50ft off the ground above a bunch of trees, with a small landing, you know, zone underneath it, and the engine fails. That's outside the profile in which you can save it. There's a velocity chart, and basically you have to be going a certain speed at certain altitudes to successfully auto rotate. Are we gonna die? No. Maybe break our backs.

[B]

Have you had any sketchy situations?

[A]

I blew a rear main seal and an R44, which is like, you know, the Robinsons. Yeah. It evacuated all the oil. And when I landed, the oil light came on. So that one wasn't too bad. I did fly in fog one time. See this fog layer right here? This is just overcast. If we popped in that thing and flew up 300ft, it would be perfect. Blue skies on top. I was at my house and it was broken, which is where there's gaps in it. And it was perfect blue sky. So I kind of popped up and I'm like, oh, like, well, I got to go north. I was going to Meet up with Travis Pastrana. And as I went north, now I'm on top of the clouds, and they're starting to not be broken. So they're more. They're tighter together. I'd only had my license for maybe six months. As I'm going more and more north, I can still see the ground through these gaps. I called the guy ahead, which was where I was going about 30 minutes north. I said, hey, can you see the sky? And he said, yeah, I can see the sky. Should never have trusted that when you. If you go stand straight underneath this and look up, you'll be able to see. See some blue. And people, like, just took that as, oh, you can see the sky, whatever. So I keep flying north, keep flying north. Now I can like barely see the ground. Well, I'm like, oh, well. He says it's good up ahead. So it's called VFR on top. So I'm still vfr. I can see everything, visual, flight rules. I'm on top. It's all good. Get to the destination. It is the exact same as what was below me. Like, you can't see the ground. Now. Flying a helicopter in the clouds is really difficult. It's like closing your eyes and standing on a bowling ball. You know, like, if you guys all went in there, I said, close your eyes. I could put the helicopter in basically like a 90 degree bank really softly, and then you'd open your eyes and not have realized we shifted into that position. So unless you are really good at reading the instruments, you shouldn't be flying in the clouds. And to fly in the clouds in a helicopter, you have to have an instrument certified helicopter. You have to be an instrument proficient pilot. And it has autopilot, has a lot of equipment required to do that. So anyway, now I'm above the clouds, I said, oh, I got to go south. I'm going back. I get back, it's socked in. We have about 30 minutes of fuel now, and we fly to the nearest airport. I've got a really good friend of mine that I trust with me. Not a pilot, but I said, hey, like, I'm going to line us up with the Runway. This helicopter, by the way, has zero equipment for fly instruments. And now I have instrument ratings as a helicopter pilot. This point, I had none of that. So an approach allows you. It. It tells you on the dash, a guided line to follow, and it brings you down really gently and in line with the Runway to a minimum altitude of like 200ft. So if you follow it on the gauges It'll bring you all the way to the end of the Runway. That's how planes and helicopters can fly in bad weather. So anyway, I have none of that equipment. All I have is my phone, which has a app on it. That's. That was my GPS at the time.

[D]

Great.

[A]

So I get to the airport. I decide we have to go in and try and land here because of our fuel reserve. I line up, we fly in at, like 800. We go in, and I'm watching the attitude indicator and just slowly going down, like you're shooting an approach. We get down to, like, 150. 50ft on the gauge. Still can't see the ground. It is, like, as fog. I have a picture of it from the day it happened. So I fly back out, and it felt like we were in the fog for an eternity.

[B]

Is everyone in there tweaking?

[A]

No one's saying a word.

[E]

Is it.

[B]

Because everyone knows what's, like, going down.

[A]

It's my wife and then my two friends and me. I had told Chad, my buddy, I said, tell me when you see the ground. You know, like, you look down. I have to stare at the ground.

[D]

Dash.

[A]

I'm. I'm locked in on this dash. We fly back in, and, dude, we're in there for an. It felt so long. And I'm flying. I'm making a descent at 200ft a minute, which is, like, really slow.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And he just screams out. I see the ground. I look down. We're over the top of a forest. Miss the airport by over a mile.

[D]

What?

[A]

I'm telling you, brother, you can't see anything.

[E]

So disorient.

[A]

And I literally, like, instead, instinctively, I pulled back and I pulled in all the power and drooped the rotor, which is when you pull so much power and when you're heavy in a cheap helicopter, this rotor speed slows down a little bit. I don't think I've ever told this story online, by the way. And this buzzer goes up. It's like. It's a horn. Oh, man. And, you know, instinctively, I lowered the collective, which is what you're supposed to do. And I kept flying on top of the treetops, and I found a hole, and I went in and landed and waited out the fog.

[B]

You guys really was just silent.

[A]

Dude, we were in the middle of a place.

[D]

You were happy.

[A]

And then, like, 30 minutes later, redneck walks up and all camo with a rifle. Y' all need any help?

[D]

Some helicopter fuel.

[A]

But, brother, it was terrible.

[E]

You took back off on reserve and Then went. Dipped to the airport.

[A]

Yeah. So we were a mile from the airport, luckily, in some guy's field who knows where.

[D]

That's scary.

[A]

Yeah. They say everybody at some point will, like, scare themselves with weather. And I did that. And I can tell you that I have never touched weather like that in a helicopter ever again.

[D]

And you deal with crazy weather around.

[A]

Here, but fog and stuff. I won't touch it.

[B]

Dude.

[D]

I always think about, like, when you're buzzing above the clouds, like, what you kind of described it, like, do you ever just see, like, another helicopter and you're just like, wave at him? Do you really just, like, you get up there, just a bunch of helicopters, like, just driving down the road.

[A]

Oh, it's. Yeah, for sure. Sometimes you'll get with what a guy and fly with him for, like, hours.

[D]

You're just taking a detour, cruising around.

[A]

And, like, there's. There's channels for helicopters. So, like, if I see the Manti county sheriff is flying, like, I'll just jump on and talk to him for a little bit and what's up? Yeah, like, you just cruise, like, all the new stuff. Like, we have traffic, so we can see where everybody's at in this area. And so you kind of just see somebody and say, what's up? And it's pretty insane. That's awesome.

[B]

You said that you kind of treat your helicopter like a. Like an Uber around here. Like, you'll take it to lunch.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Take it out to dinner. You and Maddie will just bop around Florida. Like.

[A]

Yeah, dude.

[B]

Dude, I think that's, like, the biggest flex.

[A]

I think the Sea Boys need one. Dude, Ben's got to be the pilot probably, right?

[B]

I want one so bad, bro. Like I said earlier, like, getting yourself just so dialed.

[A]

Yeah, you got to be dialed.

[B]

Like, I don't have an alter ego that's smarter than I am. Like, you can always bend, so. Dude, I'm just always bad.

[A]

When you do the training, like, if you get into it and you start to love it, you'll just take it serious, seriously. Naturally. I think there's only a few outliers who, like, just are savages with them. Like, you'll just naturally realize the seriousness of the situation.

[B]

I want to go up with you. I want to go up real bad. Experience it.

[A]

I would love you to try and fly it. So it's one of the most difficult things you'll ever do is try and hover a helicopter.

[B]

What did you compare it to?

[A]

I mean, it's like standing on a bowling ball, but it's just. It's so weird to fly them because it's like. Imagine you're, like, hung by a string, but you have to stay under that string. And so you have to give input to the top of the string.

[B]

Yeah. It's hard to wrap my mind around, like, what, what, you know, driving anything would be comparable to that.

[A]

Nothing. And I've always thought, like, I'm pretty good at jumping and stuff, being able to drive. I'm sure we all are. Like, you can get in almost anything, right? A skid, steer a backhoe, whatever, and drive it probably with almost no training. It's the one thing I've ever not been able to get into. And it took me a lot, like, a while to be able to hover. A couple training sessions.

[B]

Did you buy your own and then figure out how to fly?

[A]

I went and flew a couple lessons and then I bought an R44, the Robinson that I was telling the story about and trained in that and got my license and then sold it and upgraded because, like, they're just horsepower limited and a lot of water in Florida. It kind of scares me to be in, like, a piston engine deal in the sky.

[B]

So I think one reason that so many people love you is because you're very relatable. You know, when they watch you, they feel like you're kind of just, you know, one of the boys. And obviously, as your channel's grown, you know, you became more and more successful and you can afford things like these helicopters or the planes or boat behind us. But how do you manage to, you know, grow your success but continue to stay grounded and stay that. That guy that people, you know, tune back to every single week?

[A]

You know, I. That's really nice. You say. I try to, like, stay humble and, like, connected with the people, just like you guys do. And like, the money spending thing is definitely. It's a hard thing to do because, like, I personally want the helicopter, but I also don't want to be unrelatable. So say I didn't buy the helicopter because I wanted to stay relatable. Like, I. I don't know, I have a hard time just, like, what am I supposed to do? Put the money in the bank and, like, hide it? I don't think that's what they want. I think they watch because they want to see cool stuff. I don't know necessarily if. If a helicopter is like, what they want to do. The views are pretty good. So I think people are excited about that. For example, it's something I battle with, like, how do you buy this cool stuff but also stay relatable? I don't know.

[B]

I think you've done a really good job at it, especially with buying this helicopter and then showing the, like, restoration process of it. But you also, last time we were hanging out, you were like, yeah, I'm buying this airport and I'm going to, you know, build my dream home on the airport. And I'm going back and forth whether I want to show that or not. And I told you just like, you know, as a friend, but as a fan, I think that it's so much cooler to see somebody that you watch and support and look up to, you know, living like, the life that a lot of people dream of.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So it's like, I think that you do it in a tasteful way of showing it where it's not. It's not braggy, it's not in your face, but it's like, people want to see you win.

[D]

It's all harder.

[B]

And you're not a douche too. And I think it's just so cool where I was like, bro, you have to show building the most insane house, because that's what everyone in your position.

[A]

Would also do on that. So bad. I. I ended up just posting a video asking them if they thought it was something they'd want to see. And it was overwhelming. Yes. But, like, I don't get off on the feeling of, like, showing off. Like, sometimes I feel guilty posting pictures of the helicopter because I don't want to, like, brag about it, but I love that thing, so I genuinely care. So, like, I think that thing is a coolest thing in the world and I love sharing that with people. So, like, I really want to post a picture, but I also don't want to give people the wrong idea that, like, it's all I care about. And I, I really just like to have fun and do it with cool toys. So I guess if people can get down on that, that's why they stick around. But some people, I'm sure, have left because of all the money spending. But what am I supposed to do, not spend it? Like, you guys are giving us this money by viewing our channels and being a part of it. Like, I want to burn it to keep you entertained. You're giving back and if they left.

[E]

Because of that, they were never true fans. But luckily for you, you're not rolling into the dealership, buying a brand new helicopter, and you're not rolling up to your house saying, yep, everyone built it. My house is done. Like, you were digging the concrete. Like, that was fun to see. And it's same for this. This was a journey to get to. So it certainly helps brought your viewers to feel like they're connected it too because they're like, my favorite YouTuber bought a helicopter and then brought it back to life. And now I love it.

[A]

But you know what I mean? Like, that feeling of it.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

It's not a great feeling to just be like, oh, I'm gonna drop all this.

[D]

Like, flexing isn't really.

[A]

That's definitely not your thing of flexing.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Like, I used to have a Nissan gtr and like just posting like a picture of that, I felt like I was flexing, which, like, realistically, like a pickup costs as much as a gtr, but like people perceive it as a supercar, so. Yeah.

[A]

But trying to say.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, no, I know exactly what you're saying.

[B]

I posted a picture of your other helicopter that you have on my story, and there was a response that said, the forbidden helicopter.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Or like the secret helicopter. I was like, oh, people. Yeah. People don't know about his other one.

[A]

That one I don't show, particularly because of people tracking where we're at. It's just nice to be able to arrive somewhere and it's never a thing. Like, if I go anywhere in that one, it. It really is a thing.

[C]

It's be like putting Cletus stickers all over Maddie's car, you know?

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

And I just kept it on the DL for the. Honestly, the reason of like not flexing and. And Consuela has her own story, so she's just. I love showing her off. She's the coolest thing I. I think I own. And it's just different. Ball game. I don't know. What.

[D]

What time are we at, guys? Just out of curiosity.

[B]

Probably right there.

[C]

Rap. We should wrap.

[D]

I know you got a busy day.

[A]

Yeah, we all do.

[B]

Crazy busy.

[D]

You're much, much more busy.

[A]

And you guys have the greatest guest of all time coming.

[B]

Yeah, we do.

[A]

The greatest human being all I think I personally have ever met in my life.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Travis Pastrana, TP199.

[D]

Dude, it's like without Travis Pastrana, I don't even know if we'd be doing.

[A]

Probably.

[D]

Yeah. And probably same for you. Even like, oh, no. Such an inspiration. Just growing up watching him, the single.

[A]

Biggest inspiration for me and to get into motorsports. And he's the exact same person you think he is, but better in person.

[D]

Yeah. So kind.

[A]

How many people can you say that about? Like he is.

[D]

I. I'd say the same about you though.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

When people ask, I always say that you're like the nicest YouTuber that I've.

[A]

Met, so that's nice. You. But Travis, like, if we, if we told him to, like get on the Stark Var right now and like, we'd make like a jump and do a backflip, he'd probably do it.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

I'm gonna have to ask him about these electric bikes, what he thinks, but. Well, sweet. We'll be taking both these Starks home at the end of the race. We'll have some more for the fleet. We'll probably put them in like a snowmobile or something, but there you go. Great. Well, thanks, Cletus. Appreciate it.

[B]

Appreciate you, brother.

[A]

Honored to be on here. All right, see you later.

[B]

See you later, brother.

[E]

See ya.