Podcast Summary: The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett Featuring MrBeast
Episode Title: MrBeast: If You Want To Be Liked, Don't Help People! I Lost Tens Of Millions On Beast Games... But I'm Worth $1 Billion!
Release Date: February 20, 2025
Host: Steven Bartlett (DOAC)
Guest: Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast)
1. Introduction to MrBeast
In this compelling episode of The Diary Of A CEO, host Steven Bartlett engages in an in-depth conversation with YouTube sensation MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson. As one of the world's largest YouTubers and a burgeoning entrepreneur, MrBeast shares his unfiltered experiences, challenges, and philosophies that have shaped his extraordinary journey.
2. Early Life and Motivation
MrBeast opens up about his early years, revealing a relentless drive that began at the age of 11 when he decided to become a YouTuber, despite feeling like an outsider. He explains, “[00:26] MrBeast: …I have the largest YouTube channel in the world. …because I'm really good at obsessing over one thing more than anyone else on the planet.”
This unwavering commitment was fueled by personal hardships, including his family's bankruptcy when he was 11 and his desire to support his single mother. MrBeast emphasizes the importance of perseverance, stating, “[03:24] MrBeast: …people hate it, but I'm just the most competitive, stubborn person you'll ever meet, and I just never give up.”
3. Mental Health and Personal Struggles
Despite his massive success, MrBeast candidly discusses his struggles with mental health. He reveals that his pursuit of success has often left him feeling more unhappy than happy. “[00:07] MrBeast: Um, I'm gonna be honest. So far more unhappy than happy.”
He attributes his mental state to the immense pressure and constant demand to maintain his YouTube empire. MrBeast shares, “[11:26] MrBeast: … I have read over 5,000 messages telling me to kill myself. …This is the price you have to pay.”
MrBeast also touches on his battle with Crohn’s disease and ADHD, highlighting how these conditions have impacted his life and work. “[15:06] MrBeast: When I was 15, I just started going to the bathroom eight, nine, 10 times a day… It's pretty brutal.”
4. Building a Business Empire
Transitioning from content creation to entrepreneurship, MrBeast discusses his ventures beyond YouTube, including Feastables—a marketing and communications company, and Beast Games—a massive production project. He underscores the significance of obsession in his work ethic, saying, “[12:19] MrBeast: …I just think about solving problems three times more than everyone else.”
His approach to business is characterized by extreme dedication and a refusal to conform to traditional standards. MrBeast highlights, “[19:16] MrBeast: …always have to be protective of the people I'm around because whatever they say is what I started thinking on and that's what I started obsessing over.”
5. Feastables and Ethical Sourcing
One of MrBeast’s most impactful ventures is Feastables, where he focuses on ethical sourcing of cocoa to combat child labor in West Africa. “[64:46] MrBeast: …we’re trying to get over a million kids out of child labor. But the ironic part is, the more I help people, the more I get.”
He details the challenges of sourcing ethically and the stark realities of child labor, stating, “[68:19] MrBeast: I didn’t know any of these things… 46% of labor in West Africa on cocoa farms is child labor.”
MrBeast’s commitment to ethical practices is not just a business strategy but a mission to create positive social change. “[74:55] MrBeast: …I want to get over a million kids out of child labor on cocoa farms.”
6. Beast Games and Production Challenges
Beast Games represents MrBeast’s foray into large-scale production, aiming to set multiple Guinness World Records. He reflects on the immense financial and logistical burdens, admitting, “[89:16] MrBeast: …we spent way too much money on it. I lost tens of millions of dollars on that show.”
Despite the high costs, MrBeast remains passionate about innovation and pushing boundaries in content creation. “[93:05] MrBeast: …if I fail, it’s over. Like, no-one’s ever, no stream flowers ever going to touch a YouTuber ever again.”
7. Dealing with Criticism and Public Perception
With a vast global audience, MrBeast faces significant criticism and negative feedback. He shares his coping mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of staying true to his ethics. “[34:07] MrBeast: …if my mental health was a priority, I wouldn’t be as successful as I am. …This is the price you have to pay.”
He stresses the necessity of internal guidelines and moral integrity over seeking universal approval. “[37:27] MrBeast: …as long as what we’re doing is moral and ethical… I have to decide, and I’m not going to let the Internet decide what is okay and what’s not.”
8. Hiring Philosophy and Team Building
MrBeast’s success is also attributed to his stringent hiring practices. He prioritizes coachability, extreme dedication, and a shared vision among his team members. “[24:28] MrBeast: …to be successful, you gotta be very coachable. …Obsessed. All in. See the value.”
He identifies mediocrity as a significant threat to his company’s culture and productivity. “[27:04] MrBeast: …the single worst trait is mediocrity. …just can't stand it.”
MrBeast values long-term relationships with his team, investing years into training and mentoring key employees to ensure sustained excellence. “[27:04] MrBeast: …they’re some of my top guys that I spent three or four years in the trenches with.”
9. Personal Relationships and Future Plans
Balancing an intense work schedule, MrBeast discusses his engagement to Tia, highlighting the importance of a supportive and understanding partner. “[58:12] MrBeast: …she really understands that work is what I live for, what keeps me going. And she supports me and she understands how important it is.”
He expresses a desire to have children once he can dedicate adequate time to being a present and supportive father. “[60:27] MrBeast: …if I’m going to have kids, I gotta be a great dad. …find the right time in the Venn diagram where I could actually be present in their life.”
10. Philosophy on Money and Success
MrBeast views money as a tool for business growth rather than personal wealth accumulation. “[62:31] MrBeast: Money is fuel to grow a business. …I just don’t want to live the life I live or be in my head.”
He emphasizes reinvestment and ethical practices to drive social impact, rather than seeking financial gain for its own sake. “[62:33] MrBeast: …money is fuel to grow a business. …So, yeah, that’s the point of life, in my opinion.”
11. Conclusion and Final Insights
In wrapping up the conversation, Steven Bartlett praises MrBeast for his dedication and the blueprint he provides to millions aspiring to break free from conventional paths. MrBeast remains unwavering in his commitment to innovation and ethical entrepreneurship, despite the personal and financial challenges he faces.
A notable closing moment includes MrBeast contemplating the nature of his success and its impact on his personal happiness, ultimately affirming his relentless pursuit: “[54:27] MrBeast: …probably this year, more unhappy than happy. …But I just need to prioritize my life where I can get. …I have to fix the sleep first before that.”
Notable Quotes
- MrBeast [00:07]: "So far more unhappy than happy."
- MrBeast [03:24]: "I just never give up."
- MrBeast [12:19]: "I can just obsess endlessly about something."
- MrBeast [34:07]: "This is the price you have to pay."
- MrBeast [27:04]: "The single worst trait is mediocrity."
- MrBeast [62:31]: "Money is fuel to grow a business."
Final Thoughts
This episode offers a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential content creators and entrepreneurs of our time. MrBeast's candid revelations about his struggles, relentless drive, and ethical commitments provide invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and individuals seeking to make a meaningful impact.
If you found this summary insightful, consider following The Diary Of A CEO podcast for more in-depth conversations with remarkable leaders and thinkers.