HAMMY TV - ARMY Gunner to Internet Prankster

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This episode is brought to you by Michigan Economic Development Corporation. In Michigan, you can have both a rewarding career and a quality lifestyle. With plentiful career opportunities in world changing innovating industries. From electric vehicles to clean energy to biotech, with room for advancement no matter where you are in your career. Plus, Michigan offers a welcoming, beautiful, affordable and inclusive community for all. Live your best life you can in Michigan. Visit themichiganlife.org I will spend hours answering people's DMs because I think people get past a certain point. There's people I will never name and shame but on Instagram that I'm bigger than who are verified. Don't answer my dm. Imagine that shit. Can you imagine? You built that audience. You don't even look. That's crazy. So you sure as hell ain't talking to their fans. Yeah, that's mind boggling to me. Dude, the fans are your every. People say it all the time. Thank for my fans. I love. I live for them.

Okay?

Like, dude, my fans are my. Like, that's my. I wish I could just have every Hammy fucking fan because if they like my shit, they're all nuts.

Yeah. Yeah. That's amazing. That's amazing. What's going on, everyone? Casey Adams here. Welcome back to the Rise of the Young podcast. Today we are in Boston and we have Ryan from Hammy TV with us here today. Thanks so much for coming on, brother.

You're welcome, man.

So, I mean, first things first to shout out to our buddy Dylan Kevo for putting us in touch. This is my first time in Boston and I'm actually speaking at an event called Hustle Culture Con. And Ryan decided to stop by to do this podcast. I'm super grateful for, man. I've. I've been seeing your content for, for a while now and you have some of the most creative, conversational, engaging content on Instagram, in my opinion. And it's been super cool to just see your content, but most importantly now to be people to learn more about you and your story and obviously how we could impact people listening who are looking to become creators or start creating content. So I'm excited for it, man.

Thanks so much, man. Welcome.

Welcome to Boston for sure, for sure. This is the first time, like I said. But really just to start it off, man, right now you have 5.5 million followers on Instagram. And we were just talking about this before. Every single video you post on Instagram gets over a million views and anywhere from 10,000 to 40, 50,000 comments per video.

So.

So to kind of bring it back to reality for everyone listening. When did you start on Instagram and what was the purpose of that? Before we get into your story.

Okay, so I started on Instagram two years ago.

Okay.

Before that was Facebook and YouTube. So I kinda jumped. You know, YouTube had that big like all the ads got taken out and I'm like, ah, well, you know, and they started getting so kid friendly and I felt like they were really taking your, like a control over what you can create. Like ah, you can't be too crazy and you'll never hit explore, whatever they call it. And so then I went to Facebook and Facebook I grew rapidly on as well, video wise. And then, you know, the whole analytical data thing happened. So again they just like overnight, 70% reach gone, you know, for whatever reason. So I was like, all right, well you know, I still want to create. Let's go to Instagram.

Yeah.

So I went to Instagram and you know, each time the videos got a little shorter. Instagram's obviously a minute unless you do igtv, which they rolled out. But when I first went on Instagram it was a minute. Facebook was like, you wanted like a two minute mark. And then YouTube was maybe five to six minutes. So I just adjusted my content and learned.

So regarding just Instagram itself, you've been on there for two years. I just want to give some context because people are like, oh wow, like he has 5.5 million followers. I've been on Instagram for years. Like you just two years ago you got on and you just dominated it. So really for everyone, for everyone listening now, what would you describe as your content? Like what kind of content do you put out there if people haven't seen it, obviously I'll link it down below. But what, what do you describe as the type of content you put out?

Surprising. Okay, definitely it's, it's me and my fiance. So it's relationship driven and extremely relatable.

Okay.

But there's always something that's going to happen that, like this. It's just how I make my content. It's crazy. It's like it makes you talk.

Yeah.

So it's, it's definitely, you know, relationship driven. Love mixed with some comedy. Funny. And then of course, our own different style that I like to put in. Got it.

So I really want to, I guess, take it back now. We're. We're in Boston. You've told me that you grew up in Boston. Just bring me back to, like, childhood. What. What got you started into what you do now, but most importantly, like, where you come from. Bring us back to, like, hand me in high school. What were you doing back then in terms of. Because I think the most important thing I want to touch on today is this podcast, Rise the young. It's mainly 18 to 25 year olds, and I always try to inspire that young entrepreneur that's looking to start a business or looking to become a creator. And I really want to take them back so that they can understand, like, who you are. Because sometimes it's hard to relate to someone. It's like, dude, Hammy Ryan has five and a half million followers. Just, let's. Let's take people back to your childhood.

Of course. Yeah. So high school, probably, like the classic. Didn't enjoy it. Principal's office stuff. Not. Not crazy, but always laughing, kind of class clown, whatever, entertainment, like center of attention. People loved having class with me because they knew it would be funny. And so I didn't want to go to college because I didn't enjoy high school.

Okay.

And so I joined the military. I went active duty army, right out of high school. Two weeks later, I was in boot camp.

Appreciate the service.

No problem. So that was 21 weeks straight boot camp, plus military police training.

Wow.

And so then I got stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado. Trained there for a little bit, throwing grenades and snow, and then went to Iraq where it was 100 plus degrees.

Wow.

And we did 15 months straight.

This is right out of high school.

Right out of high school. I turned 20 in Iraq.

Okay, so you were 19 when you went in.

Yep, that's.

I'm 19 right now. So it's like just to kind of bring context to everyone. So you go out of high school? Well, regarding going to. You said army, correct?

Yep.

Was that your decision or where did that come from? Regarding, like, the influence to do that. Was it always something you thought about? Because I think obviously for everyone watching, that's a big decision to make, you know, joining the Army. And I always. I'm always curious because I have so much respect for people that are in the army and actually provide service to the US So where did that decision come from?

Ran, like, I just didn't want to go to college. Didn't want to be that person just doing dead end jobs. So I was like, let's just do it. You know, at the time there's Afghanistan and Iraq was both popping off. So I knew I was basically going to war. But that's what I wanted to do. I didn't want to go to school.

Yeah.

Anymore. So I did it. And I'm very glad that I did it. But yeah, I ended up in Iraq. I had my birthday there 15 months straight. I started off in Baghdad escorting the President, Prime Minister of Iraq. I was there when Obama came over as a, what do you call it, like when he's getting ready to run for the president.

Okay.

He stopped over. So I was on the embassy roof doing security for him.

That's insane.

Yeah. And then we went to a D1D Iraq about eight months in and started doing some prison work and working with their police. Okay. So that's basically what I did while I was over there.

Wow. What would you say was the, like, what did you take away throughout those 15 months? Because I think someone like myself. Right. You, you entered into this thing that was complete out of your comfort zone. Right. You go into Afghanistan, you're going to these places that A, you've never been to before. B, they're, they're not the most. Hey, like come on in. It's like, it's one of those things you could have been fearful or you don't know what to expect. Things could happen. It's a war. You're throwing grenade. Like, of course I'm always, I'm always curious to ask, especially someone that's been in active duty, just what would you say was the most important thing you learned through that experience over the course of 15 months or what did you take away from that?

I would say definitely taking care of yourself mentally. You know, meditation. Like I was telling you, I like to do everyone and because you can only go, go, go, go, go so much, we're always going.

Yep.

And so I think what really changed me was I'll never forget, I was in the gym working out. Cuz I worked out. It was like nine months in and I had a panic attack. I didn't know what it was at the time.

Wow.

And I think that's when the whole like mental health thing, which we knew nothing about, we knew how to go fight a war, but they don't really tell and talk to you about mental.

Health at all, really.

So I didn't know what it was.

Panic attack.

Yeah.

Describe that. Like, what is this panic attack? Where does it happen? Because, I mean, I don't truthfully grasp with that.

Yeah, of course. Well, it's good, you know, it's good that you don't know. So basically, I was in the gym working out, and all of a sudden, it kind of hits you. Like, you want to run out of your body. Almost like adrenaline, because that's what panic is. It's an adrenaline shot, but there's no reason for it. So you're just going on your thing. So tangles in your legs, like, say, driving. Someone almost hits you, and you get that. Whoo. Like, you know, lightheaded, like. And then you calm. It's like that, but for no reason. And a little bit longer. Okay. So very light head. I thought I was gonna pass out. I had to sit down, heart racing, sweaty, and I had no idea what it was because I had no idea what anxiety or panic was at all. So that kind of got me into a. Yeah. Pretty rough cycle. It's called, like, an anxiety cycle.

Okay.

Which I later learned and researched and read about what this is, because it happened to me, and since then, it changed my life forever, you know?

That's interesting.

Yeah.

So that you said that was nine months in.

That was about nine months in.

Okay.

Smooth ride.

Okay. Yeah. Yeah.

But it was building up, and, like, we're getting rocket and mortar attacked all the time. Constant danger. Every time you went outside of the base, you can literally hear their soldiers intercepting and saying, how many troops are going out? In their language, this many troops always watching. So they're always watching. So any second they can attack you whenever they want.

Was there, like, an internal fear throughout that time there or. Because, like, obviously, like, now that. When I. When I met you today. Right.

Yeah.

Yeah. Happy, joyful, excited. Like, obviously, you're completely different person than back then, but, like, what was the constant, like, mental condition that you're in in that type of zone? Because I just really want to bring people there. Because not everyone has that opportunity or will decide to do that, of course.

Like, what.

What's the. The mental battle on a daily basis, you know?

Yeah. So to keep it.

And real quick, too, because I know you told me you were one of the younger guys there. A lot of people had families and, like, you coming. You're coming in there with, like, this, like, young mentality, Right. Where you could be in college, partying, doing your thing, but you're. No. You're in a war zone, and you gotta watch out for a missile coming in, potentially, you know, so, like, bring us to that mental perspective, like, where were you at?

I mean, I was a gunner, so I was the one up in the turret.

That sounds sick.

Yeah, yeah. So your body will adapt to anything. It's amazing what your body will do. So when you're first day, like, oh, you know, die, die. Like, it could happen. And eventually you're just like, man, if it's going to happen, it's going to happen. Like, I just want to do my job.

Yeah.

And so for me, you know, every day you would go out and there's danger, whatever, but you do get used to it. But what actually was really the hardest for me was in between the rocket attacks. So they would have randomly send rockets into the base or mortars randomly. You know, they would set them up, shoot them into the base while you're sleeping, whatever. It was between the times where they wouldn't attack, where it was the hardest.

Okay.

We're like, shit, it's been like three days. They haven't set nothing in. It's coming. Let it just come. You know, Those were. Those were the hardest. I really fuck with my patients. Yeah, because you knew it was coming.

Yeah.

You just wanted it to come. You'd rather just wake up at 4am with them sending it in. Thank you. Waiting again for, like four months. Like, where are they? Sorry. Four days, five days, six days. Like, all right. Like, is it coming? And then, Boom, on the seventh day, you got like 20 rockets coming. Yeah. So, wow. It was that. That was the worst part for me. Was that the waiting game, when it was quiet?

Yeah.

It's not like Black Hawk Down. You don't go out and you're in firefights and like war heroes, you know, you'll go six months with nothing.

Wow.

You know rocket attacks. No, that's like every day. But outside of base, outside of the wire, they call it, it'll be calm, clear for a while. It's just that patience of like, you'd rather something happen, let something pop so, you know, we can get it over with.

Yeah, yeah.

So.

So I kind of want to just. Regarding the 15 months. When you left, you said 15 months later. In terms of your time there, where were you at? Like, what was the plan? Meaning, like, to kind of transition a bit. You're 15 months. You do your time there, you do your service. Was there any plans to continue forward or were you saying, okay, I'm done, I'm going to walk away from this and figure out my next step? And therefore, like, what was the transition like?

I was tired. I wanted. I Didn't want to stand. I mean, like, at the time it was just war, war, war. So I knew I was going to go back. So my actual service was three and a half months. And so I could have just stayed or just unleave discharged, but I was tired then mentally, I didn't really have any education on what was still happening. I was still terrible anxiety, you know, I would get random panic attacks. And so I was like, all right, I've had enough. I just, you know, I'd rather get out and just do my reserve time.

Yeah.

And so once I went back home into reserves, which by the way, the whole me creating content and stuff really came from Iraq because I was crazy overseas. Like I was telling you earlier, I was the youngest one, so I was always playing pranks on people, doing wild stuff constantly. Okay. And so one day we're all sitting in the truck after like 14 months. They're like, dude, Hammy, you got to be an entertainment entertainment. Or like, just promise us that you'll do something. You're a TV guy. Like, you're it. So I promised him. And then, you know, some have lost their lives going back. Some never came back, some due to suicide. So, like, that's what really will kick me into, like doing like.

That was like your squad over there.

My people. Yeah. So, you know you have a lot of talks when you're sitting in a truck. Yeah, yeah, 19, 20 hours.

Absolutely. Like, so you make this promise to them, hey, like, being a creative being in entertainment. And like at that moment, what was your life like regarding, like, social media? Were you even on social media? Was a thing like, didn't exist.

No. Got it, got it. So I would say I didn't exist. Like two years after I started doing some. Some funny videos on Facebook just on my personal page, but they started gaining.

Got it. And then I was like, yeah, because what's like the. From going, okay, I'm going to promise you guys to be in entertainment. Like, kind of walk us through. Like, when did you truthfully decide that? Like, okay, let me start creating content and give us some context, like maybe what year this was. Because like right now in 2019, it's like completely different in terms of the type of content, the algorithms, new apps like TikTok and all these things. Like, it's such. You're gonna speak to someone differently today right now than what you were doing right when you got started. So, like, give us some context. Like when you decided to say, okay, I'm doing this, what did that look like? What was your strategy.

So at the time, YouTube was like that thing. Facebook wasn't really like video creation that didn't evolve yet. So it was YouTube. So when I came back, I was still doing army reserve one weekend a month. But then I. I tried to go to school, but, like, my anxiety and panic was still so bad. I just real. I failed out. I couldn't do it.

So you tried to go back to college?

Back to college, yeah.

And it didn't work?

No, I just was still having panic and anxiety, like constant, kind of interesting fear gripping me. But then there was moments where I would create some videos and I would escape it.

Okay.

That's where I was like, that's cool shit. You know, So I would create some content and be like, oh, I wasn't anxious or panic. And then I would put it out and then seeing people's reactions to laughing and having fun and love.

Yeah, yeah.

It was like, you know, maybe this really is where I belong.

Yeah.

So I started mentally seeing, like, psychologists, you know, just getting help, working on my mental health to stabilize myself. And not that I was ever like suicidal or anything, Just bad anxiety and panic was really my gripper. And so, you know, I'm like, very open about it because I know so many fans have helped through it. Like, it's very common thing. And here in America, they want to, like, put a veil over it. Like, yeah, everybody in their life goes through anxiety and almost they say, statistic wise, everybody will suffer some type of panic and deep depression in their life.

Okay.

Some will stay in it, some won't, you know, But I learned books, books, books. I read all the time.

Really? Okay.

All the time, every day.

Okay.

I read.

Where did that mentality come from? Because I think a lot of, for example, young people and the people I interview, whether that's a billionaire or creator or a musician, it's like that self education aspect, like, that's not normally taught in school. Right. Or if you didn't go to college, maybe you just haven't picked up a book in five years. Right. So it's like, I'm curious, like, where did that appetite for knowledge and like, education come from?

So I started working full time for the department of Mental Health. You know, people with mental issues, they have behavior issues or whatever. So when I started working there, and.

This is as you're kind of stepping.

Progression after the whole college thing, just kind of staying on your timeline of like, college wasn't for me. Yeah, wasn't my thing. Did start filming a little bit. I would film A little here and there. I'd really enjoy it. Put the camera down.

Okay, but. But just for reference, you're not looking at it from a business perspective. Not at all. In this respective.

Just like, totally, like freedom Outlet.

Okay.

This is. I love doing this.

Creating. Creating that.

That was it. No business, no, like, Got it. I can even make money, really, off of it. Except for YouTube monetization, like the basics. So here I am finally, you know, doing better, working. And as I started working, I would pick up the camera, film some stuff. It would go pretty good. It would go, yeah, pretty big. People would enjoy it. And then I would kind of put the camera down for a little bit. Normal life stuff. And then I just kept finding myself going back to the camera and filming. And people would want more. They'd see me in the streets. All of a sudden they're like, yo, I saw your stuff. That was funny. And then I was like, you know what? Maybe I should have started YouTube. And at the time, Vitaly, who I'm now friends with, Roman Atwood, these pranksters, I'm like, dude, I love this. I can do it.

It's me.

It's my personality. That's how I am. And so that's when the self education started. Cause I had no idea how to turn a camera on.

Okay.

I didn't even have a camera. I didn't know what to buy, how to do it, how to upload to YouTube, how to make YouTube. That's when self education started.

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I would YouTube for hours. Like what cameras to get. I would read Sony or read about Nikons, read about the whole thing and what people were using. And that's when the self education started.

Okay.

And so then I bought my first camera, started with zero ground up, started filming. And then at the time, I did have an editor, so I didn't have to worry about editing. But then I would say once I started my YouTube and got the ball rolling, my first pranks is like kind of crazy, but.

I want to get some context to some of the pranks.

So the first ideas was like, I actually put fake ads on Craigslist that I was having. I was having a porn audition and that they had to come try out. Nothing naked or anything, but they would have to come.

It's like a casting couch.

So I rented a hotel room.

Like a bum hotel room. Like legit, legit.

And so no way you could still find it too. If you look on YouTube, it's like fake foreign cast. And these, these weren't really.

These are people coming in to quote, unquote, try out. And you're the guy like, okay, interviewing. But you're doing, like it for the active comedy, obviously.

Comedy. Of course. Yeah. This is my first YouTube. This is when I first went to you.

This is your first idea?

First idea.

Viral.

Viral, okay.

But it was the execution because everyone thinks, oh, that could be hilarious. So I just taught.

This is again, self educated. I taught myself camera angles. I taught myself lighting. I've read books on lighting. I've read books on different camera angles. I've watched videos on basic directed. No college. I educated myself.

Okay.

So yeah, I set up two cameras and had a few skit. I don't ever write anything down. It just comes to my head and I flow. I don't. I do not like writing stuff down. I like to go, yeah. So anyway, the first girl shows up wasn't the girl in the picture at all. Totally booted her out. She was a teacher. So I blurred all the faces. I had to change their voices.

Oh, my God. Just trying to bring context to the. The prank. Like, these are people. You're introducing yourself to them and it's like legit.

Hey.

Hey. This is a porn casting. Great to meet you. Like, this is great. Completely legit. You also start with a video after.

Completely real. Like, these people thought they're coming for a casting.

Wow.

Comes. I was like, it's not you. Second girl comes. Wasn't her in the picture, but she was, like, kind of looked like the girl in the picture. So I'm like, whatever. So we started interviewing her. So, like, we had this girl playing Twister. Like, not naked, nothing like that. We kept it so that you could go on YouTube. And this is when YouTube wasn't so strict on creation.

Yeah.

And so, yeah, that was my first video. She played Twister, did some funny stuff. She sang Backstreet Boys into, like, a sex toy. And so I posted it, and it went viral.

Okay.

My first ever, like, onto YouTube. And, like, right away, people like, do we want more? Part one did, like, 120,000 on a channel that had nothing in, like, three days.

That's insane.

People were reposting at the time. Community channels. Like, this is hilarious. I ended it so that you would want to come see more.

Okay.

And I did do, like, one more. That was just kind of funny, too. Like, for me to, like, a drawer or something stupid.

Yeah.

And so that's how I started.

So because this is, like a unique. Like, your first video Pops. That's usually not the case for majority of people, but it's like, I can already tell just, like, your. Your creative ability to have that idea and execute on it, edit it yourself or work with an editor and then upload it. Like.

Yep.

That's. People usually just kind of. Oh, kind of. We'll test this one. Not focus on the quality. Not study the lighting. And, like, you went for quality. It seems like. And, like, quality the idea, like, if.

You watch now, let's film. Pretty bad camera was not how I would have had it.

Okay.

But yeah. Yeah. So good.

Yeah.

And when an idea is good and it's also, like, something no one's seen, it just kind of smacks you.

Like, whoa, dude.

Like, and you're not gonna see this anywhere else. And that's when people kind of started reaching out to me right away, like, yo, we want to work with you. And, like, I didn't even know what I was doing. Just creating this stuff.

And this is on YouTube. And you're still not using Instagram at the time.

No, Instagram, I don't. Instagram was there. Of course it existed, but that was not. That was like, picture sharing. More about Facebook. Same. So I started with that, and after I did that, people started reaching out to me, and I got these guys who Owned a website back then.

Okay.

These guys wrote viral commercials for Coca Cola, Super bowl, and they're like, dude, your videos are amazing, the ideas, but your execution needs work. So basically, they started work with me. I would create videos for them to post to their website, and they would post. At the time, they had a bunch of Facebook pages. They would share the article to their pages because they were big then. And in return, that would boost the views and get my YouTube video trending.

Okay.

You could do this back in the day.

Wow.

And then also, it would provide tons of traffic to their website, which was money, which I didn't even know at the time. They're making money off the website. I had no clue.

Yeah.

I was just learning from them. And I was so into learning how to create viral videos and execute and do it right. And that's when the real journey started. Like, that's when I would film a video 30 times over.

Yeah.

And like, no, it's not correct. Yeah. And now doing that now I know in two seconds, I can look at a video and say, yeah, that's viral. Or it's not viral now in two seconds.

Interesting. So I would say, to break down viral video, what would you say? Just in a brief nutshell, is, like, the formula for viral video? Just like the basic skeleton. If someone says, okay, they're listening right now, and they're about to pause the podcast to go create this viral video, what do you tell them?

Well, first, of course, like, lighten is important. Take a few minutes to get the lighting. The second is, even though you may just be starting out, you don't really have an excuse now because the iPhone film so high quality, which I use. An iPhone.

Yeah, we're talking about that.

It was like, the two first before you even start. Okay. It's, like, very simple.

Back then, they did good lighting, so you can see it. And camera quality, of course.

And then, of course, it's the idea. So. Yeah, the idea is everything. The idea is like a psychology. Like, don't be scared to try something because you don't know what will pop. It could be so outlandish that it could do well. So you met. You're not. I'm not saying everybody's gonna upload and hit it like I did.

Yeah.

But the very first skeleton would just be, like, I would say, number one, relatable.

Okay.

Relatability is like, number one.

Okay.

Like, if it's not relatable, if it's just something crazy.

Yeah.

What's it gonna do? Here's a perfect Example, my biggest video ever, Right. For how long have you seen people blowing air horns on people? I don't know, ever. Right?

Yeah.

It's funny, you may get some shares and comments and likes. Right? Well, I took that. And every time my girlfriend was on her cell phone, which everybody in the world has, I would blow it. When she's on her phone, you upload that, it's at 323 million views now with 1 million shares.

That's insane. Relatable air horn when she's on cell phone.

See the relatability?

And you told me earlier that was the first video on Facebook to hit a million shares.

First one. I was the first one to do it. Yep. That's insane as an individual too.

Yeah.

I'm talking like you got Lab Bible and Unilad and all them out there who they just license the content and easy for them. I did this like I only got like a million and I did it.

That's insane.

Yeah. So the decision from YouTube now you break it down, YouTube, all of a sudden 80% of ads got taken out. They really started getting strict with the creativity and kid friendly, crazy stuff. I was like, dude, I just want to create. Yep. Not that I want my stuff to be so crazy. I do keep age in mind. Like 14 to 15 year olds, you know, that was like kind of outrageous. I would never do it now, but I was like, let's go to Facebook. And people started posting the Facebook videos.

Yeah.

So I'm like, let's do it. So Facebook was different. Facebook was quicker content, more millennial driven than YouTube. YouTube we all know is long form, you know, Facebook. So I started uploading to Facebook and doing more pranks and some stuff. At the time I still wasn't with my fiance because it's just kind of random videos. By the way, I did have some very viral videos on YouTube before the transition.

Okay.

One of them was I set up a social experiment with a broken down car. I acted like my car was broken down to see if anyone would stop. One guy did stop. The guy who stopped was burnt 80% of his body a few months before in a fire. He lost everything. He lost his dog. He got burnt because he went in to save his dog and he fainted from the lack of oxygen. One dog died, one did get saved, but he burned 80% of his body in it. He was in a coma and his aunt made a go fund me for him. So he stopped to help me. That's like this dude was the one who stopped. He was going to Therapy for his skin transplant, whatever. Like, really badly burned.

Yeah.

And he stopped. He's like, do you need any help? I literally just stopped filming right then. And I was like, dude, like, do you need help? And he told me a story and he told me he lost a PlayStation. So I was like, let me buy a PlayStation for you.

Yeah.

So I bought him a PlayStation. I was like, can I use the video? He said, sure. And I go, do you mind if I add your aunt's gofundme out of the GoFundMe to it? Told a story a little bit with the video. Yeah, dude, he hit $200,000 in two days.

Raised from your video. Yeah, bro.

Yeah.

That's wild.

And that went ballistic. Viral. Yep. Wow. Eric. Yeah. So I didn't shout out to Eric. Eric. Yeah.

That's insane.

We keep in touch. So really doing better now.

That is honestly, like, I've never heard something like a story like how coincidence that is. So he stopped inside the road, and then whenever you upload it to your. That's so good to hear.

Mustang. And he happened to have a Mustang earlier on some stuff off camera. And so it could. That whatever. But he's just like, you know, good people. Whatever. He stopped and it just went. Every Fox News took it.

Everything. Purpose driven content. Yeah, Go fund me and how you raise the money.

Yeah. So that one went crazy. 200k he ended up getting. Because he lost his house. Lost everything.

Yeah.

Literally lost everything. And so before I went to Facebook, I already. I had made some big rumbles on YouTube.

Yeah.

And then after the crash, I was like, I'm going to Facebook. And then Facebook, I started. And then I met while on Facebook, started building an audience. Me and my now fiance started pranking each other.

Okay.

And it was.

Tell me about that. Because, like, that's all your videos. If you go to your Instagram now, it's like you and your fiance and the energy and the way you guys do pranks, it's just like, it works, like, flawlessly. So, like, break that down. How did obviously, like, how did you guys meet to then obviously come to the conclusion, like, okay, let's do all these videos together. It's so relatable, it's funny. And it just. It bridges that gap of, like, the relationship. And I'm sure it's fun for you guys. So kind of describe that from like a personal perspective, but also, like, how it's been able to work from a context.

Is opposite of me. She's the most. I was gonna say, like, mentally stable. I am stable, but she's the more calm, thinks of both sides. I'm just like, you know, like one side. So.

Yeah.

But I'm crazy, you know? So I was just always playing pranks on her. So I'm like, why don't we just, like, film it? And so we started filming it, and they just popped, like, right away. People were like.

You were just, like, filming. You were doing pranks before. I think that's important, though, because, like. Yeah. Don't try to be someone you're not. You know, like, you were authentically already pranking her.

Now, this is what I do that you earlier.

Yeah.

Is people don't reinvent their self. And I actually have a name for it that I call creator's block. Something I made up on my own. You start as a creator. Say you start out, you're having fun, you're making videos. Right. Everything's great. Then you start getting a following, right? Yep. And then maybe you do some type of series or video that really gets you big. And then you have a big following. And now it's a job.

Yeah.

And now you don't work, and now you rely on the income, and now there's pressure on you filming. And then people get stuck in a box. They're scared to try new things because their audience may not like it. You don't want to lose your audience. You're making money now. It's a business, right?

Yep.

I just say, fuck that. I don't care. I don't. My audience is gonna stay with me.

Yeah.

This is what happens. People don't reinvent themselves. They do the same thing that got them to where they are. Keep doing it. The engagement gets worse and worse. And if you don't change, just like music artists, eventually you'll fall off.

Interesting.

You have to change. You got to reinvent yourself constantly. My stuff. You don't know what I'm ever gonna.

Yeah, it's so true.

It could be a skit.

Yeah.

It could be a prank. And then people comment even more because they're like, wait a minute. This is a fake prank. Well, it's not supposed to be a prank. It was supposed to be a skit. Yeah, clearly it's fake. And then people argue in the comments because, well, like, one video was supposed to be a joke where she put boiling water on me. Clearly, it's a joke.

Yeah.

And people were like, no, this is not real. I know it's not real, but. And then people are arguing in the comments like, no, we know it's not Real dude. It didn't really happen. It's a joke. And then that starts even more hectic. So I took like, normal skits that people have been doing on Instagram for a long time and totally flipped. Long. Different.

Okay.

Different stuff in Facebook too.

Okay.

And they're like, whoa. But like, creator's block is the biggest thing. So I went from me doing pranks to some social experiments and then to a couple things.

Okay.

That just clicked.

Got it. So would you say most of your time is spent on Instagram now?

I love Instagram.

Facebook.

I'm a huge Zuckerberg.

Okay.

Facebook and Instagram is my favorite platforms.

Okay.

YouTube I'm not a big fan of. I actually just recently went to look up a guy I'm. I used to just enjoy watching. I don't really smoke weed at all, but his page was custom grow 420. He was like the king.

Oh, I. I've seen him. Yes. Yes.

You know that.

No way. Yeah.

YouTube said no more marijuana anything. They took all the weed pages.

Really?

It's complete to me, lack of where he is. It's legal.

Yeah.

In front of every video, he said that this is for 21 plus.

Yeah.

Marijuana patients.

And it just. Okay, he's down. I used to watch this.

I used to watch it too. And I'm not even a big weed smoker. I enjoyed watching it.

It was hilarious.

It was funny.

Yeah.

I just went yesterday. I swear to God, it's gone.

Wow.

This is the type of thing. And this is why I left YouTube. I'm not gonna build a huge empire on YouTube because one, the pranks, they don't really like either.

Yeah.

Which doesn't make any sense to me. And they don't. They take your creativity. There's like a no, you can't do this. I've always liked doing my own thing because I don't have a boss. Yeah. Nobody's gonna tell me what I'm doing.

Yeah.

Or what I'm not gonna do. Which. It is their platform and I respect that as their platform. But they also have to respect that this dude just spent six, seven years on your platform and all of a sudden overnight, you took his stuff because it's marijuana based. Which he gives the warning in the description in the beginning.

And it's legal where he is. Yeah. That makes sense. So would you say the difference? Because I need to be educated on this too. Like, the difference between, like, YouTube restrictions and Instagram, it's night and day.

Like, Instagram is getting stricter.

Okay.

And they Should. Because ad people don't want their stuff on. Crazy stuff.

Yeah.

And there's some other. It's going to happen. Facebook did the same thing. Every platform will do it eventually. Like, TikTok will be very strict. They kind of are. They're kid friendly, whatever. Now anyway, so it's gonna happen no matter what. The ads will come in and they'll be like, listen, this type of stuff is too sexual, too crazy. And then what they'll do is they'll start putting more restrictions.

Got it. That makes sense. So, really to transition. I guess something we were talking about before is like, obviously today we're at a business conference. I spoke about TikTok. I spoke about branding, marketing, and just the business side of social media. And I want to ask you, like, when was the pivoting point for you mentally, where you're like, oh, this isn't just videos. Like, I can start making money. There's brands out there advertising. And like, when did you start thinking about social media from a business perspective? And what was that transition like?

So I met a guy, he's my mentor. His name is Jeff Taylor. So I met Jeff and he's like, I made some Facebook share groups back in the day with a bunch of creators, and we would share each other's stuff on our pages to help grow each other.

Yep.

And he's like, listen, I have all these brand deals coming in. I don't have a content creator, so I'll just pay whatever you're making at your job now. Which wasn't much.

Yeah.

To come create for me. So I was like, all right. So I left. Next, you know, I'm at Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor's stuff. Filming and working with them.

Yeah.

And creating content for him. And then he just knew that I would be successful in it. So it was like a leg up, like a mentor. He's already a millionaire. He was a Navy veteran himself. Clicked.

You guys have relatability.

Yeah. So that's when he's like, dude, you can't just, like, have somebody send you clothes and shout it out without getting paid.

Yeah.

It's not fair to you because you spend so much time getting your audience that you shouldn't. You should take. And that's when I was like, whoa. All right, so there is some business now.

Yeah.

That's when it started catching on. But I will say that I'm extremely strict with what I promote. My audience is always first. I'll never sell out. I've turned down, like I was saying before the podcast Started. I've turned down 20, 30, $40,000 business deals because that does not go with what my audience would enjoy if I don't enjoy it. And my audience, that's my family, that is my people. Yeah, they love us.

Totally.

I won't show them shit if it doesn't go with it. If it's not something they could benefit or use, I don't give a fuck how much money it is. They won't see it.

That's.

I won't sell my soul for money.

Yeah. The loyalty aspect is there.

And when I do do brand deals, which I've got a few long term, by the way, the biggest advice that I can give is, stay with your job long enough. If I didn't stay with my job long enough, I would have been shouting out all these little brands just to survive.

Yeah.

Because I would have had to rely on social media. Right. Well, I avoided that by staying at my job, so it saved me all these people shouting out like 50 different.

You're saying, like, they're chasing the check because they don't have a job. They're not in the money there. They need to make the buck to do X, Y and Z to live.

So they're taking anything.

Okay. So you're saying, like, you had. You were working a job creating content. You weren't dependent on it, and that was able to give you the opportunity to pick and choose and pick and choose. Okay.

Huge biggest fucking advice. Okay? People never say names, but I've seen some big people right now that are nowhere because they burnt their page out.

You can't.

It's like LeBron James, right? One day he's wearing Nike and loves Nike, the next day he's wearing Adidas. Confuses the hell out of you.

Yeah.

These people are saying this vape company is the best, and then the next day they're doing another vape company because they're paying the money. Your audience is like, dude, this guy's not real.

Yeah. Yeah.

And that's it.

It'll burn the facade effect.

Seen it burn so many pages.

Okay.

And I never. I was so patient.

Okay.

My first brand deal was like six figures.

Okay.

Because I waited.

That's tight.

And now I'm still with them.

Okay.

Who we talked about earlier.

Okay. Got it.

I won't say what I'm making now, but yeah. Okay.

Oh, yeah. 100.

I love it. And my audience loves them.

Yeah.

And it's legit.

You want to talk about the company or no Bluetooth? Yeah, yeah. We were talking about before yeah, Bluetooth. It's funny because I was at this. That this party in la, it was like, this event or whatever, and Blue Chew was there, and, like, just give us some context. It definitely goes into the conversation of, like, what this is. Like, what is Bluetooth?

So Bluetooth, first off, it is.

And this is not a paid promotion. This is just like, we want.

This is just like, I'm giving an example, you know, Bluechew is the first Viagra that's delivered through the mail. So you get approved, right, Online.

Yeah.

So I've always done Viagra pranks, right?

Yeah.

But I really like what the company stands for because it's more nowadays. It's like, more, who wants to go to the doctor? You just do it online, right? And he's like, dude, you're always doing pranks with it. Like, yeah, let me send you Bluechew. Try it if you like it, whatever. So I opted. I was like, oh, this shit's legit. It works. This is awesome. And so I actually did a free video at first just to see if my audience liked it. And they loved it. They love. Even now, people are gonna watch that on my fans and make you blow.

Who choose this shit.

And tons of fans messaged me like, dude, this stuff's legit. I love it. I love it. Like, tons of my audience members and some people really had issues getting it up, you know, and now they really are like, dude, this changed my whole relationship. Okay? So providing value, and it just fits them, dude. Like, it fits my audience. The videos are always so entertaining.

Okay.

And that was the first brand. I was like, dude, my audience will love it. It works. It. It's real, it's legitimate, it's legal. And I've been with them for, like, two years now.

Okay.

And I love them, dude. I've watched them grow as I've grown, and we've both grown together.

Yeah.

Like, the dude started in his basement.

That's insane.

Now it's millions of dollars.

Yeah. That's so cool, man. And I want to kind of dissect that. So let's say there's a creator watching, and he already has a following. And he's like, okay. Like, maybe he's been selling and trying to sell different things, but he's like, okay, let me take a step. Step back and try to figure out a brand or a company that I want to work with. Like, what do you recommend to someone or a creator that's looking for a brand deal? They don't want to sell out, but they already have an audience more. So just like they're building this audience and they have a loyal fan base. Like, how do you recommend they go about, like, doing a strategic brand deal with a company that can be valuable for both parties, like, in terms of like, not, not just like the contractual part of it, but just like the conversation you have with these clients or brands, because I'm sure you've obviously mastered that and that's the reason why you've been able to build with these companies. So, like, what advice would you give to someone that's looking to have their first big brand deal?

So. Well, first off, I mean, if you have an audience, they're going to be interested. It just depends on if the product will fit you. If you email a company, they'll respond. I used to email all the time. That's how I got Featured on like 9gag. I'm really close with them now and all them, they will answer your email.

Okay.

If you send them your insights and be like, I think your product will fit. And they know about the social media boom, which after what was a Chick Fil a thing, just went huge off of social media.

Yeah.

All these big companies now. We're still early, dude. Yeah, we're still early in the social media thing. These old people have no clue. Big, big brands can make shit pop so easily. But I would email everybody and anybody and even on Instagram directly message them. I think it'll fit. This is why. And you're already offering value.

Yeah.

And you don't have to charge a huge amount. Just be like, let me show you. That's one trick that I've always used. I always weigh under to show my value.

Interesting. So you undercharged first to therefore build trust, you'd say.

I would say to show them what. I'm confident that I can blow this up.

Yeah.

And when I blow it up, they're like, whoa, you weren't kidding around. Let's negotiate. And they already real business people know, okay, now what's the price?

Okay.

And then another piece of advice is always stick with the brand and look for more long term.

Okay.

Like, don't be like one and done.

Yeah.

Be like, well, if you do one, it works well. Be like, all right, well, what will take for you to be on board for two months?

Yeah.

Don't just do 1, 1, 1, 1. Try to get that long term. Especially if it fits.

Yeah.

Bluechew is so tied into my audience now because they enjoy it. Everybody loves it. It's part of Hammy tv. Yeah. It's just there. People love people. Ask me for more videos with it.

Yeah, yeah. That's so awesome. From the sponsorship or like the partnership perspective.

So when you're, when you're fitting something that goes with your audience. Perfect.

Yeah.

But that's my second piece of advice is always try, if you do it, always do it cheaper.

Okay.

Do a great job, show your value, then they'll come back. And then when they come back, you know, I'm not saying go astronomical at the price, but be like, okay, now let's sit down and talk and let's get a long term deal going.

Yeah.

I want you guys on board for two to three months. I won't even talk to a company if they don't want to do three, four months.

Okay.

Because why? I'm going to show something to my audience and it's not going to resonate after one video.

Interesting. So I'm curious and I always ask people, like the way, like when you go on Instagram and I know you're showing me earlier, like, you have millions of views, you're getting hundreds and thousands of followers and you have hundreds of thousands of views, people watching your stuff every single day. Like, does it ever get, I would say, like, you go on there and you're like, wow. Like, do you always, do you ever, like, remind yourself? Because, you know, an average person logs on Instagram and they check out what their friends have going on and they check on the news or whatever. And like, you've built this platform that's only continuously growing and you have such an audience and like, not just an audience, because there's a lot of people that have an audience, like an engaged following that is watching you every single day. Like, when you're on Instagram, what is your usage case? Meaning are you sending DMs, are you responding to comments? Are you, are you absorbing content yourself? Or like, how does Hammy TV use the platform? Because when I go on Instagram, I'm like, okay, who can I book on my podcast? How can I respond to the comments, engage with the community? I'm always curious to know, like, your usage when you're on Instagram, like how you look at it.

So I mean, I don't really consume content.

That's. That's very interesting.

Yeah, I don't watch. I got a few of my boys that I watch. Yeah, I like some of their stuff, but as for me, I don't watch really anybody. I don't know. Not really anybody.

That's so interesting.

Yeah, I just kind of, I Like my own.

Yeah. Focus on your stuff. Yeah, yeah. The producing, not the consumer.

Almost all my ideas hit when I meditate.

Really?

I start laughing. I'm like, whoa, this is good. And then I'll get up and I'll write it.

Okay.

Every idea, my bad ideas come.

Got it.

Oh, when I'm not. But DM wise, I'm always my DMs. I'm spending too much time with my fans. My fans.

So you're DM and fans.

I go live. I spend hours sometimes add my fans into live because the fans are my life.

Yeah.

Like they are. And I also want to tell everybody that's watching this podcast that people see me. And I got 5.5 million. I started with zero. I started with a nobody, nothing. There was no gift. Like people like, dude, 5.5. Yeah, I started with zero.

Yeah.

I had nothing. There was no. I didn't know anybody. I have no ties to any entertainment or any celebrity. I just. I started with zero. People look past that, dude.

Yeah.

I'm not gonna sit here and bullshit and be like, yeah, dude, like, you know, No, I started with nothing. I had nothing. I didn't even know how to turn on a camera, which, by the way, I taught myself to edit. All my editing is done by me because it's a crucial part of my videos. Okay, again, self education.

Yep.

I didn't have to go to college because I learned anything I wanted to learn. Right now I'm reading about business. I read Tony Robbins, I read, you know, anything. Like everything. And anything I read, if I want to learn how to. About microphones, I go home and I read and I look it up and I YouTube it. It's all there. It's just self education. That's how I learned about even mental health. Like, it's there, dude. It's all flow. That's crazy.

And talking about reading about Tony Robbins and all these business guys. I know we were earlier we were talking about Gary V. Gary. Gary Vaynerchuk.

Shout out to Gary.

He's been a huge inspiration to me to start the podcast, to go hard on social from like a business perspective, to build a brand in this business community. So, yeah, talk about that. Like, how did you meet Gary? Obviously, I know you've done his show and you've sat down with him and you made content together. So obviously in my world, he's someone that I have so much respect for and I consume his content more. So to see what he's doing so I can do it. Not as like the consumer Perspective. So, yeah, I'm curious to see like how that relationship come about. Obviously, I've had him on the podcast. We've had a. We've. He's familiar with my audience in terms of everyone watching this knows who Gary Vee.

He's like me. Gary will answer your DM 100%. Gary answered my DM. I said, I want to be on your show. Nobody's heard my story. Sure. One week later, I was in New York with Gary and I've kept in touch. I've support his stuff. I love the shoes buyer shoes. If I have questions, I can call him. Gary answers. He's like me. People, they can't believe it. This is Hammy.

Yeah.

He's answering my DMs. Dude. I'll spend three hours answering DMs.

Yeah.

Because that is who it's. That's my people. I don't know how to explain it. Like, I will spend hours answering people's DMs.

Okay.

Because I think people get past a certain point. There's people I will never name and shame but on Instagram that I'm bigger than who. Who are verified. Don't answer my dm. Imagine that shit. Can you imagine?

Yeah.

You built that audience. You don't even look. That's crazy. So you sure as hell ain't talking to their fans. Yeah, that's mind boggling to me. Dude, the fans are your every. People say it all the time. Thank for my fans. I love. I live for them.

Okay.

Like, dude, my fans are my. Like, yeah, that's my. If I wish I could just have every Hammy fan. Because if they like my. They're all nuts.

Yeah. Yeah.

That's amazing.

That's amazing. Do you ever do like meetups type of thing or some of them?

Yeah, we're gonna do some more now. We're gonna start traveling.

Okay.

You know, we want to go to some Comic Cons. Really?

Like, turn it up.

These are our people.

Yeah.

This year we're really gonna turn it up.

Okay.

I'm not even like, I haven't even started up the mountain, dude.

Okay. I'm like, that's so cool to hear. I wanted to ask too because, like, leaning is obviously we're recording this in November 2019, like moving into 2020 with social media and how it's. So it fluctuates with algorithms and you, you know all this inside stuff about it. Looking at social media now, like your brand moving forward, like, what are you excited about? What's. What's to come that you'd want people to know or is obviously keep things secret that need to be. But like moving forward, what are you excited about?

Regarding the content movies I just filmed with Adam Sandler. I had a small role in his.

New shed, so that's so tight.

I want to do like entertainment was there. All I wanted to do is draw everybody with questions.

Okay.

The filmers, the angles. What are you using? How do you do it? It's Adam Sandler, dude. I was talking and asking him questions. Like me and you were talking now.

Yeah.

And Ray Liotta was there.

What would you say your. Your biggest takeaway was from Adam Sandler to kind of reciprocate the value from what end?

People used to make fun of me for my stuff. Okay, like, what are you doing? Do you're a loser. What are you doing? Which, by the way, you're gonna have critics and haters when you start, and they're gonna stay with you. I had critics and haters when I had 10 people. I have 5.5 million. I'm gonna have critics and haters. There's no such thing as perfect. I think a lot of people want to keep striving to making a video perfect where every comments good doesn't exist. Yeah, it's never going to exist because you're an individual and you're different and every idea or if you have an opinion, it's gonna be judged no matter what. So fuck them. Just create. Yeah, that's it. I don't care anymore. Say what you want. They just want attention. Anyway, I get hate comments, messages. I don't even reply. I delete it. Because it's someone who's sad, lonely, and not doing anything with their life who's got time. So the biggest takeaway was when Adam Sandler was climbing in the dirt. Right?

It was a scene climbing in the dirt.

He was in the dirt. It's like a scene that's in the movie. It's not out yet, but. And he's throwing the dirt. And I'm like, dude, you know how many people probably made fun of this guy? And here he is acting like a kid making millions doing what he loves.

Yeah.

And they used to do the same to me.

Okay.

Like some of the skits, it's like people will be like, oh, you're foolish. But like, am I? Because I don't hear it anymore.

Yeah.

And not only that, I can tell you right now, I have never had one person, not one dude, not one person ever say something negative to my face.

Interesting.

That's the type of world we live in.

Yeah, yeah. Keyboard. What do they call them? Keyboard warriors.

Real. I really want to see scientists and psychologists study into what can. Or somebody leaves a hate message. Which back in the day I would be like, dude, what? And they'd be like, oh my God, you answered. Yeah, like we need more psycho psychological and evidence on what, what causes it?

What causes someone to say that?

You're saying, how can, how can I have video, probably 6 billion plus video views over the years and have God knows how many negative comments.

Yeah.

But not have one human being come up to me and say your sucks to my face.

Yeah.

You don't find that odd?

That's interesting. So it shows the type of people that are behind the.

And if they did, I don't mind criticism.

Yeah.

It's just pure hate. You can't learn anything off of hate. Yeah, you learn off criticism.

Totally. Would you say I'm curious in terms of like people coming up to you or meeting people in person, like, how has this social media audience. I don't like the word fame, but like, yeah. How has it affected like your personal life when you're going out and about? Like is there ever a moment where you're like, oh wow, I've built this platform to where it is today. Like has it affected your personal life or do you treat it like, hey, like I'm. Nothing affects you? Because I've met some people where it's like they, they try to live this, you know, when you see them on social media compared to online and I can already tell you're a very transparent, super real guy. So I'm sure it doesn't have any affection but like, how would you say from a family perspective or personal perspective, like having this massive audience has affected you positively or negatively?

Positive. Like just driving here, I had like three or four people in traffic.

Like, yo, really?

I took a few pictures in the parking lot over here. Like, okay, that's my people.

That's awesome. You can tell your audience driven, like that's truthfully, like. And if there's people from your audience listening today, like I can already just feel like the energy between you and the, the person that's watching your content.

That's my real. Like I almost get teary eyed because that's like, yeah, bro. They're like, you go through years with these people.

Yeah.

In their party of life.

I feel like, yeah, yeah, yeah.

I love my body.

Yeah, yeah.

They let me be an idiot.

Yeah.

Fudgeing live, you know?

Yeah, yeah.

I'm Happy.

Yeah. Yeah. So I appreciate that. Being emotional, man. This is all like, so what is who. Who would you say? Like, just based on what you know, like, who is your average audience member? When you see the hammy.

The hammy.

TV fans, like, what do you describe as them? What do you want them to be, like, looking for work?

And like, okay, work, I see. I release my videos. They're at work, quick city break or like getting lunch. Like, bro, what the fuck? Look at this kid. Did he put hot pepper in his girl's panties? Couples, like, yeah. Age, age, you would not believe it. I got 40 year olds that recognize me, like, taking pictures, like, because love is worldwide. It's the one language everyone knows. People who don't even speak my fucking language are like, oh, like Mexico. I go to Mexico. They're like, you loco, loco gringo. I'm like, yes, dude. And just like, hug them. Like, it's like, love me and her show that like, love is still alive.

Okay.

Because it's interesting you put it that way.

I did not. I wasn't thinking about it from that angle in terms of just like, you can impact everyone because they get that around the world.

When I release a video and it's got a million views in three hours, that's a million people who watched it. Yeah, and that's like during the workday. So people are like on a lunch break or a siggy break, you're like, bro, what the fuck? You know all these, like, I've actually gone by a group of construction workers watching your video six or seven, watching it. Like, bro, what the. And I'm like, yo. Like, yo, that's my. It's like going to a party every time. Like, my fans are always just like, what's good? You're crazy. Like, because I. Everybody, everything's energy and everything vibrates energy. And like, energy is like energy. So my fans, if they like my shit, they're obviously on my wavelength. So it's just like grows, like, what's good? Like, what's up?

So where do you. Where do you think this energy comes from? Like, do you like, were you always like this as a kid? Like, in terms of just like having that energy? The funny aspect, like you said. You said you're like the class clown. Class clown. Where does this energy come from? And how do you remain in this energy state? I think, I think maybe there's someone listening. You know, they're 15, 16 or 18. They love your videos. But then they stop listening to this podcast. But then they go into a Negative mentality. They, they're, they're, they're not happy with who they are. And I believe you carry this energy of, you know, you love yourself, you love your fans and there's like this positive state. And obviously if someone's listening, this may be helping them. But what would you recommend to someone that may be in a negative state, that doesn't know themselves or doesn't know where they want to go? Just remain in terms of their energy state. Like how do you. Because I know you were telling me like how you meditate on a daily basis. Break down some of the more like mental aspects of like remaining in that high end energy state.

So every day when I start my day, I wake up and I say what I'm thankful for. Like I drive to the store, I like to get my energy drink in the morning. The only one I have. So like, I don't like coffee.

Yeah.

But I say what I'm thankful for every day. That's how I start. And then next I have confidence affirmations that I say out loud to myself. Which like when I first started all this stuff, I felt like a weirdo. I'm like, whatever. And then I'll go home and I'll meditate for like anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

Okay.

And then I can hop on and start popping with social media and whatnot. But. And then at the end of the night, I love to look in the mirror and tell myself, like talk to myself and you'll feel weird. Like meditation. I knew nothing about meditation, okay. And I felt like a weirdo when I started. I started with like five minutes a day and I was like, what the hell? The guy's like, oh, breathe. I'm like, like, this is walks in here, dude. I'm a weirdo right now. Like. But then I kept with it because I started noticing like calmer and I started thinking clearer and I stuck with it. Now after like a year, I would say I've been doing it for like a year straight meditation every day. I do it no matter where I am on vacation. I don't drink.

Okay.

Smoking once in a great while, weed once in a great while. Very rarely. I don't really like to. And all my ideas come when I meditate.

I'll say being, being friends with all the rappers, I'm sure there's different opportunities, right?

Shout out to Tyler. He opens for Post Malone. They were just heroes with all.

Okay.

And Swae Lee.

Okay. It was funny cuz Dylan Kivo, he was telling me he's like, dude, Ryan, he's like, you'll see his content. And he's like this funny with his girl type of guy, but he's like, dude, he's one of the most connected in terms of just rappers, celebrities, just like high quality, successful people. And I do want to talk about that as we kind of wrap up this interview in terms of just like, you've built this network, obviously, through social media, through your content, of building this reputation to now having access to. To all of these, I guess you could say celebrities are just very influential people. And number one, I want to ask, how do you believe that happened? And then number two, to really continue that is just how has that impacted your way you operate in terms of your network?

Yeah, I would just say get so good that you can't be ignored. Really?

Okay.

I love that if somebody. I think a lot of people, they ask me and they're like, hammy, how do you do it, man? By the way, huge fan. I love your stuff. I share it all the time. But how do you go so viral? I'm like, we just answered your own question. You watch every video I drop, you share it and you comment. You like the hell else do you need to know? I create content that is shareable, likable, relatable, more. And you will not find my stuff anywhere else. I also like to play on the line. Yeah, I love the line of Instagram. I do get videos removed.

Okay.

But I think that's one reason my fans like me too. Because, yeah, I'm not scared. Yeah, I was like that in the army. I would play right on the line. You know that one kid where I really test. Okay. A kid testing their parents. Like, I want to test the line. Test the line.

Yeah.

And so I think my fans really like that too. And it's just that, like, holy shit, dude. This kid's kind of fucking wild. Like, damn. Like, Instagram. Like, this is crazy. Sway Lee is like my boy. He's always on the gram, flexing crazy. Like, and we're talking about, like, you know, like, Swae Lee, and I'm close. Walker Flocka.

Yeah.

And so how the connection, like, Dre London, who is Post Malone's manager, Because I can help all these people totally. Because they all have Instagram accounts and Facebook accounts, and there's money that they're missing or they're not. They're not running a certain way to get the maxed out of every post. So if Swae Lee's going on tour, you want every fan on your page that You've earned to see it. So you need to know the algorithm. Well, I have a whole team that knows all the algorithms. I get a call every morning about the algorithms, when to post, what times to post. These are smart people. I call my ghosts.

Okay?

My ghosts of the gram. Like people who know every move inside.

Yeah.

What's happening? Algos change. And this is not okay. These hashtags are banned. Don't do it. I know before anybody else knows.

Got it.

It's my job.

The ghosts.

Like. Like a LeBron. Everything he does is dedicated. Or Tom Brady is dedicated to the sport. Well, every single thing that I do is dedicated to my platforms in my video.

Got it. So, really, just to wrap it up, so today I was speaking on TikTok, and I know we had a conversation earlier about this newer platform. Are you capitalizing on that? What do you recommend to someone that's potentially looking to build an audience? Where do you think they should start spending their time? If someone's just right now saying, okay, like, you know, someone's listening, oh, wow, I just got out of the army, and hey, this story sounds like something that I could potentially do. Where do I start? What do you tell someone that's one wanting to become a new creator in terms of picking a platform, attacking it from different angles is like, what's your advice to someone like that?

Well, like, my first advice is, how much do these platforms cost for you to use?

Zero.

Okay. Like, do I have to say more? It's free.

Yeah.

I make a living off of something that was built for me for free.

Yeah.

What the fuck you waiting for? Just go create it. You don't know.

Yeah.

You'll change as you go.

Yep.

If you don't start, you're never going to know.

Totally.

And don't ever think there's gonna be a perfect moment because it doesn't exist. You just have to start, suck start each and just keep on going. And that's how perfection is made. Every person who is a genius or perfectionist spent so much. Edison. 6,000 experiments for the light bulb. 6,000 experiments. He never stopped. He could have everyone think. If you think about anything, Right? Like, the person was obviously an idiot. Right? Like the pool noodle. The guy who invented that is a billionaire.

Yeah.

How many people made fun of him because it's a goddamn pool noodle?

Yeah.

Everything was invented. And every single thing that you see that was invented, people are probably calling the person an idiot. I know, Edison. They were like, dude, what are you doing? You're wasting your Time. You're an idiot. So, like, it's free. The platforms are free. I'll post a Tick Tock. It's free.

Yep.

I have to change the videos a little bit to fit their time frame and whatnot. And of course, things are different on every platform, but I'll use it because it's free. Do I think TikTok will reign supreme as number one like an IG? I don't think so.

Okay.

It's been. Musically, it was rebought. Zuckerberg with leaked footage just came out and said that TikTok, when their budget dies out, which their budget is astronomical, by the way, to pay all these creators, which by the way, they're using Facebook platforms, Instagram, Facebook to promote Zuckerberg could turn off when he wants.

That's very interesting. I never thought of it like that.

Have you ever looked up Lasso Lasso?

I've heard of it.

The Facebook property made by Facebook looks exactly like Tick Tock.

Really?

It's Zuckerberg. He said right in the audio. I'm not worried about Tick Tock because when the budget dies out. Yeah, when the budget dies out, they. They just go boom. There's no more.

Okay, my interesting.

I trust Zuckerberg. He's like my present. Because if he wants to turn Lasso on, he's already got Facebook and Instagram. He could ban hashtags with. With Tick Tock.

Yeah.

He could ban any video with Tick Tock promoting it.

Yep.

And then turn Lasso on and destroy him if he wants. And this came out because Elizabeth Warren got the leaked footage about it. How he's too powerful and he can destroy companies. Well, he can destroy Tick Tock.

Yeah. He could literally, like delete their Instagram after this.

Look up Lasso L A S S O. It's the exactly the same on Instagram or what? No, it's a separate app, okay. By Facebook properties called Lasso. It's the same as.

Really?

Nobody's heard about it. But yeah, la sso is by Facebook property.

There's a TikTok ad right above it, dude.

And Lasso looks the exact same built by Facebook. If he wants to turn that on.

Wow.

And destroy TikTok. Zuckerberg, which who said in leaked footage, if you pay attention, is not worried because when the budget dies, a platform evens.

Interesting.

I am with Zuckerberg. I trust everything Facebook, Instagram do. Even if some of the things I think are too soft. Yeah, dude. Come on. It's right there. Zuckerberg.

Very cool. Yeah. Yeah.

How many Things. Has he destroyed Marketplace?

Yeah.

Remember when Let Go came out?

Yep.

He offered. I'm pretty sure he offered to buy it, but either way, Marketplace destroyed it.

Yeah. Yeah. So everything that happens like that, right? The blocked blockbuster buy it, replicated it.

Instagram stories, Facebook stories, bought Instagram.

Yep.

He's beast.

I love it. I love it. Real last question to wrap it up, because I'm just very curious as someone that's 19 years old, look, going through your journey of what you just went through when you were 19, my age, or stepping out of the army into this newfound territory of potentially social media, or, hey, I might try to do this entertainment thing and to kind of see it from my perspective. Like, you have that idea and you've been able to manifest and create every desire in which was once in your mind. Right. So I want you to sort of take a step back and like, if you were to tell yourself a piece of advice when you were 19 years old, stepping out of the military, and I really want this to correlate to maybe that young person that's maybe getting out of college or getting out of high school, and they maybe they don't want to go to college. They don't want to settle for that 9 to 5 job. Right. Like, what would you tell your younger self, and most importantly, a younger individual listening about just where to start or what you've learned throughout your journey up.

To this point, that you can do it. Because everybody said that you can. Even my own family was like, dude, are you doing these video things?

Okay.

But I saw social media ahead of time, like, almost like a Gary. I saw where I was going and I just knew and creating was what I loved creating. So.

Got it.

Whole time people are going to tell you, dude, nobody's going to just say, yeah, go do it, man. Go do it. It's going to turn out good.

Yeah.

The closest people to you are going to tell you not to do it because they're comfortable and what I do is not comfortable.

Yeah.

And then people complain that they're 9 to 84% of Americans hate their 9 to 5.

Yeah.

So I think some even get mad because I live my dream, but they don't know how many years it took in the hustle to do it or what happens. I don't just put out a video. You know, there's so much that goes into it. So I would just tell my younger self that just go for it. You know, you live once and then you die. So, like, I don't want to be in my Deathbed, like, wow, I should have done that. And then I'm. Now I'm too old to do it. So they say what I just read, it's. Would you rather. Would you rather deal with the doing or would you rather deal with the. Would you rather deal with the discipline or would you rather deal with the regret? Discipline, as in waking up every day, putting in the work.

Yeah.

Or the regret when it's too late? I'd rather deal with the discipline.

Yeah.

I don't want the regret, dude. No way.

Absolutely. So, real quick, just to wrap it up, number one book you're reading right now that you'd recommend to a listener.

My favorite is called the Awakening.

The Awakening.

The Awakening. The world is yours. It was actually given to me by Waka Flocka Flame. Hey, this is my favorite book.

Interesting.

He personally gave it to me.

Okay.

That would be my number one. And then if you're suffering with anxiety or panic, at last, a life by Paul David.

Okay.

Really helps you understand what anxiety and panic is. And once you understand what's actually happening, you kind of lose a lot of the fear, which is what happened to me.

Cool. Well, everyone, I will make sure to put those two books down below. Link in the description. Ryan, aka HeyMayTV. Thank you so much for coming on the show, man. And. Yeah, man, I just. I just want to say thank you again, because this has been super cool for me to kind of dissect your story, and I believe just someone that's been a viewer of your content, and I've seen your stuff everywhere, Understanding, like, the past and where you come from in your background. It was very intriguing to me. So I definitely appreciate the. The openness, and I'm sure the viewers did as well, so thanks so much.

No problem.

Yep. Well, guys, make sure you subscribe to the Rise Young podcast. Make sure you hit that rating and review button on itunes. Make sure you go follow Ryan, AKA Hammy tv, and I'll talk to you guys soon.

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