Today we’d like to introduce you to CJ McGill.
Hi CJ, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In my mid-20s, I struggled with finding creative outlets to express myself. Combine that with going through a nasty divorce and being a new father all at the same time you could say the road was bumpy for a while.
After doing a ton of self-reflecting and self-discovery, I realized that my already intense love for sneaker culture can be elevated even further. I decided to pick up my camera, which I was already using for sports photography, and began to record myself talking about one of the most diverse communities there is.
That community is the sneaker community. Fast forward a little over a year and my journey as a Sneaker YouTuber has started gaining momentum and growing at a steady pace to the point where I am able to create a business around it and take advantage of YouTubes monetization/ad revenue program.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has certainly been a bumpy road. As a YouTuber, there are times when you think to yourself if this road is something you want to continue to travel down.
There are times when your views will be outstanding and there are times when they will be not so good. As a YouTuber starting out can be very deflating but also very humbling in understanding that you have to keep going in order to get to where you want to be.
Understanding how to market yourself, how to shoot and edit videos, and how to properly network with other individuals who are in the industry with you can be uphill battles if it is something you are not accustomed to doing on a regular basis.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Digital Content Creator. I live breathe and sleep all things content and media. It’s just something refreshing about being able to bring a piece of work to life and allowing your passion to pour through it. For me, it has everything to do with Sneaker Culture. It truly is art in a way.
The ability to be able to connect with your audience is truly something special. In this industry, you have to be different and one thing I have always known about myself is that I am just that. When it comes to the things I’m passionate about, I let my energy take control and I just run with it. I AM HIGH ENERGY all of the time and I don’t hold it back.
With my creative work I am most proud of being able to connect with people who I may or may not even meet in my life, but just knowing that I was able to inspire them in some way is truly an amazing feeling.
The monetization is great, the exposure and networking are great and the grind is beautiful, but there is nothing more satisfying than knowing that the content you create is truly motivation for others.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
To all of my creatives out there who are interested or who have been interested in starting a YouTube channel and you’re nervous about it, do me a favor.
Set up your phone, and record yourself talking about any and everything that you are passionate about. Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today. The best thing you can do is get started and just see where it goes.
The worse thing you could do is nothing and watch your potential slip away without trying. Go for it! Remember you got this! You never lose when you learn a lesson from your situation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/mactherebel
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mactherebel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iammactherebel
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mactherebel_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mactherebel
Image Credits
Ariel Murchison of Ariel Evon Photography
