Vikkstar: What It Really Took to Build The Sidemen (we didn’t plan for anyone to leave)

Vikkstar opens up about the extraordinary rise of the Sidemen, the relentless work that built his YouTube career, and what happens when the group you built your life around begins to change. He reflects on KSI’s departure, the future of the Sidemen, and why they never really had an exit plan. Vik looks back on going from a quiet teenager who never felt like he fitted in to turning down a place at UCL and spending up to 16 hours a day making videos. He reveals how YouTube became his entire identity, why he sometimes went days without speaking to anyone in real life, and how seven gamers accidentally created one of the biggest creator groups in the world. He also speaks candidly about living with Crohn’s disease, the reality of having an incurable condition, and the impact years of relentless work had on his health and perspective. Vik reflects on criticism, success, money and the point at which he realised he needed a life beyond views, uploads and Vikkstar123. From scoring at Wembley after being the kid nobody picked for football to building businesses alongside the Sidemen, this is a conversation about obsession, friendship, reinvention and the hidden cost of turning your childhood hobby into your whole life. Vikkstar, We Need To Talk This episode includes discussion of mental health. If you’re struggling, remember you’re not alone. You can find help and resources at the links below: MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b Samaritans: https://linkly.link/2dx7Z CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Vikkstar here: https://www.instagram.com/vikkstar https://www.tiktok.com/@vikkstar 00:00 Intro 02:18 Upbringing in Sheffield 09:39 Vikkstar’s Pet Duck 15:58 Identity as a Teenager 17:03 How Vikkstar Started Making Gaming Videos on YouTube 21:48 Why Vikkstar Started Appearing on Camera 23:31 Realising YouTube Could Become a Business 31:25 Shopify Ad 32:27 Reality of Growing a YouTube Channel 42:35 Paul Shows Vikkstar a Photo of The Sidemen 43:42 How The Sidemen Were Formed 49:28 The Sidemen's Goals and How They've Changed Over Time 53:14 What It Was Really Like Living in the Sidemen House 01:00:17 Dealing With Online Criticism 01:04:31 Inside The Sidemen Business Empire 01:08:50 How The Sidemen Handle Disagreements 01:12:23 The Sidemen's Latest Projects 01:17:00 Vikkstar's Music and DJ Career 01:23:50 Struggle With Crohn's Disease 01:33:32 Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s 01:36:18 Future Goals 01:38:01 Advice to His Younger Self 01:40:27 Most Memorable Conversation 01:43:23 Paul's Takeaways Sponsored by: Shopify: www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk SYNC ID: MB01YISAABCIITZ