5K Every Day - Episode 6: The Economics of YouTube & Why I Need My Day Job

December 17th brings a refreshingly honest conversation about what it actually takes to make rowing content on YouTube. Spoiler: it's not profitable, and that's okay because I have a day job editing broadcast TV.

What to Expect This Episode: True to my promise from yesterday, I keep technique chat to an absolute minimum (30 seconds!) and instead pull back the curtain on the editing process. From my early days filming in a CrossFit gym to the green screen setup I use now, I walk through how long these videos actually take to make and why the economics of YouTube don't add up for most creators.

Today's Topics:

• Brief technique reminder: arms straight, forward tilt, push with your feet (that's it!)
• My editing background: broadcast TV since 2005 (Location Location, Operation Iceberg, This Farming Life)
• How video production time has evolved: 1 hour → 6 hours per workout
• Why I removed on-screen metrics (people got confused comparing themselves to me)
• The harsh math: 80,000 monthly views = £400 (not even two days pay as an editor)
• How Shane and Austin get 100x more views than me (and why that's fine)
• Why I don't sell much and just help because I like helping
• Foot plate positioning tips using my size 10 pink Pumas as reference

The Reality Check: This episode is refreshingly candid about the business side of content creation. Unless you're Mr. Beast or getting hundreds of thousands of views per video, you need another income source. And honestly? That takes the pressure off to make this about money rather than just helping people row better.

Perfect for: Anyone curious about content creation, people who wonder why their pace differs from mine, or those who just want honest company during an easy morning row.

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