Although some might think that being a content creator on YouTube is simply a case of uploading a vlog occasionally, engaging with your fans, and then watching the subs fly in, most know that not everyone is Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson. If navigating controversies and algorithms wasn't enough to contend with, you've also got competition coming from all sides and a constant push to remain relevant.
In a new video called "Why I disappeared", Matt D'Avella explains why he vanished from the video platform and why he's back. Despite boasting 3.9 million subscribers, D'Avella's feed has been a barren wasteland since March 31, 2024. His last video was about how he's feeling stronger than ever at the age of 36, and with a simple sign-off about his gym routine, that was the end of his channel for over eight months.
In his latest upload, D'Avella says his only regret was not making one of those viral 'Why I'm quitting YouTube videos' that so many seem to create - only to return a matter of days later.
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Joking "I'm not dead", D'Avella confirms he's back making YouTube videos after his extended hiatus. Saying it's the longest time he's gone without making a video since he started his channel back in 2017, D'Avella admits he wasn't sure if he'd ever come back: "When I left, I was in a pretty dark place, and yeah, it just wasn't at the top of my priority list to make videos."
Saying how he wanted to talk about why he stepped away, what he's been up to since, and what the future of his channel looks like, he said four main factors led to his 'breakdown'.
Highlighting the adjustment to being a dad, feeling trapped by his business, and starting over in a new country, he also says he was simply getting bored with making videos for YouTube.
D’Avella reiterates that moving to Australia massively upturned his usual routine, while he wasn't feeling the same excitement as he did when he started his freelance filmmaking business in 2017. Saying one day he just f**king collapsed, D'Avella recalled: "I remember sitting there looking at my video timeline, it was 90% complete, I was just a few hours away from completing it. All I had to do was sit in front of the camera, hit record, and riff off a few lines."
Claiming he couldn't do it, D'Avella added: "That's when I made the call, I canceled all my brand deals for the year, I closed my laptop and I walked away."
As for his triumphant return, D'Avella reassured his fans: "I'm happy to say that I'm back, like back, back, back."
Getting emotional about uploading content again, he concluded that he'll start posting regularly on his channel, as well as new ventures including his 'Three Rules' podcast, a weekly newsletter, and his Bonus D'Avella channel that takes you behind the curtain of being a YouTube creator.
We told you that being a YouTuber wasn't as easy as it looks, but by the sound of it, D'Avella is back and stronger than ever.