After nearly a decade of making videos, sharing his love for skateboarding, and connecting with people online, YouTuber John Hill finally posted a photo with his Gold Play Button.
That’s the award YouTube gives when a channel hits one million subscribers. It’s something a lot of creators dream about, but Hill kept it low-key.
He hit that number a while ago and never really paused to celebrate it. Until now.
In his caption, he talked about the work it took to get there. Not just the filming, editing, and uploading, but the mental side too. He called it eight years of consistent grinding, but he said it was a blast.
Even when it was hard, he enjoyed the process. He also mentioned how lucky he feels to have turned a specific hobby like skateboarding into something he could actually make a living from.
More than that, he’s grateful that something he made could give people even a little bit of entertainment.
That, he said, already makes him feel like he’s lived a meaningful life.
What stood out most in his post was the part where he explained how he took a step back from YouTube right after reaching a million subscribers. Not because he was burned out, but because life shifted.
He became a dad. He started thinking differently about time and how quickly things move. That change in perspective made him realize how important it is to try new things.
He said he couldn’t live with the thought of never opening the doors that caught his curiosity. So he went off the usual path for a while.
He’s not turning his back on the channel or the community he built. He’s just ready to create again from a place that feels right. Not out of pressure. Not because of expectations. But because he wants to.
He talked about how easy it is to feel stuck even when you get somewhere that looks like success from the outside.
Staying in that space might seem like the smart thing to do, but sometimes it keeps you from discovering something better.
Now, he says he’s coming back to a version of himself that’s excited to make things again. Not for numbers, not for recognition, but because creating still feels worth it.
He reminded his audience that progress isn’t always comfortable. Even when you reach your goals, there’s still more ahead. That’s not a bad thing. It just means you’re still growing.
Hill Posted:
"I actually never got around to posting a picture with my gold play button 😂 8 years of consistent “grinding”. Really, it was a blast. It’s not easy, and figuring out how to monetize my niche hobby is something I’m beyond grateful for. Also, being able to provide any entertainment for any one out there makes me feel like I’ve lived a life worth living already.
Ironically, I took a break from YouTube almost right after getting a million subs. Life reminders, and having a child, showed me how finite life can be. It’s important to pursue passions you love, but also, I can’t live with the unexplored curiosity of closed doors. I have to see what’s beyond the woods of new trails. I’m so glad I’ve felt the effects of building a skateboard YouTube channel, but I’m excited to be back to a version of myself that’s excited about creation again. Even if you “arrive” to a place that makes you feel seen and heard, don’t let it trap you. Progress is not meant to be comfortable."