Interview with Sam Tabor: Overcoming OCD and Anxiety as a YouTuber

Interview with Sam Tabor: Overcoming OCD and Anxiety as a YouTuber

Sam Tabor, a popular YouTube content creator known for his skateboarding, gaming, and music, opens up about his experiences with OCD and anxiety. Behind his success and quirky videos, Sam has had his own challenges, which he shares in this in-depth interview. Read on to learn how OCD has impacted his life and how he manages it.

Meet Sam Tabor

Sam Tabor has built a massive following over the years, entertaining millions with his skateboarding stunts, unique challenges, and clean gaming content. Yet, despite his public success, Sam has been quietly managing OCD and anxiety. Here, Sam talks about his journey, his struggles, and his triumphs over these challenges.

Discovering OCD: Sam’s Early Experiences

Sam reflects on his first memories of OCD, which started in middle school. When I was a kid, I would not be able to sleep. I would cry at random times throughout the day, obsessing over things like school tests. I would worry about failing or disappointing my parents. By the time the test came, I realized that failing was less bad than the worry I’d built up in my mind. That’s when I first noticed I was obsessing.

Support from Family

Fortunately, Sam’s father recognized these symptoms early on, having experienced OCD himself. Sam says, My dad noticed it in me and said, ‘Hey, sorry, you’re like me. This is what’s going on.’ It was later during COVID that Sam sought professional confirmation through therapy.

The Impact of OCD on Sam’s Career

OCD affects many areas of Sam’s life, including his career. It affects every aspect of everything, Sam explains. I overthink everything and sometimes become a perfectionist. In a way, though, it has helped me stay on top of my work.

Balancing OCD and Creative Work

For Sam, OCD brings both challenges and advantages. I’m on top of my work because I’m afraid of disappointing others. But it’s tough to relax and have fun. When I need a break, it’s difficult to turn my mind off, he shares. Sam has learned to recognize when he’s ruminating and to use techniques like “maybe, maybe not” to accept possible outcomes.

Sam’s Coping Mechanisms

Sam’s most helpful tool has been learning to sit with his thoughts, using a technique called “maybe, maybe not.” He explains, Accepting outcomes in my head and saying, ‘maybe that will happen,’ helps me manage my OCD. I let my mind run with a thought for 10 minutes, and then I move on.

Managing Rumination and Perfectionism

Sam’s OCD often manifests as a fear of becoming irrelevant and an urge to check social media. I’ll get 90 positive comments and one negative one, and my mind fixates on the negative. I try to accept that I can’t control how others perceive me, he shares. Sam is also mindful of his phone habits, which can become compulsive.

Living with OCD as a Content Creator

Managing OCD while producing content consistently is not easy. Sam has been making videos for over 12 years and posts about seven videos a week. I feel like I can’t slow down, or I’d be disappointing people. But I love my job, and I’m working on finding a balance, he says.

Final Thoughts: Advice from Sam Tabor

Sam offers valuable advice to others dealing with OCD and anxiety: It’s okay to let your mind go through its thoughts, but don’t let it control you. Learning to sit with discomfort and uncertainty has been a game-changer for me. Sam’s journey shows that while OCD presents challenges, it doesn’t have to hold you back from achieving your goals.

Sam’s story is one of resilience, self-awareness, and hope. For anyone struggling with OCD or anxiety, remember: you’re not alone, and there are tools and resources to help you live life to the fullest.