Everyone sees the final videos.
They see the builds, the jokes, the slow-mo shots, the thumbnails, the chaos that somehow turns into entertainment.
They see the fun.
What they don’t see is the part of the job no one talks about — the part that isn’t glamorous, curated, or filtered. The part that smells like airplane air and lukewarm coffee.
So let’s talk about it.
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The Airports
If you think traveling for work is glamorous, I invite you to spend one morning with us in an airport.
You’ll experience:
• running to gates with backpacks that weigh more than a small toddler
• security pulling apart every piece of camera gear like it’s hiding state secrets
• $19 sandwiches
• sitting upright pretending to sleep
• the moment you realize your flight is delayed and you’re still about to film the next day
By the time you land, you’re already exhausted — and filming hasn’t even started.
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The Hotels
Sometimes we get good hotels.
Sometimes we get… character-building hotels.
We’ve stayed in places where:
• the hallway smelled like a mystery
• the random roach on the floor .. WAIT IS THAT A ROACH?!
• the air conditioner rattled like loose screws in a dryer
• the shower pressure was a suggestion
• the curtains didn’t close
• the bed tried to swallow you
But as long as the WiFi works, we survive.
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The Driving
We drive everywhere.
Hours and hours on the highway with:
• gas station snacks
• podcasts
• questionable playlists
• someone asking “Are we close?” when we’re not even halfway
• Gordon giving directions like we’re in a scavenger hunt
At some point you forget what state you’re in… charlestonville? CAPE CANAVERAL!
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The Trade Shows
People see the stories.
They see us at events.
They see us on stage.
What they don’t see is how much actually goes into those trips.
We don’t have a booth — we do appearances.
That means:
• scheduling every single hour of the trip
• coordinating where we need to stand and when
• showing up at a booth for 2–4 hours to meet everyone
• networking with brand reps, marketing teams, and other creators
• squeezing in speaking engagements
• squeezing in interviews
• squeezing in meet & greets
• squeezing in meetings about future deals
• trying to eat at some point
• trying to breathe at some point
• trying to remember what day it is
Trade shows aren’t just “show up and smile.”
They are full-on business trips disguised as social events.
By the end of the day, your feet hurt, your throat hurts, and you’ve said “Nice to meet you” so many times that the words stop sounding real.
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The Filming
Everyone loves the final cut.
They don’t see the filming days where:
• you’ve been up since 5AM
• the camera battery dies at the worst possible moment
• someone steps into frame
• it starts to pour halfway through the day
• you redo the same line six times
• a tool breaks mid-shot
• it’s 45 degrees in Alabama
• and the day ends with more mess than when it started
And after ten hours of filming?
You still have to put everything away.
Then travel.
Then work.
And then planning the next location.
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The Mental Load
This one is the biggest.
People don’t see:
• the planning
• the scheduling
• the sponsor deliverables
• the approvals
• the meetings
• the travel logistics
• the negotiations
• the constantly updated shot lists
• the “Did everyone get the same email?” chaos
• the late-night messages
• the early morning calls
• the pressure of trying to keep everything moving
It’s nonstop.
There is no off switch.
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But here’s the truth
Even with the flights, the driving, the trade shows, the speaking engagements, the back-to-back filming days, the near-constant travel…
I still love it.
The payoff is the moment the cameras turn on.
The energy of the builds.
The people we meet.
The insane experiences we get to have.
The moments that make it all worth it.
This job isn’t easy.
It isn’t relaxing.
It isn’t simple.
It’s hard, loud, exhausting, chaotic, and demanding —
and somehow, it’s exactly where I’m meant to be.
See you tomorrow.
— Samantha
Bully Media Inc 