The Burden of Starting From Scratch

[@portergieske]

Van - I have always thought that I recognized you from living in nyc. You were my neighbor, as I lived in carrol gardens and cobble hill as well as the heights from 92-07. I shopped at that 'hardware' store, got sandwiches from the italian place nearby, wondered about the dudes in the OTB. I literally waked past you many times. So weird to see the hood back when we lived there.

[@ryanhaquez6345]

that would be actually wild to have crossed paths with him then find him years later on the internet.

[@portergieske]

Not only Van, but I also def remember seeing Casey back then too. @@ryanhaquez6345

[@lacalleinvisible]

😮😅

[@TRXST.ISSUES]

He doesn’t read KZbin comments friend - I’d tell him on the Patreon

[@bravofighter]

Yeah, I used to visit my cousin in Chelsea all the time, and we used to pal around all over lower manhattan, and we saw Van and Casey filming weird stuff a few times. That was all just pre-9/11, because my cousin left Chelsea when it happened, and never again wanted the life he had been living prior. We always wondered, who are these two weirdos?

[@watchingthehorizon7799]

"While you're living your life properly, it feels like a disaster. But when you look back on it, it looks like a masterpiece." ― Van Neistat “You know, there’s a philosopher who says, “As you live your life, it appears to be anarchy and chaos, and random events, non-related events, smashing into each other and causing this situation or that situation, and then, this happens, and it’s overwhelming, and it just looks like what in the world is going on ? And later, when you look back at it, it looks like a finely crafted novel. But at the time, it don’t.” ― Joe Walsh

[@rosslmccallum]

I have a feeling this quote will stay with me for a long time. Thank you, Van.

[@lemonbeans]

He's talking about Schopenhauer

[@knifetimestory]

Fortyfive too old?! Well then, I'm screwed. Started dabbling with YT at 55, went full-time at 60. I rent a space and call it my studio just like the Neistat brothers do. Even though your comment crushed me...I still watch all your stuff, learn and feel inspired. Thank you.

[@sommelierofstench]

not a hard rule just because he said it. keep doing it if it’s working out for you man!

[@GrantConnor96]

Just subscribed to your channel, keep up the good work.

[@janimaterful]

The way I take his/Casey's POV is... "don't do what I did, do what works for you". If it's working for you, no one can take that away from you :)

[@helpfulcommenter]

Your comment is far more inspiring than any video Van or Casey have made

[@hankhill3256]

Rick Beato was too old as well 😂😂😂

[@sammybwoy]

Van & Casey are so uniquely positioned to create an archive of all the footage they’ve shot over the last 20 years.

[@NamelesshunterGaming]

I love how Casey starts talking smarter when he talks to his big brother.

[@bl4ck1911]

but every time you switch to a Casey video, the opposite thing happens 😅

[@EvanMonsma]

Getting to see that tape is so special- the lead up to the bike camera rig that started it all. Seeing the helmet get bought, the attempt at making that the bike filming solution, and then making the handlebar setup later. Super cool.

[@Inzov]

Love this. Please consider making this a regular thing where you show really old videos & provide commentary.

[@Glcardenasgomez]

Thank you for the last comment about while living your life properly feels like a disaster. Eight years ago, after an unsuccessful year of looking for professional work, I left Chile to move to Canada. If I were to write about that period, it would be the story of a determined young person who found success in their chosen profession. I am still working in the same area, but now as a Quality Manager. I have some videos from those years, which I will definitely check after leaving this comment. Hope one day to upload those videos. Thank you, Van!

[@RachaelPadilla]

A genuine pleasure to watch! The struggle of "what to make" is a real one and you seem to deal with it with grace.

[@dvdaltizer]

i love the brotherly relationship they have.

[@Chemivarian]

Man I really needed that last quote today. It has been mainly chaos.

[@jamesforrest9837]

talking over the old NYC footage, hypnotic

[@thejasontlewis]

I lived in NYC from 1993-2004. There's so much in this video that brings that time back to me, both from a mental standpoint--why I was there and what I was trying to do--and the visceral experience of being there in that time. And you're right: no one had video cameras. It seems absurd that I have no footage of my life there other than in my head. I miss the fleamarket on 23rd and Broadway. I miss the 48th St music shops. I miss the record stores. I moved there to 'make it' it in the music business as a singer/songwriter. In '93 I moved with my girlfriend (now wife) and we had a tiny place on 26th Street. I came from West Virginia and I didn't have the right documentation to get a bank account in NYC. Shocking. Then we moved to Ave B, then Grand St in Willliamsburg. Finally, an ill-advised 6 months on Staten Island around the time my daughter was born until we left. We moved to Iowa so I could got to grad school for writing and we've been here almost 20 years now. Unbelievable. I've had so many of the thoughts and feelings you share here. Thanks for that.

[@davidwalker9594]

Van is the only one to give you a better help sponsor while also taking you to therapy at the same time. That was deep and appreciated.

[@averyjamesbrooks]

I still return to your Holland Tunnel cycling video periodically. Saw that a couple years after I started biking in NY in the early 00s and it is like, my video mantra or something like that, relative to cycling. There's something about it that just hits home for me, even more than like Line of Sight or other NY cycling classics. Respect your work Van!

[@angusred1337]

I love how he lets the cut/edit breath....Im here for peaceful entertainment and enlightenment that takes some attention span. Bravo!

[@kartiktiwari7360]

I shed a tear when you rushed away from the stool to stop the camera. The context setting, the delivery, the perfectly timed cut - you do this with the kind of matured subtlety that really shows you've been doing this for decades.

[@davidbowers912]

He Did It again 🎉

[@joshrulesforyou]

I legit appreciate your ad read at the beginning. Thanks for taking the time to outline your situation genuinely, or at least what feels like it.

[@MedicBarr911]

A spirited man's day just got a lot better seeing a new video from Van Neistat, this was much needed ❤

[@smashyrashy]

Dont call yourself that

[@headwerkn]

Rick, your video played immediately after MKBHD’s video on OpenAI’s Sora. Seeing talented humans create beautiful art was just what I needed maintain faith in humanity.

[@mortezag2010]

You are a special artist to me. Every now and then, you manage to hit me in the right spot with a sledge hammer. Nice job.

[@ETOE]

I started youtube in 2010 with my first camcorder. So all stuff is kind of digital. But seeing you converting old tapes makes me feel nostalgic too.

[@heronoverdose]

It's all a lovely thing, taking time to look back and take it all in.

[@CreativeDreamersAU]

I find that the struggle in pursuing your craft is the best part. The process is the reward of being creative because you learn and grow so much along the way, which in a way is what I'm trying to do with this channel too, but I've been writing and publishing my own work for 7-8 years now. I love it.

[@neilgooge]

I drop in and out of youtube these days... but every time one of your (or your brothers) videos cross my path... It's always so inspiring.

[@nickstojakovic112]

i seriously needed this. Thank you Van.

[@joshschandoney5045]

Helmet cam is like the beta version of the GoPro mount that is now so ubiquitous now: Van, you really are a visionary!!!

[@thetalkingfly]

Van! I LOVE your HBO series - I love it I love it I love it! Keep making art brother! Cheers, The Talking Fly

[@meisrerboot]

Your channel is really cool

[@danielbaxter33]

Van - you are my most favoritest artist. I look up to your public persona as that of an older brother. Thanks for being you

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

Casey’s brain is just magical. The way he instantly has such a unique thought in .5 seconds.

[@marktereck3802]

Could watch hours of van going through old random footage just talking in tangents about it. Great stuff

[@sethsquatchisreal]

One of your best. Keep on keepin' on.

[@jamesweldon8118]

Very profound. Another gem

[@aankhenchaudiband]

I love this feeling I get when I somehow pause and reflect upon what I just saw, good movies always do that to me. But also almost every van neistat video does that too me. I am really grateful to you Van, you are one of the biggest reasons I started focusing on mu KZbin channel from this jan❤

[@benhealy]

I loved your old footage! I used to live in Carroll Gardens and, though you were probably somewhere else by then, I like to think we could’ve been neighbors. A lot of those old places were still there. I also worked at Scholastic for a little while in the retail store. While I didn’t have a video camera then, I do look back at the first digital photographs I took with a similar fascination and newfound appreciation.

[@carlroge]

Brilliant

[@pizzaratlord]

The eagles catching a stray in the last minute was not on my bingo card. Fantastic film!

[@chilidog73]

Loved the reflection in your eyes at the end. 😊

[@Dre_enz]

Cada vez que me salta la notificación sobre este canal con un nuevo video, tengo que dejarlo todo. Increíble video ❤

[@JeepTJay6]

OMG this brings back so many memories! I was at PRATT Institute at roughly the same time. I lived in Clinton Hill. I remember buying a mountain bike from that flee market! ☺️

[@TSGEnt]

Thank you Van this was beautiful. I can appreciate the pain and consternation of what the next video should be. You just made my next video just a little easier to do. I've got VHS of adventures from about 1985. an example on my YT channel is called: "My rocket engineering days" Those were the days, my friend.

[@raphaelgoncalves1329]

Please show us some more of your old movies, it's so inspiring!

[@Anita_Backrub]

I could watch your films for hours

[@richardsnook3277]

Loved seeing this video, and the quote at the end oh wow!

[@markg4167]

Great video Van always appreciate you Ty

[@Pytte]

17:04 the Dude abides.

[@davidbowers912]

He did it again,"THE DUDE ABIDES"THE 🎉

[@SamuelSchmidt-f9z]

Thanks for this one, Van.

[@cvictor1126]

DUDE I think about that Path of God scene ALL THE TIME! ALLL THE TIME! It's such a perfect metaphor.

[@canadude6401]

1:39 I just *knew* his phone call was to Casey!

[@cruznavarro5806]

While I enjoy the content of Van’s channel constantly, I felt there was some gatekeeping attitudes from Casey and Van. “As older KZbinrs we discourage you to become older KZbinrs.” What happened to “Do what you Can’t”, which is one Casey’s most inspirational videos. Not hating on them, just pointing out some mixed messages here.

[@19wael96]

I needed this right this moment thanks Van

[@olsonspeed]

Thanks for this insight, the creativity treadmill of KZbin is indeed brutal, few ever realize success and financial reward.

[@PaulaHeartland]

Another emotional, philosophical banger. Thought provoking ending. Fun! (I've seen this before...yes?)

[@TylerSandberg]

"It frightens me, the awful truth of how sweet life can be" - Bob Dylan

[@chasemichaelplays]

Inspiration comes in micro and macro ways, but is always delivered by you Van, in every video you post. Thank you for what you do.

[@UHollis]

i could listen to you and Casey talk this shit forever.

[@MedicBarr911]

That quote at the end 🔥🔥🔥

[@ElmosUniverse]

That philosophy at the end hit me like a truck

[@StayHomeEatGreat]

Van, this is all me! As soon as I saw the Indiana Jones clip that's me and my wife! I'm 48 and my wife and I started a church the first week of Jan 2024. Here we are with a whole new life at 48! Literally on the "path of God" with nothing but grit and a feeling in our heart that we must do this! Thanks for making this video!

[@jbratt]

To be fair the editing process of today is so streamlined compared to the effort it took back in the day. This is true with digital photography in general, either video or still shots. You can put on video (or a still shot) exactly what you want in 5 minutes instead of five hours. It's easier to capture your idea and improve it or move on to the next without the burden of the process.

[@chantelleflynn9984]

Im only a few mins in, outstanding video as always, and omg. Did that really happen in therapy> That is what I need . Better help, I always thought I wasn't real help, and I will look into it now. Please expand from a clients point of view your perspectives of working through the justice issue

[@PaulaHeartland]

PS I love your sweatshirt -- it's my favorite! My go too when I want to be cozy and funky.

[@micahvonmusic]

This video is so beautiful

[@vito3608]

Van, you HAVE to upload your classic videos, just like Casey did. I would watch the crap out of them.

[@NamelesshunterGaming]

I love seeing this old footage, so nice back then, people interacting with each other and socializing, no cellphones with zombies making pictures or walking without looking. I was in NYC last november for the marathon and its still an amazing city but times have changed which you show in this video.

[@helpfulcommenter]

I'm pretty glad I was the same age as Van in those videos (well a couple years younger) and got to live my teens and 20s before humanity buried its collective attention into their phones. It's true that it was definitely a different time and people were way cooler to each other as well. I miss those years. A great time to be young crazy and ambitious in NYC (or in my case, LA, Austin, and sometimes NYC)

[@hadley_youtube]

More Van commentation over archives please.

[@RubyLaboratory]

Truthfully surprised you haven’t hit a million subs yet.. I always come back to thumbnails not being relatable.. maybe consider changing that part of “The Spirited Man”’s brand identity? Love the videos Van keep it up! Here’s to the next 125 🎉💚

[@IanCourtright]

An absolute inspiration 🙌

[@Frinans]

It would be insanely cool to see the two Neistat brothers doing collaborations again.

[@not8brand]

gotta love when someone who has found success tells up and coming artists, nah do something else, it's soooooooo much work and sacrifice, probably too much for wittle ow u.....i'm sure it's the sacrifice of pursuing art that's keeping everyone from success...not a lack of support or opportunity....informative video actually

[@suioganwilliam]

New video, my day just got better. A few suggestions. Please back up your videos in multiple places, and, if you haven't already, make all of the tapes digital

[@CanadiansInCarsGettingCocky]

I like how Van calls Casey for KZbin advice! Bros!

[@keneticchannel]

Having a career helping others make their stuff is a blessing and a curse. The blessing is in paid mastery of the craft. The curse is in the potential for burnout that keeps you from making your own stuff.

[@JB_Eckl]

Van, I have no idea if you get around to reading these. But this is a deep topic and you can tell some of us are prickly about it. Is 45 too late? ANY age is too late for a full-time career in arts & entertainment, because the Biz is absolutely brutal. And every major life stage/commitment makes it exponentially harder. I don’t encourage people to go into music even though it’s brought me a lot of ‘highs,’ because I wouldn’t put my worst enemy through the ‘lows.’ Once they’ve made their decision and it’s past the point of no return, I’ll encourage the hell out of them. I want them to win. But if there’s any way to get out early and embrace a more sane lifestyle… do it. Art as a livelihood is in constant flux. AI is coming for all but the most unique and charismatic artists very soon. We know too much about the successful, and not enough about the legions whose dreams are crushed. Please continue to share the murky side of this stuff. It’s good medicine, both for those who stick with it and those who might want to change paths. As Darth Vader said, ‘it’s too late for me.’ Haha.

[@daveforz]

being in your 20s during the 90s seems so cool

[@fatheryolo]

Video starts at 1:34

[@CodyWBrown]

Young Van chewed gum with his mouth open

[@mioszstachlewski458]

Thank you

[@dylansousa5571]

Van i love your videos

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

Funny, I keep forgetting that you're Casey's brother. Your work stands on its own so well. Cool video.

[@bunnytobin]

Man, I have always thought you looked familiar and now I know why. I lived in Brooklyn for 20 years. 5 of them at Hoyt and Smith and the other 15 over at 5th Ave and Sterling. I remember seeing you and I worked at Quench on Smith and my girlfriend worked next door at The Grocery. Did you ever work at Scholastic? That corner store is where I bought all my pots and pans when I moved into my apartment there. I even think I would see you now and then on the train because I worked in Soho as well assisting two different photographers. Glad that mystery is solved. Also, there's no such thing as the mafia...;)

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

I’ve subbed to many patreons. Only one has stood the test of time giving me actual value. Take a guess which one ….

[@Makebuildmodify]

Why was ambition your obstacle?

[@BeAChurchPunk]

"Let's Rock" lol

[@drewgilmore7157]

Tasteful Lebowski reference at the end

[@raddy21]

I currently live in Manhattan and sadly it's not like this anymore at all

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing it. ✌️

[@gigidodson]

The things that intersect. The small moments that build lives. All the joy and all the pain that in our nieve callous "we will be forever" youth are the moments we relive in our old age. Youre never to old to change.

[@ZachariahNelson]

I thought you were hating on the birds at 17:10.

[@vma862]

I heard someone say, "Do you want to be right, or do you want to be happy?" It made a lot of sense when they explained it that way.

[@TopSecretNoTouching-df2bb]

I also love bandit,

[@BibBobBibOnVacation]

It really looks like masterpiece 🎉

[@jefffromjuneau]

Van mounting a camera to his helmet and handlebars predicts the rise of the GoPro style of action cameras.

[@ChristopherCampNYC]

Van and Casey has indistinguishable laughs.

[@underbikedoverconfident1142]

Van's better help is my beer and I'm not entirely sure that's healthy.

[@parkervarin]

Videos about nothing are often the best videos

[@positivegroove]

🗽🇺🇸VAN WITH THE HELMUT CAM IS BASICALLY THE ORGINAL #GOPRO CAMERA, UNREAL REALLY. 📹 VAN WAS WAY AHEAD OF OUR TIME. LOVE TO SEE MORE OF YOUR OLD FOOTAGE VAN, TRULY INSPIRING. 💥💥

[@helpfulcommenter]

Yeah but a lot of people did it back then. Necessity was the mother of invention. Where do you think GoPro got the idea from? Literally everyone was strapping cameras to helmets or bikes or whatever, as soon as they got small enough.

[@positivegroove]

@@helpfulcommenter I never thought about it. Good point.👍

[@wildhurstmanor]

On eBay in the US that Triumph bicycle fully restored goes for $500-780. Not as high as I expected.

[@borderlands6606]

For the last 70 years Triumph has been a re-badged Raleigh. Nice enough 3-speeds but nothing special.

[@JvMatt]

10:26 that video camera looks impressively small for that time.

[@helpfulcommenter]

Nah, miniDV cams were small. We had them in the late 90s. Sony handicams

[@davidbowers912]

You Did It again 🎉 👐👣☮️🇨🇦🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@TheBjornarv]

Remember your open letter to a fan many years ago? Where you explained your lack of internett footprint? Times have changed I guess, you came around eventually. which is great btw!