Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Kandee Johnson was sleeping just 2 hours a night at the height of her YouTube fame - juggling content creation, brand deals, and raising 4 kids as a single mom. In this honest conversation, she shares what that lifestyle really cost her and that health issues eventually forced her to step away.
From having 13 cents in her bank account to becoming YouTube's biggest beauty creator, Kandee opens up about the reality behind the success. She talks about the exhaustion, the constant travel, editing videos until 4 AM, and how her body eventually said "enough."
My new book is available for pre-order:
Why Do I Keep Doing This? → geni.us/XoyLSQ
If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I’d be so grateful for your support.
SPONSORS:
To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts:
Warby Parker - warbyparker.com/KATI
Mint Mobile — Get 3 months of unlimited premium wireless for just $15/month → mintmobile.com/kati
What you'll hear in this episode:
How she went from broke single mom to YouTube success
The reality of sleeping 2-4 hours a night for years
Why she was working 16-hour days constantly
Health issues that made her take a break
Her honest thoughts on social media and "doom scrolling"
Why she turned down millions in brand deals for integrity
What she learned during her time away from YouTube
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - From 13 cents to YouTube success
12:45 - The exhaustion of constant content creation
28:30 - Behind the scenes of a YouTube career
35:20 - Health issues and stepping away
42:15 - Life during her YouTube break
48:50 - Thoughts on social media addiction
55:30 - What she'd do differently
Ask Kati Anything ep. 273 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT
Kandee on YT youtube.com/@kandeejohnson
Kati's main YT youtube.com/@UCzBYOHyEEzlkRdDOSobbpvw
#podcast #kandeejohnson #katimorton
MY BOOKS
Traumatized geni.us/Bfak0j
Are u ok? geni.us/sva4iUY
CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP
youtube.com/channel/UCzBYOHyEEzlkRdDOSobbpvw/join
ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month)
While I don't offer online therapy, get connected with a licensed therapist through my sponsor BetterHelp: betterhelp.com/kati (Get 10% OFF your first month)
PARTNERSHIPS
Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co
Kandee Johnson was sleeping just 2 hours a night at the height of her YouTube fame - juggling content creation, brand deals, and raising 4 kids as a single mom. In this honest conversation, she shares what that lifestyle really cost her and that health issues eventually forced her to step away.
From having 13 cents in her bank account to becoming YouTube's biggest beauty creator, Kandee opens up about the reality behind the success. She talks about the exhaustion, the constant travel, editing videos until 4 AM, and how her body eventually said "enough."
My new book is available for pre-order:
Why Do I Keep Doing This? → geni.us/XoyLSQ
If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I’d be so grateful for your support.
SPONSORS:
To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts:
Warby Parker - warbyparker.com/KATI
Mint Mobile — Get 3 months of unlimited premium wireless for just $15/month → mintmobile.com/kati
What you'll hear in this episode:
How she went from broke single mom to YouTube success
The reality of sleeping 2-4 hours a night for years
Why she was working 16-hour days constantly
Health issues that made her take a break
Her honest thoughts on social media and "doom scrolling"
Why she turned down millions in brand deals for integrity
What she learned during her time away from YouTube
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - From 13 cents to YouTube success
12:45 - The exhaustion of constant content creation
28:30 - Behind the scenes of a YouTube career
35:20 - Health issues and stepping away
42:15 - Life during her YouTube break
48:50 - Thoughts on social media addiction
55:30 - What she'd do differently
Ask Kati Anything ep. 273 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT
Kandee on YT youtube.com/@kandeejohnson
Kati's main YT youtube.com/@UCzBYOHyEEzlkRdDOSobbpvw
#podcast #kandeejohnson #katimorton
MY BOOKS
Traumatized geni.us/Bfak0j
Are u ok? geni.us/sva4iUY
CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP
youtube.com/channel/UCzBYOHyEEzlkRdDOSobbpvw/join
ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month)
While I don't offer online therapy, get connected with a licensed therapist through my sponsor BetterHelp: betterhelp.com/kati (Get 10% OFF your first month)
PARTNERSHIPS
Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co
