Markiplier on the importance of fighting fears and taking risks.
"You can’t let fear control you." For Markiplier, this isn’t just a motivational quote – it’s a mindset that shaped his career. Behind the humor and energy that millions of fans see is a story built on uncertainty, setbacks, and the courage to take risks that didn’t always feel safe.
The Risks Of Making Content And Movies
When he first started creating videos, choosing YouTube wasn’t a stable path. There was no guarantee of success, income, or recognition, and at one point he even lost his original channel and had to start over. That kind of setback could have ended everything, but instead, he kept going. Rather than letting fear of failure stop him, he treated it as something to push through.
That same mindset followed him into one of his biggest and riskiest creative decisions: making the film Iron Lung. Turning a small indie horror game into a full movie was a massive leap. It meant stepping far outside his comfort zone as a YouTuber and taking on the responsibilities of writing, directing, producing, and acting. There was financial risk, creative pressure, and the very real fear that fans might not respond well or that the project could fail after so much time and effort.
When Risks Become Reasons
It was the kind of risk that could have easily gone wrong. But instead of playing it safe, he committed to the project fully, putting in the work to make it as strong and meaningful as possible. The result was a film that drew huge excitement, strong support, and praise for its ambition and creativity. What started as a risky idea turned into one of his most impressive accomplishments.
His success didn’t come from avoiding fear. It came from moving forward despite it – rebuilding after setbacks, trying new ideas, and trusting himself enough to take chances that felt overwhelming at first. The risks that once seemed too big became the reason he was able to grow.
Markiplier’s message is simple: fear is natural, especially when you care about what you’re doing. But you can’t let it make your decisions for you. His journey, from starting over on YouTube to creating a major film project, shows that the moments that feel the most uncertain are often the ones that lead to the greatest success.