Today we’d like to introduce you to Izzy Davis.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Izzy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up as an only child, YouTubers were a huge source of inspiration for me. I did not have a big sibling role model, so I think the content I absorbed online shaped who I am today. As early as age 10, I was creating and posting videos with my friends. Around age 12 or 13, I started my first solo YouTube channel. The topic was beauty and makeup, as I was inspired by beauty gurus and obsessed with tutorials at that time. The channel reached nearly 3K subscribers, but when a girl from my middle school discovered it, I deleted it immediately. I was embarrassed and felt the need to be secretive about what I was posting online, a phenomenon that I believe many YouTubers experience in the beginning. I grew out of the makeup phase and moved on to health and wellness after suffering from anorexia and exercise addiction in my mid-teen years. I learned to manage my tendencies and eventually became an example for many young girls who were looking for eating disorder recovery. I was also experimenting with veganism, and dealing with the repercussions of that with my family and friends.
My channel was serving a niche and growing, the population of young people who were interested in health but still struggled to convince their family and friends of a plant-based diet. By my junior year of high school, I was growing in popularity on YouTube and isolating myself from my core group of friends. I felt very different from my peers and decided to finish out high school via an online program. This allowed me to graduate early and get a head start at a local community college. I was admitted to UC Berkeley as a freshman undergrad in 2015. This was a pivotal time in my life and little did I know, would I have everything turned upside down once I arrived in Berkeley that fall. Fast forward nearly four years later, and I am almost out of here with a B.S. degree in Physiology and Metabolism.
Gradually, over the last 3 years, I have had to lessen my video-making time and focus on school. I reached 98K subscribers before hiding my channel just a couple months ago. I am making a conscious choice to remove myself from the Youtube creator scene until I am fully ready to return again. School has been my priority, but both academics and social media have created an important network for me that I am forever grateful for.
Has it been a smooth road?
Try your best to keep your crown on straight and don’t get sidetracked! There are so many influencers out there that may seem to serve as your “example.” If something they promote does not resonate with you, don’t do it! Make your own path, be your own example, follow your inner compass.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Currently, I am a student. I tirelessly study biology, biochemistry, cellular metabolism, and human physiology. When I graduate, I am looking into a couple of different options including: nutrition consulting, influencer-to-brand media consulting, oh and, of course…. teaching spin classes. Cyclebar has a special place in my heart. Teaching fitness has been an intensely emotional and spiritual outlet for me. Not in a calm or meditative way… I am truly an energizer bunny and I love to spread that energy to as many people as I can. I am also working on my CPT (certified personal training) certification. Whether or not I pursue personal training, I am doing the course to become more professional in the space of fitness instruction and body mechanics.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
The school or university that you attend might not be it. For me personally, I have found more mentors outside of school via friends, family, and various job positions I have had. That being said, it is never a bad thing to reach out to a teacher or advisor that you trust.
Contact Info:
- Email: izzydavis@berkeley.edu
- Instagram: @doseofdizzy
Image Credit:
@theroadtohannah
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
