A Work in Progress

"Because without the struggle, the triumphs wouldn't taste as sweet." - Connor Franta

Wow! Is all I can say before I collect my thoughts to write this post. Okay, let's start from the beginning. Connor Franta is one of my favorite YouTubers. In 2015 he published his memoir, A Work In Progress. I purchased this book during Christmas vacation and could not put it down. I was so immersed in Connor's memoir, until the spring semester started. I put the book on my shelf and never got back to it. With the stress of school, I was never able to finish. Earlier this month I looked at my shelf, opened the book, and couldn't put it down until I read the final words "I feel truly blessed to have you on this journey with me." Oh man, I got the chills when I read it, and typing it now. 

I am the most pickiest person ever when it comes to reading a book. Maybe it's the fact that I've been watching Connor on YouTube forever, it just felt so natural to read. When I first picked up the book, I expected details about his as a YouTuber. What I didn't expect - and should have, was the details on his childhood life including friends and family from the very beginning. (After all isn't that what a memoir is supposed to be? Clearly I read a lot of them.) While reading the book I felt like I was right there in Connor's childhood immersed within the details. In a way it was like reading a person's life backwards. Why? Because right now, I already know what Connor is like in the present (at least in his YouTube persona). Readers basically get an inside look on how Connor came to be today, through the good times and the bad times. I don't want to give away any specific details of his book (because ya'll should read it) instead here's a basic background of Connor Franta. 

Connor grew up in La Crescent, Minnesota and started his YouTube channel in August 2010. Since then, every #FrantasticMonday he has uploaded new videos to his channel. He expanded his YouTube career with a second channel posting vlogs, and joining collab channels with other YouTubers. His biggest collab channel is Our2ndLife (which is how I discovered Connor). This channel became the BIGGEST collab channel YouTube has ever seen with over 3 million subscribers. Aside from YouTube, Connor has created his own clothing and coffee brand, Common Culture. Through the endevors Connor has gone through, he's managed to stay real, honest, and humble sharing his personal life with millions of viewers. 

A Work In Progress truly inspired me to continue pursing my dreams, and never give up. This won't be the last time I open the book, in fact next time I will probably highlight all my favorite quotes. If you've never heard of Connor Franta, I encourage you to read A Work in Progress. His story is amazing. He's not just an average YouTuber and entrepreneur. I can truly see the down to Earth humble human being he is just by reading what he wrote and everything he's accomplished beyond his YouTube channel. I can't wait for the day I get to see him again. (Oh yeah! I've met him before. Did I forget to mention that earlier?! That's a story for another day.) Instead of asking for a picture next time, I'm stoked to have a meaningful conversation - maybe about coffee or something like that. :)

Check out Connor's YouTube, Instagram, and his brand Common Culture