Health Update from Shane
Added 2021-02-27 17:45:57 +0000 UTCHey everyone,
Just wanted to give everyone an update on my health. While I'm still having symptoms and the doctors still haven't figured out what's going on, I do feel a good bit better. I'm able to sleep most nights and have gone stretches of two days at a time with minimal or no issues. At this point I've seen a cardiologist and a neurologist and have follow-up appointments coming with both. I also have first appointments scheduled with an endocrinologist and a nutritionist. So we'll keep plugging away at this stuff until it's figured out. The fact that I'm feeling better at all is a HUGE improvement. For awhile there, I was really scared that things were going the other direction, so it's a huge relief. I've completely changed my diet, started taking intense supplements, started getting more sleep, etc. I've never had anything like this happen to me before. I've never had a single physical issue my entire life. It's been an eye-opener.
With all this said, I'm assuming you've noticed that I've tried to get back into the swing of creating content. I'm still not back to full steam, but I did manage to get an episode of Pachter Factor done, there's another on the way, and I've managed to keep producing Three Night Weekend through all of this. The best news is, provided there are no setbacks over the next few days, we'll be live with GameFace again on Tuesday. It won't be as long as normal, but I'm going to try and get an episode done for you guys.
As you might expect, this has caused an intense period of introspection. What I've been doing is basically insane. I'm one person trying to keep up with other Patreons and websites that have 10 people or more working on them. Somehow I've done it for several years, but now I'm paying the price. It's simply impossible to sustain and it's foolish. And honestly, it hasn't been worth it. Our Patreon has been at the same money level for years now. It doesn't seem to matter how long, hard, or creatively I work. Our financial situation never changes. It's been extremely frustrating, which is why I think I just couldn't stop. I used to think that would be admitting defeat.
But now I'm willing to admit that it's just idiotic. What good does my business do me or my family if I'm dead? So there are going to be changes going forward. We've always tried to come up with new ideas and concepts for content, but in all honesty, a lot of you never even give them a chance. Looking back it seems to have been a fool's errand. So we're going to stick to our pillars of GameFace, Pachter Factor, and Three Night Weekend going forward. Our Patreon will soon be updated to reflect this shift. I believe these shows deserve to be generating more revenue than they are. So the focus is going to be on making them as good and successful as possible. It would be nice to be able to afford to hire people to help to create new and different stuff, but that's simply not the case and I can't keep going on like this. It was literally killing me.
I want to thank everyone who has been patient during the last couple weeks. Especially those who upped their pledge to cover the folks who are inevitably going to delete their pledges in the next two days because they have no idea what is going on with my health. I also want to thank those of you who used our donate page on SIFTD to chip in for any potential lost revenue or those of you who bought shirts from our merch store in support. I'll always remember this time in my life and how our community stepped up in my time of need. I truly love you guys and girls.
Shane
Comments
Really happy your dropping most of this craziness. Keep doing the shows you actually enjoy doing and Il keep the money coming even if there is only one left! I love the b-roll on gameface but im willing to do without if it makes it easier on you.
What'sWhat
2021-02-28 15:16:41 +0000 UTCGlad you are feeling better...great news! I also hardly ever use the website, so would still support SIFTD for the three main shows (or even just for GameFace). I mostly listen to the audio podcast versions...would be interesting to see how many people actually *watch* all of the video content that you produce, but minimising B-Roll and other video content could be another way to reduce your production workload for GameFace.
2021-02-28 07:35:16 +0000 UTCI'm all onboard with the three pillar focus. I've used the site for looking at a story from multiple angles, but content is king and I'd rather you be a producer than a curator.
2021-02-28 07:14:14 +0000 UTCI'm pleased to hear you're going to be scaling back your workload, Shane. Maybe just do an hour of sifting a day and focus more on playing games and making the shows you mentioned. Definitely don't do more than 40 hours a week! It isn't worth it.
2021-02-28 00:40:18 +0000 UTCGlad to hear things have rounded a positive corner, and I’m hoping for more of that to come. I think it’s a great idea to pick the aspects of siftd that you are most passionate about and which show the most promise, and just focus on those moving forward. To me, this Patreon would certainly be just as valuable if it was just gameface, pachter factor and 3 night weekend. Put yourself on a pitch count, make yourself work a normal number of work hours.
Taylor Martin
2021-02-27 22:56:31 +0000 UTCNice to hear that you have finally come to your senses. I hope for all the best!
Jesper
2021-02-27 22:22:07 +0000 UTCI barely use the site to be honest. I love GameFace and Three Night Weekend is also really good
Kc Wright
2021-02-27 20:02:40 +0000 UTCGlad to hear that you are feeling better Shane and that you are looking after your health which is more important than anything else. I would totally pledge the same amount forever just to get GameFace and Three Night Weekend - both are awesome shows. The curation on the website and other things are cool perks but I can live without them, especially if it is impacting on your (or anybody else's) wellbeing.
Simon Wallace
2021-02-27 19:29:43 +0000 UTCHope your feeling 100% soon.
2021-02-27 18:29:45 +0000 UTCSo glad to hear things are moving the right direction and well done on reprioritising. Just made a cheeky donation as well, hope it helps.
2021-02-27 18:23:28 +0000 UTCOne of the best ways i have seen a patreon work is Flagrant 2. They give two episodes of their podcast per week one for free the other one behind a paywall. Both are close to 2h30 min each. I've said since the begining that Gameface is BY FAR the best most in dedpt videogame commentary on the internet right now. I think that if you give if for free at the same for everyone I think you will grow your audience and then you will be able to add money by having more sponsors and advertisers. The 3 hours format of gameface is necessary because it gives you the time for you and Matt to go deep into each subject and it's awesome! Now Shane listen don't kill yourself for us but I think the curation is not necessary for the website let the other guys do it. Im pretty sure people would pay big bucks to see you play there favorite game. I would pledge 100$ for you ton play Thief 1 and 2 each lol
2021-02-27 18:20:51 +0000 UTCVery good to hear that you're feeling better. :) I've been a supporter since Day One, and I never really use the website. I literally just listen to Gameface every week on my Podcast app (audio only, while I drive or I'm in the bath). I get the same experience with Three Night Weekend, which I also love. That's all I need, and if everything else went away - website included - I'd still be a Patron. I think you're making a good call. Whatever you can do to reduce your workload is a good idea, and I think focusing on these three shows in particular absolutely makes sense. Wishing you all the best!
2021-02-27 18:18:52 +0000 UTCSo happy you're feeling better Shane and even happier you have decided to focus on less shows on the site and put more energy into your health and family! Sending all the love and positive vibes your way!!
2021-02-27 18:10:14 +0000 UTCKeeping you in my thoughts. I am glad you’re Heath is improving and hoping your medical team can figure this out.
2021-02-27 18:05:52 +0000 UTCGlad you’re feeling better. Your health comes first. Much love my dude. ❤️
NeO JD
2021-02-27 17:54:55 +0000 UTC
