Why Did Neil Leave?

And who will be next?

2GoRoam was a YouTube travel channel that I followed. A couple named Neil and Sarah sold all their assets and retired early, with the goal of traveling the world. They’ve been pursuing that goal for the last four years.

The channel has done well and reached almost 50,000 subscribers. Over the years, Neil has passed on his knowledge about finance and FIRE (financial independence retire early) strategies, and eventually split the channel in two: 2GoRoam, which focused on Neil’s thoughts and advice, and 2GoRoam Travels, which documents the places they visit.

In early April 2025, Neil posted a video in which he described how he enjoyed making videos, but also noted that he was retired and didn’t really want to turn this hobby into a job. Then he revealed some negative comments that he had received, and how much they bothered him. He said that he had written a video in which he gave a list of advice to people in retirement. One of the items was, “Stop spending time with people who drain your energy.” He decided to take his own advice. In a shock to his fans, he ended the video by stating clearly and emphatically that he was ending the 2GoRoam channel. The end. The couple’s other channel, 2GoRoam Travels, would continue. (See more at https://2goroamtravels.com/ or see them on YouTube at 2GoRoam Travels.)

I don’t blame him. No one should have to put up with the nasty sludge that the trolls dole out. Lots of creators take it because they need to make a living. I’ve been to arts and craft shows where some rude people make derogatory comments right in front of the artist. “Looks like a three year old did that painting.”

It gets even worse when the comments are anonymous and online. They become personal and without accountability, just plain mean. “You’re too fat to be on YouTube.” “You are just being self-indulgent.” “That’s an ugly dress.”

I agree with Neil that he doesn’t have to put himself through this. He is retired, after all. He doesn’t need his channel for extra income. What is sad about his decision is that he enjoys making the videos. He is eliminating some of the nasty comments from his life, but he still suffers a loss.

This is a microcosm of modern life. I got a hint of it many years ago, when a boss of mine told me that I was too nice to be successful at his billion-dollar firm. He was absolutely right — I wouldn’t lie, cheat, or steal to make a buck. I thought it was enough to be good at what we did, but I was wrong.

And now we live in a world where lying, cheating, and stealing seems to be the norm, at least for some people. Might makes right seems to be the rule, and making fun of those who disagree and kicking people when they’re down is standard operating procedure. These are the actions that give the trolls a model for their behavior.

What do you think happens when our Troll in Chief President calls the Federal Reserve Chair Powell “a major loser” and threatens to fire him? Does this name-calling make his performance better? Would any excellent candidate for the job be willing to put up with the grief that will inevitably come with it?

I wrestle with my belief that the trolls have a freedom of speech right to say whatever they want. Even when what they say or write is derogatory, I think they have the right to say it. That freedom is critical to a democracy. Still, there is a part of me that is conflicted, because I am disgusted by what I see and hear. It feels like the only solution is to overwhelm the bad with the good. That requires all of us to speak up.

I’m not really in the game anymore. I mostly watch from the sidelines. But I’m paying attention to the people who appear to act ethically, seem to care for others, and do things that help humanity move forward. I am rooting for them, and for all of us, honestly. I am hoping and praying that we can get back to having civil exchanges of views and respectful dialogues, back to a time when exercising first amendment rights wasn’t punished. Then maybe we won’t lose any more helpful voices.