Key Moments
Simone Giertz on Her Robots and Returning to Work After Brain Surgery
Y CombinatorKey Moments
Simone Giertz on shitting robots, brain surgery recovery, and finding joy in creation.
Key Insights
Simone Giertz transitioned from "shitty robot" videos to broader content creation and product design, embracing flexibility and personal interest.
She navigated a significant personal challenge with brain surgery by sharing her experience publicly, finding strength and support through her community.
Giertz emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, pursuing what brings joy, and not relying solely on one platform for sustainability.
The "shitty robot" persona was a way to approach intimidating fields like robotics without fear of failure, protecting herself from criticism.
She advocates for self-compassion, embracing "play" as a creative driver, and valuing innate qualities over perceived difficulty.
Her experience with brain surgery highlighted the importance of vulnerability, asking for support, and cherishing human connection.
THE ORIGIN STORY: THE QUEEN OF "SHITTY ROBOTS"
Simone Giertz describes herself as a "maker, robotics enthusiast, non-engineer," widely known as the "Queen of Shitty Robots." This moniker, coined by Reddit users, originated from her early viral project, the "toothbrush helmet." The unexpected success of this project within four months led her to transition to full-time YouTube work. This pivot was facilitated by a personal situation involving an expiring visa and a move back home, allowing her to focus on exploring her interests without significant financial pressure, creating a "leap-year type environment" for creativity.
SUSTAINING PASSION AND EVOLVING CONTENT
To maintain her passion for content creation, Giertz emphasizes establishing clear boundaries and avoiding rigid uploading schedules, which allows for flexibility and prevents burnout. She also actively works to avoid being pigeonholed into just "shitty robot" videos. By experimenting with different content formats and trusting her audience's tolerance, she has broadened her channel's scope, viewing it as a journal of personal interests rather than a strictly niche topic. This approach ensures a continuous wellspring of ideas and content possibilities.
NAVIGATING THE CHALLENGE OF BRAIN SURGERY AND PUBLIC SHARING
A year prior to this interview, Giertz discovered a brain tumor, leading to surgery. She made the conscious decision to share this deeply personal and terrifying experience publicly. This act of vulnerability, while initially daunting, became a powerful way for her to process the situation, make sense of it, and regain a sense of control over how her story unfolded. The overwhelming support from her online community, including shared experiences from others who had undergone similar procedures, provided invaluable comfort and practical assistance during her recovery.
PRODUCT DESIGN AND THE VULNERABILITY OF 'SERIOUS' CREATION
Transitioning from "shitty robots" to developing well-finished products, like her "gold star system calendar," presented a new set of challenges. Giertz wrestled with merging her established brand of imperfect creations with the desire to produce high-quality, serious products. The vulnerability of putting something out there that could genuinely help people, rather than being protected by jokes and self-deprecation, was a significant hurdle. She ultimately embraced the idea that it's acceptable to create and stand by things she genuinely likes and believes in.
THE INTERSECTION OF CREATIVITY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND WELL-BEING
Giertz operates in both the creative realm of content creation and the entrepreneurial space of product design. She notes that the product design side, particularly with her team's support, has been less of a "headache" than the constant demand of nurturing her social media presence. Her health journey has underscored the importance of self-care, pacing, and listening to her body. The fear of burnout is real, even with passionate work, but prioritizing personal well-being is crucial for sustained creative output and a balanced life.
EMBRACING IMPERFECTION AND THE VALUE OF PLAY
A recurring theme is Giertz's admiration for the "amateur streak" in her work, which she sees as adults "playing." She encourages embracing innate qualities and pursuing activities that are enjoyable and come easily, rather than solely focusing on perceived weaknesses or difficult tasks. Societal programming often equates hard work with difficulty and pain, but Giertz argues that fun and play are essential for creativity and can lead to surprising success. She advocates for giving oneself permission to explore and experiment without the pressure of immediate results or perfection.
REFLECTION, GRATITUDE, AND THE PERSPECTIVE SHIFT FROM MORTALITY
Facing her own mortality provided Giertz with a profound perspective shift. It served as a powerful reminder to dedicate time to what truly matters, re-evaluating how she spends her time and addressing guilt and anxiety around work. The experience reinforced the importance of nurturing relationships and being present for loved ones, highlighting her own need to depend on others. This vulnerability and the support she received were transformative, solidifying the value of human connection and compassionate self-treatment.
BUILDING RESILIENCE AND ASKING FOR SUPPORT
Giertz emphasizes that asking for help and support is crucial, especially during challenging times. She describes her community's unwavering encouragement to take time off when needed, a contrast to the pressure many creators face to constantly produce content. Daring to be vulnerable and admit need, whether it's for emotional support or practical help like meals, has been instrumental. She learned that while it's easy to be stoic, embracing support allows for deeper connection and makes difficult processes more bearable.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Software & Apps
●Companies
●Organizations
●People Referenced
Common Questions
Simone Giertz is known as the 'Queen of Shitty Robots', a title originating from Reddit, for her YouTube channel where she builds unconventional and often humorous robots. She has since expanded into product design and entrepreneurship.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
A startup accelerator that Simone Giertz expresses excitement about being invited to.
A renowned design and innovation company where Simone Giertz's dream job was to work.
Social media platform where Simone Giertz was observed taking time off.
A food delivery service mentioned as a practical form of support during recovery.
The platform where the 'Queen of Shitty Robots' title originated for Simone Giertz.
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