Darren, Georgie, Mia, and Sienna, collectively known as Family Fizz, are a YouTube family like no other!
Dad Darren and mum Georgie started out on YouTube with a vegan fitness channel and have released a recipe book together, titled Vegan Fitness 7 Day Meal Plan.
In December 2016, however, they gave up their London flat and many of their possessions to go travelling with their two daughters, Mia and Sienna. The first few vlogs on their channel document this transition and the journey to their first destination – Gran Canaria.
The family are now back in the UK and still post videos daily, including a mix of challenges, recipes, travel vlogs, and life updates. We caught up with them for a quick chat about their inspirations and advice for other family vloggers.
What’s the first YouTube video you ever watched?
DARREN: “Keyboard cat.”
GEORGIE: “Barking old man.”
MIA: “The duck song.”
SIENNA: “Egg surprise videos (toy unboxing).”
What’s your most embarrassing video?
DARREN: “The first videos we ever recorded where we seemed so stiff and like cardboard!”
GEORGIE: “First video eating on camera where I had all chocolate in my braces and on my face.”
MIA: “Where I was wearing headphones and singing loudly while eating peanut butter.”
SIENNA: “I don’t have one.”
What would you be doing if you weren’t making YouTube videos?
DARREN: “I would be a personal trainer and nutritional advisor.”
GEORGIE: “I would be a fitness coach.”
MIA: “I would have a boring life.”
SIENNA: “Doing science experiments.”
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
DARREN: “Every daily vlogger, because I know first-hand how hard they work.”
GEORGIE: “Oprah Winfrey, because she has come from rock bottom.”
MIA: “Lilly Singh, because she is a woman who is really confident, brave, and successful.”
SIENNA: “FunForLouis, because he is really good at vlogging and holds the camera straight.”
What advice can you give aspiring family vloggers?
DARREN: “Provide value, which can be in the form of entertainment, education, or inspiration. Always see the bigger picture and appreciate the journey. You get back what you put in. If you want to grow a huge community, you need to put the effort in, which is going to affect the lives of a huge amount of people. Make them laugh, teach them things, share your flaws, learn and grow together.”
GEORGIE: “Always think about how your video is going to be helpful to other people. Think what other people can get from the vlog so it feels like you are giving back to the world and it gives you a sense of purpose. This keeps you motivated.”
MIA: “Only do it if you find it fun, interesting, and it makes you happy.”
SIENNA: “If you’re scared or shy, remember my saying, ‘Doesn’t matter, just enjoy it’.”
Can you recommend a YouTube channel that we should be watching?
DARREN: “TED talks.”
GEORGIE: “FightMediocrity.”
MIA: “IISuperwomanII.”
SIENNA: “What’s Inside.”
Would you rather…
…evening out or family night in?
DARREN: “Evening out, because we rarely go out in the evening (it’s editing time!)”
GEORGIE: “Evening out, as it sounds more fun.”
MIA: “Evening out, so we get to eat at a restaurant and have fun.”
SIENNA: “Evening out, so I get to play more.”
…travel to an undiscovered island or into space?
DARREN: “Undiscovered island, because it sounds so warm, beautiful, and like an adventure.”
GEORGIE: “Undiscovered island, because it feels natural for humans to be there, but space seems lonely.”
MIA: “Undiscovered island, because space is scary.”
SIENNA: “Undiscovered island, because it’s warm.”
…adopt a kitten or a puppy?
DARREN: “Puppy, because they are really playful and have so much energy, plus they are so loyal.”
GEORGIE: “Puppy, because cats are boring and stuck up.”
MIA: “Puppy, because it can sleep in my bed.”
SIENNA: “Puppy, because cats don’t like children as much as dogs do.”
…have unlimited money or knowledge?
DARREN: “Unlimited money, because I could actively change the world immediately, and also because I would lose the excitement of learning if I already knew everything by having unlimited knowledge.”
GEORGIE: “Unlimited money, because you then have the freedom to do almost anything in the world and I don’t want to know the answers to everything.”
MIA: “Unlimited money, because then I can travel the world and gain knowledge from life experiences.”
SIENNA: “Same as Dad!”
…eat cake or pizza (both vegan obviously!)?
DARREN: “Pizza, because I prefer savoury.”
GEORGIE: “Cake, full stop!”
MIA: “Cake, because I prefer sweet.”
SIENNA: “Cake, because I can have carrot cake which will be sweet and savoury.”
Wow, this family really does think as one! Except for Darren’s food preferences. And we have to agree with him on that one. Pizza all the way!
Want more?
Read more of our interviews:
- TenEighty Meets: jennxpenn
- TenEighty Meets: Nathan Zed at Summer in the City 2016
- TenEighty Meets: Josh Pieters
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