By Kelly Smith
MrBeast’s videos don’t just happen by accident. The giant challenges, million-dollar giveaways, and jaw-dropping stunts may look spontaneous on screen, but behind every viral moment is a carefully crafted workflow—and a relentless commitment to clarity.
For a year and a half, Bret “Hoodie” Numedahl was at the center of that process, one of the quiet architects behind MrBeast’s most-watched videos. Before that, Hoodie was just another creator uploading videos in his mom’s basement, slowly learning what works, what doesn’t, and how to keep going without burning out.
Over a decade, Hoodie has helped shape content strategies for some of YouTube’s biggest channels, building systems that allow creators to focus on their best while delivering videos that millions can’t stop watching. Now, as a key force behind Beast Games, he’s taking those lessons into one of YouTube’s most ambitious projects yet.
What’s the real secret to making videos go viral? It’s not just spending big or chasing extreme ideas. It’s about making sure the concept is clear and easy to follow from start to finish, no matter how big the budget or the stakes. “Everything we do needs to be easy to understand across cultures and audiences,” Hoodie explains. “If what’s in the video doesn’t match the title promises, people will get confused and click off.”
That principle applied whether the team was putting two strangers in a room for 100 days or building 100 wells across communities in Kenya and Zimbabwe. Every video started with meticulous planning—asking questions like, “What will they do all day? How do we plan for every possible outcome while letting contestants create moments viewers care about?”
While flashy edits and expensive props get attention, Hoodie insists that clarity keeps viewers watching. “When you’re describing something, show it. It’s that simple,” he says. Too many creators, he warns, overcomplicate YouTube with unnecessary rules and edits that don’t matter to most viewers.
One of Hoodie’s most meaningful experiences came during the “100 Wells” video, where seeing the impact of the team’s work on real communities brought the mission into sharper focus. “It’s easy to get lost planning ideas on a whiteboard,” he says. “But seeing the real impact on the ground reminds you why you’re doing the work.”
And even after working on some of the most successful videos on the internet, Hoodie will tell you: there’s no such thing as a perfect video. “Even if you post the greatest video you’ve ever made, there’s always something you could have done better,” he says. The mindset that matters is consistent improvement, the discipline to keep things clear, and the flexibility to adapt quickly.
Behind the scenes of MrBeast’s operation is a fast-moving team, but Hoodie emphasizes that avoiding burnout is just as important as hitting deadlines. “Take time for yourself and the things that make you happy,” he says. Working closely with friends who became family helped keep energy and creativity high, even in the middle of 16-hour shoot days and tight turnarounds.
Whether refining a thumbnail, designing an environment that sparks natural moments, or figuring out how a $10 million prize changes your storytelling approach, Hoodie’s philosophy is straightforward: building great content isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about clarity, simplicity, and showing up to improve every single time.
Whether you’re just starting or leading a large team, these principles truly move the needle for creators. From basement uploads to some of the most watched videos in the world, Hoodie’s journey proves that big ideas backed by practical systems and straightforward storytelling can transform not just your content, but your entire approach to creative work.
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