Part 5/9:
A move to Australia for further studies in film led him to a PhD program in Physics, where he aimed to explore how film could educate on scientific concepts. Yet, the academic route felt limiting, pushing Derek towards a more practical application of both fields. Unfortunately, despite his academic accomplishments, traditional film school routes proved fruitless, culminating in rejection from drama programs.
Embracing the YouTube Opportunity
In a pivotal moment, at the age of 28, Derek took the leap to leave his secure job as head of science at a tutoring company to pursue YouTube full-time. This decision marked a significant shift—he wanted to escape a life of constructing backup plans and to embrace the path of authenticity and truth that he long desired.