I had the opportunity to take part Beast gameswhere 2,000 participants vied for a chance to win a $5 million prize. The event was an intense and insightful look into how people behave when large sums of money are at stake, from alliances to emotional reactions to financial stakes. My experience during this huge social experiment provided important financial lessons that go far beyond the game. Here I share five key lessons I learned from my time here Beast games.

People can be irrational when it comes to money

One of the most striking things I observed Beast games was how irrational people can become around money. Although 2,000 people competed for a $5 million prize – with each participant having a 1 in 2,000 chance of winning – many acted as if they had already secured the money. This sense of entitlement often led to intense emotional reactions when eliminated. I watched people throw fits, curse, scream, and get angry as if they believed the $5 million was already theirs. But each of us only had a 0.05% chance of winning, a very slim chance.

Some participants made extreme life decisions because of this slim chance. At least $5 million Is lot of money. Some people quit their jobs and risk almost everything to fully dedicate themselves to the idea of ​​winning. They didn’t take into account the fact that we were surrounded by a sea of ​​equally motivated people. The odds don’t change even if you’re fully committed, because everyone else who’s done it so far has been just as committed. It’s as if people’s minds refuse to acknowledge the slim chance that they are the only person out of 2,000 who would win the grand prize. This led to many making stupid decisions regarding their situation at home, and virtually everyone who came out was horrified, as if they had truly been robbed of $5 million.

This irrational attachment to potential wealth may explain why Americans spend billions of dollars on the lottery every year, even though the odds of winning are astronomically low. Or why others make risky, speculative investments or fall into the trap of lightning fast programs. This behavior increases when there are success stories or when asset prices rise rapidly, creating a fear of missing out that further clouds rational judgment.

Money is not the only currency

Money is typically considered the primary form of currency. Finally, it enables transactions, investments and the fulfillment of basic needs. However, during Beast gamesI realized that other non-monetary currencies are just as important, if not more important, in certain situations.

For example, information became the most important currency, especially at the beginning. Everyone was trying to figure out what was going on, like what the next challenge was and when or where the food would be. It was like “Did you know they give out breakfast bags?‘ ‘It was on the third floor.’ ‘What? Was there breakfast?“Everyone exchanged information. It was definitely the main currency. Participants who knew important information had a significant advantage. The same goes for investing or business: having the right information at the right time can mean the difference between success and failure.

Another currency was social capital– essentially the value of relationships. I passed on information to everyone I knew. I tried to help find allies because building alliances, knowing who to trust, and leveraging relationships can give you an advantage, even if it doesn’t involve money. This reflects real life, where connections often lead to opportunities or information that money cannot buy. In the professional world, knowing the right people or being part of the right network can open doors in ways that pure financial wealth cannot.

Even Eat meanwhile became a commodity Beast gameswhere participants exchange items such as snacks or use them as leverage to maintain relationships. Participants traded vegetables for another food item or did a favor in exchange for additional food. People said: “Hey, I have some snacks from lunch. Do you want some?“The food was worth its weight in gold.” Beast games. Maybe it was the long filming times or the disorganization of the outside food supplier, but food also became a valuable commodity during the event.

These experiences illustrate that while money is important, it is not always the primary factor in success or gaining an advantage. Social capital, information and other non-monetary assets can also be crucial in certain scenarios.

People will do anything for money

It’s clear through MrBeast’s content that people are willing to go to extreme lengths for money. In his famous challenge videos, participants often undertake bizarre or physically demanding tasks for a chance to win thousands – or even millions – of dollars. Whether it’s surviving in confined spaces for days or performing stunts, people will push themselves to the limit for the promise of reward.

I saw this firsthand along the way Beast games. People were so emotionally invested in competition that they were willing to go to extreme lengths to win, even if it meant risking their well-being or that of others. At one point, tensions were so high that one competitor almost physically attacked someone on his team because he felt that person had jeopardized his chance of winning.

It can also be seen in many of MrBeast’s YouTube videos where people do crazy things for money, like staying in a circle for days, trying to survive in the wilderness, or sitting in a bathtub full of snakes.

This speaks to a larger financial truth: The lure of large sums of money can cause people to take significant risks or behave in ways they normally wouldn’t. Be it long working hours to the point of burnout, gambling with high stakes, risky investments or even illegal activities. It is important to recognize this tendency and find a balance. Yes, money is important, but it’s not worth risking your own health or the well-being of others.

People are greedy

Greed, meanwhile, was a dominant motivator Beast games. For example, MrBeast once offered $50,000 for one person to quit, but only if they eliminated 99 others (and I was one of those unfortunate participants at the 10:30 mark in this video). One participant tragically fell into the trap and discovered that the timer hadn’t even started yet. She didn’t get the money and incurred the wrath of the others in her group because she sacrificed all of our chances at the $5 million.

This can also be seen in connection with the class action lawsuit filed against him Beast games. It was made clear from the start that we would not receive any money for participating Beast games. Other than the chance to compete for the $5 million prize, there was no promise of compensation. It was a game show and I understood it to mean that you only get paid if you win.

Nevertheless, each eliminated participant received $1,000. When the production later learned of logistical challenges such as inadequate food and rest, it went out of its way to donate an additional $1,000 to all 2,000 contestants, an additional $2 million in payout.

Despite these efforts, several participants filed a class action lawsuit against MrBeast, its production team, and Amazon, citing, among other things, mistreatment. While it is true that there was a lack of food, lack of sleep, and delays in changing underwear and socks, no one can deny that we could have stopped at any time. They had big red doors on the side of the stadium that any of us could have used to go home at any time if we felt too uncomfortable. We were not held against our will.

The money I got from the organizers was more than enough, especially since we weren’t promised anything. The lesson you need to learn is to set expectations clearly and in writing and then meet those expectations because even if you give people more than promised, some will always try to get more than they are given.

Money and fame can be a burden

Another important lesson is that success comes with its own set of challenges. As MrBeast’s rise to fame shows, wealth and visibility attract not only admiration but also relentless scrutiny, jealousy and criticism.

The aftermath of Beast Games made this clear. Despite the generosity of the organizers, including payouts to participants, and the immense effort that went into staging the event, critics and detractors quickly emerged.

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, illustrates the burden of being at the top. When you are a leader, be it in content creation, business, or any other field, competitors and critics are always waiting for an opportunity to challenge or discredit you. Public figures in particular are subject to relentless judgment – not only because of their successes, but often also because of their perceived shortcomings.

This reality gave me reason to think about Jimmy Donaldson’s situation. While having the largest YouTube channel in the world may seem enviable, the level of scrutiny and constant attacks it faces is disheartening. Seeing the backlash firsthand made me reconsider the appeal of fame and fortune. It’s not all glamour; The emotional and mental toll can be significant.

Recognizing these challenges is important for anyone seeking success. Protecting mental health, maintaining personal relationships and staying grounded are crucial. While success brings wealth and recognition, it also brings greater responsibility and pressure that few can anticipate.

Final thoughts

MrBeast’s videos are often a huge social experiment. My experience with Beast games offers valuable insights into human behavior around money. Whether it’s understanding that money isn’t the only currency, recognizing people’s irrational behavior when it comes to money, or preparing for the costs that come with success, these lessons are both personal Financial world as well as applicable to business.

Managing financial ambitions, setting realistic expectations and maintaining a balanced wealth perspective are key to long-term financial health. Whether you’re competing for millions or managing your day-to-day finances, these lessons from Beast games are worth remembering.