Colby Brock isn’t just some guy who screams at shadows in abandoned hospitals. If you’ve been following the paranormal side of YouTube for more than five minutes, you know that Colby Brock and his partner-in-crime Sam Golbach basically redefined what it means to be a "ghost hunter" for the Gen Z era. They moved past the grainy, slow-paced TV tropes of the early 2000s and turned urban exploration into a cinematic, high-stakes adrenaline rush. But lately, people have been searching for more than just his latest haunted house vlog. They want to know how he’s doing. Honestly, the last few years have been a total rollercoaster for him, moving from a terrifying health scare to some of the most controversial footage the internet has ever seen.
It’s wild.
The Reality of the Colby Brock Cancer Diagnosis
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room because it’s the thing that actually changed everything for the channel. In early 2023, Colby dropped a video that wasn't about ghosts. It was about a lump. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
For a guy whose entire brand is built on being fearless and exploring the "other side," facing his own mortality at such a young age was a massive shift in perspective. He was incredibly transparent about the whole thing. He didn't just post a "thoughts and prayers" tweet; he walked fans through the surgery and the recovery process. It was raw. It felt real because it was real. When he finally announced he was cancer-free after months of scans and anxiety, it felt like a collective exhale from millions of people online.
This health crisis didn't just affect his personal life; it shifted the tone of Sam and Colby. The videos got bigger. The stakes felt higher. It wasn't just about getting a "jump scare" anymore—it felt like they were genuinely hunting for answers about what happens after we die.
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Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed with the Conjuring House
If you haven't seen the "Hell Week" series at the Conjuring House, you’re missing the context for why the internet nearly broke in late 2023. Sam and Colby spent a week at the infamous estate in Rhode Island, the one that inspired the movies. But they didn't go alone. They brought along Satori Hawes and Cody DesBiens, two investigators who claim to communicate with spirits through a series of loud, rhythmic knocks.
This is where things get messy.
The footage was insane. It showed Satori and Cody "talking" to spirits that knew personal details about Sam and Colby—details that weren't public knowledge. People were crying. The comments were flooded. It looked like the "holy grail" of paranormal evidence. But then, the internet did what the internet does. People started investigating the investigators.
- Critics pointed out that the "knocks" sounded suspiciously like joints popping.
- Old footage of Cody emerged from years ago doing similar "knocking" tricks.
- The community split right down the middle.
Colby Brock found himself in the middle of a massive debate. Was he a victim of a hoax, or was he in on it? Personally, if you watch his reactions, he looks genuinely shaken. It’s hard to fake that kind of emotional breakdown on camera, especially for someone who has spent a decade seeing every "trick" in the book. Whether the knocking was real or not, that series changed the trajectory of their career. It moved them from "guys who explore basements" to "investigators dealing with the most debated evidence in modern history."
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Beyond the Ghost Hunting: The Personal Side of Colby
Colby isn't just the guy holding the camera. He’s a creator who started on Vine. Remember Vine? It feels like a lifetime ago. He and Sam were just teenagers doing pranks and silly sketches in Kansas.
Moving to Los Angeles and joining the "Trap House" was the catalyst. They were part of a massive creator circle, but while others burnt out or got caught in endless drama loops, Colby stayed focused. He’s surprisingly private for someone with millions of followers. You don't see him involved in the typical LA influencer feuds. He’s mostly focused on his brand, XPLR, which started as a simple merch line and turned into a lifestyle philosophy about stepping outside your comfort zone.
He’s also been vocal about his mental health. People forget that filming in dark, moldy, "cursed" locations for weeks at a time takes a toll. He’s talked about the "heaviness" that follows him home after a shoot. It’s not just about the ghosts; it’s about the psychological weight of the environments they choose to inhabit.
The Technical Shift in Their Content
If you compare a Sam and Colby video from 2017 to one from 2025, the difference is staggering. They aren't just using a handheld camcorder anymore. They’re using:
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- Thermal Imaging (FLIR): This isn't just for looking cool; they use it to track heat signatures that shouldn't be there in empty rooms.
- The Estes Method: This is where one person wears noise-canceling headphones connected to a spirit box and repeats what they hear while the others ask questions. Colby is often the "receiver" here, and the results are frequently terrifyingly specific.
- REM Pods and EM Pumps: They’ve leaned heavily into the "scientific" side of the paranormal, even if the science is debated by skeptics.
Colby often plays the role of the "skeptical believer." He wants to believe, but he’s also looking for the logical explanation first. That balance is why the channel works. If they just screamed at every breeze, nobody would watch. But when Colby gets quiet and serious, you know something is actually happening.
What’s Next for Colby and the Channel?
The future looks like it’s going to be even more experimental. They’ve teased projects that involve international locations—places like the Aokigahara Forest in Japan (which they've visited before) or ancient castles in Europe. But more importantly, Colby seems to be leaning into more documentary-style storytelling.
The "Project Fear" era of YouTube paranormal content is competitive. Other creators like Twin Paranormal or Overseas Paranormal are nipping at their heels. To stay on top, Colby and Sam have had to evolve. They’re no longer just YouTubers; they’re essentially indie film producers.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Creators
If you're looking to follow in the footsteps of Colby Brock, or if you're just a fan trying to keep up with the lore, here’s the reality of the situation:
- Watch the "The Origin Story" documentary: If you want to understand why they do what they do, they released a feature-length look at their lives that explains the Kansas roots and the initial drive to explore.
- Be skeptical of the evidence: Even Colby admits that not everything they capture is a ghost. Learning the difference between "dust motes" and "orbs" or "audio pareidolia" and "EVPs" will make you a more informed viewer.
- Follow the health updates: Colby still does regular check-ups following his cancer battle. His journey is a reminder that even the most "untouchable" influencers are human.
- Check out the XPLR spirits app: They’ve built an entire community platform where they share "behind the scenes" stuff that’s too raw or too niche for the main YouTube channel.
Colby Brock’s story is one of resilience. He went from a kid making 6-second videos to a man facing down a life-threatening illness, all while being watched by millions. He’s managed to keep the "Sam and Colby" brand relevant in an era where most creators fade away after three years. Whether you believe in the ghosts or not, you have to respect the hustle. He’s redefined a genre, and honestly, he’s probably just getting started.
To truly understand the impact he's had, look at the rise in "Urban Exploration" as a hobby. He and Sam practically birthed a new generation of explorers. Just remember, if you decide to go out and "explore" yourself: stay safe, don't trespass where it's dangerous, and always—as Colby says—keep exploring. The world is a lot weirder than we think.