Sam Kolder’s Journey From Creative Burnout to Breakthrough

Learn how Sam Kolder overcame creative burnout by reassessing his lifestyle and focusing on a more purposeful approach to filmmaking.

Filmmaker Sam Kolder

Whether it’s a travel vlog, masterclass session, or content for global brands like YouTube and Canon, Canadian filmmaker Sam Kolder has been constantly pushing the limits to bring an authentic, unique approach to his films. “I was taking on every opportunity I could. I lived this lifestyle for a very long time, and it became my norm,” Kolder says. “I didn’t want it to end, but eventually, the pendulum swung the other way.”

Over time, Kolder realized the very lifestyle that fueled his films had become a relentless cycle, leaving him feeling uninspired and overwhelmed. “The lifestyle I was living was unsustainable,” he says. Then, he found himself face-to-face with every creative’s worst nightmare: burnout. 

Watch the video below to hear more about Sam Kolder’s journey from creative burnout to breakthrough and why he turns to Musicbed for music to keep him inspired.

Sparking post-burnout inspiration and purpose

Even for creative powerhouses like Kolder, burnout is almost unavoidable. However, this isn’t a story about slowing down. It’s a powerful tale of his reinvention—taking a step back to reevaluate his creative process, challenging himself to find inspiration in new places, and emerging with a renewed sense of purpose.

Kolder’s creative introspection wasn’t just about personal reflection. He delved deeper into the craft of filmmaking, particularly the power of music. “Music is one of the most important things when it comes to storytelling. It can completely change how the viewer feels, and that’s the main goal of telling stories—to convey a feeling,” he says. “That’s why I go to Musicbed to source my music. They have the largest collection of curated music and tools to help me find exactly what I’m looking for.”

Go Behind the Scenes With Sam

Get an insider’s look on how Sam overcame burnout and fine-tuned a more purposeful approach to filmmaking.

What’s next for Kolder

Soul-searching introspection and a literal leap of faith (with skydiving pro Alex Sartori) became the turning point for Kolder’s creative burnout, paving the way for a new, healthier path. “That spark that initially ignited all of this is returning, but in a different way,” Kolder says. “You’ll still see me here and there on social media, but my focus has shifted,” Kolder says. “I’m excited to apply the knowledge I’ve gathered in filmmaking and life to this next chapter.”

Make the switch to more inspired work. Join Sam Kolder and other leading filmmakers with a FREE 14-day trial—only on Musicbed.

Dive into the creative mind of Sam Kolder with his curated playlist, featuring epic cinematic, electronic, and pop selections—all immediately available to license only on Musicbed.