If you still think of Zach from Try Guys as just the "skinny, loud one" from those 2014 BuzzFeed videos, you haven't been paying attention. A lot has changed. Seriously.
The guy has basically spent the last few years reinventing what it means to be an internet personality while navigating a body that, in his own words, is constantly "trying to fuse its own spine together." It’s a lot. Between launching a standalone streaming service, getting married, becoming a "girl dad," and becoming a literal filmmaker, Zach Kornfeld is barely the same person we saw eating 400 dumplings back in the day. Meanwhile, you can find similar stories here: The Brutal Truth Behind the Summer Box Office Mirage.
The 2nd Try Pivot: It Was Never Just About the Algorithm
In 2024, the landscape shifted. The group launched 2nd Try, their own subscription-based streaming platform. Why? Because the YouTube algorithm is a nightmare for anyone trying to make actual art. Zach’s been pretty vocal about this—feeling like he was chasing numbers instead of making things he cared about.
It was a massive risk. To understand the complete picture, we recommend the recent analysis by Deadline.
Some fans were annoyed. "Why do I have to pay now?" was the common refrain. But for Zach and Keith Habersberger, it was a survival move. After the whole Ned Fulmer situation in 2022 (which cost the company millions) and Eugene Lee Yang’s eventual departure to focus on his own films, the brand had to evolve or die. Zach stepped into a heavy CEO-style role, managing a team of over two dozen people while trying to keep the creative spark alive.
Honestly, the transition hasn't been perfectly smooth. They've admitted that their main YouTube channel's growth stalled a bit because they were so focused on the new platform. It's a weird balancing act—trying to keep the "free" audience happy while giving the "paid" subscribers enough exclusive value to keep their $4.99 a month worth it.
Living with an Invisible Disability
One thing people often overlook is how much Zach Kornfeld has done for the chronic illness community. He was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), an autoimmune disease that causes chronic pain and can lead to spinal fusion.
It’s not just a "sore back."
He’s made videos about "painsomnia"—the inability to sleep because your body is literally on fire—and the reality of using biologics (heavy-duty meds) to stay functional. In early 2025, he released a short film called Ouch! that premiered at festivals like SXSW Sydney. It wasn't a "vlog." It was a visceral, artistic representation of what it feels like to live in a body that betrays you.
Many fans have actually credited Zach with helping them get their own diagnoses. Because AS often presents as generic back pain, it’s frequently dismissed by doctors, especially in younger people. Zach’s transparency turned a "funny YouTube guy" into an accidental advocate for thousands of people with invisible disabilities.
The Evolution of "Korndiddy"
Remember the "Tea Snob" era? It started as a hobby to find anti-inflammatory drinks for his AS and turned into Zadiko, his tea company. That’s sort of the Zach blueprint: find a problem, obsess over it, make a video about it, and then maybe start a business.
Family Life and the Next Generation
While his professional life was chaotic, his personal life stabilized in a way that feels very "full circle."
- Marriage: He married Maggie Bustamante in early 2023. It was a massive, multi-day Jewish-Peruvian celebration that the fans obsessed over.
- Fatherhood: In late 2025, they welcomed their daughter, Lucía.
- Bowie: Let’s not forget the dog. Bowie is a staple of the Kornfeld brand.
He’s leaned into being a "girl dad" with the same chaotic energy he brought to the Without a Recipe kitchen. It’s a softer side of him that resonates with the audience that grew up alongside him. We're not in college anymore; we're all just trying to figure out how to be adults.
Why Zach Matters in 2026
The "Try Every Day" sub-channel is the newest venture, where they try something new every single day. It’s a return to the roots but with a much more mature perspective. Zach isn't just "trying" for the sake of a thumbnail; he's trying to build a sustainable media empire that doesn't rely on being a puppet for an algorithm.
Is he still "the funny one"? Sure. But he’s also a producer who understands that the "influencer" model is broken. By moving toward a subscription model and diversifying into filmmaking, he's attempting to build something that lasts longer than a 10-minute viral trend.
What you can do next: If you’re struggling with chronic pain similar to what Zach describes, don't just "try" to push through it. Look into the resources provided by the Spondylitis Association of America. Many people with AS spend years undiagnosed because they assume it's just "bad posture" or "stress." Taking a page from Zach's book: listen to your body before it forces you to.
Check out the Ouch! short film if you can find it on the 2nd Try platform or at local festivals—it changes the way you look at the "goofy" persona he presents on YouTube.
