IShowSpeed Credits 'Running From Dogs' With Helping Him Become Fast

IShowSpeed also looked back on the mid-pandemic launch of his streaming career in a live '360' conversation.

November 20, 2024

IShowSpeed says he owes his repeatedly proven quickness, at least in part, to the time he spent “running from dogs” when he was younger.

The surprising bit of backstory came during the 2022 Breakout Streamer of the Year winner’s recent live 360 conversation with Speedy Morman at ComplexCon in Las Vegas.

Early into the discussion, Speed looked back on his early years in Ohio, calling it a state “where anything could happen.” Asked to elaborate by sharing some key memories from this period in his life, the 19-year-old YouTube star mentioned the dogs.

“Maybe getting chased by dogs a lot," he said. “I was getting chased by a lot of dogs in Ohio. Just because there used to be a lot of loose dogs, just abandoned dogs. And I remember just, that’s how I got fast. Just from pretty much running from dogs.”

This, however, does not represent the origin of his signature bark. See more of the special ComplexCon 2024 episode of 360 above.

ComplexCon is set to return in 2025, touching down in Hong Kong in March and Vegas in October. Daniel Arsham will serve as next year’s global creative director.

ComplexCon’s inaugural Vegas edition also featured Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, Angel Reese, Lil Yachty, and many more. Highlights from the on-the-floor experience included exclusive Cactus Jack collaborations, a custom screen printing station from Vetements, and a DJ Screw tribute.