Dawson was born Shane Lee Yaw on July 19, 1988, in Long Beach, California. He grew up with two elder brothers, Jacob born in 1980, and Jerid born in 1985, in a low-income home managed by their single mother, Teresa.

He received his education in Lakewood, California, where he graduated from Lakewood High School in 2006.

He was tormented at school because of his weight, and his brothers assisted him throughout this period; he eventually shed 150 pounds (68 kg). He originally became interested in video production while working on school projects with his pals.

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The California native came openly about his eating condition in 2014. “I have really serious body dysmorphia,” Shane said at the time. “I’m talking about this because I know a lot of you guys out there are going through something similar, and I want you to know you’re not alone.”

Dawson has spoken about his struggles with body dysmorphic disorder also.

In December 2011, Dawson began dating YouTuber Lisa Schwartz. he came out as bisexual and announced his divorce from Schwartz.

In 2016, he began dating YouTuber Ryland Adams, and they got engaged on March 19, 2019.

After formerly residing in Calabasas, California, he relocated to Colorado in August 2021, where he and Adams acquired a farm for $2.2 million.