During the pandemic, father of three and part-time YouTuber, John Cipollo, found solace and connection in an unexpected place—his childhood passion for RC cars. Living with his wife and three children, John faced significant challenges, including navigating the complexities of his oldest daughter's health conditions. Through his rediscovery of the RC hobby, John found a way to bring his family closer, manage stress, and connect with a supportive community, transforming a simple pastime into a source of strength and joy.
John’s journey is not without its hardships. His oldest daughter was born with L-TGA, dextrocardia, and polysplenia, rare congenital conditions that have profound impacts on her health. L-TGA, or Levo-Transposition of the Great Arteries, is a heart defect where the heart's main arteries are reversed, while dextrocardia places her heart on the right side of her chest. Polysplenia means she has multiple small spleens, which compromises her immune system. “Part of monitoring her health involves her being on a fever protocol,” John explains. “So every time she runs a fever, we have to bring her to an emergency room due to her being high sepsis risk.” These conditions require constant vigilance and create a reality where every fever could be life-threatening, placing a continuous strain on the family.
During the pandemic, a time when many of us experienced isolation, John's family had an added layer of stress due to these health concerns. “We mostly stuck to ourselves and would play with our kids,” he recalls. “One day, we were playing with a toy-grade RC car, and I remembered how much fun I had as a kid playing with hobby-grade RC cars.” This simple moment of nostalgia sparked a reconnection with a passion that would soon provide a much-needed outlet for John and his family.
This rediscovery led John back into the RC hobby, which quickly became more than just a pastime. It turned into a way for John to manage stress and anxiety, especially during the trying times brought on by his daughter’s health concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic. “The RC hobby has brought us closer together as it is something we all enjoy,” John shares. “It allows us to get outside and play, which can be tough living in such a technological age.”
Each family member found their niche within the hobby. John’s wife enjoys the creative aspects, working on custom builds, such as a pirate ship-themed car. His daughter, now three-years-old, loves driving the slower trail trucks, while his son prefers the thrill of fast-paced bashers. “For me, it’s building kits and working on RCs that I find therapeutic,” says John. “Something about focusing on a build or repair that I just really enjoy and helps me when things are tough.”
John's fondness for building kits is evident in his excitement about his ongoing and future projects. “Right now, I’m working on building a Tamiya Rising Fighter, so I’m excited about that,” he says. "I'll probably get a Rock Van Builder’s Kit once I save up the money for one.” He envisions turning the Rock Van into a "Mystery Machine/Groovy Van" to delight his children, who love Scooby-Doo. "That will probably be their favorite once I get to it," John adds.
The RC community also played a vital role in John’s journey. Through his YouTube channel, BargainBashersRC, he has connected with others who share his passion, making friends and finding support even when physical gatherings were not possible. "Even when I’m able to join the Fair RC livestreams, there’s a handful of people that will say hi in the chat. It's cool to be a part of a community." These interactions, though virtual, helped him feel connected and supported, especially during challenging times.
John's story is a testament to the power of hobbies in bringing families closer and providing a therapeutic outlet in times of stress. More than that, it's a reminder of how communities—virtual or physical—can offer a sense of belonging that sustains us, even in the toughest times.
