I'll shoot it straight.
I started my channel for the intent of creating a successful business brand. The whole goal is to translate my expertise into a viable business and source of income. Everything I do on YouTube caters toward a larger goal in brand building and exercising all the financial benefits in creating a successful brand. It's still early in its process, but I am happy to say that it's looking really bright.
Now, before you say that I'm just doing it for the money, do know that my channel's genre, fitness, is indeed my absolute fire and passion. It's the only thing I thought about doing as a career ever since third grade. I bled fitness and exercise throughout my school days, went into its field in college, became certified as an instructor, built a clientele looking to get fit, and expanded into my own business. I'm extremely happy and passionate about what I do for a living. YouTube is an extension of that.
That being said, I do this as work and fun. There really is no way else around it. Enjoying the work you do is the best career possible.