Stage Lights and Metal Detectors: The Metal Detecting Journey of Dustin Ybarra

Dustin Ybarra—some might recognize his name headlining or opening for acts at your local improv theater or comedy club. His face may also look familiar from television or the big screen—he’s appeared on The Tonight Show and played roles in hit shows like Gotham, Home Economics, and Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, as well as in films such as We Bought a Zoo and Us.

Our paths first crossed in early 2020 when I commented on one of Dustin’s Instagram videos. I offered him a few tips on beach metal detecting after watching him struggle with a basic analog detector on a stretch of black sand. That simple comment sparked an ongoing conversation and eventually led to a joint metal detecting outing at Huntington Beach with Dustin and his fiancée. It resulted in one of the few metal detecting YouTube videos I’ve ever appeared in—on his channel, Dustin Digs.

What began as a casual meet-up evolved into a genuine friendship. After filming the video, Dustin called me and said, “You’re different from the people I meet in Hollywood.” He meant I was genuine, kind, and good-hearted, and asked if we could become friends. For him, it was a refreshing connection.

At the time, I didn’t realize what he was going through. With COVID at its worst, comedy clubs closed, and a strike in Hollywood, Dustin—like many others in the entertainment industry —was caught in a spiral of addiction. I received difficult calls, had long conversations with him like a big sister, and worried a lot. I watched from the sidelines as he made several attempts to get sober, initially without success. I had to remind myself that this was his journey—he had to make the decision to stick with it. As they say, you can lead a horse to water…

With so much at stake—a comedy and acting career and an amazing, supportive fiancée—Dustin turned things around. He’s now been sober for two and a half years, is an active member of AA, and even volunteers his time answering phones at AA headquarters —all while managing a busy schedule.

Some may not know that his amazing fiancée also served as Focus Speed’s grammar checker during its early years.

Dustin started out metal detecting with a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV, then upgraded to a Garrett ACE 400, and now swings a Nokta Legend. Primarily a beach detectorist, he’s most often detecting the towel line. He regularly live streams his hunts on TikTok, recently making his first successful live recovery after someone approached him on Hermosa Beach looking for help.

Since we met, I’ve watched his swing improve, his finds get better, and his excitement for metal detecting grow stronger. His TikTok live streams now average around 2,500 viewers. If you tune in, you’ll see his detector —decorated with googly eyes and nicknamed “Diggy Smalls.”

In this interview, we explore Dustin’s journey, how metal detecting became more than just a hobby. It became a source of peace, healing, and strength on his path to sobriety.

How did you decide metal detecting was something you wanted to pursue?

I kind of got into it during the pandemic. It gave me something fun and peaceful to do outdoors when everything else was shut down. I stopped for a while, but then I picked it back up—and now I’m all in.

What have been some of your favorite metal detecting finds?

I found a silver Tiffany’s necklace once—that was awesome. But honestly, I get just as excited finding old toy cars. There’s something nostalgic and cool about pulling up a Hot Wheels buried in the sand.

What’s been your most unexpected or strange find so far?

I once found a cell phone and was actually able to return it to the person who lost it. That felt great. But the best by far was finding a guy’s dog tags at the beach—his grandpa’s from World War II. He thought they were lost forever and was so grateful. That one really stuck with me.

Was there a particular moment or breakthrough that helped you commit to sobriety?

Yeah, I hit that point where I couldn’t stop even though I wanted to. I crossed what they call an invisible line. I hated everything about it—about myself—and I knew something had to change. Getting sober was the best decision of my life.

How has metal detecting helped your sobriety?

It gives me peace. It keeps me present. And it’s a healthy obsession. It fills up time that I used to waste. It’s like a form of moving meditation. Plus, it’s just fun—finding stuff, being outside, getting a little dopamine hit without ruining your life.

What advice would you give to someone struggling to get sober—either within or outside the metal detecting world?

Be of service. That’s a big one. I answer phones for a recovery center every Wednesday morning, and it helps keep me grounded. When I was deep in alcoholism, I had zero self-esteem. Someone told me, “You get self-esteem by doing esteemable acts,” and that stuck with me.

Do you ever use detecting experiences as material in your stand-up routines?

Yeah! I tell a story about how I proposed to my fiancée by hiding the ring in the sand and pretending I found it while metal detecting. It’s ridiculous—but it was fun, and it makes for a good bit.

If you were to get sponsors for your metal detecting content, who would be your dream sponsors?

Honestly, I’ll take any sponsors. But if I had to dream big—Little Caesars would be amazing. I don’t know what metal detecting and pizza have in common, but I’d figure it out.

Where do you hope metal detecting takes you next—figuratively and literally?

I’d love to start taking people out metal detecting—scientists, actors, comedians, whoever. I think it would be really fun to show different people this world and just hang out while we dig around for treasure.

If you could detect anywhere in the world, no restrictions, where would it be and why?

I’d love to detect in Egypt. I know they’d probably arrest me instantly, but imagine finding something from ancient times—like a Pharaoh’s bottle opener or a cursed bracelet. I’d also love to detect somewhere like Oak Island or even the Vatican, just to see what secrets are buried under places you’re definitely not supposed to dig. But if I’m being practical? I’d love to hit every beach from California to Florida in an RV with a detector and a dream.

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Through the lens of metal detecting, what began as a simple exchange of tips on social media blossomed into a meaningful friendship, illustrating how shared interests can forge genuine connections and provide support during life’s challenges. Dustin Ybarra’s journey—from the comedy stages and Hollywood screens to the sands of metal detecting Southern California beaches —highlights the unexpected places and hobbies where we can find strength, camaraderie, and renewal. His story serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes the best treasures we discover aren’t buried in the ground, but in the sobriety, friendships and experiences gained along the way.