How a Global Reach Helps Michael Holston aka The Real Tarzann Reach His Real Goals

Michael Holston's evolution from just another guy passionate about handling animals to a social media superstar has been a fast rise to the top. Even just a couple of years ago, Michael Holston, aka The Real Tarzann, never thought that he would be hanging out with celebrities and collecting millions of fans online for his work.

With a new type of fame, Holston understands that he has turned into one of the internet's faces for animal handling, but also education and conservation. He does not take this power for granted, as Holston has wasted no time using his global reach to make improvements much more significant than him.

Engaging education

Holston's following is primarily due to providing stunning content rarely found anywhere. He has the opportunity to interact with some of the most exotic animals in the world, and he does so fearlessly. Only a few people in the world have the same type of access to so many different animals around the globe.

He also is hugely engaging with his audience. From the passion he talks about animals to his infectious smile, his followers love what he brings to the table. It is a unique way to engage with an audience and share a passion without going overboard. His excitement level in certain situations is reminiscent of a child, which keeps people interested in everything he has to say and do.

Helping and animal abuse

The ugly side of Holston's travels includes witnessing different forms of animal abuse. As a true lover of all animals, it is something that infuriates Holston every time he sees it first hand or even hears about it. That is why he has focused on making sure that his platform is about fighting against animal abuse. With a fan base that is very much behind the causes as well, Holston shares information on non-profit organizations helping fight for animal rights and against abuse all the time.

One simple share of a non-profit organization can help raise awareness and money right away. Only a small fraction of those following will take action, but it is enough to make a change just the same. Awareness takes time to build, and Holston encourages people to speak out if they see anything as well.

The most recent example of animal abuse brought to Holston's attention came during his visit to Mexico. For those unaware, Mexico has antiquated animal abuse legislation that is heavily criticized by other countries. Only recently have restrictions started to hit both bullfighting and dogfighting, and animals are still used frequently to test toxic products.

Holston has been making frequent visits to Mexico to help put together grassroots campaigns to raise awareness and protect the most at-risk animals. He has posted pictures and videos of his time in Mexico, allowing people to see the area he is so passionate about protecting. He never gets too graphic with anything, but it visualizes the struggles many animal rights advocates face in Mexico currently.

Beach cleanups

Holston fell in love with animals in South Florida, and he still calls the area home. One of the first instances where he truly understood his powerful online presence started with a cleanup on Miami Beach.

A 2019 cleanup started by a teenager exploded into a much bigger effort thanks to Holston's sharing of the information online. Not only did locals and visitors on spring break help out, but celebrities joined in with the cause as well.

This has inspired Holston to make this a tradition that can be beneficial not only to South Florida but also to other parts of the world. One person chipping in to clean up the beach will not make that much of an impact, but a group effort sets the tone for a cleaner and healthier environment.

The beach cleanups are fun activities and a way to give back locally, which helps drive home habits that will last. People who might not usually care about the environment and the impact a dirty beach can have on native animals can now see the difference. If that stops additional pollution down the road, there will be less of a need for others to chip in and clean up messes.

Going global

Michael Holston, aka The Real Tarzann, is now large enough that he is filming in different locations worldwide. His working budget is more extensive than ever, and he has connections that allow him to get unprecedented access. With more viewers comes more scrutiny, and Holston has increased his education before jumping into any crazy scenarios out there.

Every new adventure is exciting for social media, but it comes with a level of risk that Holston understands. Dealing with animals in their natural habitat can get messy in a hurry, but his team stresses safety for him and the animals involved. If there is a situation where the animals are likely to feel threatened, scared, or attacked, they will look to set up somewhere else.

With visits to places worldwide, it is no surprise that the real Tarzan has become a hit virtually everywhere. People around the globe view his videos and comments litter them on where he should head next. Having a global reach comes with a certain level of responsibility, and Holston is figuring that all out while also putting together his goals.

Plans for the future

Right now, Holston's plans seem relatively simple on paper. To start, he wants to continue to grow the channel and educate people on different animals in a fun and exciting way. He believes that using online resources, even if they are coming from social media, is a new way to learn in today's world. People are more engaged when they can see an animal and the person interacting is providing non-scientific, easy to understand words.

There are a lot of people doing the right things at the grassroots level. Bigger organizations have made changes for the better as well. Holston knows that with his platform, there are ways to make a significant impact with effort. There are people online who interact with animals that border on abuse and profit; Michael Holston hopes to put an end to that as well.

It was a fast rise to the top for Holston, and now he is building his brand to hold one of those top spots online for years to come. People have compared other animal handlers in the past, but Holston believes that he is doing something slightly different in this new era. 

If he can make the impact he talks about with his goals, there is an excellent chance of him being remembered for a very long time in the industry. That is something that not many social media influencers can even dream about at this point. Not everyone has goals much bigger than the brand they are building for themselves. Holston has a broader view in his mind as he grows as a content creator.