July 4, 2025 • 30 mins
When you lose everything, what brings you back? For Ginger Jirachi, it was Pokémon and a little wish upon a star.
After a painful divorce and losing nearly everything he collected, Ginger Jirachi rebuilt his life one Pokéstop at a time, powered by Pokémon nostalgia, the warmth of community, and the quiet strength of starting over. From sibling memories and clay-art cards to a wish for Worlds and a newfound path in sobriety, his story reminds us that sometimes, wishes really do come true.
Listen as he shares how the trading card game, Pokémon GO, and one mythical star brought hope back into focus. This is more than a comeback, it’s a celebration of connection, healing, and holding on to joy.
🎧 Listen to heartfelt stories of inclusion, resilience, and connection.
Explore the Pokémon & Disability Stories playlist now!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Ginger Jirachi (00:00):
My name is Ginger Jirachi and this is my
(00:02):
Pokemon story.
David Hernandez (00:42):
Welcome to As The Pokeball Turns, where every
voice, every journey, and everymemory brings us closer to the
world of Pokemon.
I'm David Hernandez and I'mjoined by someone who built a
space where wonder in warmth,shine just like a shooting star.
Ginger Jirachi, welcome to theThe Pokeball Turns.
Ginger Jirachi (00:59):
Hey, Hey, glad to thank you.
David Hernandez (01:00):
Thank you.
Absolutely.
And you know, you're the one ofthe first people I've had on the
podcast.
I told you this before westarted that Love Jirachi, and I
wanted to start off with a funquestion before we dive into the
whole Facebook and Jirachi andeverything.
Obviously Jirachi is known asthe one who grants wishes.
So if you could have one wishgranted by Jirachi, but it can
only be related to your Pokemonjourney, what would it be?
(01:24):
Um,
Ginger Jirachi (01:25):
You know, that's a tough one.
the last couple years I've been,really kind of bouncing all over
the place with family stuff.
so I guess my one wish would be,I would really love to go to
Worlds someday.
I haven't been to a whole lot ofshows, but I would really,
really love to go to Worlds andwatch that.
I think that would probably bemy number one wish.
David Hernandez (01:44):
That's not a bad wish.
I mean, I think a lot of peoplekind of wish for that.
what about Worlds appeals toyou?
Like why Worlds of all things?
Ginger Jirachi (01:51):
so the, trading card game kind of got me back
into Pokemon the last few years.
I've got three younger brothersand one of them is really into
magic.
so he watches, competitive stuffon YouTube, and he kind of
turned me back into the, uh,competitive scene, for Pokemon.
up probably like 20 14, 20 15.
(02:12):
It just kind of, uh, rekindledmy love for, you know, all the
aspects, especially thecommunity.
I feel like, there's some peoplewho, are very gatekeeper.
About whatever hobby that maybe.
And, you know, it's surprisingthat our community does have
that, but from the interactionsand the people I've met, whether
it's locally or online, thevibes are just so good, man.
(02:33):
so really just like meetingpeople and, you know, having, a
shared love and passion forsomething.
And how many different, outletsPokemon, gives different people,
you know, like you've got yourthing.
You know, some people are moreinto the plushies, you know, the
are whatever it is.
So really just the, thecommunity and the growth, is,
cool to me about worlds.
I remember, the, last Worlds Ihad to work that entire weekend.
(02:57):
I was, I was gonna go.
but work scheduled me, right.
so that was kind of like mylittle treat to myself after
work, you know, to hop onYouTube and, catch up with, you
know, what's going on and, kindof the meta of the different
decks and stuff.
David Hernandez (03:10):
Now you mentioned how you originally
were playing Magic, theGathering.
And Pokemon and Magic to me arekind of, I'll say distant
cousins in a way.
You know, magic
Ginger Jirachi (03:16):
Sure.
David Hernandez (03:17):
Pokemon has the energies.
They're kind of little similar,but obviously very different
games.
What was it specifically aboutPokemon that kind of brought you
back?
Was it the artwork, thestrategy?
Like what is it about thetrading card game back in 2014
that kind of brought you backin?
Ginger Jirachi (03:29):
I would say the art, definitely, big time.
when I was younger, I was a, alittle bit of an artist.
I still doodle in stuff.
there some street graffiti,although I didn't just say that.
Um,
David Hernandez (03:39):
Um,
Ginger Jirachi (03:40):
uh.
Yeah, no, I, I really love theartwork and, that's actually
something, I'm consideringgetting into, is doing like a
mini series on, differentartists, in the cards and kind
of, get into their other worksoutside of Pokemon.
But yeah, I'd definitely say theartwork, it just.
it's such a comfort thing andit's so inspiring.
Like, especially with, thecutesy Pokemon, like the colors
(04:02):
and pastels.
That really, uh, really, turnsmy brain on for sure.
David Hernandez (04:05):
Now, when it comes to the artwork and, you
know, we'll get a little artsyside on this side.
what kind of cards do you enjoyart-wise?
can you give us some examples ofsome that kind of stick to you?
Um, Um,
Ginger Jirachi (04:15):
I, I love my Jirachi cards.
That's obviously a given.
I've really been into the lastcouple of sets, especially the,
Destin rivals.
it's such a great callback tothe actual, like trainer cards
and rocket cards from back inthe day.
That was one of the of the firstcollected when I was younger,
with uh, errands money or choremoney.
(04:35):
that was always a really specialthing this is dating me a little
bit.
Me and my brothers would, walkup to the local Kmart and, all
chip in and get a couple packstogether.
So I'm, I'm really into the new.
Sets.
But as far as like, art stylewise, my favorite, and I'm, I'm
blanking on the artist's nameright now, but the cards that
look like they're, you know,either made with like clay or
(04:56):
that they're crocheted, I justthink those cards are so
stinking cute.
And I know they're only likepennies, but I've got, a whole
binder of just cute Pokemon just'cause the artwork.
So Cool.
Growing up, I watched a lot of,Like stop motion shows, you
know, like, the most popular onewould be like, nightmare before
Christmas to give everybody anidea what, the medium stop
motion is like.
So those cards where, ThePokemon themselves are a real
(05:19):
physical thing.
I think that's probably myfavorite art style right now.
David Hernandez (05:23):
Now you mentioned how Jirachi
specifically is one of thefavorite Pokemon you have or one
of The Pokeball you love.
what is your connection toJirachi?
Like?
Is it a favorite Pokemon?
Is there a special memory tiedto it?
Ginger Jirachi (05:33):
I would definitely say it's my favorite
Pokemon for sure.
when that movie came out, I gotit from a three pack, DVDI can't
remember the other movies thatwere on it.
But, wish Maker was one of them,and it was one of the few, DVDs
that me and my brothers couldagree on.
We used to, um, yeah, yeah, Iknow, I know.
That's funny.
the oldest brother being like,shut up.
(05:54):
We're watching Pokemon.
David Hernandez (05:55):
Yeah, well, I mean, more so'cause the brothers
usually fight.
They, that's kind of amazing.
You all actually agreed on onemovie
Ginger Jirachi (06:00):
Yeah.
Yeah.
you know, now that we're older,we all get along, but That's one
thing we very much have incommon.
We've, we've been Pokemon fanssince the get go.
I remember when it hit theStates in 98.
That's when my youngest brotherwas born.
my grandma went to toys us andgot those, uh, oh, how do I
describe it?
Basically just like a, a plasticfigurine.
But they would, talk, you know,it just had like one of those
(06:22):
sliding buttons on the bottomand it was.
Let me think.
It was Meowth because I ended upgetting Meowth cause I guess all
the Pikachu had been sold outand it was so new.
My grandma didn't really knowwhat to get.
So all four of us boys got ourfirst Pokemon.
So mine was Meowth.
I think there we had a Squirtle,Bulbasaur,, and I can't remember
the other one.
There was only like seven oreight in the set.
(06:44):
From a young age, we were alwaysreally into it.
But as getting back to JIrachidefinitely my favorite Pokemon,
this again, I'm aging myselfhere.
when Ruby and Sapphire versioncame out, I was one of the only
kids that got Sapphire because,I liked the artwork better.
I, I liked Kyogre more thanGroudon, so it kind of worked
out.
'cause I was one of the onlykids that had Sapphire.
(07:07):
So everybody wanted to tradewith me.
And I had this buddy, ZachGreen, who, uh, I'm still very
close with, to this day.
Me and him.
Would trade together.
So, I guess that would've beenthe first Pokedex I ever
completed.
Completed at the time, a hundredpercent completed it.
And he was also one of thefriends that, his parents are
super geeky.
Like they're, they've alwaysbeen into like graphic novels
(07:28):
and like, they turned me ontolike Futurama and stuff like
that.
And, he had the Colosseum, bonusdisc.
to get Jirachi, because, youknow, being that young, I think
I was maybe, oh gosh, like 11 or12 at the time around there.
so I didn't really understand,you know, and it's a whole thing
now where it's like thedistribution events, it was so
(07:49):
hard for me to even considerthat a viability, you know?
'cause I was young and, and Ilive in the middle of nowhere in
Illinois.
Like my town's only 15,000people.
So.
To have a friend that had theColosseum bonus disc, me and him
both got Jirachi to finish our,sapphire and Ruby Dexes and,
yeah, I just remember that beingsuch a fun time in my life.
Like every morning in thesummer, I'd go over, we'd trade,
(08:12):
we'd battle all day, all night,and then, uh, when he got that
disc, that was just hugebecause.
I'd never experienced Pokemon,in multiple, platforms before.
You know, for me it'd alwaysjust been the TV show.
I'd have grandma record that.
me and my brothers all sharedone Game Boy Advance, or maybe
it was two.
we didn't have a whole lot ofmoney growing up, so to get, a
(08:33):
mythical Pokemon via a wholedifferent game system that just
like really turned me on.
And Jirachi You know, supercute.
and I feel like it's veryunderrated.
especially with, the Alpha andOmega stuff, I feel like they
really focused on Latias andLatios thing and you know,
Jirachi doesn't get a whole lotof love.
You know, a lot of people reallylike Deoxys and Rayquaza I'd I,
(08:56):
so my opinion, that's the.
Most popular fandom as far as itgoes to gen three, and I feel
like Jirachi's just super slepton.
So, uh, I decided to start mypage, I was like, well, that
just makes sense.
David Hernandez (09:08):
Now, you talked about how your brothers, y'all
were opening packs, y'all gotyour figurines.
Was those early days of, playingPokemon a competition a way for
y'all to bond?
Or was it kind of a bit of both?
Ginger Jirachi (09:18):
you know, we didn't really, I didn't learn
learn how to actually play thecard game until I was probably
game until I was in middleschool.
at that time, Yu-gi-oh was thehuge thing.
I was, I was really intoYu-gi-oh but when the meta
started shifting, and basicallyit turned into like a, pay to
play thing, you know, even ifyou had a really great deck, you
know, the rich kids had thereally good cards, so they'd
(09:38):
smoke you.
so it was never, a competitivething until later in my life.
it was more about the collectionand, it really helped me make
friends.
I really didn't have friendsgrowing up until, Pokemon.
cause everybody was into it, youknow?
It was even in this little ruraltown, it was easier to make
friends and, meet people andhave conversations.
They'd see your cards or they'dsee you playing your game boy
(10:00):
advance and, you know,immediately you'd just make a
new friend.
So it was very much a connectivething, for all of us.
Like all of my brothers aresuper into Pokemon.
We don't, talk a whole lot.
You know, we're all, spread outover the states and we're grown
men now.
So, you know, we got our careersand, getting ready to start
families and stuff like that.
But I feel like I talk to mybrothers every single day and if
(10:21):
Pokemon wasn't a factor, Ireally don't know if that would
be the case.
David Hernandez (10:25):
Well, after gen three, was there any particular
generation afterwards or evenbefore that you enjoyed the
most?
Ginger Jirachi (10:31):
So you know, I gotta give love to the OGs.
The first game, I owned was a,pre-owned yellow version, and it
was like a year or two beforegen three came out.
that was a big deal, you know,'cause all my friends they had,
gold and silver, and my nextdoor neighbor had Crystal.
So I guess Crystal would be thefirst game I ever played.
but yellow version, I, I still,to this day, I really love
(10:54):
yellow version and, you know,gen three obviously my favorite.
it came out during a time where.
global warming was becoming, atalking point, you know, even as
a kid.
So I thought that the storyline,it just came out at a perfect
time.
I three is always gonna be top,but I really, and this might be
controversial but I preferredSword and Shield over Scarlet
(11:15):
and Violet, I thought.
That the story was great.
The new Mons were fantastic.
Don't get me wrong.
I, really enjoyed ScarletViolet, but it had been a long
time, you know, basically sincegen three I'd say, Sword and
Shield, Shield, Snap.
And then of course, uh, genthree are, those have gotta be
my tops.
Hey you.
Yes, you with the ears.
(11:36):
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We'll be right back.
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David Hernandez (12:06):
Now from what you said earlier, you said the
trading card games are whatbrought you back.
So I'm guessing you took a breakat some point
Ginger Jirachi (12:11):
Mm-hmm.
David Hernandez (12:11):
Shield or was it before?
Ginger Jirachi (12:13):
Yeah.
long story short, I got marriedand divorced in the same year.
David Hernandez (12:19):
I don't know if I should say congratulations or
I'm sorry.
It's
Ginger Jirachi (12:21):
No, no, no.
Totally her loss.
It was, uh, we were super youngand just, anyway, Not to get
into that, but long story short,when we split, I don't know if
she sold all my stuff or justlike destroyed it, but I had a
extensive collection of cardsand I used to be really into the
plushies, so I had like 20Pokemon Center exclusive
Plushies.
(12:41):
Uh, so after we split, I kind ofhad to start from ground one.
so I moved out of the area.
And, one of my things to do to,you know, explore the new area
and get to know people was,Pokemon Go.
I've, I've played that literallyevery day since it came out.
so I'd say Sword and Shielddefinitely got me back into it,
although Pokemon's been in mylife every day since it came to
(13:02):
the States.
So it's kind of hard to sayWhat, quote unquote got me back
into it.
'cause I've always been into it,but I feel, like that
relationship change and kind ofstarting from ground one, as a
new journey, you know, Idefinitely was, very upset.
You know, that's not an easything to go through in life.
you know, divorced, I didn'tthink I'd be a part of that
demographic, but.
Showed me, what I'm into thethings that I can't live
(13:23):
without.
And I, I'd never felt so, angryand upset after, losing these
physical things.
But the more I thought about it,I was like, it's not that it's
physical things, it's'cause it'sPokemon.
You know, you have such a, bondover it, or at least for me, you
know, it's, it's so close to theheart that.
pushed me a little bit to go,you know what, instead of
getting stuck in the mud or, uh,erasing the file or whatever,
(13:45):
to, uh, just, start a new game,I guess.
David Hernandez (13:48):
guess.
I'll be the first to admit, youknow, I've never experienced
marriage or divorce, so I can'teven fathom what that's like
what you went through.
But from what you told me, itsounds like you have such a
mixed emotions at the timebecause obviously'cause a lot of
things happen within a year,those are two life changing
events for anybody and,
Ginger Jirachi (14:08):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (14:08):
it's kind of amazing just to see how you were
able to find people throughPokemon.
In this case, Pokemon Go.
What did it mean to findconnection again through Pokemon
Go?
Ginger Jirachi (14:18):
You know, it was, everything, for a while.
you know, a after me and my exsplit, I got a job opportunity
up in the suburbs and, you know,I basically started from square
one.
You know, I didn't know anybody.
I was couch surfing for a littlebit.
a And, You know, after work andstuff I'd go to the pub or you
know, wherever, you know, get abite to eat.
And I was surprised at how manyadults like me, me, know, in the
(14:41):
suburbs there's tons ofPokestops, right?
So like, right?
So like, everybody I met wasinto it of their own fruition or
'cause their kids were superinto it.
so I, I gotta connect, with alot of my clients that way.
Meeting new friends, you know,just totally random people.
I'd see'em on their phone.
I'm like, I'm yo, aby is afriend.
You know, or you do, you need atrade it was pretty incredible
(15:02):
how quickly I gained, newfriendships and new connections
just through go initially.
you know, after the split itthat, it was really, really
tough.
I didn't think I'd be able tostart over again.
I thought, all my friends aren'tgonna, you know, they're not
gonna rock with me anymore,yada, yada.
learned very quickly that thatwas kind of the opposite, you
(15:22):
know, the community and peoplethat are into Pokemon are just
so welcoming and, you know, alot of times we don't wanna talk
about the serious stuff andPokemon's kind of an outlet.
for That, you know, whether it'sa comfort thing or if it,
motivates you.
So I'd say yeah, through go.
that was honestly, I know itsounds so silly, but it was, it
at that time in my life, it wasa genuine lifesaver.
(15:43):
Like I was just going through somuch and go, got me out of bed
in the morning.
You know, I had something tolook forward to, even though
it's, you know, quote unquotejust a video game.
it really helped me push myselfand, you know, tell myself, Hey,
this isn't the end.
You know, it sucks right now,But you'll get through this and
you got a lot of friends and youknow, your team's never gonna
ditch you.
(16:03):
So, you.
So yeah.
David Hernandez (16:06):
it sounds like, of course, your friends were
just, the way they grounded youduring your time, during a time
when your life was just full ofturmoil.
Ginger Jirachi (16:12):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (16:12):
you
Ginger Jirachi (16:13):
Oh yeah.
David Hernandez (16:14):
day or kind of a moment that made you, I guess,
realize that these people areyour people?
Ginger Jirachi (16:19):
Yeah.
I guess the, first one thatreally kind of smacked me in the
face was, uh, I guess I didn'tsay what I do for work.
So I'm a barber, um,
David Hernandez (16:27):
You're the one I can go for haircuts.
All right, got you.
Yeah,
Ginger Jirachi (16:29):
Yeah, exactly.
Yeah.
I, I, I got you guys on that,but, uh,
David Hernandez (16:33):
take, take a trip all the way to Illinois
from Texas.
I'm down
Ginger Jirachi (16:37):
hey, you know, our cuts might be cheaper here,
though.
I, I don't know about that theshop I was working in was like
two blocks away from the,College in town.
There is a division threeschool, so, you know, very,
prominent as far as like theirtheater, arts and, football was
a huge deal there.
And I remember one day, one ofmy clients was a couple minutes
late and there was a bunch ofpeople outside of the shop for
(16:58):
a, um, Mewtwo raid.
And.
Everybody was like, why are allthese people outside of the
shop?
I was like, oh yeah, my clientshows up.
tell him to wait because I wannabe a part of this.
I didn't end up catching Mewtwo.
I think that's the one, the onlyraid I have not completed.
I didn't get the Mewtwo, whichis surprising because there's
literally like just in a blockradius, there must have been
like a hundred people.
(17:18):
But I quickly realized, youknow, I was like, oh my gosh,
like I'm a grown male, and I'mstill so psyched and still into
this, you know, and to see allthe different walks of life like
that, come together for, a raidor, raid know, event, whatever
that may be.
It really, solidified to methat, Pokemon doesn't really
have an age, you know, if it'sbeen a part of my life forever.
(17:39):
forever.
to say, you know, I've, I've metpeople that could be my grandma
or grandpa, and they lovePokemon because of GO, you know,
or one thing or the other.
It got them into it.
So, yeah, that definitely, thatdefinitely hit me.
I was like, you know, I feltlike a stranger in a new land,
right?
But to see all these peoplethat, shared a passion for
Pokemon, I was like, yeah, thisis it, you know?
David Hernandez (18:01):
Now my last question just in regards to go,
'cause you just have an amazingstory, but I kind of wanna know
like, how do you play?
Are you like a collector, shinyhunter?
What's your kind of way toengage when it just comes to
Pokemon Go?
Ginger Jirachi (18:12):
so that's kind of a mixed bags.
The city I live in, it'stechnically a city is only like
15,000 people.
But during the shutdown.
we didn't, we didn't really shutdown, like everything was still
pretty much open, better or forworse, you know, everybody did
their own things and was stillrespectful and whatever.
But, during the shutdown, a, acouple cities over is the quote
(18:33):
unquote bigger city around here.
It's called Peoria, Illinois.
they had already had a PokemonGo group.
A lot of them, you know,'causethere wasn't anything to do, you
know, nothing was open,especially in Peoria.
So they would come over thebridge and they started like a
lot of spots and there was, Iguess those first, year and a
half, two years of people beinglike, oh, well we don't know
(18:54):
what's going on.
It might be the end of theworld.
There was so many people thatcame over here and kind of
injected Pokemon into a littlecity because when the app first
came out.
I think the only Pokestop inthis area was our Walmart, which
is like five miles from where Ilived.
so I definitely use it for likeexercise.
I, you know, I love knowing howmuch I cycled or, walked that
(19:16):
day.
I, I try and stay fit.
I'm, I'm not a muscular guy atall.
I've never been able to keepmuscle on, so I always try and,
you know, I do a lot of cardio,so that's great to track it that
way.
And Just recently.
I've been running into a lot ofshinies, and I don't know if
that's the algorithm, like, yo,this guy's been playing every
single day.
We're gonna hook him up orwhatever.
But, you know, I always, I tradewith people.
(19:38):
I don't drink anymore, but Istill go to the pub you know,
see those people and play someshuffleboard and, it's pretty
incredible how, I'm stillmeeting new people through that.
'cause I'll be there, check inand spinning stops and somebody
be like, oh my gosh, I play, youknow, and we add each other.
so I use it for a little bit ofeverything.
I'd, I'd say I'm definitely moreof like.
A collector, I've kind ofchilled out on the raids.
(19:59):
'cause like I said, our city'sreally, really small.
so there's not a whole lot ofpeople that are like daily goers
like I am.
So it's definitely more like,uh, a point of pride.
guess my biggest thing is I liveright off the, square in my
hometown.
you know, it's got the Littlefountain and some boutiques and
a candy store and whatever.
So I kind of pride myself, withthe gyms there, being in control
(20:21):
of it for, you know, six daysto, you know, a week plus.
it's kind of fun, you know, tobe like, yeah, this is my turf.
David Hernandez (20:28):
Well, let's shift over to how you meet
people online.
Through your Facebook group, youhave a Facebook group called
Ginger Jirachi.
Now, for those who can't seeyou, you are obviously a ginger.
So
Ginger Jirachi (20:38):
Oh, yeah.
David Hernandez (20:39):
alert, you're a ginger, and now that's how the
name kind of came about.
But I wanna know the reason why,like why did you wanna launch
the Facebook page,
Ginger Jirachi (20:46):
You know, one of my college buddies from a
Christian university.
he is always been encouragingover the years.
He's like, yeah, you, you know,you should start a YouTube or,
you need to get on, vine orTikTok or, you know, whatever it
is at the time.
And, you know, I had to tellhim, I was like, with my career
and family stuff that I'vealready committed to, it's hard
to Find time to, even get on mySwitch light, you know, God
(21:09):
forbid running a whole, pagewith videos and stuff.
So, I decided to start myjourney of sobriety and very
quickly I was like, you know,I'm not spending all this time
and money, you know, doing thisfoolish stuff.
you know, I was like, I havetime to, you know, let me just
start a Facebook page, you know,'cause over the years.
I've met so many cool peoplethrough their Pokemon pages.
(21:30):
I was like, maybe this, youknow, is a good, healthy outlet.
And, I was very surprisedwithin, not even, a month how
many people, followed me and howmany people reached out and, you
know, added me to, their groupsand stuff and group messages.
And it's just been really neatto, see all these different
walks of life.
Through that.
Honestly, can't imagine it anydifferent way now.
(21:50):
It's kind of something where I'mlike, dude, had you just gotten
your head outta your butt?
You could have been doing thisyears ago.
And you know, if sands or buts,I don't like to be like that,
but I'm just, I'm very thankfuland very blessed to be where I'm
at now.
doing something that's fun.
I gonna meet new people.
I'm always up to date on stuff.
And, for some people it mightseem a little silly that, A guy
in his mid thirties is still sointo it, but it's given me a,
(22:12):
given a super healthy outlet tobe myself and share the things
that I want to share.
my page As you know, it's stillsuper young.
The page is still, fairly small.
and I haven't really figure out,if I wanna focus on cards or if
I wanna focus on GO.
So I kind of just use the pageas my outlet to share my trainer
journey.
I've been very surprised at the,outreach and people that are,
(22:36):
You know, actually into mycontent that's, you know, it's
homegrown.
It's, all reposts.
It's mostly, you know, just mylife of, This is This is how big
of a trainer I am, and peopleseem to really enjoy it.
So I'm gonna keep it up.
And it it's been a blast so far.
David Hernandez (22:50):
in what ways has running the Ginger Jirachi
page supported your sobriety andpersonal growth?
Ginger Jirachi (22:56):
it's something I've struggled with the last 10
years a lot of people say,alcoholism is like hereditary.
I don't know so much if that'strue or at least that's not
really my belief.
But, it's more nature versusnurture where it's like all my
friends drink both sides of myfamily drink.
And it was just always, aconstant, you know, it was so
normalized, which to an extent Idon't think is a bad thing, but,
(23:20):
like right when I turned 21, Iwas a mess.
I was getting in trouble.
I lost my license for a littlebit.
So literally, this time aroundwhen I, prayed and prayed on it.
I've been talking to peopleabout it, and finally I was
like, you know what?
It's time to put it down.
And literally my first day aftereverything, you know, was outta
my system, I'd sweat it out.
I was like, you know what?
I'm gonna start a page.
I don't know if it's gonna goanywhere, but you know, at least
(23:41):
my friends will like it.
It'll give me, you know, areason to be on the phone
instead of, like, Hey, let'sparty, or, you know, let's meet
at the pub or whatever.
So it's been very beneficial,for me it holds me accountable
in a way.
'cause it's something, you know,it's not like you post once or
twice a day.
You kind of gotta be constantly,in it and interacting with
people know, if I was sloppydrunk, that would just be
(24:03):
impossible for me.
I'm, I'm a terrible multitaskeras it is it already.
Um, so it, this is, uh, this newstep in my journey has kind of
given me the opportunity to notjust hold myself accountable,
but now, with different pagesand, long, friends, new friends.
I've, been pretty vocal aboutit, in conversation.
(24:24):
So it.
kind of Has that, that otherside of accountability where I,
you know, if I didn't post oneday, I am sure somebody would be
like, Hey man, like, what's up?
so it's like I said earlier,it's a great healthy outlet to,
spend my time on, in and around,however you want to put it.
like I said, I've been having ablast and, it's something that
I, I wish I would've done soonerin my life, but better late than
(24:45):
never, and it's, it's beenawesome.
David Hernandez (24:47):
it's I think anybody who's been through,
sobriety at any point in theirlives would wish that, you know,
because you think about all theyears you lost, you think about
all the time you raised, do youthink about who you were in that
stage of life.
Ginger Jirachi (24:59):
Mm-hmm.
David Hernandez (25:00):
I think what's unique about your sobriety
story, at least from what Iunderstand.
It is usually a lot of, from myexperience, a lot of people who
struggle with sobriety arethose, they struggle with trying
to find the social life becausethey can't go back to the old
friends.
They can't go back to the oldbars because that would be them
kind of sliding back into theirold life.
But your, your story from myperspective, correct me if I'm
(25:22):
wrong, you were still able tokeep some connection with some
people maybe.
Pokemon Go.
Ginger Jirachi (25:29):
Yeah, absolutely.
Um,
David Hernandez (25:31):
to kind of keep the social life you had, but you
connected with them in adifferent way.
Ginger Jirachi (25:36):
yes.
Yeah, no, you nailed that ahundred percent.
that's something I thoughtabout, initially when, I was
like, you know what?
The big guy upstairs needs me todo this and get clean.
And, you know, if I want thesethings in my life, this is a
great start to it.
and, there's some people youknow, see as often anymore.
as far as, you know, mytemptations go, but for the most
(25:56):
part, everybody that I've metthrough GO.
Specifically at my hometown pub,which is literally right across
the street from me.
It's two blocks from my parents,is kind of the go-to spot in
town here.
I'll go there and get a lemonadeand play shuffleboard, but it's
incredible how many people I metyears ago.
years ago That I don't remember.
And they'll be like, Hey, you'reThe Pokeball.
(26:16):
You know?
'cause I, I'm always wearing myPokeball hat, so they're like,
you're The Pokeball guy.
Like, can you trade with me?
And it's funny because I'm like,dude, I was probably so wasted.
Like, I don't remember thesepeople, but they remember me.
So to, to keep some of thoseconnections, through an app,
kind of blows my mind.
I'm, I'm not the most tech smartguy.
it kind of feels like, the movieSpy Kids, you know, like
everything is just at the tipof.
(26:37):
Your smartphone, and it'sincredible how many connections
you can make and maintain justthrough an app.
So that's been really cool.
David Hernandez (26:45):
Well, that's amazing to hear, man.
This is my last question just inregards to Ginger Jirachi, you
are working on trying to findyour way through what you wanna
post, you know, and that's okay.
Obviously, you're, that's partof the journey.
Ginger Jirachi (26:55):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (26:56):
an idea of what type of community you kind of
hope to build around that pageat least?
Ginger Jirachi (27:00):
for me.
You know, personally, Pokemonhas been such a, saving light in
my life.
I just want to share, thingsthat inspire people or make
themselves proud of themselves.
You know, a lot of, there's alot of great artists out there.
There's a lot of great pages outthere.
so I, try and keep it focused onlike the smaller guys.
as far as, sharing content goesbecause it's like, if I want to
(27:23):
grow my page, you gotta put inand show that love back to the
community.
So definitely focused on more,like grassroots type type right
now.
but as far as content in thefuture, if you click on my page,
I want you to.
It should be a cozy, welcomingplace where, you know, you can
know, you share, whatever it is,you know, whether it's Pokemon
(27:44):
related or you can even DM meand, start a conversation.
I want it to be very communal.
Pokemon has been such a communalthing for me overall these
years.
So So I'm really just kind offocused on keeping my feet on
the ground and keep thingsrolling.
You know, if you guys stickaround, you'll see the page
slowly mature over time.
like I said earlier, I kind ofwanna do like an artist
(28:04):
highlights on some of the, uh.
Illustrators, because some ofthat artwork is really
incredible.
And some of, you know, some ofthese people have been doing it
for so long, but, the onlyartwork of theirs I've seen have
been on the card.
it'll be Pokemon related, butI'd also like to delve into some
of those artists as far as liketheir backgrounds go and, You
know, see where their stylesstarted.
(28:26):
that's just something that,turns my brain on and, uh, I've
just had so much positive,feedback from what I'm doing
already.
I imagine that somebody willfeel the same way.
I.
David Hernandez (28:34):
feel the Well, ginger Jirachi, I want to finish
on this last question.
You know, you've gone through somany hard seasons that people
will probably be able to relateto in different ways.
what message do you want, yourpage and your story to give to
people who may feel down andout, or who may be kind of where
you were a long time ago?
Ginger Jirachi (28:51):
you know, to stay on theme.
And it's something I genuinelybelieve in.
sometimes wishes do come true,outside of spirituality or
religion, praying for somethingor manifesting something, I just
wish the best for.
all the trainers out there, youknow, Pokemon has been such a,
it's been a healer, it's been afriend, it's been, an outlet.
I just want people to know that,sometimes wishes do come true.
(29:14):
You know, sometimes you can,make a big life change for the
positive and realize you know,what you've wanted all along,
has been right at yourfingertips.
You just gotta put in thetraining for it.
David Hernandez (29:24):
Well, Ginger Jirachi, if they want to check
out your page, if they wannaconnect with you, where can they
go?
By all means, please plug away.
Ginger Jirachi (29:30):
So, I'm really just on Facebook right now.
I love being just on Facebook,but there is going to be a point
where, I'm gonna need othersocials to, continue this
journey.
So, yeah, for right now it'sjust.
just finish on Facebook I wishall the trainers the best.
And, if you decide to check meout, I'll be there.
David Hernandez (29:48):
Thank you for listening to As The Pokeball
Turns, if this story resonatedwith you, share the podcast with
the fellow trainer and don'tforget to follow us.
For more voices, more journeys,and more memories.
David Hernandez, and remember,your next Pokemon adventure
begins here.
My name is Ginger Jirachi and this is my
(00:02):
Pokemon story.
David Hernandez (00:42):
Welcome to As The Pokeball Turns, where every
voice, every journey, and everymemory brings us closer to the
world of Pokemon.
I'm David Hernandez and I'mjoined by someone who built a
space where wonder in warmth,shine just like a shooting star.
Ginger Jirachi, welcome to theThe Pokeball Turns.
Ginger Jirachi (00:59):
Hey, Hey, glad to thank you.
David Hernandez (01:00):
Thank you.
Absolutely.
And you know, you're the one ofthe first people I've had on the
podcast.
I told you this before westarted that Love Jirachi, and I
wanted to start off with a funquestion before we dive into the
whole Facebook and Jirachi andeverything.
Obviously Jirachi is known asthe one who grants wishes.
So if you could have one wishgranted by Jirachi, but it can
only be related to your Pokemonjourney, what would it be?
(01:24):
Um,
Ginger Jirachi (01:25):
You know, that's a tough one.
the last couple years I've been,really kind of bouncing all over
the place with family stuff.
so I guess my one wish would be,I would really love to go to
Worlds someday.
I haven't been to a whole lot ofshows, but I would really,
really love to go to Worlds andwatch that.
I think that would probably bemy number one wish.
David Hernandez (01:44):
That's not a bad wish.
I mean, I think a lot of peoplekind of wish for that.
what about Worlds appeals toyou?
Like why Worlds of all things?
Ginger Jirachi (01:51):
so the, trading card game kind of got me back
into Pokemon the last few years.
I've got three younger brothersand one of them is really into
magic.
so he watches, competitive stuffon YouTube, and he kind of
turned me back into the, uh,competitive scene, for Pokemon.
up probably like 20 14, 20 15.
(02:12):
It just kind of, uh, rekindledmy love for, you know, all the
aspects, especially thecommunity.
I feel like, there's some peoplewho, are very gatekeeper.
About whatever hobby that maybe.
And, you know, it's surprisingthat our community does have
that, but from the interactionsand the people I've met, whether
it's locally or online, thevibes are just so good, man.
(02:33):
so really just like meetingpeople and, you know, having, a
shared love and passion forsomething.
And how many different, outletsPokemon, gives different people,
you know, like you've got yourthing.
You know, some people are moreinto the plushies, you know, the
are whatever it is.
So really just the, thecommunity and the growth, is,
cool to me about worlds.
I remember, the, last Worlds Ihad to work that entire weekend.
(02:57):
I was, I was gonna go.
but work scheduled me, right.
so that was kind of like mylittle treat to myself after
work, you know, to hop onYouTube and, catch up with, you
know, what's going on and, kindof the meta of the different
decks and stuff.
David Hernandez (03:10):
Now you mentioned how you originally
were playing Magic, theGathering.
And Pokemon and Magic to me arekind of, I'll say distant
cousins in a way.
You know, magic
Ginger Jirachi (03:16):
Sure.
David Hernandez (03:17):
Pokemon has the energies.
They're kind of little similar,but obviously very different
games.
What was it specifically aboutPokemon that kind of brought you
back?
Was it the artwork, thestrategy?
Like what is it about thetrading card game back in 2014
that kind of brought you backin?
Ginger Jirachi (03:29):
I would say the art, definitely, big time.
when I was younger, I was a, alittle bit of an artist.
I still doodle in stuff.
there some street graffiti,although I didn't just say that.
Um,
David Hernandez (03:39):
Um,
Ginger Jirachi (03:40):
uh.
Yeah, no, I, I really love theartwork and, that's actually
something, I'm consideringgetting into, is doing like a
mini series on, differentartists, in the cards and kind
of, get into their other worksoutside of Pokemon.
But yeah, I'd definitely say theartwork, it just.
it's such a comfort thing andit's so inspiring.
Like, especially with, thecutesy Pokemon, like the colors
(04:02):
and pastels.
That really, uh, really, turnsmy brain on for sure.
David Hernandez (04:05):
Now, when it comes to the artwork and, you
know, we'll get a little artsyside on this side.
what kind of cards do you enjoyart-wise?
can you give us some examples ofsome that kind of stick to you?
Um, Um,
Ginger Jirachi (04:15):
I, I love my Jirachi cards.
That's obviously a given.
I've really been into the lastcouple of sets, especially the,
Destin rivals.
it's such a great callback tothe actual, like trainer cards
and rocket cards from back inthe day.
That was one of the of the firstcollected when I was younger,
with uh, errands money or choremoney.
(04:35):
that was always a really specialthing this is dating me a little
bit.
Me and my brothers would, walkup to the local Kmart and, all
chip in and get a couple packstogether.
So I'm, I'm really into the new.
Sets.
But as far as like, art stylewise, my favorite, and I'm, I'm
blanking on the artist's nameright now, but the cards that
look like they're, you know,either made with like clay or
(04:56):
that they're crocheted, I justthink those cards are so
stinking cute.
And I know they're only likepennies, but I've got, a whole
binder of just cute Pokemon just'cause the artwork.
So Cool.
Growing up, I watched a lot of,Like stop motion shows, you
know, like, the most popular onewould be like, nightmare before
Christmas to give everybody anidea what, the medium stop
motion is like.
So those cards where, ThePokemon themselves are a real
(05:19):
physical thing.
I think that's probably myfavorite art style right now.
David Hernandez (05:23):
Now you mentioned how Jirachi
specifically is one of thefavorite Pokemon you have or one
of The Pokeball you love.
what is your connection toJirachi?
Like?
Is it a favorite Pokemon?
Is there a special memory tiedto it?
Ginger Jirachi (05:33):
I would definitely say it's my favorite
Pokemon for sure.
when that movie came out, I gotit from a three pack, DVDI can't
remember the other movies thatwere on it.
But, wish Maker was one of them,and it was one of the few, DVDs
that me and my brothers couldagree on.
We used to, um, yeah, yeah, Iknow, I know.
That's funny.
the oldest brother being like,shut up.
(05:54):
We're watching Pokemon.
David Hernandez (05:55):
Yeah, well, I mean, more so'cause the brothers
usually fight.
They, that's kind of amazing.
You all actually agreed on onemovie
Ginger Jirachi (06:00):
Yeah.
Yeah.
you know, now that we're older,we all get along, but That's one
thing we very much have incommon.
We've, we've been Pokemon fanssince the get go.
I remember when it hit theStates in 98.
That's when my youngest brotherwas born.
my grandma went to toys us andgot those, uh, oh, how do I
describe it?
Basically just like a, a plasticfigurine.
But they would, talk, you know,it just had like one of those
(06:22):
sliding buttons on the bottomand it was.
Let me think.
It was Meowth because I ended upgetting Meowth cause I guess all
the Pikachu had been sold outand it was so new.
My grandma didn't really knowwhat to get.
So all four of us boys got ourfirst Pokemon.
So mine was Meowth.
I think there we had a Squirtle,Bulbasaur,, and I can't remember
the other one.
There was only like seven oreight in the set.
(06:44):
From a young age, we were alwaysreally into it.
But as getting back to JIrachidefinitely my favorite Pokemon,
this again, I'm aging myselfhere.
when Ruby and Sapphire versioncame out, I was one of the only
kids that got Sapphire because,I liked the artwork better.
I, I liked Kyogre more thanGroudon, so it kind of worked
out.
'cause I was one of the onlykids that had Sapphire.
(07:07):
So everybody wanted to tradewith me.
And I had this buddy, ZachGreen, who, uh, I'm still very
close with, to this day.
Me and him.
Would trade together.
So, I guess that would've beenthe first Pokedex I ever
completed.
Completed at the time, a hundredpercent completed it.
And he was also one of thefriends that, his parents are
super geeky.
Like they're, they've alwaysbeen into like graphic novels
(07:28):
and like, they turned me ontolike Futurama and stuff like
that.
And, he had the Colosseum, bonusdisc.
to get Jirachi, because, youknow, being that young, I think
I was maybe, oh gosh, like 11 or12 at the time around there.
so I didn't really understand,you know, and it's a whole thing
now where it's like thedistribution events, it was so
(07:49):
hard for me to even considerthat a viability, you know?
'cause I was young and, and Ilive in the middle of nowhere in
Illinois.
Like my town's only 15,000people.
So.
To have a friend that had theColosseum bonus disc, me and him
both got Jirachi to finish our,sapphire and Ruby Dexes and,
yeah, I just remember that beingsuch a fun time in my life.
Like every morning in thesummer, I'd go over, we'd trade,
(08:12):
we'd battle all day, all night,and then, uh, when he got that
disc, that was just hugebecause.
I'd never experienced Pokemon,in multiple, platforms before.
You know, for me it'd alwaysjust been the TV show.
I'd have grandma record that.
me and my brothers all sharedone Game Boy Advance, or maybe
it was two.
we didn't have a whole lot ofmoney growing up, so to get, a
(08:33):
mythical Pokemon via a wholedifferent game system that just
like really turned me on.
And Jirachi You know, supercute.
and I feel like it's veryunderrated.
especially with, the Alpha andOmega stuff, I feel like they
really focused on Latias andLatios thing and you know,
Jirachi doesn't get a whole lotof love.
You know, a lot of people reallylike Deoxys and Rayquaza I'd I,
(08:56):
so my opinion, that's the.
Most popular fandom as far as itgoes to gen three, and I feel
like Jirachi's just super slepton.
So, uh, I decided to start mypage, I was like, well, that
just makes sense.
David Hernandez (09:08):
Now, you talked about how your brothers, y'all
were opening packs, y'all gotyour figurines.
Was those early days of, playingPokemon a competition a way for
y'all to bond?
Or was it kind of a bit of both?
Ginger Jirachi (09:18):
you know, we didn't really, I didn't learn
learn how to actually play thecard game until I was probably
game until I was in middleschool.
at that time, Yu-gi-oh was thehuge thing.
I was, I was really intoYu-gi-oh but when the meta
started shifting, and basicallyit turned into like a, pay to
play thing, you know, even ifyou had a really great deck, you
know, the rich kids had thereally good cards, so they'd
(09:38):
smoke you.
so it was never, a competitivething until later in my life.
it was more about the collectionand, it really helped me make
friends.
I really didn't have friendsgrowing up until, Pokemon.
cause everybody was into it, youknow?
It was even in this little ruraltown, it was easier to make
friends and, meet people andhave conversations.
They'd see your cards or they'dsee you playing your game boy
(10:00):
advance and, you know,immediately you'd just make a
new friend.
So it was very much a connectivething, for all of us.
Like all of my brothers aresuper into Pokemon.
We don't, talk a whole lot.
You know, we're all, spread outover the states and we're grown
men now.
So, you know, we got our careersand, getting ready to start
families and stuff like that.
But I feel like I talk to mybrothers every single day and if
(10:21):
Pokemon wasn't a factor, Ireally don't know if that would
be the case.
David Hernandez (10:25):
Well, after gen three, was there any particular
generation afterwards or evenbefore that you enjoyed the
most?
Ginger Jirachi (10:31):
So you know, I gotta give love to the OGs.
The first game, I owned was a,pre-owned yellow version, and it
was like a year or two beforegen three came out.
that was a big deal, you know,'cause all my friends they had,
gold and silver, and my nextdoor neighbor had Crystal.
So I guess Crystal would be thefirst game I ever played.
but yellow version, I, I still,to this day, I really love
(10:54):
yellow version and, you know,gen three obviously my favorite.
it came out during a time where.
global warming was becoming, atalking point, you know, even as
a kid.
So I thought that the storyline,it just came out at a perfect
time.
I three is always gonna be top,but I really, and this might be
controversial but I preferredSword and Shield over Scarlet
(11:15):
and Violet, I thought.
That the story was great.
The new Mons were fantastic.
Don't get me wrong.
I, really enjoyed ScarletViolet, but it had been a long
time, you know, basically sincegen three I'd say, Sword and
Shield, Shield, Snap.
And then of course, uh, genthree are, those have gotta be
my tops.
Hey you.
Yes, you with the ears.
(11:36):
Don't go anywhere.
We'll be right back.
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(11:57):
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David Hernandez (12:06):
Now from what you said earlier, you said the
trading card games are whatbrought you back.
So I'm guessing you took a breakat some point
Ginger Jirachi (12:11):
Mm-hmm.
David Hernandez (12:11):
Shield or was it before?
Ginger Jirachi (12:13):
Yeah.
long story short, I got marriedand divorced in the same year.
David Hernandez (12:19):
I don't know if I should say congratulations or
I'm sorry.
It's
Ginger Jirachi (12:21):
No, no, no.
Totally her loss.
It was, uh, we were super youngand just, anyway, Not to get
into that, but long story short,when we split, I don't know if
she sold all my stuff or justlike destroyed it, but I had a
extensive collection of cardsand I used to be really into the
plushies, so I had like 20Pokemon Center exclusive
Plushies.
(12:41):
Uh, so after we split, I kind ofhad to start from ground one.
so I moved out of the area.
And, one of my things to do to,you know, explore the new area
and get to know people was,Pokemon Go.
I've, I've played that literallyevery day since it came out.
so I'd say Sword and Shielddefinitely got me back into it,
although Pokemon's been in mylife every day since it came to
(13:02):
the States.
So it's kind of hard to sayWhat, quote unquote got me back
into it.
'cause I've always been into it,but I feel, like that
relationship change and kind ofstarting from ground one, as a
new journey, you know, Idefinitely was, very upset.
You know, that's not an easything to go through in life.
you know, divorced, I didn'tthink I'd be a part of that
demographic, but.
Showed me, what I'm into thethings that I can't live
(13:23):
without.
And I, I'd never felt so, angryand upset after, losing these
physical things.
But the more I thought about it,I was like, it's not that it's
physical things, it's'cause it'sPokemon.
You know, you have such a, bondover it, or at least for me, you
know, it's, it's so close to theheart that.
pushed me a little bit to go,you know what, instead of
getting stuck in the mud or, uh,erasing the file or whatever,
(13:45):
to, uh, just, start a new game,I guess.
David Hernandez (13:48):
guess.
I'll be the first to admit, youknow, I've never experienced
marriage or divorce, so I can'teven fathom what that's like
what you went through.
But from what you told me, itsounds like you have such a
mixed emotions at the timebecause obviously'cause a lot of
things happen within a year,those are two life changing
events for anybody and,
Ginger Jirachi (14:08):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (14:08):
it's kind of amazing just to see how you were
able to find people throughPokemon.
In this case, Pokemon Go.
What did it mean to findconnection again through Pokemon
Go?
Ginger Jirachi (14:18):
You know, it was, everything, for a while.
you know, a after me and my exsplit, I got a job opportunity
up in the suburbs and, you know,I basically started from square
one.
You know, I didn't know anybody.
I was couch surfing for a littlebit.
a And, You know, after work andstuff I'd go to the pub or you
know, wherever, you know, get abite to eat.
And I was surprised at how manyadults like me, me, know, in the
(14:41):
suburbs there's tons ofPokestops, right?
So like, right?
So like, everybody I met wasinto it of their own fruition or
'cause their kids were superinto it.
so I, I gotta connect, with alot of my clients that way.
Meeting new friends, you know,just totally random people.
I'd see'em on their phone.
I'm like, I'm yo, aby is afriend.
You know, or you do, you need atrade it was pretty incredible
(15:02):
how quickly I gained, newfriendships and new connections
just through go initially.
you know, after the split itthat, it was really, really
tough.
I didn't think I'd be able tostart over again.
I thought, all my friends aren'tgonna, you know, they're not
gonna rock with me anymore,yada, yada.
learned very quickly that thatwas kind of the opposite, you
(15:22):
know, the community and peoplethat are into Pokemon are just
so welcoming and, you know, alot of times we don't wanna talk
about the serious stuff andPokemon's kind of an outlet.
for That, you know, whether it'sa comfort thing or if it,
motivates you.
So I'd say yeah, through go.
that was honestly, I know itsounds so silly, but it was, it
at that time in my life, it wasa genuine lifesaver.
(15:43):
Like I was just going through somuch and go, got me out of bed
in the morning.
You know, I had something tolook forward to, even though
it's, you know, quote unquotejust a video game.
it really helped me push myselfand, you know, tell myself, Hey,
this isn't the end.
You know, it sucks right now,But you'll get through this and
you got a lot of friends and youknow, your team's never gonna
ditch you.
(16:03):
So, you.
So yeah.
David Hernandez (16:06):
it sounds like, of course, your friends were
just, the way they grounded youduring your time, during a time
when your life was just full ofturmoil.
Ginger Jirachi (16:12):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (16:12):
you
Ginger Jirachi (16:13):
Oh yeah.
David Hernandez (16:14):
day or kind of a moment that made you, I guess,
realize that these people areyour people?
Ginger Jirachi (16:19):
Yeah.
I guess the, first one thatreally kind of smacked me in the
face was, uh, I guess I didn'tsay what I do for work.
So I'm a barber, um,
David Hernandez (16:27):
You're the one I can go for haircuts.
All right, got you.
Yeah,
Ginger Jirachi (16:29):
Yeah, exactly.
Yeah.
I, I, I got you guys on that,but, uh,
David Hernandez (16:33):
take, take a trip all the way to Illinois
from Texas.
I'm down
Ginger Jirachi (16:37):
hey, you know, our cuts might be cheaper here,
though.
I, I don't know about that theshop I was working in was like
two blocks away from the,College in town.
There is a division threeschool, so, you know, very,
prominent as far as like theirtheater, arts and, football was
a huge deal there.
And I remember one day, one ofmy clients was a couple minutes
late and there was a bunch ofpeople outside of the shop for
(16:58):
a, um, Mewtwo raid.
And.
Everybody was like, why are allthese people outside of the
shop?
I was like, oh yeah, my clientshows up.
tell him to wait because I wannabe a part of this.
I didn't end up catching Mewtwo.
I think that's the one, the onlyraid I have not completed.
I didn't get the Mewtwo, whichis surprising because there's
literally like just in a blockradius, there must have been
like a hundred people.
(17:18):
But I quickly realized, youknow, I was like, oh my gosh,
like I'm a grown male, and I'mstill so psyched and still into
this, you know, and to see allthe different walks of life like
that, come together for, a raidor, raid know, event, whatever
that may be.
It really, solidified to methat, Pokemon doesn't really
have an age, you know, if it'sbeen a part of my life forever.
(17:39):
forever.
to say, you know, I've, I've metpeople that could be my grandma
or grandpa, and they lovePokemon because of GO, you know,
or one thing or the other.
It got them into it.
So, yeah, that definitely, thatdefinitely hit me.
I was like, you know, I feltlike a stranger in a new land,
right?
But to see all these peoplethat, shared a passion for
Pokemon, I was like, yeah, thisis it, you know?
David Hernandez (18:01):
Now my last question just in regards to go,
'cause you just have an amazingstory, but I kind of wanna know
like, how do you play?
Are you like a collector, shinyhunter?
What's your kind of way toengage when it just comes to
Pokemon Go?
Ginger Jirachi (18:12):
so that's kind of a mixed bags.
The city I live in, it'stechnically a city is only like
15,000 people.
But during the shutdown.
we didn't, we didn't really shutdown, like everything was still
pretty much open, better or forworse, you know, everybody did
their own things and was stillrespectful and whatever.
But, during the shutdown, a, acouple cities over is the quote
(18:33):
unquote bigger city around here.
It's called Peoria, Illinois.
they had already had a PokemonGo group.
A lot of them, you know,'causethere wasn't anything to do, you
know, nothing was open,especially in Peoria.
So they would come over thebridge and they started like a
lot of spots and there was, Iguess those first, year and a
half, two years of people beinglike, oh, well we don't know
(18:54):
what's going on.
It might be the end of theworld.
There was so many people thatcame over here and kind of
injected Pokemon into a littlecity because when the app first
came out.
I think the only Pokestop inthis area was our Walmart, which
is like five miles from where Ilived.
so I definitely use it for likeexercise.
I, you know, I love knowing howmuch I cycled or, walked that
(19:16):
day.
I, I try and stay fit.
I'm, I'm not a muscular guy atall.
I've never been able to keepmuscle on, so I always try and,
you know, I do a lot of cardio,so that's great to track it that
way.
And Just recently.
I've been running into a lot ofshinies, and I don't know if
that's the algorithm, like, yo,this guy's been playing every
single day.
We're gonna hook him up orwhatever.
But, you know, I always, I tradewith people.
(19:38):
I don't drink anymore, but Istill go to the pub you know,
see those people and play someshuffleboard and, it's pretty
incredible how, I'm stillmeeting new people through that.
'cause I'll be there, check inand spinning stops and somebody
be like, oh my gosh, I play, youknow, and we add each other.
so I use it for a little bit ofeverything.
I'd, I'd say I'm definitely moreof like.
A collector, I've kind ofchilled out on the raids.
(19:59):
'cause like I said, our city'sreally, really small.
so there's not a whole lot ofpeople that are like daily goers
like I am.
So it's definitely more like,uh, a point of pride.
guess my biggest thing is I liveright off the, square in my
hometown.
you know, it's got the Littlefountain and some boutiques and
a candy store and whatever.
So I kind of pride myself, withthe gyms there, being in control
(20:21):
of it for, you know, six daysto, you know, a week plus.
it's kind of fun, you know, tobe like, yeah, this is my turf.
David Hernandez (20:28):
Well, let's shift over to how you meet
people online.
Through your Facebook group, youhave a Facebook group called
Ginger Jirachi.
Now, for those who can't seeyou, you are obviously a ginger.
So
Ginger Jirachi (20:38):
Oh, yeah.
David Hernandez (20:39):
alert, you're a ginger, and now that's how the
name kind of came about.
But I wanna know the reason why,like why did you wanna launch
the Facebook page,
Ginger Jirachi (20:46):
You know, one of my college buddies from a
Christian university.
he is always been encouragingover the years.
He's like, yeah, you, you know,you should start a YouTube or,
you need to get on, vine orTikTok or, you know, whatever it
is at the time.
And, you know, I had to tellhim, I was like, with my career
and family stuff that I'vealready committed to, it's hard
to Find time to, even get on mySwitch light, you know, God
(21:09):
forbid running a whole, pagewith videos and stuff.
So, I decided to start myjourney of sobriety and very
quickly I was like, you know,I'm not spending all this time
and money, you know, doing thisfoolish stuff.
you know, I was like, I havetime to, you know, let me just
start a Facebook page, you know,'cause over the years.
I've met so many cool peoplethrough their Pokemon pages.
(21:30):
I was like, maybe this, youknow, is a good, healthy outlet.
And, I was very surprisedwithin, not even, a month how
many people, followed me and howmany people reached out and, you
know, added me to, their groupsand stuff and group messages.
And it's just been really neatto, see all these different
walks of life.
Through that.
Honestly, can't imagine it anydifferent way now.
(21:50):
It's kind of something where I'mlike, dude, had you just gotten
your head outta your butt?
You could have been doing thisyears ago.
And you know, if sands or buts,I don't like to be like that,
but I'm just, I'm very thankfuland very blessed to be where I'm
at now.
doing something that's fun.
I gonna meet new people.
I'm always up to date on stuff.
And, for some people it mightseem a little silly that, A guy
in his mid thirties is still sointo it, but it's given me a,
(22:12):
given a super healthy outlet tobe myself and share the things
that I want to share.
my page As you know, it's stillsuper young.
The page is still, fairly small.
and I haven't really figure out,if I wanna focus on cards or if
I wanna focus on GO.
So I kind of just use the pageas my outlet to share my trainer
journey.
I've been very surprised at the,outreach and people that are,
(22:36):
You know, actually into mycontent that's, you know, it's
homegrown.
It's, all reposts.
It's mostly, you know, just mylife of, This is This is how big
of a trainer I am, and peopleseem to really enjoy it.
So I'm gonna keep it up.
And it it's been a blast so far.
David Hernandez (22:50):
in what ways has running the Ginger Jirachi
page supported your sobriety andpersonal growth?
Ginger Jirachi (22:56):
it's something I've struggled with the last 10
years a lot of people say,alcoholism is like hereditary.
I don't know so much if that'strue or at least that's not
really my belief.
But, it's more nature versusnurture where it's like all my
friends drink both sides of myfamily drink.
And it was just always, aconstant, you know, it was so
normalized, which to an extent Idon't think is a bad thing, but,
(23:20):
like right when I turned 21, Iwas a mess.
I was getting in trouble.
I lost my license for a littlebit.
So literally, this time aroundwhen I, prayed and prayed on it.
I've been talking to peopleabout it, and finally I was
like, you know what?
It's time to put it down.
And literally my first day aftereverything, you know, was outta
my system, I'd sweat it out.
I was like, you know what?
I'm gonna start a page.
I don't know if it's gonna goanywhere, but you know, at least
(23:41):
my friends will like it.
It'll give me, you know, areason to be on the phone
instead of, like, Hey, let'sparty, or, you know, let's meet
at the pub or whatever.
So it's been very beneficial,for me it holds me accountable
in a way.
'cause it's something, you know,it's not like you post once or
twice a day.
You kind of gotta be constantly,in it and interacting with
people know, if I was sloppydrunk, that would just be
(24:03):
impossible for me.
I'm, I'm a terrible multitaskeras it is it already.
Um, so it, this is, uh, this newstep in my journey has kind of
given me the opportunity to notjust hold myself accountable,
but now, with different pagesand, long, friends, new friends.
I've, been pretty vocal aboutit, in conversation.
(24:24):
So it.
kind of Has that, that otherside of accountability where I,
you know, if I didn't post oneday, I am sure somebody would be
like, Hey man, like, what's up?
so it's like I said earlier,it's a great healthy outlet to,
spend my time on, in and around,however you want to put it.
like I said, I've been having ablast and, it's something that
I, I wish I would've done soonerin my life, but better late than
(24:45):
never, and it's, it's beenawesome.
David Hernandez (24:47):
it's I think anybody who's been through,
sobriety at any point in theirlives would wish that, you know,
because you think about all theyears you lost, you think about
all the time you raised, do youthink about who you were in that
stage of life.
Ginger Jirachi (24:59):
Mm-hmm.
David Hernandez (25:00):
I think what's unique about your sobriety
story, at least from what Iunderstand.
It is usually a lot of, from myexperience, a lot of people who
struggle with sobriety arethose, they struggle with trying
to find the social life becausethey can't go back to the old
friends.
They can't go back to the oldbars because that would be them
kind of sliding back into theirold life.
But your, your story from myperspective, correct me if I'm
(25:22):
wrong, you were still able tokeep some connection with some
people maybe.
Pokemon Go.
Ginger Jirachi (25:29):
Yeah, absolutely.
Um,
David Hernandez (25:31):
to kind of keep the social life you had, but you
connected with them in adifferent way.
Ginger Jirachi (25:36):
yes.
Yeah, no, you nailed that ahundred percent.
that's something I thoughtabout, initially when, I was
like, you know what?
The big guy upstairs needs me todo this and get clean.
And, you know, if I want thesethings in my life, this is a
great start to it.
and, there's some people youknow, see as often anymore.
as far as, you know, mytemptations go, but for the most
(25:56):
part, everybody that I've metthrough GO.
Specifically at my hometown pub,which is literally right across
the street from me.
It's two blocks from my parents,is kind of the go-to spot in
town here.
I'll go there and get a lemonadeand play shuffleboard, but it's
incredible how many people I metyears ago.
years ago That I don't remember.
And they'll be like, Hey, you'reThe Pokeball.
(26:16):
You know?
'cause I, I'm always wearing myPokeball hat, so they're like,
you're The Pokeball guy.
Like, can you trade with me?
And it's funny because I'm like,dude, I was probably so wasted.
Like, I don't remember thesepeople, but they remember me.
So to, to keep some of thoseconnections, through an app,
kind of blows my mind.
I'm, I'm not the most tech smartguy.
it kind of feels like, the movieSpy Kids, you know, like
everything is just at the tipof.
(26:37):
Your smartphone, and it'sincredible how many connections
you can make and maintain justthrough an app.
So that's been really cool.
David Hernandez (26:45):
Well, that's amazing to hear, man.
This is my last question just inregards to Ginger Jirachi, you
are working on trying to findyour way through what you wanna
post, you know, and that's okay.
Obviously, you're, that's partof the journey.
Ginger Jirachi (26:55):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (26:56):
an idea of what type of community you kind of
hope to build around that pageat least?
Ginger Jirachi (27:00):
for me.
You know, personally, Pokemonhas been such a, saving light in
my life.
I just want to share, thingsthat inspire people or make
themselves proud of themselves.
You know, a lot of, there's alot of great artists out there.
There's a lot of great pages outthere.
so I, try and keep it focused onlike the smaller guys.
as far as, sharing content goesbecause it's like, if I want to
(27:23):
grow my page, you gotta put inand show that love back to the
community.
So definitely focused on more,like grassroots type type right
now.
but as far as content in thefuture, if you click on my page,
I want you to.
It should be a cozy, welcomingplace where, you know, you can
know, you share, whatever it is,you know, whether it's Pokemon
(27:44):
related or you can even DM meand, start a conversation.
I want it to be very communal.
Pokemon has been such a communalthing for me overall these
years.
So So I'm really just kind offocused on keeping my feet on
the ground and keep thingsrolling.
You know, if you guys stickaround, you'll see the page
slowly mature over time.
like I said earlier, I kind ofwanna do like an artist
(28:04):
highlights on some of the, uh.
Illustrators, because some ofthat artwork is really
incredible.
And some of, you know, some ofthese people have been doing it
for so long, but, the onlyartwork of theirs I've seen have
been on the card.
it'll be Pokemon related, butI'd also like to delve into some
of those artists as far as liketheir backgrounds go and, You
know, see where their stylesstarted.
(28:26):
that's just something that,turns my brain on and, uh, I've
just had so much positive,feedback from what I'm doing
already.
I imagine that somebody willfeel the same way.
I.
David Hernandez (28:34):
feel the Well, ginger Jirachi, I want to finish
on this last question.
You know, you've gone through somany hard seasons that people
will probably be able to relateto in different ways.
what message do you want, yourpage and your story to give to
people who may feel down andout, or who may be kind of where
you were a long time ago?
Ginger Jirachi (28:51):
you know, to stay on theme.
And it's something I genuinelybelieve in.
sometimes wishes do come true,outside of spirituality or
religion, praying for somethingor manifesting something, I just
wish the best for.
all the trainers out there, youknow, Pokemon has been such a,
it's been a healer, it's been afriend, it's been, an outlet.
I just want people to know that,sometimes wishes do come true.
(29:14):
You know, sometimes you can,make a big life change for the
positive and realize you know,what you've wanted all along,
has been right at yourfingertips.
You just gotta put in thetraining for it.
David Hernandez (29:24):
Well, Ginger Jirachi, if they want to check
out your page, if they wannaconnect with you, where can they
go?
By all means, please plug away.
Ginger Jirachi (29:30):
So, I'm really just on Facebook right now.
I love being just on Facebook,but there is going to be a point
where, I'm gonna need othersocials to, continue this
journey.
So, yeah, for right now it'sjust.
just finish on Facebook I wishall the trainers the best.
And, if you decide to check meout, I'll be there.
David Hernandez (29:48):
Thank you for listening to As The Pokeball
Turns, if this story resonatedwith you, share the podcast with
the fellow trainer and don'tforget to follow us.
For more voices, more journeys,and more memories.
David Hernandez, and remember,your next Pokemon adventure
begins here.
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