June 27, 2025 • 30 mins
He lost his best friend but every time he taps a PokéStop, it’s like they’re walking together again.
We meet Shiny King, the Pokémon GO Community Ambassador in London, Ontario, Canada, whose journey from nostalgic fan to local leader is rooted in love, loss, and legacy. From rediscovering Pokémon through his child to honoring a best friend lost too soon, Shiny King shares how Pokémon GO helped him rebuild connection, purpose, and community after everything felt silent. You’ll hear how one man turned downtown meetups into something closer to a Pokémon festival, all powered by empathy, grief, and the desire to make others feel welcome.
🎧 Experience Pokémon from the north with heartfelt Canadian stories.
Listen now to the Canadian Pokémon Trainers playlist!
Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Pokemon GO Canada (00:00):
I'm the community ambassador the Pokemon
Go in Ontario, and this is myPokemon story.
Oh I like the way you walk Oh Ilike the way you hold your hands
(00:31):
Oh I like the way you pull yourlegs
David Hernandez (00:44):
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 Shiny King, the
community ambassador fromPokemon Go Community in London,
here to share their experiencewith being the community
ambassador, how they built thecommunity, and how Pokemon GO
affected their lives.
Shiny King, welcome to As ThePokeball Turns Thank you for
(01:05):
having me! Absolutely.
And before we were talking, Itold you, I always like having
the community ambassadors on thepodcast because a lot of people
feel like they can't do it,especially when it comes to
Pokemon Go, that they feel likethey're not equipped to do it.
They don't know how to do it.
That's only specific people.
But whenever I talk with youguys and just, not you, but
anybody, y'all are just normalfolk most of the time.
(01:25):
I want to ask, Why did you wantto build up your community?
Why did you want to become acommunity ambassador?
Pokemon GO Canada (01:30):
Well, because I felt somebody had, I noticed,
especially after COVID, that theCommunity in my city just kind
of lackluster and basicallydead.
Like nobody interacted with witheach other.
if you you didn't make it torate as soon as it started, you
wouldn't You wouldn't get in.
you know, people didn't make eyecontact with each other.
(01:52):
Walk through a a park.
to me, that's just not whatPokemon Go is supposed to be.
So when the Ambassador programto my attention.
I was like, you know what, I'mgonna go for this.
David Hernandez (02:02):
Now you mentioned how you know people
wouldn't talk or they would justdo the raid, then you're kind of
at a look if you don't show up.
Did you try to make any changeswhen you started the group to
kind of change that dynamic?
Or is that just something thatnaturally changed over time?
Pokemon GO Canada (02:16):
so so I.
created a, a Facebook group.
Before COVID and all that justtrying to connect people, like
have a central location forinformation.
you know, connecting.
Right.
and then you know, people notnot talking to.
it, it, it seemed, it becamealmost Clicking, Like, you you
know, be be those three peoplewho knew each other over there,
(02:36):
but they wouldn't interact withthe three people staying over
there, you you know, and it was,I uh, it just seemed a little
almost toxic in a way.
David Hernandez (02:45):
Mm.
Sounds like it was veryexclusive to where unless you
were part of this group, youdidn't really have a place
almost, and you kind of wantedto change it to where everybody
was included.
Exactly.
Now, before Pokemon Go.
Did you have any experience withPokemon or was Pokemon Go, your
first experience with thefranchise?
Pokemon GO Canada (03:02):
I'm a Pokemon lifer.
David Hernandez (03:04):
Ooh, tell me about it.
Start with, start from thebeginning.
Where does this all begin?
Pokemon GO Canada (03:07):
Generation 1, 19 99, third grade, I was uh on
the school bus and, this kid infront of me, he turned around,
he like, oh, what I got?
I got got Pokemon?
And like, what's a the Pokemon?
He held open his hand.
He He had, Charmander andCharmeleon and Charizard action
figure is the one that came withthe Little Nintendo.
(03:27):
game boy that you'd shoot athim.
I was like, well, what's that?
He's like Oh, it's cartoon onafter school.
He is like, you should watch it.
I'm like, okay.
So I Went home and watched firstepisode I think it was, When Ash
was fighting Brock, I think itwas the first episode I watched
and I'm just watching this andI'm like, this is amazing.
Like, This like is like thecoolest show I've ever seen.
(03:48):
And yeah, from from that pointon, I was hooked, I was watching
it every day to have the toys.
to have the cards.
Rest is history.
David Hernandez (03:55):
Now you mentioned how it was
specifically around the Brockepisode where Ash was trying to
get the first gym badge.
Do you what part specifically,stuck to you compared to.
anything else like the cards,because you specifically
mentioned how Pikachu was justtrying to get the badge from
Brock.
What do you remember from thattime period?
Pokemon GO Canada (04:10):
Just like the fact that these, like the
creatures were were just soUnique and and interesting and
then like the fact that Ash wasa kid who was like trying to,
achieve all these things, right?
And it was just, it was sodifferent from anything I'd ever
seen before.
then, you you know, watching Ashactually overcome and, beat
(04:32):
Brock and it was just, it was solike cool.
David Hernandez (04:36):
So you said like, you know, you start with
the anime, you were very intoit, you got the cards and the
games.
Tell me about, I guess, thedifferent ways at the time, like
were you just mostly collectorof the cards or were you more
interested in the game siteafter that?
Pokemon GO Canada (04:48):
mostly the cards.
I was really into the cards atthat point.
My first game was actuallyPokemon Silver, was actually the
first one I was able to get.
And actually sad story aboutthat, I didn't even know what a
Shiny Pokemon was back then.
I don't think most of us did andI now have a vivid memory of
encountering a Shiny Lugia andnot even knowing.
Oh no, really.
Yeah, because I seen the flashof it.
(05:10):
I was just like, oh, that mightbe like Glitched.
glitched.
But But no, now that that I'm anI'm adult, I've I it in realize
I encountered that before,
David Hernandez (05:22):
so when did you realize that you had
encountered, was it because ofPokemon Go or a different, time
period or a different reason?
Pokemon GO Canada (05:28):
Um, yeah, just different time period
seeing it on YouTube and I wasjust like, wait a second.
David Hernandez (05:32):
But I mean, it was so different, right?
Because.
They don't explain shiny Pokemonin the game.
And especially when you're goingback to those years, 1999, 2000,
I think Yeah.
see the little stars and you'relike, this is kind of different.
And you don't know why.
Especially at that young age,you know?
Pokemon GO Canada (05:48):
Yep.
exactly.
So, it was, it was, uh, but butlike I would play that game for
hours.
had the original game boy, thebig gray one with the green
screen.
And, uh, Know, I I'd spend hoursplaying that game on road trips
or family trailer vacations forfor the weekend.
I was in the trailer playing mygame board.
David Hernandez (06:06):
Now everybody have asked, whenever they say
they're in the cards, there'salways like a sad Charizard
story.
I gotta ask, do you have anylike sad story of cards you wish
you had kept like what happenedto those cards early on?
Do you know?
Pokemon GO Canada (06:17):
Well, I was about 20 years old.
I thought my Pokemon journey wasover and then I sold them.
For very little money.
David Hernandez (06:26):
So they're basically in somebody else's
hands?
Probably.
Pokemon GO Canada (06:29):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (06:30):
You said at 20 years old, what made you think
that you weren't gonna pick upPokemon at the time again?
Pokemon GO Canada (06:34):
I was a dad and I was, focusing on.
I was like trying to figure outwhat my adult life was looking
like and it was just, it wassomething in my closet, so I
didn't think needed to be thereanymore.
David Hernandez (06:46):
So you're just trying to make room.
'cause you know, you're a newdad, you're trying to figure out
life, especially at a young age.
That's a very huge transition.
Pokemon GO Canada (06:53):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (06:54):
obviously you have regrets, I assume.
Do you wish you had kept thosecards?
Pokemon GO Canada (06:57):
Oh, Oh.
Hundred percent.
I've, uh, I've spent the lastfew years trying to collect as
many original original cards asI can, but I I don't, I I don't
care.
PS Forsa 10 because I don't, I Ijust want the card.
I don't care what conditionthey're in.
I binder and look at,
David Hernandez (07:14):
what about your, child, do you all still
have any connection withPokemon, or have you kind of
brought them up to PokemonTrainer ways?
What does that dynamic look likefor you?
Pokemon GO Canada (07:22):
So both my kids came with, and, my oldest,
he discovered it on his own.
And, when that happened, when Idove head in again Really?
Oh, you, you, you want.
You you wanna wanna know aboutPokemon?
We'll let go.
David Hernandez (07:39):
That must have been pretty kind of touching,
right?
'cause they touch So they, okay,hold on.
So you say that the oldest gotto it by accident.
So it wasn't nothing you did andbecause you saw them, him do, or
him or her do it, that, youdecided to kind of get back into
it.
Yep.
Dude, that must have been kindof.
I don't know how to describethat.
(08:00):
What does that feel like whenyour own child is interested in
something that you wereinterested?
They didn't even know about it.
Pokemon GO Canada (08:06):
was such a, like a a proud and like a real
moment where it's just like wewe have something that we are
about to bond over.
It's like you don't even, youdon't even understand at this
moment.
David Hernandez (08:20):
I'm sure it must have meant a lot to you as
a dad.
Pokemon GO Canada (08:22):
It It did.
It really did.
David Hernandez (08:24):
Do you remember what the first thing y'all did?
Like, how did y'all kind of bondat that initial stage?
Pokemon GO Canada (08:28):
so he first started watching the show and
this, Sun and Moon era, thestart of Sun and Moon.
So So he started watching theshow and I was I was like, Hey,
do you want, you you wanna cardcar?
He's like, there's a card game.
I'm like, yeah, there's a cardgame.
So, So, uh, I I went and boughta learning deck.
It was, the, uh, Alolan Raichu,Alolan, Sand slash it was some
(08:50):
sort of training deck that camewith like promo hollows and I
And I bought thought that itcame with was like a step by
step, like this is how you doit.
And it was like, you play playthe cards in a specific order,
and and then, that point's like,yeah.
Then he had, his next birthdayparty was a Pokemon birthday
birthday party and It was, hewas hooked too!
David Hernandez (09:09):
Now I'm sure that birthday party might have
been for him, but deep down it'slike, I wish I got that birthday
party.
I'm gonna make it something thatI wanted.
I'm pretty sure.
Right?
Oh yeah.
Oh yeah.
Pokemon GO Canada (09:17):
Oh yeah, we went crazy.
David Hernandez (09:18):
outta curiosity, because, your son
brought you back into Pokemonand, you know, you had been out
at, I guess, were you out ofPokemon for a while?
'cause after the cards given up,like what does that, I guess,
time skip look like?
What was your last experiencebefore you took a break?
Pokemon GO Canada (09:31):
Yeah, it was around, you know, 2021, when I
sold the cards.
And then, So I guess I got backinto it around Yeah, about 2016.
So I said I was out of it forabout five, five five or six
years.
Okay.
And And then, yeah.
David Hernandez (09:47):
when it came to just Pokemon, because you were
into the cards and the games fora bit.
Do you have a particularfavorite generation of, Pokemon
that you really enjoyed at thetime before you kind of gave it
up?
Or did your favorite generationcome afterwards?
Pokemon GO Canada (09:58):
My favorite generation is and always will be
Gen one.
Mm.
David Hernandez (10:02):
Why Gen one?
Just'cause of the memoriesbehind it.
Pokemon GO Canada (10:05):
memories behind it and just they're
Pokemon are most attached toEven in Pokemon Go.
The a Gen Gen one Pokemon cardpops up.
up, I I have to touch it.
I don't even I just have to,
David Hernandez (10:15):
it's like an instinct, like, oh, I see a
Magnemite or I see anExeggcute,, I gotta get it, kind
of thing.
Pokemon GO Canada (10:21):
Yeah, Because like, you know, in Gen two, Gen
one is my favorite, Gen two ismy my second,obviously, and you
know all the Generations afterthat.
I love them all.
There's great Pokemon among allof them, but Gen one especially
is that gotta catch'em allmindset.
Where I think later generationdon't have that as much.
Where it's like, you know the ofof gen one, right right where
(10:43):
you like had to have everythingPokemon.
David Hernandez (10:45):
I can kind of see that.
'cause back in those days youlike you have to get'em all,
then you have to get'em allagain, and then it kind of died
out.
Or that whole idea of gottacatch'em all probably died out.
I would say probably, if not genthree is for sure gen four, and
it was never the same afterthat.
You know, they brought the catchphrase back, of course, but that
whole mindset of all the, I'llsay marketing that they did to
(11:07):
where you need to catch'em all.
You need to complete the whole.
Pokedex and all that went to thewayside a bit.
Pokemon GO Canada (11:12):
Yeah.
It became more about like thestats of the Pokemon.
gotta catch the best Pokemon,and it was, you know, Gen one
was just, you gotta catch em.
That's all matters.
David Hernandez (11:21):
Now what's your favorite Pokemon?
Do you have one?
Pokemon GO Canada (11:24):
Mewtwo.
David Hernandez (11:25):
Oh, why Mewtwo
Pokemon GO Canada (11:26):
He was just so badass.
Yeah, I was watching the Thefirst movie as a kid, um, I
wasn't able to go see thetheater, but I got it with out
on VHS.
I but there had to be a
David Hernandez (11:37):
Oh wow.
You still kept it?
Pokemon GO Canada (11:39):
Yeah, Okay.
One thing I never liked, forsome reason.
David Hernandez (11:42):
Hey, smart man.
Yeah.
Pokemon GO Canada (11:44):
And, just watching that movie and just
watching how badass he was, Iwas just like, this is like
coolest, coolest Pokemon ever.
And And then nothing has has.
to it since to.
David Hernandez (11:54):
for me, I loved how they connected the anime at
the time.
it was something you just saw inthe anime to where you just saw
this huge explosion in ViridianCity and it's like a blue line
basically, and you don't knowwhy until you watch the movie
and then you realize, oh, thatwas Mewtwo that had escaped.
I liked how they kind ofconnected both the movie and the
anime for the first, and I'llsay probably only time.
(12:15):
I don't feel like we've everreally gotten that connection
ever since.
But just seeing how they kind ofall played together, it felt
like it was actually the sameuniverse for the first time.
Pokemon GO Canada (12:22):
Yeah.
Yeah.
No, that was, that That was,that was cool.
And then, you you know, when allall the trainers show up to the
island and then he revealshimself the first time, you you
know, coming down being lightand it's just like, what is is
that?
That is That is cool.
David Hernandez (12:38):
You got a, what was it?
I think Nurse Joy, we didn'tknow at the time was brainwashed
the ultimate Pokemon master.
And then one of them says.
Yeah, Pokemon can't be a Pokemonmaster then Mewtwo just throws
them into the water.
I believe he just raises them upand just tosses them like it's
nothing.
It's great.
Pokemon GO Canada (12:52):
Yeah.
And then Ash like obviously way,in the movie, but but Ash's
famous line, when he when hegets all the original Pokemon to
to the the ground, I, I you canthis.
I I, let you.
I was just oh, my
David Hernandez (13:03):
oh my God.
Oh, that was such a powerfulline.
And he just comes out from thesmoke and.
You get all the Pokemon.
Yeah.
Pokemon GO Canada (13:12):
to And being a 10-year-old, a watching a
10-year-old do that, you're justlike, yeah.
David Hernandez (13:17):
Yeah.
You tell him Ash.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Then you see him run up and tryto punch Mewtwo.
I'm like, no, Ash.
That's not what I was hopingyou'd do.
But I like the attitude.
Yeah.
Hey you.
Yes, you with the ears.
Don't go anywhere.
We'll be right back.
Love hearing real stories fromreal trainers.
Help As The Pokeball turnsbecome the best Pokemon
(13:39):
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You're helping more fans sharetheir journeys with the world.
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Head on over to patreon.com/ AsThe Pokeball Turns and join our
community today.
(13:59):
so you know, they come through Sun and Moon.
That's around the time ofPokemon Go.
Were you already playing PokemonGo when they started getting
interested into it?
Or was that come a little bitafterwards?
Pokemon GO Canada (14:08):
So, yeah, actually Pokemon Go was
confusing me from my bestfriend.
he started playing, and he hecame over to my house.
He was like, oh, I'm Pokemon.
I'm I'm like, no.
I'm like, I, heard of it, but Ihaven't, tried it.
And I was I was like, even havedad on on my.
So I'm like, I can't even leavemy house.
He's like, He's, I calledTether.
I'm I'm like, what's tethering?
(14:28):
He's like, it's where my datagoes on life.
I'm like, Okay.
I'm like, let's go.
Oh.
So So went down to a local park.
like, like, this is crazy.
I'm like, putting on AR mode.
and I'm I.
there's a fricking squirrelright there.
Like, what?
That's nuts.
David Hernandez (14:48):
It felt like the Pokemon, iconic, visually
came into your a region reallykind of thing, right?
Pokemon GO Canada (14:52):
Yeah.
And then, uh, We we played thatfor a couple weeks and then,
unfortunately he died in a caraccident shortly after that.
David Hernandez (15:01):
Oh, geez.
That must been rough.
Pokemon GO Canada (15:03):
Yeah.
so that's that's one thing thatI've continued to find kind kind
of like, because it was thething time him and I came
together.
there's an emotional attachment,guess you'd say.
David Hernandez (15:13):
It sounds like you kinda live his Pokemon
journey with.
Him, even though he's gone,Pokemon Go, is kind of your way
for you to kind of still spendtime together in, I guess in an
odd way, if that makes sense.
Yeah.
was it kind of rough to pick upthe game after he passed?
I mean, that's gotta be kind ofa traumatic experience to play
Pokemon Go with your friend oneday and then all of a sudden he
passes.
And I've find it very difficultsometimes to even play the game.
Pokemon GO Canada (15:35):
I did stop playing for Couple couple
months.
Um, so I think down in August ofof 2016, and and then I I picked
it back up in January 27.
David Hernandez (15:45):
Yeah.
What made you want to pick itback up?
Pokemon GO Canada (15:47):
because I I enjoyed it and it was just, it
was like, you know, I can't stopplaying this.
Just because he's gone.
And like, like I'm like, if heif he was still here, we'd still
be flying
David Hernandez (15:58):
do you treat your journey with Pokemon Go
kind of the memory for him?
In a way?
Pokemon GO Canada (16:01):
in In a way, yeah.
Yeah.
It's, It's, you know, some ofthe things, um, you know,
especially with the ambassadorstuff, all the things, and
doing, it's like, you know, it'dbe cool if he was here to see
this, a part of this.
David Hernandez (16:13):
what do you think he would say?
If he knew what you were doingnow compared to back then what I
do.
Why would you think that?
Like, is it just because of allthe work you do as a community
ambassador or like what is itabout the, what you're doing as
(16:34):
an, what is it about what youdecide to do makes it insane?
Pokemon GO Canada (16:37):
so I I work a.
hour a week job.
You know, I have a have a wife,I have two kids, and and I still
put in countless hours in beingambassador.
Right.
And I'm I'm at, I I do everyrain hour, I do every, Tuesday
day, every raid day, every theshadow rain day,
David Hernandez (16:56):
Oh my gosh.
That's some dedication.
Pokemon GO Canada (16:59):
Yeah.
And I like, you you know.
hours Six.
o'clock.
I'm done work at four I'm doneWork at four 30.
So like,
David Hernandez (17:05):
You,
Pokemon GO Canada (17:05):
you
David Hernandez (17:05):
you barely, you barely have time to change.
Really?
Pokemon GO Canada (17:08):
yeah.
Yeah.
home, have a
David Hernandez (17:09):
have a bite to eat.
I'm out.
I'm surprised you even get thebite to eat.
so what makes you want to try tobe out there every day?
Because it'd be easier for youjust to say like, oh, I'm not
gonna do this day, or just pickthose days.
But you are literally out thereevery day.
What makes you want toconsistently be out there?
Especially'cause you're also ahusband and a dad, which is
basically full-time jobs on topof full-time jobs, let's be
(17:29):
honest.
Pokemon GO Canada (17:30):
Yeah.
what what drives is me isability for everyone to
participate and.
you know, everybody getting thecool reward, being able to check
into, you know, coming.
to my meetups and such.
Right?
Mm-hmm.
And And like, you know, noteverybody's buy passes.
So coming out and doing tworaids at at my event and then
getting a third race you getgets free rate pass.
(17:51):
You know, like, and then givingthem a code card, know, you
know, all those things.
So So it's just like 99% of theevents.
I don't, because I I have, I Ihave, I have.
these raid bosses have been outnumerous times, but there's
people people who have neverdone it and and they don't have
friends, they don't have, theythey don't have anybody in the
neighborhood.
So it's, this is the onlyopportunity for them.
(18:13):
Mm-hmm.
So out out there so that theycan go
David Hernandez (18:16):
So that way they can have the same
experience that you had growingup with the Pokemon Go.
Pokemon GO Canada (18:20):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (18:20):
Yeah.
What kind of responses do youget from the community, for the
leadership that you have and thework you've done?
Pokemon GO Canada (18:26):
Like a lot of times, which is, which is nice.
it's, it's It's good to knowpeople appreciate it.
you know, I've made a lot of newfriends and a lot of connections
from doing as well.
which is nice.
and And just seeing the joy thatpeople have, is, is like the
best part for being the bestpart I get.
But yeah, I, it's, it's it'sgood.
There's a lot of, it's a a verypositive space, but created.
(18:48):
so, you you.
make it It very clear.
Everyone is welcome.
I don't don't care Who you youyou do, what what you do, what
your background is, what yousexual orientation is.
I don't care if you're welcome.
and it's, it's received fairlywell, you know, we get a couple
bad apples here, there that wekind of have cut out, The that's
just the world, you know, can'tavoid that, but no, it's a lot
fun, honestly.
(19:09):
honestly,
David Hernandez (19:09):
Were you always somebody who had leadership even
before the community ambassador,or was the community ambassador
your first time ever steppinginto kind of a leadership type
mindset or role for Pokemon Go?
Pokemon GO Canada (19:18):
So So.
I I had the Facebook group thatthat I ran, but I I wasn't
really A leader.
I was just a, a a person in thecity who wanted, you know,
create a space for everyone toconnect.
so the ambassadorship is, is ismy introduction to to
leadership.
And, I only I became anambassador the end the end of
(19:39):
September last year.
David Hernandez (19:41):
Oh, wow.
Very fresh.
Pokemon GO Canada (19:42):
Yeah.
yeah, When when I went into theprogram, um, because you gotta
go through all the steps, that.
so so my campfire at had hadabout 300 members when I when I
became an ambassador.
We are We're now about 200members away from 2000.
David Hernandez (19:57):
Geez.
That much, engagement from justbeing the community ambassador.
did you ever feel kind ofoverwhelmed that you had that
many people, I don't wanna saylooking up to you, but that many
people in your group at somepoint?
'cause that's, that's a lot.
3000.
It's almost a small city,really.
Pokemon GO Canada (20:09):
Yeah.
And it's, it was it was mindblowing at first.
especially, when the first checkto Max came out in October.
and we we had Over a hundredpeople over a hundred people
there, and they're they're alljust following wherever I go.
David Hernandez (20:24):
Really?
So you had like an armyfollowing you?
Pokemon GO Canada (20:27):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Like we're walking down streetsof of my, of downtown London and
people people were justfollowing me, we're like, across
the street, cars are stopping,like, what is going on?
Like, And like, I look at lookat my wife and she's like, with
two and I'm just like, this iscrazy what happening.
You.
But now, now I'm here.
She,
David Hernandez (20:46):
That's kind of cool though, to have that many
people kind of look up to youfor a Pokemon Go experience
though.
'cause you know, for you, youknow, you and your friend at the
time, y'all just happened to runinto each other.
Not having, y'all happened tojust experience Pokemon Go, but
now you're kind of bringing thatexperience to them.
That's in a way, humbling to me.
Pokemon GO Canada (21:02):
Yeah, it It's, and, and, you you know,
it, it it's great.
And like I said, gives everybodythe opportunity.
Like every, every meeting Ihave, there are a few people
showing up And they're they'relike, oh, I, I wouldn't able to
do this.
You know, like, thanks forhosting.
And Like, well, thanks.
Coming.
You know, like it's, it's, It'sgreat.
David Hernandez (21:18):
Now you said you and your wife play together.
Do y'all usually do it like adate night or is she kind of
helps you out when it comes todoing the community ambassador
at all?
Pokemon GO Canada (21:25):
Uh, she helps You know, she she organizes all
my merch and stuff I take slashI guess how Scopely sends me me.
Mm-hmm.
Okay.
Um, whenever the boxes come in,she goes through through it and
organizes so it's all, you know,separated, and, you know, handy.
with with the game itself, she'smore of a, laid back player.
She's not hardcore with me, soso she doesn't come out to every
(21:48):
or anything.
But you know, she's out therewith me for the most part.
David Hernandez (21:51):
How has your wife been able to kind of help
you as a community ambassador?
Like what does that kind ofsupport mean for you?
Pokemon GO Canada (21:55):
it's it's fantastic.
because, you you know, I I.
it's like a full-time job on topof the other full-time jobs I
already have.
so just knowing her I have hersupport is very, very very
helpful.
I.
And, you know, sometimes it's alittle overwhelming because like
I said, she's more of a laidbackSo with the, you you know, know,
like next week after she's like,I don't, I don't want go home.
David Hernandez (22:19):
It's like she has, I don't wanna say she has a
choice, she, in a way'cause youfeel like you need, you're
obligated to be out there.
And, you know, that's, you know,that's okay obviously.
'cause that's your, that's yourbelief.
You want to be out there for thecommunity.
But for her, she doesn't havethe leadership or she doesn't
feel the pressure, I guess, thatyou do.
Is that kind of fair way to sayit kind of way?
Pokemon GO Canada (22:38):
Yeah.
Yeah.
yeah.
David Hernandez (22:41):
Now when it comes to like doing these
events, you know, you're talkingabout Go Fest, you're talking
about, Go Tours and stuff likethat.
How much work goes into it foryou for those big events like
Community Days?
Think of like the Go Fest, theGo Tours, like I'm talking like
those are what I'm talkingabout.
Pokemon GO Canada (22:54):
Well, this being my first go fest as an
ambassador, is actually gonecrazier than I could I could
have ever imagined.
so the park we claim it's iscalled Park.
It's um, in the in the middle ofour downtown area.
I.
have booked the the park for GoGold Fest weekend in the city.
Really?
So that no no other festivalwill that will happen just be
(23:17):
just be public on gold players.
I've, I I got sponsored by ourdowntown, BSA, they they gave me
some funding so that I could getget houses and do do some
things.
I've I've connected with with mylocal Comic Con and they're and
they're helping me out.
I I got food trucks, like like,it's a whole thing.
David Hernandez (23:35):
Wow.
So it's not just like youposting up with just some free
items.
You've really made it almostlike a festival in a way.
Pokemon GO Canada (23:41):
yeah.
And then being being the firstyear, I'm, I'm kind of keeping
it smaller.
not not small to town.
David Hernandez (23:47):
I was gonna say, that's small.
Wow.
I, I would love to see what youdo when it's big.
That's like you're bringingtalk, you're bringing, um, food
trucks.
You got some prizes and you gotthe C collaborations.
That's man.
So
Pokemon GO Canada (23:58):
So I'm, I'm, I'm hoping for like next year
have like, vendors and just be awhole Pokemon festival.
festival.
David Hernandez (24:06):
Oh, okay.
Hey, I might need to go toCanada.
I might be down for this.
Pokemon GO Canada (24:12):
Yeah, that's, that's Yeah, that's, that's my
hope for next year.
David Hernandez (24:14):
Well, I want to kind of also ask, so do you have
any like notable people who helpyou within the community?
Like, what's your communitylike?
Like.
Is there anybody who kind ofhelps you on the side or maybe
takes the reins over when you'renot there?
Pokemon GO Canada (24:25):
so I'm always there.
Of course, Rain shine, know, youknow my plan, 28.
I'm I'm still there.
but I do have, some some finsthat that help me out.
Um, they're fantastic.
so so they help.
We run our our Facebook becauseI have a Facebook group, a a
Facebook chat that everyone cantalk in.
I have a a Discord.
(24:46):
I have I have my own Instagram,like a like a Shining King
Instagram.
all all that stuff.
So they So they help me out withthose things.
And then then they also come outto the meetups and, you know,
they help me make sure everyonechecks in connecting with with
the new people.
and, you know.
like that.
they They helped me with,getting prizes and and
organizing, like we had a quoteunquote staff meeting a few
(25:08):
weeks ago where we where wetalked about what we're gonna do
at Go Fest and like gonna do dowhat?
We got shirts made forourselves.
David Hernandez (25:15):
you got some people who really, I guess,
believe in your vision and whatyou're doing.
That's amazing.
Pokemon GO Canada (25:20):
Yeah, they they really see where I'm trying
to it.
take it and like, you know, youknow, we do charitable things as
well.
we've we've done a food drive,we've done a toy drive, Uh, uh,
we did a park cleanup for EarthPlay.
I'm planning on creating like anot through this.
mm-hmm.
And having, you you know, theability to raise money and do
(25:40):
things for the the community,like, you you know, maybe send
somebody to go fest like, youknow, in New York or whatever.
You You know, just differentthings, like, I have a lot of
ideas and and ambitions,they're, or they're down for the
whole thing, or, my or mysupport team was having for my
wife.
David Hernandez (25:56):
You got some big things going for you.
You know, this one year.
Yeah.
You got, I'm excited to see whatyou come up with.
Pokemon GO Canada (26:02):
We
David Hernandez (26:02):
I might have to do this again here.
See where I'm at.
I know, right?
I might have to invite you back.
You might be the first guest Iever invite back on, I wanna
finish on this note because youknow, there's a lot of people,
there's more people outsidelooking in.
You know, a lot of people don'tfeel like they're called to be
leaders or they don't know whereto begin.
Say somebody is trying to buildup their community in Pokemon
Go, what advice would you givethem from your experience on how
(26:26):
to start, where to begin?
Pokemon GO Canada (26:27):
Well, the the first thing you have to do is
you have to ask yourself if youhave the love for it, And if and
you have the love for it, thenand you can do it.
You just have to apply yourself.
If you don't, you don't have toscale to what I'm trying to
achieve.
You can be fine with 30 peoplein your city.
Mm-hmm.
have.
(26:48):
Right, but but you just have tohave the love, You you have to
put put in the the effort andthe work and the the rest just
kind of goes with the flow withthe flow on its own once you
have the community supportingyou.
David Hernandez (27:00):
that's so true.
'cause a lot of people, they seethe like.
All these like giant crowds,right?
They see hundreds, maybethousands, you know, all the
pictures and everything.
And I think in their head theywant that.
But like you said, they don'thave the love for the community.
They have the love for therecognition that they see.
And unless you have that lovefor the game, the love to where,
(27:25):
like for you, for your example.
Your love comes like you want tobe able to give people the
experience that you had throughPokemon Go that you experienced
when you first started playingthe game.
And that's such a powerful, whatI call why of why you show up
every day.
'cause you, like I told you, youcould easily just not, you could
just phone it in and be like,nah, this ain't, I'm not gonna
do every single day.
But you decide not to becauseyour why is you want them to
(27:46):
have the experience.
That's what motivates you andyou've got a deep whatever,
whoever's listening, you'vegotta figure out what's your
reason to show up.
When say one person shows up ora hundred, because both are
intimidating for differentreasons, and it's hard for
people to kind of figure thatout.
It's like a journey itself in away.
Pokemon GO Canada (28:05):
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
And you can't do it for selfishreasons.
you you can't be an ambassadorbecause you want, you you can't
be an ambassador because youwant people to to look up to
you.
follow you.
That's not what it's for, andyou're not Not gonna succeed
that way.
You have to do it for the lovethat's best way to do it.
(28:27):
So if the love is there for the,Pokemon, for the.
you
David Hernandez (28:32):
do, it doesn't matter who you're, well, Julian,
I want to finish on this finalfun question.
Okay.
Yeah.
I want you to give me your dreamPokemon team.
I want you to gimme six Pokemonyou would have in a Pokemon
battle.
Pokemon GO Canada (28:45):
Well Mewtwo, Blastoise.
Golum
David Hernandez (28:48):
Golum.
Ooh, nobody shows golum yet.
All right.
I like this.
Pokemon GO Canada (28:52):
Vile plume, Shiny Gyarados.
Gyarados has to be red, ofcourse..
David Hernandez (28:58):
Of course.
Yeah.
Pokemon GO Canada (28:59):
It's gotta be.
Charizard.
The king himself, I'm assumingShiny Charizard.
Oh
David Hernandez (29:06):
Oh yeah.
Oh, okay.
Or are we doing all shins foryour team?
Pokemon GO Canada (29:09):
Oh, my
David Hernandez (29:10):
Oh, my finger is shiny.
There you go.
All shiny Pokemon.
I love it.
Pokemon GO Canada (29:14):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (29:14):
Pokemon Go.
I'm a perfect 5,000 shiny.
Oh my god.
5,000.
You keep'em all.
Pokemon GO Canada (29:20):
I I transfer a lot of them to home.
David Hernandez (29:22):
What's your, uh, white whale?
What's shiny Pokemon?
Are you trying to go after thatYou haven't caught yet?
Pokemon GO Canada (29:27):
so far nothing.
David Hernandez (29:28):
damn.
Pokemon GO Canada (29:28):
there's ones, There's one that'll that elude
lose me for, you know, a youknow, a few months to like a
year, but I eventually did itlike, Sandy was was one and I
just got them over with.
week.
David Hernandez (29:40):
You really are the shiny king.
Pokemon GO Canada (29:42):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (29:43):
Yeah.
Well, thank y'all for listeningto another episode of As The
Poke Ball Turns, if this storyresonated with you, share the
podcast with a fellow trainerand don't forget to follow.
Oh, and don't forget to followus for more voices, more
journeys, and more memories.
I'm David Hernandez.
And remember, your next PokemonAdventure begins here.
I'm the community ambassador the Pokemon
Go in Ontario, and this is myPokemon story.
Oh I like the way you walk Oh Ilike the way you hold your hands
(00:31):
Oh I like the way you pull yourlegs
David Hernandez (00:44):
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 Shiny King, the
community ambassador fromPokemon Go Community in London,
here to share their experiencewith being the community
ambassador, how they built thecommunity, and how Pokemon GO
affected their lives.
Shiny King, welcome to As ThePokeball Turns Thank you for
(01:05):
having me! Absolutely.
And before we were talking, Itold you, I always like having
the community ambassadors on thepodcast because a lot of people
feel like they can't do it,especially when it comes to
Pokemon Go, that they feel likethey're not equipped to do it.
They don't know how to do it.
That's only specific people.
But whenever I talk with youguys and just, not you, but
anybody, y'all are just normalfolk most of the time.
(01:25):
I want to ask, Why did you wantto build up your community?
Why did you want to become acommunity ambassador?
Pokemon GO Canada (01:30):
Well, because I felt somebody had, I noticed,
especially after COVID, that theCommunity in my city just kind
of lackluster and basicallydead.
Like nobody interacted with witheach other.
if you you didn't make it torate as soon as it started, you
wouldn't You wouldn't get in.
you know, people didn't make eyecontact with each other.
(01:52):
Walk through a a park.
to me, that's just not whatPokemon Go is supposed to be.
So when the Ambassador programto my attention.
I was like, you know what, I'mgonna go for this.
David Hernandez (02:02):
Now you mentioned how you know people
wouldn't talk or they would justdo the raid, then you're kind of
at a look if you don't show up.
Did you try to make any changeswhen you started the group to
kind of change that dynamic?
Or is that just something thatnaturally changed over time?
Pokemon GO Canada (02:16):
so so I.
created a, a Facebook group.
Before COVID and all that justtrying to connect people, like
have a central location forinformation.
you know, connecting.
Right.
and then you know, people notnot talking to.
it, it, it seemed, it becamealmost Clicking, Like, you you
know, be be those three peoplewho knew each other over there,
(02:36):
but they wouldn't interact withthe three people staying over
there, you you know, and it was,I uh, it just seemed a little
almost toxic in a way.
David Hernandez (02:45):
Mm.
Sounds like it was veryexclusive to where unless you
were part of this group, youdidn't really have a place
almost, and you kind of wantedto change it to where everybody
was included.
Exactly.
Now, before Pokemon Go.
Did you have any experience withPokemon or was Pokemon Go, your
first experience with thefranchise?
Pokemon GO Canada (03:02):
I'm a Pokemon lifer.
David Hernandez (03:04):
Ooh, tell me about it.
Start with, start from thebeginning.
Where does this all begin?
Pokemon GO Canada (03:07):
Generation 1, 19 99, third grade, I was uh on
the school bus and, this kid infront of me, he turned around,
he like, oh, what I got?
I got got Pokemon?
And like, what's a the Pokemon?
He held open his hand.
He He had, Charmander andCharmeleon and Charizard action
figure is the one that came withthe Little Nintendo.
(03:27):
game boy that you'd shoot athim.
I was like, well, what's that?
He's like Oh, it's cartoon onafter school.
He is like, you should watch it.
I'm like, okay.
So I Went home and watched firstepisode I think it was, When Ash
was fighting Brock, I think itwas the first episode I watched
and I'm just watching this andI'm like, this is amazing.
Like, This like is like thecoolest show I've ever seen.
(03:48):
And yeah, from from that pointon, I was hooked, I was watching
it every day to have the toys.
to have the cards.
Rest is history.
David Hernandez (03:55):
Now you mentioned how it was
specifically around the Brockepisode where Ash was trying to
get the first gym badge.
Do you what part specifically,stuck to you compared to.
anything else like the cards,because you specifically
mentioned how Pikachu was justtrying to get the badge from
Brock.
What do you remember from thattime period?
Pokemon GO Canada (04:10):
Just like the fact that these, like the
creatures were were just soUnique and and interesting and
then like the fact that Ash wasa kid who was like trying to,
achieve all these things, right?
And it was just, it was sodifferent from anything I'd ever
seen before.
then, you you know, watching Ashactually overcome and, beat
(04:32):
Brock and it was just, it was solike cool.
David Hernandez (04:36):
So you said like, you know, you start with
the anime, you were very intoit, you got the cards and the
games.
Tell me about, I guess, thedifferent ways at the time, like
were you just mostly collectorof the cards or were you more
interested in the game siteafter that?
Pokemon GO Canada (04:48):
mostly the cards.
I was really into the cards atthat point.
My first game was actuallyPokemon Silver, was actually the
first one I was able to get.
And actually sad story aboutthat, I didn't even know what a
Shiny Pokemon was back then.
I don't think most of us did andI now have a vivid memory of
encountering a Shiny Lugia andnot even knowing.
Oh no, really.
Yeah, because I seen the flashof it.
(05:10):
I was just like, oh, that mightbe like Glitched.
glitched.
But But no, now that that I'm anI'm adult, I've I it in realize
I encountered that before,
David Hernandez (05:22):
so when did you realize that you had
encountered, was it because ofPokemon Go or a different, time
period or a different reason?
Pokemon GO Canada (05:28):
Um, yeah, just different time period
seeing it on YouTube and I wasjust like, wait a second.
David Hernandez (05:32):
But I mean, it was so different, right?
Because.
They don't explain shiny Pokemonin the game.
And especially when you're goingback to those years, 1999, 2000,
I think Yeah.
see the little stars and you'relike, this is kind of different.
And you don't know why.
Especially at that young age,you know?
Pokemon GO Canada (05:48):
Yep.
exactly.
So, it was, it was, uh, but butlike I would play that game for
hours.
had the original game boy, thebig gray one with the green
screen.
And, uh, Know, I I'd spend hoursplaying that game on road trips
or family trailer vacations forfor the weekend.
I was in the trailer playing mygame board.
David Hernandez (06:06):
Now everybody have asked, whenever they say
they're in the cards, there'salways like a sad Charizard
story.
I gotta ask, do you have anylike sad story of cards you wish
you had kept like what happenedto those cards early on?
Do you know?
Pokemon GO Canada (06:17):
Well, I was about 20 years old.
I thought my Pokemon journey wasover and then I sold them.
For very little money.
David Hernandez (06:26):
So they're basically in somebody else's
hands?
Probably.
Pokemon GO Canada (06:29):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (06:30):
You said at 20 years old, what made you think
that you weren't gonna pick upPokemon at the time again?
Pokemon GO Canada (06:34):
I was a dad and I was, focusing on.
I was like trying to figure outwhat my adult life was looking
like and it was just, it wassomething in my closet, so I
didn't think needed to be thereanymore.
David Hernandez (06:46):
So you're just trying to make room.
'cause you know, you're a newdad, you're trying to figure out
life, especially at a young age.
That's a very huge transition.
Pokemon GO Canada (06:53):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (06:54):
obviously you have regrets, I assume.
Do you wish you had kept thosecards?
Pokemon GO Canada (06:57):
Oh, Oh.
Hundred percent.
I've, uh, I've spent the lastfew years trying to collect as
many original original cards asI can, but I I don't, I I don't
care.
PS Forsa 10 because I don't, I Ijust want the card.
I don't care what conditionthey're in.
I binder and look at,
David Hernandez (07:14):
what about your, child, do you all still
have any connection withPokemon, or have you kind of
brought them up to PokemonTrainer ways?
What does that dynamic look likefor you?
Pokemon GO Canada (07:22):
So both my kids came with, and, my oldest,
he discovered it on his own.
And, when that happened, when Idove head in again Really?
Oh, you, you, you want.
You you wanna wanna know aboutPokemon?
We'll let go.
David Hernandez (07:39):
That must have been pretty kind of touching,
right?
'cause they touch So they, okay,hold on.
So you say that the oldest gotto it by accident.
So it wasn't nothing you did andbecause you saw them, him do, or
him or her do it, that, youdecided to kind of get back into
it.
Yep.
Dude, that must have been kindof.
I don't know how to describethat.
(08:00):
What does that feel like whenyour own child is interested in
something that you wereinterested?
They didn't even know about it.
Pokemon GO Canada (08:06):
was such a, like a a proud and like a real
moment where it's just like wewe have something that we are
about to bond over.
It's like you don't even, youdon't even understand at this
moment.
David Hernandez (08:20):
I'm sure it must have meant a lot to you as
a dad.
Pokemon GO Canada (08:22):
It It did.
It really did.
David Hernandez (08:24):
Do you remember what the first thing y'all did?
Like, how did y'all kind of bondat that initial stage?
Pokemon GO Canada (08:28):
so he first started watching the show and
this, Sun and Moon era, thestart of Sun and Moon.
So So he started watching theshow and I was I was like, Hey,
do you want, you you wanna cardcar?
He's like, there's a card game.
I'm like, yeah, there's a cardgame.
So, So, uh, I I went and boughta learning deck.
It was, the, uh, Alolan Raichu,Alolan, Sand slash it was some
(08:50):
sort of training deck that camewith like promo hollows and I
And I bought thought that itcame with was like a step by
step, like this is how you doit.
And it was like, you play playthe cards in a specific order,
and and then, that point's like,yeah.
Then he had, his next birthdayparty was a Pokemon birthday
birthday party and It was, hewas hooked too!
David Hernandez (09:09):
Now I'm sure that birthday party might have
been for him, but deep down it'slike, I wish I got that birthday
party.
I'm gonna make it something thatI wanted.
I'm pretty sure.
Right?
Oh yeah.
Oh yeah.
Pokemon GO Canada (09:17):
Oh yeah, we went crazy.
David Hernandez (09:18):
outta curiosity, because, your son
brought you back into Pokemonand, you know, you had been out
at, I guess, were you out ofPokemon for a while?
'cause after the cards given up,like what does that, I guess,
time skip look like?
What was your last experiencebefore you took a break?
Pokemon GO Canada (09:31):
Yeah, it was around, you know, 2021, when I
sold the cards.
And then, So I guess I got backinto it around Yeah, about 2016.
So I said I was out of it forabout five, five five or six
years.
Okay.
And And then, yeah.
David Hernandez (09:47):
when it came to just Pokemon, because you were
into the cards and the games fora bit.
Do you have a particularfavorite generation of, Pokemon
that you really enjoyed at thetime before you kind of gave it
up?
Or did your favorite generationcome afterwards?
Pokemon GO Canada (09:58):
My favorite generation is and always will be
Gen one.
Mm.
David Hernandez (10:02):
Why Gen one?
Just'cause of the memoriesbehind it.
Pokemon GO Canada (10:05):
memories behind it and just they're
Pokemon are most attached toEven in Pokemon Go.
The a Gen Gen one Pokemon cardpops up.
up, I I have to touch it.
I don't even I just have to,
David Hernandez (10:15):
it's like an instinct, like, oh, I see a
Magnemite or I see anExeggcute,, I gotta get it, kind
of thing.
Pokemon GO Canada (10:21):
Yeah, Because like, you know, in Gen two, Gen
one is my favorite, Gen two ismy my second,obviously, and you
know all the Generations afterthat.
I love them all.
There's great Pokemon among allof them, but Gen one especially
is that gotta catch'em allmindset.
Where I think later generationdon't have that as much.
Where it's like, you know the ofof gen one, right right where
(10:43):
you like had to have everythingPokemon.
David Hernandez (10:45):
I can kind of see that.
'cause back in those days youlike you have to get'em all,
then you have to get'em allagain, and then it kind of died
out.
Or that whole idea of gottacatch'em all probably died out.
I would say probably, if not genthree is for sure gen four, and
it was never the same afterthat.
You know, they brought the catchphrase back, of course, but that
whole mindset of all the, I'llsay marketing that they did to
(11:07):
where you need to catch'em all.
You need to complete the whole.
Pokedex and all that went to thewayside a bit.
Pokemon GO Canada (11:12):
Yeah.
It became more about like thestats of the Pokemon.
gotta catch the best Pokemon,and it was, you know, Gen one
was just, you gotta catch em.
That's all matters.
David Hernandez (11:21):
Now what's your favorite Pokemon?
Do you have one?
Pokemon GO Canada (11:24):
Mewtwo.
David Hernandez (11:25):
Oh, why Mewtwo
Pokemon GO Canada (11:26):
He was just so badass.
Yeah, I was watching the Thefirst movie as a kid, um, I
wasn't able to go see thetheater, but I got it with out
on VHS.
I but there had to be a
David Hernandez (11:37):
Oh wow.
You still kept it?
Pokemon GO Canada (11:39):
Yeah, Okay.
One thing I never liked, forsome reason.
David Hernandez (11:42):
Hey, smart man.
Yeah.
Pokemon GO Canada (11:44):
And, just watching that movie and just
watching how badass he was, Iwas just like, this is like
coolest, coolest Pokemon ever.
And And then nothing has has.
to it since to.
David Hernandez (11:54):
for me, I loved how they connected the anime at
the time.
it was something you just saw inthe anime to where you just saw
this huge explosion in ViridianCity and it's like a blue line
basically, and you don't knowwhy until you watch the movie
and then you realize, oh, thatwas Mewtwo that had escaped.
I liked how they kind ofconnected both the movie and the
anime for the first, and I'llsay probably only time.
(12:15):
I don't feel like we've everreally gotten that connection
ever since.
But just seeing how they kind ofall played together, it felt
like it was actually the sameuniverse for the first time.
Pokemon GO Canada (12:22):
Yeah.
Yeah.
No, that was, that That was,that was cool.
And then, you you know, when allall the trainers show up to the
island and then he revealshimself the first time, you you
know, coming down being lightand it's just like, what is is
that?
That is That is cool.
David Hernandez (12:38):
You got a, what was it?
I think Nurse Joy, we didn'tknow at the time was brainwashed
the ultimate Pokemon master.
And then one of them says.
Yeah, Pokemon can't be a Pokemonmaster then Mewtwo just throws
them into the water.
I believe he just raises them upand just tosses them like it's
nothing.
It's great.
Pokemon GO Canada (12:52):
Yeah.
And then Ash like obviously way,in the movie, but but Ash's
famous line, when he when hegets all the original Pokemon to
to the the ground, I, I you canthis.
I I, let you.
I was just oh, my
David Hernandez (13:03):
oh my God.
Oh, that was such a powerfulline.
And he just comes out from thesmoke and.
You get all the Pokemon.
Yeah.
Pokemon GO Canada (13:12):
to And being a 10-year-old, a watching a
10-year-old do that, you're justlike, yeah.
David Hernandez (13:17):
Yeah.
You tell him Ash.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Then you see him run up and tryto punch Mewtwo.
I'm like, no, Ash.
That's not what I was hopingyou'd do.
But I like the attitude.
Yeah.
Hey you.
Yes, you with the ears.
Don't go anywhere.
We'll be right back.
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(13:39):
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(13:59):
so you know, they come through Sun and Moon.
That's around the time ofPokemon Go.
Were you already playing PokemonGo when they started getting
interested into it?
Or was that come a little bitafterwards?
Pokemon GO Canada (14:08):
So, yeah, actually Pokemon Go was
confusing me from my bestfriend.
he started playing, and he hecame over to my house.
He was like, oh, I'm Pokemon.
I'm I'm like, no.
I'm like, I, heard of it, but Ihaven't, tried it.
And I was I was like, even havedad on on my.
So I'm like, I can't even leavemy house.
He's like, He's, I calledTether.
I'm I'm like, what's tethering?
(14:28):
He's like, it's where my datagoes on life.
I'm like, Okay.
I'm like, let's go.
Oh.
So So went down to a local park.
like, like, this is crazy.
I'm like, putting on AR mode.
and I'm I.
there's a fricking squirrelright there.
Like, what?
That's nuts.
David Hernandez (14:48):
It felt like the Pokemon, iconic, visually
came into your a region reallykind of thing, right?
Pokemon GO Canada (14:52):
Yeah.
And then, uh, We we played thatfor a couple weeks and then,
unfortunately he died in a caraccident shortly after that.
David Hernandez (15:01):
Oh, geez.
That must been rough.
Pokemon GO Canada (15:03):
Yeah.
so that's that's one thing thatI've continued to find kind kind
of like, because it was thething time him and I came
together.
there's an emotional attachment,guess you'd say.
David Hernandez (15:13):
It sounds like you kinda live his Pokemon
journey with.
Him, even though he's gone,Pokemon Go, is kind of your way
for you to kind of still spendtime together in, I guess in an
odd way, if that makes sense.
Yeah.
was it kind of rough to pick upthe game after he passed?
I mean, that's gotta be kind ofa traumatic experience to play
Pokemon Go with your friend oneday and then all of a sudden he
passes.
And I've find it very difficultsometimes to even play the game.
Pokemon GO Canada (15:35):
I did stop playing for Couple couple
months.
Um, so I think down in August ofof 2016, and and then I I picked
it back up in January 27.
David Hernandez (15:45):
Yeah.
What made you want to pick itback up?
Pokemon GO Canada (15:47):
because I I enjoyed it and it was just, it
was like, you know, I can't stopplaying this.
Just because he's gone.
And like, like I'm like, if heif he was still here, we'd still
be flying
David Hernandez (15:58):
do you treat your journey with Pokemon Go
kind of the memory for him?
In a way?
Pokemon GO Canada (16:01):
in In a way, yeah.
Yeah.
It's, It's, you know, some ofthe things, um, you know,
especially with the ambassadorstuff, all the things, and
doing, it's like, you know, it'dbe cool if he was here to see
this, a part of this.
David Hernandez (16:13):
what do you think he would say?
If he knew what you were doingnow compared to back then what I
do.
Why would you think that?
Like, is it just because of allthe work you do as a community
ambassador or like what is itabout the, what you're doing as
(16:34):
an, what is it about what youdecide to do makes it insane?
Pokemon GO Canada (16:37):
so I I work a.
hour a week job.
You know, I have a have a wife,I have two kids, and and I still
put in countless hours in beingambassador.
Right.
And I'm I'm at, I I do everyrain hour, I do every, Tuesday
day, every raid day, every theshadow rain day,
David Hernandez (16:56):
Oh my gosh.
That's some dedication.
Pokemon GO Canada (16:59):
Yeah.
And I like, you you know.
hours Six.
o'clock.
I'm done work at four I'm doneWork at four 30.
So like,
David Hernandez (17:05):
You,
Pokemon GO Canada (17:05):
you
David Hernandez (17:05):
you barely, you barely have time to change.
Really?
Pokemon GO Canada (17:08):
yeah.
Yeah.
home, have a
David Hernandez (17:09):
have a bite to eat.
I'm out.
I'm surprised you even get thebite to eat.
so what makes you want to try tobe out there every day?
Because it'd be easier for youjust to say like, oh, I'm not
gonna do this day, or just pickthose days.
But you are literally out thereevery day.
What makes you want toconsistently be out there?
Especially'cause you're also ahusband and a dad, which is
basically full-time jobs on topof full-time jobs, let's be
(17:29):
honest.
Pokemon GO Canada (17:30):
Yeah.
what what drives is me isability for everyone to
participate and.
you know, everybody getting thecool reward, being able to check
into, you know, coming.
to my meetups and such.
Right?
Mm-hmm.
And And like, you know, noteverybody's buy passes.
So coming out and doing tworaids at at my event and then
getting a third race you getgets free rate pass.
(17:51):
You know, like, and then givingthem a code card, know, you
know, all those things.
So So it's just like 99% of theevents.
I don't, because I I have, I Ihave, I have.
these raid bosses have been outnumerous times, but there's
people people who have neverdone it and and they don't have
friends, they don't have, theythey don't have anybody in the
neighborhood.
So it's, this is the onlyopportunity for them.
(18:13):
Mm-hmm.
So out out there so that theycan go
David Hernandez (18:16):
So that way they can have the same
experience that you had growingup with the Pokemon Go.
Pokemon GO Canada (18:20):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (18:20):
Yeah.
What kind of responses do youget from the community, for the
leadership that you have and thework you've done?
Pokemon GO Canada (18:26):
Like a lot of times, which is, which is nice.
it's, it's It's good to knowpeople appreciate it.
you know, I've made a lot of newfriends and a lot of connections
from doing as well.
which is nice.
and And just seeing the joy thatpeople have, is, is like the
best part for being the bestpart I get.
But yeah, I, it's, it's it'sgood.
There's a lot of, it's a a verypositive space, but created.
(18:48):
so, you you.
make it It very clear.
Everyone is welcome.
I don't don't care Who you youyou do, what what you do, what
your background is, what yousexual orientation is.
I don't care if you're welcome.
and it's, it's received fairlywell, you know, we get a couple
bad apples here, there that wekind of have cut out, The that's
just the world, you know, can'tavoid that, but no, it's a lot
fun, honestly.
(19:09):
honestly,
David Hernandez (19:09):
Were you always somebody who had leadership even
before the community ambassador,or was the community ambassador
your first time ever steppinginto kind of a leadership type
mindset or role for Pokemon Go?
Pokemon GO Canada (19:18):
So So.
I I had the Facebook group thatthat I ran, but I I wasn't
really A leader.
I was just a, a a person in thecity who wanted, you know,
create a space for everyone toconnect.
so the ambassadorship is, is ismy introduction to to
leadership.
And, I only I became anambassador the end the end of
(19:39):
September last year.
David Hernandez (19:41):
Oh, wow.
Very fresh.
Pokemon GO Canada (19:42):
Yeah.
yeah, When when I went into theprogram, um, because you gotta
go through all the steps, that.
so so my campfire at had hadabout 300 members when I when I
became an ambassador.
We are We're now about 200members away from 2000.
David Hernandez (19:57):
Geez.
That much, engagement from justbeing the community ambassador.
did you ever feel kind ofoverwhelmed that you had that
many people, I don't wanna saylooking up to you, but that many
people in your group at somepoint?
'cause that's, that's a lot.
3000.
It's almost a small city,really.
Pokemon GO Canada (20:09):
Yeah.
And it's, it was it was mindblowing at first.
especially, when the first checkto Max came out in October.
and we we had Over a hundredpeople over a hundred people
there, and they're they're alljust following wherever I go.
David Hernandez (20:24):
Really?
So you had like an armyfollowing you?
Pokemon GO Canada (20:27):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Like we're walking down streetsof of my, of downtown London and
people people were justfollowing me, we're like, across
the street, cars are stopping,like, what is going on?
Like, And like, I look at lookat my wife and she's like, with
two and I'm just like, this iscrazy what happening.
You.
But now, now I'm here.
She,
David Hernandez (20:46):
That's kind of cool though, to have that many
people kind of look up to youfor a Pokemon Go experience
though.
'cause you know, for you, youknow, you and your friend at the
time, y'all just happened to runinto each other.
Not having, y'all happened tojust experience Pokemon Go, but
now you're kind of bringing thatexperience to them.
That's in a way, humbling to me.
Pokemon GO Canada (21:02):
Yeah, it It's, and, and, you you know,
it, it it's great.
And like I said, gives everybodythe opportunity.
Like every, every meeting Ihave, there are a few people
showing up And they're they'relike, oh, I, I wouldn't able to
do this.
You know, like, thanks forhosting.
And Like, well, thanks.
Coming.
You know, like it's, it's, It'sgreat.
David Hernandez (21:18):
Now you said you and your wife play together.
Do y'all usually do it like adate night or is she kind of
helps you out when it comes todoing the community ambassador
at all?
Pokemon GO Canada (21:25):
Uh, she helps You know, she she organizes all
my merch and stuff I take slashI guess how Scopely sends me me.
Mm-hmm.
Okay.
Um, whenever the boxes come in,she goes through through it and
organizes so it's all, you know,separated, and, you know, handy.
with with the game itself, she'smore of a, laid back player.
She's not hardcore with me, soso she doesn't come out to every
(21:48):
or anything.
But you know, she's out therewith me for the most part.
David Hernandez (21:51):
How has your wife been able to kind of help
you as a community ambassador?
Like what does that kind ofsupport mean for you?
Pokemon GO Canada (21:55):
it's it's fantastic.
because, you you know, I I.
it's like a full-time job on topof the other full-time jobs I
already have.
so just knowing her I have hersupport is very, very very
helpful.
I.
And, you know, sometimes it's alittle overwhelming because like
I said, she's more of a laidbackSo with the, you you know, know,
like next week after she's like,I don't, I don't want go home.
David Hernandez (22:19):
It's like she has, I don't wanna say she has a
choice, she, in a way'cause youfeel like you need, you're
obligated to be out there.
And, you know, that's, you know,that's okay obviously.
'cause that's your, that's yourbelief.
You want to be out there for thecommunity.
But for her, she doesn't havethe leadership or she doesn't
feel the pressure, I guess, thatyou do.
Is that kind of fair way to sayit kind of way?
Pokemon GO Canada (22:38):
Yeah.
Yeah.
yeah.
David Hernandez (22:41):
Now when it comes to like doing these
events, you know, you're talkingabout Go Fest, you're talking
about, Go Tours and stuff likethat.
How much work goes into it foryou for those big events like
Community Days?
Think of like the Go Fest, theGo Tours, like I'm talking like
those are what I'm talkingabout.
Pokemon GO Canada (22:54):
Well, this being my first go fest as an
ambassador, is actually gonecrazier than I could I could
have ever imagined.
so the park we claim it's iscalled Park.
It's um, in the in the middle ofour downtown area.
I.
have booked the the park for GoGold Fest weekend in the city.
Really?
So that no no other festivalwill that will happen just be
(23:17):
just be public on gold players.
I've, I I got sponsored by ourdowntown, BSA, they they gave me
some funding so that I could getget houses and do do some
things.
I've I've connected with with mylocal Comic Con and they're and
they're helping me out.
I I got food trucks, like like,it's a whole thing.
David Hernandez (23:35):
Wow.
So it's not just like youposting up with just some free
items.
You've really made it almostlike a festival in a way.
Pokemon GO Canada (23:41):
yeah.
And then being being the firstyear, I'm, I'm kind of keeping
it smaller.
not not small to town.
David Hernandez (23:47):
I was gonna say, that's small.
Wow.
I, I would love to see what youdo when it's big.
That's like you're bringingtalk, you're bringing, um, food
trucks.
You got some prizes and you gotthe C collaborations.
That's man.
So
Pokemon GO Canada (23:58):
So I'm, I'm, I'm hoping for like next year
have like, vendors and just be awhole Pokemon festival.
festival.
David Hernandez (24:06):
Oh, okay.
Hey, I might need to go toCanada.
I might be down for this.
Pokemon GO Canada (24:12):
Yeah, that's, that's Yeah, that's, that's my
hope for next year.
David Hernandez (24:14):
Well, I want to kind of also ask, so do you have
any like notable people who helpyou within the community?
Like, what's your communitylike?
Like.
Is there anybody who kind ofhelps you on the side or maybe
takes the reins over when you'renot there?
Pokemon GO Canada (24:25):
so I'm always there.
Of course, Rain shine, know, youknow my plan, 28.
I'm I'm still there.
but I do have, some some finsthat that help me out.
Um, they're fantastic.
so so they help.
We run our our Facebook becauseI have a Facebook group, a a
Facebook chat that everyone cantalk in.
I have a a Discord.
(24:46):
I have I have my own Instagram,like a like a Shining King
Instagram.
all all that stuff.
So they So they help me out withthose things.
And then then they also come outto the meetups and, you know,
they help me make sure everyonechecks in connecting with with
the new people.
and, you know.
like that.
they They helped me with,getting prizes and and
organizing, like we had a quoteunquote staff meeting a few
(25:08):
weeks ago where we where wetalked about what we're gonna do
at Go Fest and like gonna do dowhat?
We got shirts made forourselves.
David Hernandez (25:15):
you got some people who really, I guess,
believe in your vision and whatyou're doing.
That's amazing.
Pokemon GO Canada (25:20):
Yeah, they they really see where I'm trying
to it.
take it and like, you know, youknow, we do charitable things as
well.
we've we've done a food drive,we've done a toy drive, Uh, uh,
we did a park cleanup for EarthPlay.
I'm planning on creating like anot through this.
mm-hmm.
And having, you you know, theability to raise money and do
(25:40):
things for the the community,like, you you know, maybe send
somebody to go fest like, youknow, in New York or whatever.
You You know, just differentthings, like, I have a lot of
ideas and and ambitions,they're, or they're down for the
whole thing, or, my or mysupport team was having for my
wife.
David Hernandez (25:56):
You got some big things going for you.
You know, this one year.
Yeah.
You got, I'm excited to see whatyou come up with.
Pokemon GO Canada (26:02):
We
David Hernandez (26:02):
I might have to do this again here.
See where I'm at.
I know, right?
I might have to invite you back.
You might be the first guest Iever invite back on, I wanna
finish on this note because youknow, there's a lot of people,
there's more people outsidelooking in.
You know, a lot of people don'tfeel like they're called to be
leaders or they don't know whereto begin.
Say somebody is trying to buildup their community in Pokemon
Go, what advice would you givethem from your experience on how
(26:26):
to start, where to begin?
Pokemon GO Canada (26:27):
Well, the the first thing you have to do is
you have to ask yourself if youhave the love for it, And if and
you have the love for it, thenand you can do it.
You just have to apply yourself.
If you don't, you don't have toscale to what I'm trying to
achieve.
You can be fine with 30 peoplein your city.
Mm-hmm.
have.
(26:48):
Right, but but you just have tohave the love, You you have to
put put in the the effort andthe work and the the rest just
kind of goes with the flow withthe flow on its own once you
have the community supportingyou.
David Hernandez (27:00):
that's so true.
'cause a lot of people, they seethe like.
All these like giant crowds,right?
They see hundreds, maybethousands, you know, all the
pictures and everything.
And I think in their head theywant that.
But like you said, they don'thave the love for the community.
They have the love for therecognition that they see.
And unless you have that lovefor the game, the love to where,
(27:25):
like for you, for your example.
Your love comes like you want tobe able to give people the
experience that you had throughPokemon Go that you experienced
when you first started playingthe game.
And that's such a powerful, whatI call why of why you show up
every day.
'cause you, like I told you, youcould easily just not, you could
just phone it in and be like,nah, this ain't, I'm not gonna
do every single day.
But you decide not to becauseyour why is you want them to
(27:46):
have the experience.
That's what motivates you andyou've got a deep whatever,
whoever's listening, you'vegotta figure out what's your
reason to show up.
When say one person shows up ora hundred, because both are
intimidating for differentreasons, and it's hard for
people to kind of figure thatout.
It's like a journey itself in away.
Pokemon GO Canada (28:05):
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
And you can't do it for selfishreasons.
you you can't be an ambassadorbecause you want, you you can't
be an ambassador because youwant people to to look up to
you.
follow you.
That's not what it's for, andyou're not Not gonna succeed
that way.
You have to do it for the lovethat's best way to do it.
(28:27):
So if the love is there for the,Pokemon, for the.
you
David Hernandez (28:32):
do, it doesn't matter who you're, well, Julian,
I want to finish on this finalfun question.
Okay.
Yeah.
I want you to give me your dreamPokemon team.
I want you to gimme six Pokemonyou would have in a Pokemon
battle.
Pokemon GO Canada (28:45):
Well Mewtwo, Blastoise.
Golum
David Hernandez (28:48):
Golum.
Ooh, nobody shows golum yet.
All right.
I like this.
Pokemon GO Canada (28:52):
Vile plume, Shiny Gyarados.
Gyarados has to be red, ofcourse..
David Hernandez (28:58):
Of course.
Yeah.
Pokemon GO Canada (28:59):
It's gotta be.
Charizard.
The king himself, I'm assumingShiny Charizard.
Oh
David Hernandez (29:06):
Oh yeah.
Oh, okay.
Or are we doing all shins foryour team?
Pokemon GO Canada (29:09):
Oh, my
David Hernandez (29:10):
Oh, my finger is shiny.
There you go.
All shiny Pokemon.
I love it.
Pokemon GO Canada (29:14):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (29:14):
Pokemon Go.
I'm a perfect 5,000 shiny.
Oh my god.
5,000.
You keep'em all.
Pokemon GO Canada (29:20):
I I transfer a lot of them to home.
David Hernandez (29:22):
What's your, uh, white whale?
What's shiny Pokemon?
Are you trying to go after thatYou haven't caught yet?
Pokemon GO Canada (29:27):
so far nothing.
David Hernandez (29:28):
damn.
Pokemon GO Canada (29:28):
there's ones, There's one that'll that elude
lose me for, you know, a youknow, a few months to like a
year, but I eventually did itlike, Sandy was was one and I
just got them over with.
week.
David Hernandez (29:40):
You really are the shiny king.
Pokemon GO Canada (29:42):
Yeah.
David Hernandez (29:43):
Yeah.
Well, thank y'all for listeningto another episode of As The
Poke Ball Turns, if this storyresonated with you, share the
podcast with a fellow trainerand don't forget to follow.
Oh, and don't forget to followus for more voices, more
journeys, and more memories.
I'm David Hernandez.
And remember, your next PokemonAdventure begins here.
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