Tristan Hamm, acclaimed as Mr Adventure, is leading a movement to counter the prevailing negative image of influencers, encouraging fellow creators to leverage their online presence for beneficial change.
Earning recognition for integrating nature and community involvement to enhance mental health, Hamm, residing in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, has amassed over 2.1 million followers on his platform (@tristanhamm).
Challenging the negative connotations of the term “influencer,” Hamm, the visionary behind Revived Outdoors, seeks to change existing stereotypes and promote a culture of understanding within the industry.
“I think the term ‘influencer’ has become more of a dig rather than an accolade,” observed Tristan. “It’s common knowledge that people love seeing others fail, especially those who are doing well in life.”
Hamm is dedicated to inspiring change and giving back to the community that supported him. His notable initiatives include donating over $350,000 (£275,000) worth of adventure gear, like camper trailers, in a holiday giveaway.
“This giveaway was part of a larger initiative where tens of thousands of my followers came together, sharing their personal stories of struggles,” Tristan recounted. “These acts of generosity led to a huge outpour of support and truly showcased the power of social media to unite people.”
With a goal to redefine the influencer role, Tristan focuses on combining his love for adventure with the purposeful use of social media. He said, “I hope to combine my passion for adventure while leveraging social media for meaningful change. I’m not about the views and likes; I’m about inspiring change.”
Hamm urges influencers to concentrate on community and positive impact, rather than pursuing validation through likes or participating in shame culture. He stated, “Influencers often get a bad rep. But at the end of the day, everyone has influencers, so we need to come together in community and positively influence. Not shame or search for extra likes.”