June Influencer: Jonathan Waiching Ho

This June, we’re honouring men by chatting with some of our favourite male bloggers, influencers and content creators (and getting their top gift picks for dads!). —Vita Daily

Hi Jonathan! Tell us a little bit about you and what do you do!

I like to call myself a multi-faceted storyteller and a social media artist, I started my personal lifestyle and travel blog five years ago and it was dedicated to everyone who needed to believe in themselves. I am mixed race and I’ve had the opportunity to live in numerous places around the globe, which helped shaped my worldly outlook on life, I’m someone who is bursting in cultures and diversity, which is a strong identity in the face of today’s youth in Canada. An entrepreneurial mindset boosted with enthusiasm and zest to succeed is what makes me strive harder, as a digital media Strategist I help brands reach their optimal potential via digital marketing.

How do you use your platform to impact others who follow you?

I use @jonathanho1 on Instagram and waichingswall.com to inspire everybody who believes in living life to the fullest! Life is meant to be celebrated and it’s up to every individual how they decide to live it. I made a conscious choice to live happily and use social media to inspire millennials around the world to believe in themselves and do things they love. When I started blogging, the only people who read my blog and followed me were my parents; I never gave up then and I won’t be giving up now. I do not think I needed the validation on social media however I wanted to use my sense of personal style and everything I studied in fashion marketing to come through in my honest opinion. You can wear a chic summer short, a tank and totally rock it! The key to doing that successfully is the right attitude and being confident in yourself.

What’s your personal style mantra?

My personal style is "street chic"; that said, I like to create fun looks out of my everyday wardrobe using my individual style and fun attitude. It’s less about what people think and more about what I feel, I like to dress in comfortable yet weather-appropriate outfits. Accessories are always a win for me, you can never go wrong with a few luxe pieces. I always look up to my fashion Icons such as as Naomi Campbell, Pharell Williams, Harry Styles and David Beckham for my style inspiration.

Father’s Day is coming up, and dads have a reputation of being “difficult to buy for”; do you think this is true and what sort of gift do you think most men could or would really appreciate (or, do you have some advice when it comes to getting gifts for guys)?

I’m so excited about it! I have a really fun relationship with my dad, he’s always supportive and I can share anything I want with him. To me, personally, it all depends on a person’s individual connection with their dad and what they want to gift him. If you aren’t very close, you probably should opt for fun gift ideas like take him out for a golf match or go boating together, perhaps even get him a cool tie.

What will you be getting/doing for your dad for Father’s Day?

I love my dad a lot and I know everything he loves, from his favourite colour to the things he loves to eat; that said I always try to get him souvenirs from my travels and I gift it him on Father’s Day! My pop is obsessed with antique clocks, I’ll be visiting some cool stores to find him a gem and we’re hoping to go on a trip together soon.

All that said, give us your top top top gift pick for guys!

Riding a Jeep down off-road trails is an excursion that adventurous dads will love! The Jeep Safari Yumuri excursion with Sunwing Experiences sees you driving your very own vehicle through the Yumuri Valley—a secluded area of the Cuban countryside. You’ll also get to snorkel in a flooded cavern and speed along the Canímar River!

Follow Jonathan on Instagram and on his blog.