Who Is Jacob Simon? The Skater Turning Climate Into Content

Simon eventually transformed his childhood interest into an international sporting career.

His success at national competitions helped him earn opportunities to represent Team USA. He travelled to countries such as the Czech Republic and Germany to compete in junior Grand Prix events.

These competitions gave him valuable international experience and introduced him to the demanding world of professional figure skating. After finishing high school, Simon moved to Colorado Springs to train at the Olympic Training Center.

The move represented a major commitment. He was no longer simply a young athlete attending regular skating sessions.

He was training in an environment designed for high-level competitors. For approximately five years, he travelled internationally for Team USA and competed in Grand Prix events and World Championships.

One of the biggest achievements of his skating career came at the 2016 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, where he and his partner finished ninth.

His official website describes him as a former internationally ranked pairs skater who competed between the ages of seven and 22.

Figure skating taught him several skills that would later become useful in his media career. These included discipline, storytelling, performance, communication and the ability to work towards long-term goals.

At the time, however, he had no idea that these experiences would eventually help him become a climate educator.

The Shoulder Injury That Ended His Figure Skating Career

One of the most difficult moments in Jacob Simon’s life came during a routine training session. While practising a lift with his skating partner, something went wrong.

The weight distribution during the lift became unbalanced. Simon’s shoulder suddenly dislocated and the injury severely damaged his ligaments.

The incident was devastating because pairs skating depends heavily on physical strength and the ability to perform lifts safely.

For Simon, the injury effectively ended his competitive skating career. In his October 2026 interview with PEOPLE, he described the experience as career-ending in an instant.

It was particularly difficult because skating had been part of his life since he was seven years old. He had spent his childhood and teenage years training.

He had represented his country and travelled internationally. His professional identity was closely connected to the sport.

Suddenly, that future was no longer available. Simon later explained that he felt lost for a considerable period after the injury.

Initially, he hoped that he might still be able to perform in skating shows. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created another obstacle because live entertainment events were cancelled.

He was forced to consider a future that did not involve competitive skating. Although the experience was painful, it became an important turning point in his life.

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Discovering a Love for Nature in Colorado

An interesting part of Simon’s journey is that his interest in environmental issues developed partly because of his time in Colorado.³

While training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, he spent much of his limited free time outdoors. He enjoyed hiking and exploring the natural environment.

He also went on night hikes where he could spend time observing the stars and thinking about his life. These experiences helped him develop a stronger connection with nature.

In an interview with Biohabitats in December 2024, Simon explained that he gradually fell in love with the planet during this period.

That connection became particularly important after his skating career ended. When he started thinking about his future, he wanted to find something that gave him the same sense of purpose that figure skating had once provided.

He also wanted his work to make a positive difference. Environmental education eventually offered that opportunity.

From Copywriting to Environmental Education

After his skating career ended, Simon explored different professional options. He worked as a copywriter and later took on ghostwriting projects.

His official website notes that he completed more than 50 ghostwriting jobs before focusing on his own content and environmental communication work. He also studied communications and media.

However, he eventually realised that traditional professional work was not providing the fulfilment he wanted. He began taking environmental courses after graduating from college.

These courses introduced him to climate science, conservation and the different challenges facing the planet. The more he learned, the more interested he became in understanding environmental solutions.

However, he also noticed something troubling. Much of the information discussed in environmental courses focused on the seriousness of climate change.

Students regularly encountered news about pollution, biodiversity loss and rising global temperatures. Although this information was important, the constant negative messaging could make people feel helpless.

Simon wanted to explore a different approach. He believed people needed to understand the problems but also needed to see that solutions were possible.

This idea eventually became the foundation of his content creation career.

Climativity: The Newsletter That Started His New Career

Before becoming a popular environmental content creator, Simon started a newsletter called Climativity. The project developed as part of a course assignment.

He worked with another student to collect positive environmental and climate-related news stories. They shared these updates with their classmates to help counter the discouraging information they were studying.

The goal was simple. They wanted people to understand that although environmental challenges were serious, many individuals and organisations were already working towards solutions.

The newsletter included stories about scientific discoveries, conservation efforts and technological developments. It also highlighted individuals who were finding creative ways to improve their communities.

The project helped Simon develop a habit of researching environmental news regularly. He began looking beyond the most widely reported headlines and searching for stories that demonstrated progress.

Eventually, he realised that the information could reach a much larger audience through short-form videos. Instead of limiting his research to written newsletters, he could explain the stories directly to viewers.

That decision became the starting point of Jacob Simon Says.

How Jacob Simon Became a Viral Environmental Content Creator

Simon started turning his environmental research into short videos after noticing the growing popularity of TikTok.

His first videos were part of an experimentation process. He had to discover which presentation style worked best and how to explain complicated subjects without overwhelming viewers.

His approach gradually became more conversational. Rather than presenting himself as a traditional news anchor, he speaks directly to the camera and explains interesting discoveries in everyday language.

This makes his videos feel more personal. He also focuses on stories that are visually interesting and easy to understand.

For example, a video might explain how a particular animal population recovered after conservation efforts. Another might introduce an invention designed to reduce microplastic pollution.

These stories give viewers something interesting to learn while introducing them to wider environmental issues. His audience began growing as people engaged with the videos and asked additional questions.

Simon also noticed that viewers were taking action after watching his content. Some signed environmental petitions.

Others joined nonprofit campaigns or started discussing sustainability initiatives in their communities. He eventually realised that content creation could become a full-time career.

According to his PEOPLE interview, he made the transition to full-time work as a creator around three years before the October 2026 profile.

What Kind of Environmental Stories Does Jacob Simon Share?

Jacob Simon’s content covers a wide range of environmental topics. His central focus is positive environmental news.

However, the stories themselves can be very different. Here are some of the subjects he regularly explores.

1. Wildlife discoveries

Simon enjoys highlighting new animal discoveries and interesting developments in wildlife research. He also shares stories about species that have recovered after conservation programmes.

One of his favourite videos focuses on the recovery of island foxes in California’s Channel Islands. His interest in the subject began during a camping trip to Santa Cruz Island.

He noticed the animals throughout the island and decided to investigate their conservation story further. The experience eventually inspired one of his favourite pieces of content.

2. Climate technology

Another major part of his work involves explaining inventions that could help reduce environmental damage. For example, he has highlighted an engineer who developed a laundry filter designed to capture microplastics released during washing.

Such stories introduce viewers to practical innovations that might otherwise receive limited attention.

3. Endangered species protection

Simon frequently discusses conservation projects that help protect threatened animals. He explains how research, legal protections and community involvement can contribute to the recovery of wildlife populations.

4. Renewable energy

Solar power and other renewable energy technologies also feature in his content. He highlights developments that demonstrate how communities, schools and organisations can move towards cleaner energy.

5. New scientific discoveries

Simon also shares interesting research from scientists and environmental experts. These stories can involve newly discovered species, ecological improvements and technologies that offer potential solutions to environmental problems.

His approach makes science more accessible to viewers who might not normally read research papers or environmental journals.

How Jacob Simon Researches and Verifies His Stories

One reason Simon’s content has attracted attention is the amount of research behind his videos. Although his presentation style looks casual, finding stories requires considerable preparation.

In his Biohabitats interview, he explained that he regularly reviews around 30 publications and creators. These include scientific journals, newsletters, journalists and researchers.

He searches for stories that are interesting and relevant to environmental progress. After identifying a potential subject, he reads the available material, checks the facts and develops a script.

His goal is to understand research well enough to explain it to an ordinary viewer. He has described this as bridging the gap between scientific information and everyday understanding.

His official website also explains that he publishes deeper discussions and sources through his newsletter and other platforms.

This is an important part of his work because environmental stories can easily become misleading when scientific findings are simplified too much.

By directing attention towards research and credible reporting, he helps viewers understand why a particular discovery matters.

Jacob Simon’s Social Media Presence and Growing Audience

Jacob Simon has developed a significant following through his environmental videos. He operates under the name @jacobsimonsays on social media.

His official website describes him as a climate educator with more than 1.5 million followers across his platforms. An earlier Biohabitats interview from December 2024 reported that his audience had already exceeded half a million people.

PEOPLE’s October 2026 profile separately described his TikTok account as having nearly 700,000 followers. These figures refer to different reporting dates and audience measurements, so they should not be treated as identical statistics.

His content is available across several platforms:

• TikTok: Short environmental discoveries and positive climate news.

• Instagram: Daily videos, educational clips and environmental updates.

• YouTube: Longer videos featuring people and communities developing solutions.

• Substack: Written stories, research and additional sources.

His online presence allows him to reach people who may not normally follow environmental publications.

This is particularly valuable because his content introduces climate-related information through entertainment rather than lengthy academic explanations.

The 43 World Records He Broke During COVID-19

There is another unusual detail about Jacob Simon that many viewers may not know. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he became interested in breaking world records.

According to his official website, he attempted to break 42 world records in a row. He also developed a website where other people could create and break their own records.

The project reportedly attracted more than 20,000 page views in a single month. It also registered around 1,000 participants and recorded 207 broken world records.

His current website describes him as a 43-time world-record breaker. Although the project was eventually discontinued, it demonstrates his interest in experimenting with creative ideas.

It also shows that his personality extends beyond environmental education. He enjoys challenges and has a willingness to explore unusual projects.

Interestingly, these qualities connect with his previous sporting career. Figure skating required discipline and repeated practice, while his record-breaking experiments involved setting goals and finding ways to achieve them.

Jacob Simon’s Environmental Partnerships and Professional Work

Simon has also worked with organisations involved in environmental communication and social impact. His official website lists partnerships and professional collaborations involving organisations such as:

• United Nations-related initiatives.

• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• Clean Creatives.

• Gen Z for Change.

• OnePointFive.

• Pique Action.

These collaborations have allowed him to use his communication skills beyond his personal social media accounts. He has also worked on digital content strategies and helped organisations communicate their environmental goals to wider audiences.

His experience as a former copywriter and ghostwriter has likely been valuable in this area. Environmental organisations often have important research and information but need effective ways to reach people outside their existing communities.

Simon combines research with storytelling to make these subjects more engaging. His work demonstrates how digital creators can contribute to environmental communication without necessarily working as scientists or traditional journalists.

Jacob Simon’s Personal Life and Interests

Jacob Simon keeps much of his private life away from public attention. His public interviews mainly focus on his skating career, environmental interests and professional development.

However, some personal interests are clear from his work. He enjoys spending time outdoors and has a particular interest in hiking and exploring nature.

His experiences in Colorado and his visit to Santa Cruz Island demonstrate how outdoor activities have influenced his environmental interests. He also enjoys learning about scientific discoveries and meeting people who are working on practical solutions.

Another important part of his personality is his interest in community participation. Rather than telling viewers that environmental problems are too large for individuals to influence, he encourages them to consider what they can do in their own lives.

This might involve picking up litter, supporting a local conservation campaign or advocating for renewable energy projects in a school or community. He believes meaningful progress can begin with ordinary people.

Why Jacob Simon’s Climate Content Is Different

Environmental news can often feel overwhelming. People regularly encounter stories about extreme weather, pollution, disappearing wildlife and rising temperatures.

Although these subjects deserve attention, constantly consuming negative information can make it difficult for people to feel motivated.

Simon addresses this problem by focusing on environmental progress. His approach is not to pretend that climate change does not exist. Instead, he shows that people are actively working to address it.

There are researchers developing new technologies. There are communities protecting wildlife.

There are engineers finding ways to reduce waste. There are also ordinary individuals making changes in their neighbourhoods.

His content gives these stories visibility. Another important aspect is his communication style.

He does not usually rely on complicated scientific language. He breaks down subjects into simple explanations that viewers can understand.

This makes his videos useful for students, young audiences and people who want to learn about environmental developments without reading lengthy reports.

His work also encourages viewers to become participants rather than passive consumers of environmental news.

 

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FAQ’s

1. Who is Jacob Simon?

Jacob Simon is an American environmental educator, social media creator and former Team USA pairs figure skater. He is best known for sharing positive climate news and environmental discoveries through his platform @jacobsimonsays.

2. Why is Jacob Simon going viral?

Simon is gaining attention for his entertaining videos about wildlife discoveries, climate solutions, conservation projects and environmental innovations. His positive approach makes complicated environmental subjects easier to understand.

3. Was Jacob Simon a professional figure skater?

Yes. Simon was an internationally ranked pairs figure skater who represented Team USA. He competed in international Grand Prix events and World Championships.

4. What happened to Jacob Simon’s skating career?

His competitive skating career ended after a serious shoulder injury during a training lift. The incident dislocated his shoulder and severely damaged his ligaments.

5. How old was Jacob Simon when he started skating?

He started figure skating at seven years old and continued competing into early adulthood.

Conclusion

Jacob Simon’s journey from Team USA figure skating to environmental content creation is an interesting example of how an unexpected career change can lead to a meaningful new direction.

He began skating at seven years old and eventually became an internationally ranked pairs skater. He represented Team USA, competed at major international events and finished ninth at the 2016 World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

Audiences are increasingly interested in creators who explain complicated subjects in simple and engaging ways.

He no longer competes on the ice. Instead, he uses storytelling to encourage people to understand environmental problems and recognise the solutions being developed around them.

For anyone discovering him through his viral environmental videos, Jacob Simon is much more than a social media personality.

He is a former international athlete who has found a new purpose as an environmental educator and storyteller.

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