Animal Influencer Mike “The Real Tarzann” Holston says he is “happy to be alive” after suffering injuries in a skydiving accident.
On Saturday, December 27, Holston, 32, shared alarming photos and videos of himself lying in traction on a hospital stretcher after the scary mishap. One photo showed Holston giving the thumbs up to the camera while seemingly wincing in pain.
“Yesterday I had a Skydiving 🪂 accident I’ll probably be out for a few weeks,” the influencer explained to his Instagram followers.
Holston has yet to share any concrete details about his skydiving accident though he has promised to make a full video about “what went wrong” once he’s out of the hospital.
“I’m pretty banged up at the moment in some pretty good pain but just happy to be alive,” he admitted. “I know a lot of yall want to see me down but don’t count on it too long 😎 enjoy while you can!”
Us Weekly has reached out to Holston for comment.
Lots of Holston’s Instagram followers wished him well in the comment section, with many encouraging him to “rest up” for a “speedy recovery.”
“Ain’t no one taking out my brother, will be back stronger than ever soon,” influencer Eli Wehbe assured Holston.
Musician Spence added, “Damn brother glad it wasn’t worse! Heal up.”
“Brother we love you. We need you alive…. So glad ur ok,” influencer Jay Richardson chimed in.
The Real Tarzann offers an update on his condition Courtesy Instagram / The Real Tarzann
Holston posted some even more alarming videos via his Instagram Story on Saturday. In one clip, Holston was shown laid out and completely motionless on a stretcher.
In another Instagram Story, Holston wore a neck collar as he shook his head in disappointment and declared: “F*** me, dawg. [They’re] making me sit down for a bit so I have no other choice but to listen.”
“[My pain level] is getting there, it’s getting better,” he said in the video. “I was f***ed up for like three hours. I couldn’t even breathe. My chest was killing me.”
In a followup video, Holston had the neck collar removed and was sitting upright. He gave the camera a double thumbs up as he offered positive news on his condition.
“Thank God all is well, they didn’t get me off this earth today,” he told viewers. “I love ya’all. Happy holidays.”
The Real Tarzann added, “Nothing to worry about! Just another rough day at the office. I love ya’all and hopefully we’ll see you all soon.”
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Holston finished the upbeat update by blowing a kiss towards the camera.
The influencer is known for his exotic travel videos where he encounters some of the world’s most dangerous animals. The skydiving accident is far from the first time Holston has put himself in danger — as his vlogs have seen him tangling with a Sumatran King Cobra and allowing another King Cobra to wrap itself around his neck.
Despite the potentially lethal stunts shown via his social media, The Real Tarzann does frequently warn his viewers not to try his stunts at home. However, he has faced criticism from some animal rights advocates for his handling of the creatures in his content.
Aside from his animal-themed YouTube vlog, Holston made headlines in 2021 for signing up to face UFC legend Vitor Belfort in an MMA exhibition match for charity but the proposed fight was ultimately scrapped. Belfort ended up fighting boxing legend and Dancing With the Stars alum Evander Holyfield in September 2021 to make up for his cancelled match with Holston.
