Adventure Filmmaker JJ Yosh and His Black Cat Simon Reach 10 Million Followers

The combined social media following of JJ Yosh and his cat Simon exceeds 10 million people. The pair are known for hiking, climbing, and snowboarding across various terrains, including the Italian Dolomites and a volcano in Guatemala. Simon, a 10-pound black cat, rides on Yosh’s shoulders during these expeditions, a practice that has made them a viral sensation.

Yosh, an adventure filmmaker who has filmed in 51 countries, did not initially plan to adopt a cat. In 2016, his landlord in Boulder, Colorado, presented him with a box of rescue kittens. The landlord stated that one kitten had to be taken or all would be put down. Yosh chose a small black cat, naming him Diablo, with the intention of keeping him alive while maintaining his frequent travel schedule.

The early days of the arrangement were difficult. Diablo yowled and ran out of the house, disappearing into the foothills near Boulder, which Yosh noted is mountain lion territory. He found the cat hiding under a rock and considered returning him. Within days, however, the cat became affectionate, pressing his face into Yosh’s. A friend suggested renaming him Simon, which resonated with Yosh because it was the name of a childhood imaginary friend he had forgotten for 30 years.

Yosh kept his travel plans, and Simon joined him on hikes. The cat initially quit halfway up trails but eventually settled onto Yosh’s shoulder. Yosh realized the cat could travel further and faster while riding on his back. He began using shoulder pads to protect his skin from the cat’s claws. Over nine years, Simon learned to hike, climb, paddle, and snowboard, earning the moniker Backpacking Kitty.

The most challenging incident occurred near Kanopolis, Kansas, on a hot and humid day. Simon, who overheats quickly due to his black fur, slipped his leash while Yosh was packing gear. The cat vanished into a field of identical low shrubs. Yosh had no cell service and feared for Simon’s life. He searched by crawling on the ground, trying to think like an overheating animal. He found Simon tucked under a single shrub, the only shade for 100 yards.

Yosh described that day as both a tragedy and a miracle. The experience changed his perspective on his lifestyle. He had built his career around independence and avoiding obligations, but Simon required him to check the weather for two, carry extra water, and adjust expeditions. Yosh admitted that the cat taught him to be present and to care for someone other than himself.

Simon’s account now has more followers than Yosh’s personal account. The cat has traveled extensively, including an 11-hour flight across an ocean where he slept at Yosh’s feet. Yosh noted that people often ask who rescued whom. While he saved Simon from euthanasia in 2016, he believes the cat saved him by helping him understand the value of connection.

Yosh continues to film his expedition series OUT THERE alongside Simon. He has hosted and produced shows for Discovery, TLC, and Tastemade, and directed the documentary Ancient Tomorrow. The partnership between the filmmaker and the cat has lasted since 2016, transforming a reluctant rescue into a professional and personal foundation.

Yosh attributes the success of their dynamic to Simon’s trust and his own willingness to adapt. The cat’s presence has forced Yosh to slow down and focus on the moment. He views the relationship as a mutual exchange where his need for freedom was balanced by the cat’s need for companionship. The story of their bond has reached millions of viewers who follow their adventures online.