Ever wonder why I have artwork of rats on my channel and website or why I refer to myself as rat-like? This blog will explain.

The intellectual side of me loves wordplay. The English language is like a playground for my tongue, and we all know how words have multiple meanings, especially in slang or satirical senses. The word "rat" has plenty of connotations, though the mafia/jailhouse context of it does not apply in this scenario.

I see life as a fun, albeit limited-time adventure with many opportunities for emotional experiences to enjoy. We all like to feel happy and loved, don't we? I'm no different! I seek happiness and pleasure in life in a moderately hedonistic manner. Rats are considered pleasure-driven rodents in the animal kingdom, and this is exploited whenever they're used in labs for testing by offering food or pleasurable brain stimulation as a reward for their complacency and desired behavior. Though we currently rule the planet, humans, as warm-blooded mammals, are also members of the animal kingdom.

If you know me and what I like, you know how to get my attention and tempt me. You know what makes me squeak for joy! Imagine a rat standing on its hind legs with its nose twitching and its eyes wide, seeking the prize that's been presented before its senses. I figuratively picture myself having that characteristic sometimes, and comparisons like this are why I included the "it" pronoun on my channel along with he/him since I accept and embrace that animalistic side of me as a human.

I also see life as a rat race which you need to scurry around to get "cheese" (money) in in order to survive. Even though I get to film videos from home and sell my clothing for a living, which to many would be considered living a dream, I'm still competing with a lot of other guys on the internet who offer similar opportunities to fans and admirers around the world.

Why should people give me the cheese instead of the other hungry animals/artists out there? I'll tell you why, and it brings me to my next reasoning behind the "rat" label: my sincerity, passion, and individualism, which I relate to the timeless subculture known as punk.

Ever shopped online and seen a label that says "small business owner?" I'm like one of those. It's always nicer to support small businesses instead of putting more money into greedy corporations with questionable ethics, isn't it? I'm very independent and DIY (do-it-yourself) like a punk rocker. You can say The No Deo Hero is like my own independent record label where I'm the sole owner who does everything himself, including running the label (channel, website, Patreon) and writing and performing all the songs (filming the videos and custom commissions).

In DIY punk spirit, I record and edit the videos, upload and title everything, choose the thumbnails, respond to all the comments and emails, and along with my YouTube channel, I also operate this official website and manage my Patreon with no help from anyone or any brand-boosting marketing company. No paid product endorsements exist on my show, and I'm constantly ignoring emails from online merchants trying to get me to advertise their product for them in my content in exchange for a small commission percentage of each sale I convince my fans to make. Yeah, no thanks. Everyone skips past the paid advertisement part of creators' videos for a reason.

Rats are often associated with punk rock as the symbolism goes with the art style and independent ethics of it. I enjoy being viewed or referred to as a "punk rat" on account of my DIY ethics, passionate natural beliefs, and strong individualism. I also stand up for alternative identities like my own and find counterculture movements inspiring for that reason. It's no wonder I chose the mohawk as my hairstyle, which I cut and shave myself in those same DIY beliefs and ethics.

I also work out five days a week at a home gym, which makes me a gym rat. I purchased the weights and equipment myself so I could exercise and freely film my workouts from the comfort of my own home. It may be a home gym, but you're still a gym rat if you spend five days a week in it!

The term "ratty" also means dirty or unclean, and in self-deprecating humor, I refer to myself as an unwashed rat because I don't use deodorant, shampoo, body soap, or toothpaste on account of my natural outlook and minimalist lifestyle. People would generally regard this as unhygienic and consider me vermin or a plague on society because of it, just like most people tend to view rats in a negative sense since they can be invasive, are known to frequent dirty places like sewers, and can spread disease. Of course I still wash my hands every day, brush and floss my teeth daily, and rinse my body with water in the shower every other day, but I reject the chemical body products.

Before my filming became full-time for me, I used to wait tables part-time at chain restaurants. My co-workers may have noticed my natural smell, but this stinking rat made good cheese every night he worked! I even had several employees privately tell me they admired my natural scent, both male and female. One of my managers also hesitantly asked me if he could have a pair of work boots I had mentioned I was done wearing, and I gave them to him at work after I bought new ones because I understood where he was coming from, just as everyone at work understood and respected me, even if a few friends there teased me for having body odor. My family also knows about my hygiene and income choices and they basically have a "you do you, as long as it's not harmful or illegal" attitude about it!

Then there's the artwork. I hired a few artists to create artwork of an anthropomorphic rat (which one of the artists actually designed for me with my input) who serves as my official mascot. After a lengthy decision, I named him Cheesus Brodent -- his first name being a combination of "cheese" and "Jesus," and the last name being a portmanteau of "bro" and "rodent." In other words, he's a rodent bro who's reverently admired for his identity and what he does for his fans in exchange for their cheese (money) as support!

I also grew up watching cartoons with anthropomorphic characters who have stereotypical qualities of the animal they're drawn as. A rat will typically be portrayed as a sneaky rascal or punk, or as being gross or unfairly liked simply for being a rat, though he's loved by those who actually know him inside and are able to see past his ratty qualities.

Speaking of anthropomorphic, I've received a few comments over the years asking me if I'm a furry or outright calling me one because of the animal posters on the walls of my house or the artwork I use on my channel banner and website. While I have no judgment toward furries, I don't identify as one. I don't go to anthro-cons, I don't actually identify as a rat, nor do I have a rat fur-suit hanging in my closet. Again, nothing wrong with being a furry in my eyes, but I don't meet the qualifications for it, and being a fan of anthropomorphic cartoons and artwork alone doesn't make someone a furry. I would proudly admit I was one if it were true!

The rat is my spirit animal in the sense of natural living and pleasure-seeking. I also aim to be non-confrontational and prefer to steer clear of trouble, but I stand up for myself and fight for what's right and for my survival. The term "ratty" even carries an informal definition of someone being bad-tempered, and I admit I can be a temperamental person at times. It runs in my family so I gotta live with it! I've also caught myself being selfish when it comes to things like comfort and pleasure, though I strive to never be an angry or greedy rat.

We're all in this rat race together, and I'm happy to lead the pack by being a voice for the alternative, like-minded masses of our world, and I'm ever-so thankful for the years of continuous support I've received for it! 💚

Rock on! Today marks the 9th year of me filming as Primal Instinks, your No Deo Hero!

It's surreal to think that the comedy, athletics, and entertainment channel I started back in October of 2015 as a mere hobby and fun social media venture to have with friends would grow to become so much more. It evolved into what I now consider my calling in life, a personal venture I make every effort to fulfill to the fullest.

Today my channel is a platform for me to express myself openly and honestly on, speaking about often-stigmatized topics like alternative identities -- including my own. People tend to keep their personal interests to themselves for fear of judgment or not fitting in, but I've always walked my own path in life and will continue to do so without allowing judgment to stop or shame me. Taking an educational and psychological approach to harmless interests has made listeners more comfortable in their own skin and more understanding of who they are.

After opening up about myself, many people from around the world who found my channel reached out over the years to relate to me and commend me for standing up and speaking out for folks and communities who don't have the courage or capability to do so. I will continue to be your No Deo Hero, inspiring and empowering you with uplifting vlogs, healthy living, and a more natural and minimalist lifestyle. And of course I'll continue to make you laugh and entertain you in the same eccentric way I always have 😁

I am who I am and wouldn't change it for the world, nor would I change the wonderful fans I have who's support has made it possible for me to dedicate all my time to this video venture full-time in order to have the most profound impact on those who could benefit from it. The window into my private life remains wide open for the betterment of the like-minded community at large.

As is customary with my show, video commissions are always available, behind-the-scenes extras are always available to purchase access to, my Patreon will continue to have regular private posts made on it by me, and I will continue filming on my YouTube channel so that the seed I planted nine years ago will continue to grow and inspire the minds and hearts of more people around the globe. I have grown and learned over the years as well and couldn't ask for a better connection than the unique one I have with my fans -- YOU!

Thank you for your continued love and support, and here's to nine years of The No Deo Hero with many more to come! 💚