Author, NHS Nurse & TikTok Pet Influencer (@chrisdavies50)
Few stories capture the internet’s heart the way an authentic one does. Chris Davies’ journey from mental health struggles in Cardiff to becoming a published author and widely loved TikTok creator began not with a plan, but with a hamster named Popcorn. Sometimes, the most powerful stories don’t begin with ambition or strategy, but with quiet moments at home and a simple act of care. Chris Davies’ journey is one such story one that started in Cardiff with a father, a daughter, and a tiny hamster named Popcorn. What began as a way to bring comfort and connection into everyday life soon evolved into a global community, a children’s book, and a message of hope for millions. At the heart of it all lies a reminder that healing, purpose, and even love can arrive in the most unexpected forms.
Q: Chris, how would you describe your professional identity today?
First and foremost, I’m a dad. Then a husband. Then a nurse. Then a published author — in that order, because the people I love are what keep me grounded (and sane). Influencing wasn’t part of the grand plan; I fell into it thanks to Popcorn and a not-so-secret obsession with editing and creating engaging content for the masses.
Q: Take us back to before Popcorn. What was life like then?
Before Popcorn, life felt a little directionless. I’d come out of a relationship where I wasn’t really growing, and when it ended suddenly, I found myself in a quiet house alone without warning learning how to start again. More than anything, I wanted to build something meaningful for my daughter. It was actually her mum who suggested getting her a hamster, and at first I wasn’t convinced. But Lily surprised me — she researched everything, from care to habitats, and showed a level of responsibility that inspired me. What started as a small idea quickly became something bigger: a new sense of purpose, connection, and a fresh chapter for us both.
Q: What made Popcorn different from any other pet?
From the very first day, Popcorn had a personality you couldn’t ignore. He was bold, affectionate, and completely present in every moment. The kind of little character who’d rush to the front of his enclosure to greet us the second we walked into the room, like he’d been waiting all along. He loved sitting with Lily, calm and curious, tiny paws resting while he watched the world around him. There was something comforting about him — he wasn’t just a hamster in a cage, he felt like a real part of the family. Small in size, huge in heart, and always exactly where he wanted to be: with us
Q: When did TikTok enter the picture?
TikTok entered the picture when I realised Popcorn wasn’t your average hamster. One night, while Lily was asleep, I noticed Popcorn following me around his enclosure, tracking my every move. Curious, I took him out — and instead of darting off, he curled up and snuggled in. It was completely unexpected… and kind of magical. This wasn’t “hamster behaviour,” it was connection. I started sending little clips to friends and family, and they all said the same thing: people need to see this. With my love for editing and storytelling, and with Lily, Popcorn and me as a team, something special was born. What started as a few late-night videos quickly became a way to share comfort, joy and a bit of wonder with the world.
Q: When did you realize your content had a deeper impact?
The messages from around the world. People told me that watching Popcorn helped them cope with anxiety, loneliness, and depression. That hit home because I understood exactly how they felt. Creating content gave me purpose, structure, and hope, things I didn’t realize I’d lost. In many ways, influencing saved me.
Q: What role did Lily play in this journey?
Lily wasn’t just involved — she was the centre of the whole Popcorn universe. He was her pet, and she proudly took on the role of “Popcorn’s Manager.” She answered questions online, planned his adventures, picked the music, and somehow became an actual hamster expert. We’ve done over 300 hamster-related Q&As, and trust me — if Popcorn had a PR team, Lily was the team. She’s 13 now, and I don’t think she’ll fully realise how big this all was until she’s older. What started with an 8-year-old narrating Popcorn’s enclosure turned into something we truly built together. Watching her confidence and creativity grow has been one of my proudest dad moments. She’s an absolute dream — and Popcorn definitely had the best manager in the business.
Q: Your story reached far beyond TikTok. How did that feel?
It was honestly surreal. What started as Popcorn’s little world somehow caught the attention of BBC News, BBC Radio, The Dodo, LADbible, The Daily Express, Take a Break, and Pets2Collect Magazine. Then suddenly we were being featured by huge international outlets like Newsweek in America and Der Spiegel in Germany Sitting on BBC Radio and seeing our story in major news agencies made it hit home just how far something small can travel. It was a moment nobody could take away from me and my daughter — people got to see what we’re really like, and they genuinely warmed to us. All from one tiny hamster and a lot of love
Q: That journey eventually became a book. How did that happen?
The idea was born on a road trip to Harry Potter World. Lily and I were in the back of the car, passing time, laughing, and letting our imaginations wander, when we started writing a little poem about Popcorn. It wasn’t planned — just a moment shared between us. I’ve always loved poetry. My mum encouraged me to write down my thoughts and feelings, to turn moments into words, and somehow that has always stayed with me. So in that car, with Lily beside me and Popcorn on our minds, something simple and honest appeared — a few lines that would later become so much more. With the support of Candy Jar Books, it became a fully illustrated children’s book Popcorn: The Unlikeliest of Friends now available at Waterstones, WHSmith, and Amazon. Holding that book for the first time was something I’ll never forget.
Q: Losing Popcorn was a deeply emotional moment. How did you navigate that?
We lost Popcorn in the summer of 2023, and it was heartbreaking. Our home felt empty. But the community responded with overwhelming kindness thousands of messages and shared memories. That’s when I realized Popcorn’s story hadn’t ended. His impact was still very much alive.
Q: You also found love through this journey. Can you share that story?
I found love in the most unexpected way — through one of Popcorn’s followers who reached out after watching a video. What started as a simple message turned into something that quite literally saved me. She taught me what real love looks like. Her name is Carrie, and like me, she’s a nurse — living less than a mile away, yet somehow our paths had never crossed. We’re married now. We tied the knot on December 29th last year, and every day since has felt like proof that life can surprise you in the best ways. Carrie is the most incredible step-mum to Lily. For the first time on my side, Lily has a steady, loving mother figure beside her — something she’s never truly had beyond her own mum. All of this… from a tiny hamster and a simple hello. Sometimes the smallest beginnings lead to the biggest blessings.
Q: What type of content do you specialize in creating today?
Life looks very different now. We’ve got three cats, Lily is officially a teenager, and our TikTok platform is quiet for the moment. But influencing gave me far more than views — it gave me a wife, a purpose, a book, and a daughter who’s grown into someone confident and self-assured.
Q: What inspired you to become a creator, and how do you stay motivated?
There was never a grand plan. Lily and I used to sit together watching hamster TikToks, learning everything we could. When Popcorn arrived, we just started sharing our own moments. But the real inspiration to create came from something deeper — a hunger to give people joy, to change opinions, to break the mould, and to use imagination without fear of judgement. I loved editing, storytelling, and turning something small into something meaningful. Of course, a few people judged me — a grown man on a sofa filming a hamster like it was a movie star. But while they were busy judging, we were busy building. We went from watching others to becoming the ones being watched. If there’s one thing this journey taught me, it’s this: be confidently yourself. Be healthily stubborn. Trust what people warm to, not what critics sneer at. Follow creativity, follow heart, and yes — sometimes follow the algorithm — because amazing things happen when you stop worrying about how it looks and start believing in what you’re making.
Q: Looking back, what has influencing taught you?
Influencing taught me that there’s a real community out there — people who want to see the love these little animals give, and the family dynamic that can grow from it. This journey didn’t just change my platform, it changed my life. If you’re chasing influence, the followers, views, and likes feel great — but they’re not the real reward from influencing. The real substance from it is making people happy, finding love, becoming a husband, publishing a book, and most importantly watching your daughter thrive and grow in confidence. That’s something money and metrics can’t buy. Influencing can absolutely open those doors if you let it. So don’t let doubt, fear, or other people’s opinions stop you. Create bravely, create kindly, and trust that what you’re building matters.
Q: What does the road ahead look like?
The future in front of me feels brighter than I ever imagined possible — and that’s because of one woman: my wife, my family, our family. Together. Adventures, memories, love, cosy nights, laughter, and all the little moments I once only dreamed about. Carrie and I keep growing, never standing still, always finding new things to explore and build together. She’s given me a motivation and purpose I never even knew existed. Loving her feels natural, steady, and exciting all at once. So do I thank TikTok? Do I thank influencing? Absolutely I do. Because somehow, through all of it, it led me to her — and to a life filled with meaning, warmth, and real happiness.
Chris Davies’ story is not just about social media success or viral moments. it’s about resilience, compassion, and the profound impact of small acts of care. Through Popcorn, he rediscovered purpose, strengthened his bond with his daughter, and found love when he least expected it. In sharing his journey so openly, Chris reminds us that influence isn’t measured by numbers alone, but by the lives we touch. Sometimes, it only takes the smallest heartbeat to change everything.
