ThatWasEpic

The Rise of ThatWasEpic: From Construction Worker to Social Media Philanthropist

Juan Carlos Gonzalez, better known online as ThatWasEpic, has established himself as one of YouTube's most recognizable philanthropic content creators. The Mexican-American influencer, who resides in Kansas, has built a reputation for his generous giveaways, social experiments, and pranks that often culminate in surprising strangers with gifts and financial assistance.^[1]^[2]

Before his YouTube career, Gonzalez worked in construction specializing in drywall and spent three years driving semi-trucks in oil fields. In 2014, he made a pivotal career change when he launched his YouTube channel. His first video, titled "Dropping $100 In Public!" uploaded on August 30, 2014, marked the beginning of what would become a highly successful content creation career.^[1]^[6]

Channel Growth and Impressive Statistics

As of May 2025, ThatWasEpic's main channel boasts an impressive 7.98 million subscribers and approximately 1.39 billion total video views across 376 uploads. The channel continues to grow steadily, with a 0.25% increase in subscribers over the past 30 days. His content generates an estimated monthly revenue between $9,800 and $29,300, though this represents only a portion of his overall income which includes merchandise sales and brand sponsorships.^[4]^[1]

Analytics reveal that ThatWasEpic maintains an excellent engagement rate of 5.72%, demonstrating strong audience connection despite a relatively modest upload frequency of approximately one video every four weeks. His videos typically run about 19.29 minutes in length, longer than similar channels in his category.^[4]

Content Strategy and Evolution

Gonzalez's content has evolved significantly since the channel's inception. "We transitioned from prank giveaways where we'd prank people and then give back," Gonzalez explained in a January 2025 interview. "For the most part now, we do mass giveaways." This evolution reflects his growing focus on philanthropy and community impact.^[3]

The ThatWasEpic brand has expanded to include a secondary channel called AlmostEpic, where Gonzalez shares behind-the-scenes content and unedited footage of his pranks and social experiments. This additional outlet gives fans a more unfiltered look at the creation process while extending his content reach.^[1]^[7]

Signature Giveaways and Community Impact

Gonzalez has gained widespread recognition for his increasingly ambitious giveaways. In early 2025, he conducted a series of high-profile giveaways in Phoenix that generated significant media attention. In January, he prepaid $10,000 for gas at a Phoenix station, creating such excitement that the resulting traffic jam prompted police intervention. Shortly after, he deposited another $10,000 at Juanderful Tacos, a local restaurant that had previously won a "Best Tacos" award from Phoenix New Times.^[3]^[8]

His generosity continued with a $10,000 credit at a dd's Discounts store, where each participant was allowed to select three items. By April 2025, Gonzalez had escalated his giving to $20,000 at Los Altos Ranch Market in downtown Phoenix, providing 200 shoppers with $100 gift cards each for groceries.^[3]^[5]

Business Model and Audience Connection

Gonzalez's approach represents a shrewd business model that benefits multiple stakeholders. "We make a lot of money off of it. It's a win-win for everybody. The business gets money, the fans get money, we get money. Everybody wins," he explained about his giveaway strategy. This transparency about the mutual benefits of his content reflects his practical approach to philanthropy.^[5]

His target audience primarily consists of viewers aged 13 to 30, with content designed to appeal across gender lines. The channel's community spans primarily English-speaking countries, drawn to the combination of entertainment, generosity, and emotional connection that characterizes ThatWasEpic videos.^[2]

Future Direction

Looking ahead, Gonzalez has indicated plans to make his community giveaways "a staple of what we do on the channel," with an emphasis on "releasing business locations that are useful for the community." He has expressed intentions to expand these activities beyond Phoenix to "help out other cities" as well. These giveaways are scheduled to occur approximately every two months, with followers discovering the details day-of through his Instagram account.^[3]^[5]

With his combination of entertainment and philanthropy, ThatWasEpic continues to carve out a unique position in the creator economy. As Gonzalez describes his own motivation, he is "just a guy with a camera driven by curiosity" – a simple philosophy that has resonated with millions of viewers worldwide.^[4]