Mental health issues have long been stigmatized by society but thankfully times are changing now. People are more comfortable opening up about their problems and seeking help. Yet, there are still millions who are suffering in silence. Joshua T Meldrum, a mental health advocate and an accomplished entrepreneur, has extended a helping hand to all sufferers, fostering empathy and encouraging people to seek help. His goal is to build a mentally-well and more inclusive community.
Joshua T Meldrum, 25-year-old entrepreneur, hails from a family of entrepreneurs who own numerous restaurants. Since the age of 15, he has been working in restaurants, where he discovered his own version of this entrepreneurial passion, one that his family shares. Despite having a seemingly perfect life, Joshua had his fair share of struggles with loneliness, self-esteem issues, depression, and anxiety. And today he stands as an inspiration to millions who are battling those same issues.
Just like anyone dealing with mental health problems, it was not easy for Joshua to put up a smiling face to the world when he was broken inside. Fortunately, it all changed on one fateful night, and unforeseen events led up to the moment that could have been his last day on earth. On his way back home from a club Joshua’s car slammed into a tree. With a speed of over 50mph, he could have ended up in hospital with broken limbs, completely paralyzed, or even severe brain hemorrhage but he escaped with a few bruises. Joshua firmly believes it was God who protected him that night, and because he survived, he was given a second chance at life.
Ever since the accident, Joshua has realized the value of life and how wonderful a gift it is for everyone on earth. He understands that is unreasonable to expect a life without problems because it is never meant to be and above all, suicide is not a solution. He also ascribes to a new philosophy: everything happens for a reason and no matter what we all should go with the flow, face the problems life throws at us, and learn the lessons to mature as humans. From this newfound belief, he has learned that it is important to accept life as it comes, live it the best way possible, and be kind to other people because everyone is fighting their own battle.
According to Joshua, “Nobody’s perfect and we can’t be nice all the time. That’s not logical, but we can strive to be as much as possible and that’s what matters. We don’t know what other people are facing behind the scenes, behind closed doors. Everyone’s story matters and everyone deserves to feel loved & know that they are here for a reason.”
People tend to be depressed if things don’t go as planned but staying positive in such situations can make a lot of difference. Joshua states, “I realized how life throws us curve balls and things we might not ever understand, and that’s okay. Going with the flow of things and trying to ride the wave I guess is the way to be. There’s no sense in trying to force things to happen.”
Life can become abundant with opportunities if we decide to live it as Joshua did. While embracing this new zeal for life, his entrepreneurial spirit also kicked in and he co-founded a mobile detailing & power washing company—A to Zetail—with his long-time friend. The duo also owns a world-class dog breeding program and has plans to start new business ventures in the coming years. More than profit, Joshua intends to help people, hiring them, making them financially stable, and most importantly, empowering their dreams. With his strong work ethic and passion to work hard, there doesn’t seem to be any limits to his future opportunities, especially knowing that he will continue to fuel his drive with the divine spark of his inner purpose.
