About
I am the Co-founder of Soulnests, an AI mental health space that grew out of my own season of loss and the simple act of journaling. Florida based, lifelong comics and Marvel fan, Patriots loyalist. I lean on humor, kindness, and honest storytelling to make the hard things in life feel lighter.

From Loss to Purpose

I lost three people I loved in about eight months.

In May 2023, my grandfather passed away. I was living in Florida and he was in Massachusetts, so most of my noticing happened on calls or short visits. I went up in April when he was not doing well so we could say our goodbyes, and I surprised my dad on that trip too. I did not know it would be the last time I saw them both. You notice the small things first, like how he moved slower, ate less, and drifted off in thought. I hugged him more, slipping in unspoken goodbyes, but when it happened, it still hurt.

A month later, my dad died. That loss was sudden and sharp. I was at work when a friend of his called me saying he had collapsed and was in the hospital. I learned he had started using drugs, something I had not fully seen. I spent that week at his side telling him childhood stories and holding his hand, but he never woke up. He had told me to let him go if machines were keeping him alive, so I honored his wish. Even with his flaws, he loved helping people, and he donated his organs to save three lives.

In January 2024, my great grandmother passed away. She was also my godmother, so that loss cut deep. Like my grandfather, we saw it coming, but that did not make it easier. She was small in size but strong in spirit, even jumping a fence with me in her 80s.

After losing three people so close together, I did not know what to do with myself. I picked up a journal, not because I thought it would save me, but because I did not know what else to do. At first it was just notes about my day. Over time, I saw the weight in my words begin to lift.

That small shift inspired me to create Soulnests, a quiet online space to heal mind, body, and soul. A place for people to be messy, hurting, hopeful, or simply set down their burdens for a moment. Building it gave me purpose when everything else felt hollow.

What Was the Major Turning Point in your Recovery?

When I started to journal, I never thought I would be the kind of person to do it. At first it was just a way to keep moving through the days, but it became life saving. The real motivation came when I started building Soulnests, trying to help others who might feel the same way I did. I am grateful every day to be where I am, and I try not to let heavy days keep me down. Sometimes they still come, and that is okay. We just cannot let them hold us forever.

What Helped the Most?

Journaling

• Helped me keep track of my thoughts and emotions
• Helped me understand myself more
• Helped me see the healing I was doin

Friends and Family

• Made me stronger
• Helped me feel less alone
• Brought joy into my life

Soulnests, an AI-powered wellness platform, I co-founded

• Gave me purpose
• Reminded me I could help people going through the same feelings
• Gave me a way to give back to the good people in the world

What Advice Would you Give to Other Men Facing Depression & Anxiety?

Do not be afraid to try something new. Do not let the fear of judgment, change, weakness, or worthlessness keep you from things that can help you mentally and physically. It could be the best thing you ever do and could take you to places you did not think were possible. The world can be ugly at times for everyone, but you have to look for the beauty in it. Being a good person is my number one rule. It means being patient when others make mistakes or are having a rough day. Life can pull us away from that mindset, but it gets easier when you have happiness, and that starts with becoming the best version of yourself you can be.

– Ty Grannum, Brattleboro, Vermont, USA