We recently connected with Aaron Gibson and have shared our conversation below.

Aaron, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission was created through the hellish hardships I have had to endure alone on my path struggling with mental adversity of PTSD from childhood & military service and Autism diagnosed at the age of 46.
Fighting back through losing everything, being a single dad , attending therapy, supporting my son, and being homeless for two months – I committed to never wanting another to have to walk those paths alone.
Attempting to create new perspective to others that there is strength in reaching out for help, that you can fashion new armour from vulnerability rather than wearing “masks”, supporting mental health and creating awareness that if you commit to yourself that over time you can reclaim your happiness.
I have created a Late Night Mental Health Talk Show that showcases everyday spirits where they are vulnerable and share a moment of one their hardships and what they did to overcome that hurdle to move forward all in the mission of helping someone watching the show silently struggling grab hold of takeaway that might work for them and start to make those first steps to their own mental well being and breaking the walls down on stigmas.

Aaron, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hailing from Calgary Alberta Canada I feel like a soul that has lived multiple lifetimes in one.

From Scottish heritage growing up in the country as a child in Ontario Canada, then moving to Calgary as a teenager to start working at the age of 14.

After High school, wanting to explore life I enlisted into the Canadian Armed Forces as an Infantier, completed a Tour of Duty in Bosnia as an Armoured vehicle Driver, and finished my term decorated with an honourable discharge after three years of service.

Shortly after my release I delved into the world of skilled trades, attending Technical schooling at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and began my career in HVAC.

A long wait of 9 years would give me my greatest gift I would ever receive – my son Dylan. Yet as one new path begins another ends, with Dylan at the tender age of 3 my marriage of 15 years would end after a loving respectful conversation with my High School sweetheart – who is still to this day is a dear friend and epic coparent.

After 23 years in HVAC I began my social media platform on LinkedIn with my pre-recorded show “Just Off The Cufff HVAC”as an advocate for mental health within skilled trades, education and life hacks for the next generation of service technicians, and implementing mental health breaks as a reminder that your mind needs rest too.

I am a passionate advocate for mental health and a dedicated volunteer. I Host of the non-profit, globally nominated & internationally recognized show “Aaron Gibson’s Soul Man LIVE” with video creation and writing my own music, an Executive Livestream Producer at N•I•C Never In Control The LIVE Show, as well as the global award winning Voice Your Vibe, where I endeavour to elevate voices worldwide with my heart.

As a five-time #1 international best-selling author and National Technical Trainer, my expertise extends to producing impactful livestreams. My involvement with the 501st Legion, a non-profit charity organization, allows me to bring joy to sick children and support charities like Make-A-Wish and Ronald McDonald Houses. Through LinkedIn, I strive to empower countless individuals to overcome mental adversity and expand their entrepreneurial reach. My journey on LinkedIn has been transformative, connecting me with a global network that fuels the mission to inspire and support others reminding them that they are never alone while silently struggling.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Starting with only enough money to just scrape by to pay for the bills I started into social media with only an iPhone.
Knowing my body was breaking down from the hardships of skilled trades I wanted to create a backup plan for the possibility of teaching.
I began small yet determined by being my authentic genuine self knowing the repercussions that comes with that kind of vulnerability.
That vulnerability was one day shared with the right circle of friends I had surrounded myself with that knew my heart. It just so happened that two of them created the global award winning show Voice Your Vibe – Brian Schulman and Nancy Debra Barrows.
They took a moment and in the most selfless act of kindness shone their light on me by sharing the vulnerability I had unveiled for all to know.
In the days to follow my connections doubled, messages began pouring in, and familiarity of what I was offering to the world table was being welcomed with open embracing support.
If you’re starting into social media my best takeaway to offer is to surround those that know your spirit and heart, the ones who aren’t afraid to give you supportive constructive criticism even if it means feelings may hurt a little bit, the ones who hear you speaking your loudest when you have nothing to say. With time what you build with that circle will start to draw a much larger circle that can lead to new opportunities with commitment to your goal by just being yourself.
Having started actively 3 years ago I have achieved over 8 million views worldwide, and over 16k in connections and followers, and become internationally recognized as well as globally nominated for the work I have contributed.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Starting with nothing but an iPhone I used free apps to self-train myself on video editing for marketing my brand.

Using those skills got me noticed in my social media network which lead to interview and opportunities that led to sponsorship of the show I produce and host that help support payment of paid apps used only for show production leading to clients outside of the show for contracted video creations such as “Intro’s/Outro’s” for their Live Stream or Podcast or “Book Trailer” however still to this day I still use my phone for all of my productions which allows me to work remotely at any given moment that time is available keeping costs low which is optimum for a non-profit show.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bronxgibson?igsh=MTV1OTFwaTJtdXR4Ng%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-g-801a2ba4?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@aarongibson-n3l?si=1Cr3DyLTpCIRDrWR
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aarongibsonsoulmanlive?_t=ZM-8tcO41K23j4&_r=1