Allan Kehler - Mental Health Advocate

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Allan Kehler - Mental Health Advocate

Creating a safe space for people to be seen, heard and supported with their mental health. When it comes to mental health, silence is not the answer.

I know first-hand what it feels like to have lost my voice, and I also know what it feels like to have found it. I believe that the only reason why I’m still here today is to carry a message. I know that there are a lot of people who are suffering from the same or similar challenges that I faced. It has become my life’s mission to share my story in hope that it will shed a positive light on the jo

urney of others. I have learned that vulnerability equals strength. The more we share, put our walls down, and get real, the more we connect with others and most importantly ourselves. Together, let’s create a safe, compassionate, and supportive environment that proactively addresses issues of mental wellness. If you are looking to create a culture of care in your workplace, community, or school, I would love to hear from you. For more information please feel free to visit https://www.allankehler.com

08/13/2026

This story is a powerful reminder that the people we love can continue to impact our lives from the other side.

A few months after leaving my teaching position at a local college to pursue speaking full-time, the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world. Almost overnight, I watched every speaking engagement on my calendar disappear.

With no income in sight, my wife, Tanya, and I gathered what little savings we had and decided to pour our time, energy, and hope into something new: a clothing brand that would celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.

And just like that Born Resilient Clothing was born.

Neither of us knew the first thing about creating a clothing line, and our launch date was pushed back repeatedly.

Finally, our tech guy, Brandon, called to tell us that the website would officially launch in three days.

That evening, I was walking up the stairs when I suddenly stopped dead in my tracks.

Sensing something was wrong, Tanya asked, “Are you okay?”

I looked at her and said, “I just realized our launch date is the anniversary of Justin’s su***de.” (For those who don’t know my story, Justin was my best friend).

We both smiled while the tears formed.

Of course it was.

Now, the clothing line wasn't created specifically because of Justin. But, in that moment, it felt like another unmistakable reminder that Justin was still present and still helping us from the other side.

See, what’s interesting is that after Justin died, I got a tattoo on my throat with Justin's initials surrounded by the phoenix.

That same phoenix is present in our company logo which represents new beginnings, a fighting spirit and the strength to rise above our personal challenges.

Today, as we organize our products in BC following our recent move, I find myself thinking about that phoenix once again.

Because sometimes ‘life happens’ and we are left wondering what could possibly come next.

And then, somehow, something beautiful is born.

My hope for you is the following..

1. May you always find beauty in the mud.

2. May you always choose to fight.

07/19/2026

When I was younger I heard a quote that said, "You can’t explore the ocean if you don’t have courage to lose sight of the shore."

I will miss Saskatchewan (especially the people) but am grateful to start a new chapter with my family in beautiful Cranbrook, BC.

I am also grateful to sit on our balcony without being attacked by mosquitoes 😃

Wishing you all an incredible Sunday! Back to unpacking…

06/18/2026

Justin and I used to meet at a particular Tim Hortons where we would always sit at "our table."

The first time I returned after his death, I was taken aback to find yellow caution tape wrapped around the table. Both chairs were broken.

When I went back a second time, every seat in the restaurant was occupied except for ‘ours’. This time, the tape was gone, and the chairs appeared perfectly fine.

Last night, I stopped at Tim Hortons, ordered a coffee, and bought Justin his usual donut. I sat down at our table, placed the donut in front of the empty chair, and spent some time with my brother.

We talked. I smiled. I cried.

My heart hurts that Justin died by su***de, and yet that single act saved my own life. In ways that neither of us could ever have imagined, his life continues to make a difference.

Justin may no longer walk beside me, but he is here. He will always be here.

06/11/2026

More than 10 years ago, I mailed (not emailed) over 60 personalized letters to organizations across Saskatchewan, hoping to land a speaking engagement.

I received exactly zero responses.

I tried a different approach and reached out to executive leaders asking if I could buy them lunch. One person said yes. So, I drove more than two hours to meet her at Golf's Steak House.

At the time, my wife Tanya and I were struggling financially. We didn't have the money for the gas, let alone an expensive lunch. But Tanya never flinched and offered her usual unwavering support.

When I arrived, the executive leader had brought her assistant along. Suddenly, lunch became even more expensive. I ordered the cheapest item on the menu and did my best to explain how I could help their organization.

I never heard from them after that meal.

Before today’s speaking engagement, I went for a walk and happened to pass that same restaurant. While the building hadn't changed, my circumstances definitely had.

Here’s what I believe… success isn't always about getting immediate results. I think that it's more about believing in yourself long before the results arrive. (And having people around you who believe in you, too.)

And so, my hope is that if you are passionate about something, keep fighting for it.

The people who succeed aren't always the most talented. They are simply the ones who refused to quit.

06/09/2026

I have learned that something beautiful exists on the other side of vulnerability...

Connection, healing, understanding, and the freedom that comes from no longer carrying everything alone.

A new life begins when we bring our struggles into the light.

05/30/2026

Every chance I get to share a message of hope, resilience, and recovery is something I never take for granted.

But as meaningful as the speaking engagement was, the best part of the trip was having my family with me.

Thank you United Way Broward for this incredible opportunity 🙏

05/22/2026

Earlier this year, the City of Fort St. John experienced the heartbreaking loss of several youth to su***de, and the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge also deeply affected the entire community.

Yesterday, Brittany Wickham, Jessica Bowie, and Lindsay Bowie took meaningful action by organizing an exceptional conference to address the concerns being felt throughout the region.

With all that's going on in this world, this event did my heart good as I witnessed community and connection at it's finest.

Thank you SureLine Projects Inc. for your generous sponsorship of Born Resilient Clothing giveaways and making sure that everyone left with a Born Resilient wristband.

And thank you ConocoPhillips for sponsoring my keynote.

We are indeed stronger together.

Keep talking my friends.

05/13/2026

I grew up in a generation where men were taught to survive quietly because vulnerability was dangerous. Pain was something you buried, not something you spoke about. So, naturally, I became a master at hiding.

By day, I wore the smile everyone expected. By night, I drowned the internal noise with gambling, ci******es and alcohol.

But as you know... silence has a cost and secrets keep us sick.

My healing began the moment I gave myself permission to feel, and I allowed myself to say the words I thought nobody would understand.

Every time I step onto a stage as a keynote speaker, my mission is bigger than delivering 'just another talk'. I want people to feel something real. I want them to see themselves in my story. I want them to understand that their voice matters, their story matters, and their pain does not disqualify them from purpose.

Keep talking my friends.

Because if there's one thing I’ve learned on this wild journey called life, it's that finding your voice is the first step toward finding yourself again.

05/06/2026

A few weeks ago, I was standing on a stage covered with bright lights in front of 9,000 people. Last night, I was standing on a small stage covered in a Dr. Seuss carpet in front of 17 people at the Wainwright Public Library.

And for me, they were both just as meaningful. (Especially because I got to share that carpet with my wife Tanya Leigh).

Because after 15 years of speaking, I have come to understand that it’s not so much about how many people hear you, but rather how deeply you reach the ones who do. In other words, the size of the room doesn’t determine the weight of the impact.

This profession isn’t just about chasing bigger stages. It’s about honoring every stage you’re given because every single opportunity is sacred.

Thank you Wainwright & District Family Resource Network for welcoming us to your beautiful community with open arms.

04/25/2026

Tanya and I are grateful to be sharing our journey in Wainwright, Alberta on May 5th. If you are in the area we would love to see you!

Thank you Wainwright & District Family Resource Network and Wainwright Public Library for hosting this event.

Address

251 21 Avenue N
Saskatoon, SK
V1C4M6

Website

http://www.allankehler.com/

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