Addison Brasil

PAIN TO PURPOSE. Addison Brasil has always believed in putting positivity out into the world, a mantra that has guided him through a life filled with both profound joy and unimaginable loss. From his early years as a professional dancer to his role as a mental health advocate and startup founder, Addison’s work has consistently focused on connecting with others and bringing light into their lives.

Raised in a loving and accepting household, Addison was encouraged to pursue his passions from a young age. He channeled his energy into dance, a career that saw him ranked among the top ten dancers globally in 2006. “That need to connect with other people started out literally on stages,” Addison recalls. However, his life took a tragic turn when he lost his brother to a brain tumor at 19, followed by the loss of his father to suicide shortly after. These heartbreaking experiences became a catalyst for Addison’s work in mental health and philanthropy.

In response to his brother’s death, Addison co-founded the Team Brother Bear Foundation, an organization dedicated to connecting families affected by brain tumors with the resources they need. “At the time, it just seemed like the right thing,” Addison says. This early venture into philanthropy gave him a “bug for business paired with service,” a combination that would define his later work.

The grief of losing his brother and father could have been overwhelming, but Addison found a way to transform his pain into purpose. “I inherited this mental health education that didn’t really exist 10 years before,” he explains. Determined to make a difference, Addison became a staunch advocate for mental health, particularly for men—a demographic that has historically struggled with seeking help for emotional and mental health challenges.

But just as Addison began to rebuild his life, tragedy struck again. He survived a car accident that claimed the life of a close friend and left him with serious injuries. “I realized in that moment that grief and mental health struggles aren’t something you fix with a checkmark,” Addison says. This realization became a cornerstone of his approach to mental health.

In 2019, Addison was approached by co-founders with the idea for tethr, a mental health app for men. Drawing on his personal experiences and passion for mental health, tethr was launched during the early days of the pandemic. The platform quickly became a lifeline for many men facing isolation and mental health challenges. “It felt like I was the perfect person to come forward, not only as a founder but as a spokesperson,” Addison reflects.

IMPACT OVER PROFIT. The journey of tethr was both challenging and rewarding. As the company grew, it became clear that Addison’s primary focus was on creating genuine impact rather than maximizing profit. “We were very adamant about not using the tech to make something profitable if it didn’t align with what I thought would be the most mental health-driven for the community,” Addison says. This commitment to integrity eventually led to his decision to exit the company in 2021, a move he describes as “a beautiful moment to acknowledge that we came together at this time and did this impactful thing.”

Today, Addison continues to advocate for mental health through his writing and public speaking. His book, First Year of Grief Club: A Gift From a Friend Who Gets It, is a reflection of his journey and a resource for others navigating loss. For new founders, Addison offers simple yet profound advice: “Make sure it’s something additive to the world. Take care of yourself during the process, and always ask yourself, ‘what does success feel like, not just what does it look like?’”