About me - Kier Gaines

RAISED IN POVERTY AND EXPERIENCING THE PROFOUND LOSS OF MY MOTHER AT AN EARLY AGE, MY LIFE HAS BEEN A JOURNEY OF OVERCOMING AND RESILIENCE. THESE EXPERIENCES SHAPED ME INTO WHO I AM TODAY – A VOICE OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND STRENGTH FOR OTHERS.

It’s humbling to see how far I’ve come, now reaching over 45 million people across all social platforms. My story, from facing life’s toughest challenges to becoming a source of inspiration, is a reminder that with hope and determination, anyone can rise above their circumstances. I’m grateful for every opportunity to share my perspective and support others in their journey towards healing and growth.

how I started

A PATH PAVED
WITH PASSION & PURPOSE

When I was just 5 years old, my mom had a unique way of nurturing my early creativity. She would make me stand on tables to spell difficult words and recite things I knew. Her early encouragement played a big role in shaping my creative journey. As I grew older, my interest in music blossomed. I found joy and a sense of achievement in performing and battle rapping. I even made some money from it.

Entering my early 20s, I started to document my life. I had these insights on life that I was eager to share and discuss, seeking feedback and interaction. This was an important time for me. I was deeply involved in community work and education, fueling my passion for helping others.

A pivotal moment came with the birth of my first daughter. I began documenting my thoughts and experiences on fatherhood, sharing them publicly. To my surprise, one of these videos went viral around the same time that I completed my master’s degree in counseling. This unexpected surge in attention marked the beginning of my career in social media, specifically focusing on mental health. This journey, from a curious child on a table to a respected voice in mental health and fatherhood, is a testament to the power of nurturing one’s passions and the unexpected paths life can take us on.

x kier

REAL COMMUNITY IS THE BALANCE OF HOLDING YOU CLOSE AND HOLDING YOU ACCOUNTABLE.

my purpose

MENTAL HEALTH
ADVOCATE

AS A MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE AND LICENSED THERAPIST, I HAVE DEDICATED MY CAREER TO FOSTERING EMOTIONAL WELLNESS AND SELF-AWARENESS.

My work has taken me to prestigious platforms such as the White House, NASA, and Amazon Movie Studios, where I’ve had the honor of speaking and sharing my insights. Recognized by influential figures like Oprah and Viola Davis, my approach to mental health is rooted in transparency and authenticity, resonating with a wide audience.

Engaging with Fortune 500 companies, I’ve led discussions with employees, focusing on the importance of mental health in the workplace. These interactions are a key part of my mission to bring mental health awareness to a broader audience. Additionally, I’ve partnered with over 100 brands to increase the visibility of products and services that align with my values and advocacy work. This has allowed me to use my platform not only for personal expression but also for promoting products and ideas that can positively impact mental health and parenting.

My commitment to mental health advocacy extends to various forms of media, reaching a community of over 750,000 followers across all social media platforms. Each step of my journey is geared towards transforming personal challenges into opportunities for communal growth and change.

let's take a

A LOOK BACK OVER THE YEARS

HOW THIS CAME TO BE

2013

I led a community-based job training program in Washington D.C., where I counseled formerly incarcerated and chronically homeless individuals, helping them gain skills for employment and a new start.

2016

I began a new chapter working in a school, dedicated to helping students from low-income neighborhoods transition successfully into life after high school.

2017

I worked with the local school district to create job programs for students with disabilities. At the same time, I started my graduate studies to become a licensed therapist and became a first-time dad.

2019

I married Noémie and together we launched our couple’s counseling series on YouTube, sharing our insights and experiences to help others in their relationships.

2020

I created a viral video focused on the importance of healing and therapy for new fathers. This video resonated widely, reaching hundreds of millions of views and sparking important conversations about fatherhood and mental health.

2021

I made the decision to leave my position with the local school district, choosing to focus full-time on mental health advocacy through social media.

2024

I am continuing to establish myself as a prominent mental health professional and advocate on social media, reaching tens of millions with my perspective on resilience, parenting, and emotional well-being.

its the little things

5 QUESTIONS WITH KIER

1. MY DAILY MUST DO:

hug and kiss my wife & kids

2. FAVORITE TIME OF DAY

late night when everyone is asleep

3. ALL TIME TOP MOVIE

shutter island

4. FEW KNOW THIS ABOUT ME:

i hate the cold

5. GO-TO GUILTY SNACK:

funyuns

let’s go deeper

WHY DO I DO THIS?

I EMBARKED ON THIS JOURNEY AS A MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE AND THERAPIST BECAUSE I’VE WITNESSED FIRST-HAND THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF EMOTIONAL WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE.

Growing up in an environment that often limited the expression of vulnerability, I realized the critical need for open conversations about mental health, especially in communities like mine. My work, from engaging with Fortune 500 employees to sharing insights on global platforms, is driven by a deep-seated desire to make mental health care accessible and relatable. The connections I’ve formed, whether through speaking engagements or social media, are not just about spreading awareness; they’re about building a community where empathy and understanding flourish. Every day, I’m inspired by the potential to change lives, just as my own life was changed by the lessons of resilience and hope I learned early on.

KEY MOMENTS

SOME OF MY MOST MEANINGFUL & IMPACTFUL POSTS.

THERAPY

Watch

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

Watch

MENTAL HEALTH

Watch

le’ts
CONNECT

RAISED IN POVERTY AND EXPERIENCING THE PROFOUND LOSS OF MY MOTHER AT AN EARLY AGE, MY LIFE HAS BEEN A JOURNEY OF OVERCOMING AND RESILIENCE. THESE EXPERIENCES SHAPED ME INTO WHO I AM TODAY – A VOICE OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND STRENGTH FOR OTHERS.

how I started

A PATH PAVED WITH PASSION & PURPOSE

x kier

REAL COMMUNITY IS THE BALANCE OF HOLDING YOU CLOSE AND HOLDING YOU ACCOUNTABLE.

my purpose

MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE

AS A MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE AND LICENSED THERAPIST, I HAVE DEDICATED MY CAREER TO FOSTERING EMOTIONAL WELLNESS AND SELF-AWARENESS.

let's take a

A LOOK BACK OVER THE YEARS

HOW THIS CAME TO BE

2013

I led a community-based job training program in Washington D.C., where I counseled formerly incarcerated and chronically homeless individuals, helping them gain skills for employment and a new start.

2016

I began a new chapter working in a school, dedicated to helping students from low-income neighborhoods transition successfully into life after high school.

2017

I worked with the local school district to create job programs for students with disabilities. At the same time, I started my graduate studies to become a licensed therapist and became a first-time dad.

2019

I married Noémie and together we launched our couple’s counseling series on YouTube, sharing our insights and experiences to help others in their relationships.

2020

I created a viral video focused on the importance of healing and therapy for new fathers. This video resonated widely, reaching hundreds of millions of views and sparking important conversations about fatherhood and mental health.

2021

I made the decision to leave my position with the local school district, choosing to focus full-time on mental health advocacy through social media.

2024

I am continuing to establish myself as a prominent mental health professional and advocate on social media, reaching tens of millions with my perspective on resilience, parenting, and emotional well-being.

its the little things

5 QUESTIONS WITH KIER

1. MY DAILY MUST DO:

hug and kiss my wife & kids

2. FAVORITE TIME OF DAY

late night when everyone is asleep

3. ALL TIME TOP MOVIE

shutter island

4. FEW KNOW THIS ABOUT ME:

i hate the cold

5. GO-TO GUILTY SNACK:

funyuns

let’s go deeper

WHY DO I DO THIS?

I EMBARKED ON THIS JOURNEY AS A MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE AND THERAPIST BECAUSE I’VE WITNESSED FIRST-HAND THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF EMOTIONAL WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE.

KEY MOMENTS

SOME OF MY MOST MEANINGFUL & IMPACTFUL POSTS.

THERAPY

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

MENTAL HEALTH

I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

A PATH PAVED
WITH PASSION & PURPOSE

MENTAL HEALTH
ADVOCATE