As a freshman from Pell City, Alabama, pursuing a degree in social work, Ty’Shaun Caldwell is not just another college student — he’s out to make changes and is committed to making a difference in the lives of others around the country. He’s accomplishing this through his social media platform, Thriving with Ty, which promotes positivity, social change and mental health awareness.
Caldwell’s mission stems from his own personal struggles.
“Not a lot of people know, but I grew up in foster care, so I’ve seen the ins and the outs and have personally seen how corrupt the system is, and I want to be able to make a change,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell said he knows the pain of navigating a system that can feel cold and disconnected, and he is determined to change that. His experiences fueled his decision to pursue social work, with the goal of advocating for those who need it the most.
During his first semester at Troy University , Caldwell faced the challenge of adjusting to a new environment while also grappling with his own mental health . It wasn’t an easy road, but it was one that sparked a powerful idea: to create a space where others could find inspiration, comfort and solidarity. From this, Thriving with Ty was born.
On Instagram, Caldwell began sharing motivational posts, messages of encouragement and personal reflections on mental health and resilience.
“I want to be a source of positivity, especially in a time where so many are feeling scared or lost,” Caldwell said. “The world can be a tough place, with everything going around right now, and people are anxious and even scared.”
His work is more than just an Instagram account. Caldwell’s passion is about transforming the mental health conversation, particularly in a society that often brushes it under the rug.
With each post, he emphasizes the importance of reaching out for help, taking care of oneself and staying hopeful.
“Mental health eats you up,” Caldwell said. “Sometimes people just need a word of encouragement.
“You could be walking down the sidewalk and see someone who might look okay, but they’re really torn up on the inside. All it takes is one word of kindness or one encouraging video, and it could change their whole day and stop them from going down a dark path.”
For Ty’Shaun, mental health isn’t just a personal issue; it’s a community issue.
“Find one person you’re comfortable talking to, even if it’s your dog or your cat,” Caldwell said. “When you tell someone how you’re feeling, it’s someone listening, and it's like a deep breath.
“It’ll make you feel better in the long run. By me being transparent about my struggles and how I’m coming through it, I want it to be like a trickle effect and for the people I help to help someone else.”
Despite everything he’s been through, Caldwell remains hopeful, and hope is exactly what he intends to spread.
“It’s like being in a dark room and shining a flashlight,” Caldwell said. “I want to break out of that room and be a light to the world.
“I had a girl in Arkansas who saw the video and reached out to me and told me how much my videos were helping her, and it was just amazing knowing that it was spreading that far.”
To follow Ty’Shaun’s journey, follow his Instagram at
thri.vingwithty.
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