Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aly Vredenburgh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Aly, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from a deep belief in systemic change and a refusal to accept the status quo. Growing up, I saw firsthand how mental health struggles, inequality, and systemic failures shaped people’s lives. These experiences fueled my passion for advocacy, education, and social innovation, leading me to write Out of Focus: Why Gen Z’s Mental Health Crisis is More Complex Than You Think and develop a documentary to expose the root causes of the crisis.
After earning my master’s degree in social innovation, I expected opportunities to implement change—but faced rejection after rejection. Instead of waiting for a system that wasn’t ready for me, I built my own path, pushing forward conversations on mental health, youth advocacy, and systemic reform.
Beyond career obstacles, my work connects me with families who have lost loved ones to suicide or violence, reminding me why I persist. Resilience, to me is about using adversity as fuel to create change, no matter how insurmountable the odds may seem.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am an author, mental health advocate, and social innovator dedicated to exposing the systemic roots of the youth mental health crisis. My book, Out of Focus: Why Gen Z’s Mental Health Crisis is More Complex Than You Think, and my upcoming documentary, Crisis Generation, explore the structural failures impacting young people and the urgent need for change.
Through storytelling, research, and advocacy, I am working to bridge the gap between policy and lived experience to challenge outdated narratives and push for real reform. Right now, I’m leveraging my documentary as a greater social movement, and I am also working as a consultant on mental health policy, and working to drive systemic solutions that create lasting impact.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three most impactful qualities in my journey have been the courage to be disliked, taking rejection in stride, and leadership.
Challenging the status quo and pushing for systemic change often means facing criticism. The courage to be disliked has allowed me to stay true to my values and mission without being derailed by external opinions. I’ve learned that not everyone will support or understand the work I do, and that’s okay—it’s more important to stand by what’s right than to seek universal approval.
Rejection is inevitable, especially when working in advocacy, publishing, and filmmaking. Rather than seeing it as a failure, I’ve come to view rejection as redirection—an opportunity to refine my approach and find the right opportunities. Taking rejection in stride has helped me keep moving forward, even when the path wasn’t clear.
Leadership has been crucial in turning ideas into action. Whether through writing, speaking, or organizing, I’ve had to step up and create opportunities where none existed. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about guiding a vision, building strong collaborations, and empowering others to join in creating change.
For those early in their journey, embracing these qualities can make all the difference. Stay committed to your purpose, don’t let rejection define you, and step into leadership even when it feels uncomfortable—because real change happens when people dare to challenge what’s possible
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, I’m always open to partnering with individuals and organizations who are passionate about mental health, social justice, and systems change. I’m especially interested in collaborating with mental health professionals, educators, filmmakers, policymakers, and advocates who share a commitment to addressing the root causes of the youth mental health crisis.
Whether it’s through interviews, creative projects, speaking engagements, or policy work, I’m eager to build meaningful collaborations that drive real impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.outoffocusbook.com
- Instagram: @alyvredenburgh
- Youtube: @crisisgeneration
Image Credits
Photo with the slate is by Mei Ling Marzonie
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
