When Canadian musician Robb Nash was a teenager, he was in a terrible car accident that nearly cost him his life.
As he grew up, Nash spent a lot of time experiencing bitterness over the injuries and the trauma of his experience. Then, he realized that he had been granted an amazing gift, a second chance at life, and it was his duty to do some good with it.
Much like the woman who became a motivational speaker after being bullied for a disease, Nash decided to let his past make him stronger, and to reach out and lift up others whenever he could.
As an adult, he started touring with his band throughout Canada and the U.S. The band, which performs simply as “Robb Nash,” works to convey an uplifting, inspirational message that helps reach into the lives of teenagers going through the dark and complicated process of adolescence.
But Nash’s simple motivational goal became far more serious when, according to the Washington Post, a high school principal reached out to Nash with a powerful, heartbreaking request.
It all started when a high school principal in Nash's native Canada reached out to the musician, who often performs at high schools, with a request that he come to her high school and address her students, who had recently lost a friend to suicide.
Nash got up on stage and spoke about his own demons, and the darkest thoughts he had as a teenager.
At the end of the performance, a teenage girl handed him a note: her own suicide note.
He had changed her mind, just days before she intended to carry out the plan.
That experience led Nash and his band to pivot the direction of their performances to focus on teen suicide, which has been on the rise in Canada in a disturbing trend described as a "crisis" by the Huffington Post.
His teenaged audiences responded with a wave of emotion and appreciation.
Notably, the first girl to hand Nash her note sparked a pattern.
Now, after shows, he is always available to collect notes, and has collected more than 400 in the band's most recent tour, along with items involved in self-harm, like razor blades and pills.
Teenagers contemplating suicide may write their note months in advance of attempting the act, and may even carry the notes with them, waiting for the "right" moment.
Because of this troubling behavior, many troubled teens have the notes readily on-hand for Nash.
When the kids hand over their notes, it's a way of confessing to troubled thoughts, as well as a way to declare, "that thought process and part of my life is over."
In exchange, many of these kids takes refuge and comfort in the powerful sentiments that the band promote.
Many of Nash's fans where black rubber wristbands, emblazon with the band name and logo, which depicts a spike on an EKG, a medical device that monitors heart rate.
Nash, as the survivor of a near-fatal accident, knows better than anyone that a jump like that indicates just how strong the instinct for survival is.
Nash's fans don't just show their support by wearing his bracelets; many of them gain a renewed commitment to protecting their own lives, and the lives of their friends.
Lots of students organize shows at their school to support peers, or set up charity drives to raise money for the Robb Nash Foundation.
Some even make their commitment permanent, by tattooing Nash's lyrics or logo onto their skin, as a daily, constant reminder of what they're fighting against.
Recently, Nash made the news when he decided to take a page out of the fan playbook.
He decided to get a tattoo of his own, one that would make sure he never ever forgot his mission as a motivator and a musician.
Of the many suicide notes he received, he selected 120 signatures: signatures of kids who had made the decision to survive.
He then had the 120 names tattooed on his right arm, scrolling from wrist to bicep.
Now, Robb Nash is a front page news story across Canada and the U.S.
Since the band mostly performs in schools, they are on a summer break to coincide with the school schedule.
Still, that doesn't mean he's sitting idly by.
Instead, he's spending his time championing the cause, and making sure kids all over the continent know that there's always hope.
After all, if anyone knows about second chances, it's Robb Nash.
If you were moved by this incredible story and the man making it possible, please check out the Robb Nash website, and don't forget to SHARE his powerful message with friends and family!
