Blake Newsom is a world-recognized author, mental health specialist, and lifelong advocate for individuals whose voices are too often overlooked. His life’s work centers on compassion, education, and empowerment, values deeply embedded in the mission of Living the Dream University.

Before founding LTDU, Blake served at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he supported individuals experiencing emotional and mental distress. His time there strengthened his belief that every person, regardless of ability, background, or circumstance, deserves to be heard, valued, and allowed to thrive.

Born and raised in a small Tennessee town, Blake attended Community Elementary, Community Middle School, and Community High School, while also actively participating in Living Stones Community Church. During his formative years, he faced relentless bullying from peers, educators, family members, and even members of his faith community. With little protection or understanding, these experiences shaped both hardship and purpose. Rather than allowing cruelty to define him, Blake transformed his pain into resilience and a lifelong mission: to create a world where marginalized individuals are seen, protected, and empowered.

After high school, Blake enrolled at Columbia State Community College, eager to continue his education. However, he quickly realized how unprepared his high school experience had left him for college-level expectations. During his first semester, he struggled academically and failed two of the six classes his advisor had registered him for. Determined to improve, he retook statistics the following semester, only to fail again, losing his financial aid in the process.

But Blake refused to give up. He began working two and sometimes three jobs to pay for school out of pocket, often juggling late-night shifts with early-morning classes. Even though he could only afford one or two courses per semester, he persevered and eventually passed statistics on his third attempt. His resilience was strengthened by the encouragement of dedicated professors, including Dr. Candy Jones Martorell, who recognized his potential and helped him stay the course. This chapter of struggle and determination became a defining moment in Blake’s educational journey, instilling in him the belief that perseverance and faith can overcome any obstacle.

His debut book captures this transformation through a deeply personal poem, “Shoutout to My Bullies,” which confronts those who participated in or ignored his mistreatment. The piece stands as a bold testament to his philosophy of reclaiming narrative power, turning adversity into advocacy, and trauma into triumph.

A Vision Built from Perseverance

Living the Dream University was not founded through wealth, but through willpower, sacrifice, and faith. Blake personally covered all the costs to establish the university, funding its creation entirely through his own hard work. While attending school full-time, he worked several jobs simultaneously, including writing books, teaching online courses, consulting, and even driving for Lyft to make ends meet.

Every dollar earned was carefully invested in the dream that would one day become Living the Dream University. In this place, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities could access higher education, dignity, and a true sense of belonging. His determination embodies the very spirit of LTDU: proving that no dream is too big when fueled by purpose and perseverance.

A Legacy of Empowerment

Blake’s commitment to education is both personal and purposeful. His academic and research pursuits focus on trauma recovery and inclusive mental health practices. Beyond his clinical and educational endeavors, he has founded multiple nonprofit organizations aligned with his mission of service and equity, including one that supports individuals experiencing homelessness.

Today, as the visionary founder and president of Living the Dream University, Blake continues to redefine what higher education can mean for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. LTDU embodies his unwavering conviction that education should empower, not exclude, and that every person deserves the opportunity to realize their dreams.

As an author, Blake’s work spans children’s literature, poetry, self-help, and fiction, touching lives worldwide. His writing reflects vulnerability, insight, and fierce advocacy, grounded in his mission to help others heal and find hope after trauma.

Throughout every chapter of his life, Blake Newsom has remained a storyteller, healer, and change maker, a voice for the unheard and a beacon for those still finding their strength. His legacy lives not only in his words but also in the lives he has transformed through compassion, education, and action.