UBYou was founded by Jack Hellmer, a Florida Gulf Coast University alumnus, mental health advocate, and social entrepreneur, whose journey began during a deeply challenging period early in his college experience.

Following an incredible freshman year, Jack experienced a summer marked by significant loss and mounting stress. For the first time, he began to feel the physical and mental symptoms of anxiety, though he did not recognize them as such at the time. Like many students, he chose to bottle it up, stay quiet, and distract himself rather than speak openly about what he was experiencing. He felt isolated and unsure of what was happening to him.

What changed was a simple but meaningful moment. Jack’s mom noticed that he seemed off and asked if he was okay. That question opened the door for him to talk honestly and begin seeking support. While professional care was an important part of that journey, Jack was also motivated to explore natural, holistic ways to support his mental and physical well-being. He began learning and practicing tools such as breathing exercises, movement, self-reflection, and other evidence-informed wellness practices that helped him manage symptoms and regain a sense of control.

When Jack returned to campus for his sophomore year, he was not fully back to his old self, but he was confident that he had developed a personal mental toolbox to support himself when challenges arose. As he began opening up to friends and peers, he was struck by how many were experiencing anxiety, stress, or depression, often coping in unhealthy ways or simply living with their symptoms in silence. When he shared the tools and practices that had helped him, many shared that they made a meaningful difference and asked for more tools.

That realization sparked the idea for UBYou. Through his entrepreneurship coursework and close collaboration with students and campus professionals, Jack focused on turning this insight into a solution that could help students build skills, normalize help-seeking, and connect more easily to support. From the beginning, the vision was not to replace campus services, but to strengthen them by giving students a consistent, approachable entry point to care for their well-being.

Built in partnership with universities, student organizations, and community leaders, UBYou has grown from a personal experience into a campus-wide platform supporting student wellness, engagement, and success. The mission remains the same today: to empower students with the tools, confidence, and connections they need to navigate college and life beyond it.