Mental Health, Music & Community with Artist and VTS Student Ari Welkom (aka Avatari)

What if your biggest struggle could become your biggest source of connection?

I sat down with artist, actor and VTS student Ari Welkom, aka Avatari—and let me tell you, it was one of the most honest conversations I’ve had in a while. We talked about what it means to show up as your full self in music: the healing, the heartbreak, and how your voice can hold more truth than your words ever could.

Whether you’re navigating your own creative blocks, building community through music, or just trying to be a little more you on stage and online—this one’s for you.

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Mental Health & Music

🎙 Ari: “With the fall that I had, the amazing part of it was I got exposed to a whole new way of life.”

After struggling with addiction, Ari found healing through music. That’s what inspired him to create Mental Health Mondays—a collaborative space where artists, fans, and followers talk openly about how music and mental health intersect.

This isn’t about curating a perfect image. It’s about creating a safe place to be honest. To show up with your full story—messy parts and all—and connect with others who get it.

Ari’s openness reminds us that vulnerability can be a strength—and that when you share your story, you create space for someone else to share theirs.

It’s not just about the music. It’s about the message—and the community you build along the way.

Check out my guest episode on Metal Health And Music (Ari’s podcast) here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OQdN2Mc25b1nuilMnGuOr?si=522d6f1c057b4873

Authenticity > Attention

🎙 Ari: “The more authentic, real, truthful, and intentional you are—the more chance you’ll actually be heard.”

One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation was Ari’s perspective on attracting the right audience. It's not about going viral or converting people who don’t vibe with your music. It's about being honest, intentional, and clear about who you are—and letting that draw the people who are meant to find you.

Because the truth is, real fans stick around. They connect with your message, not just your melody. They support you not because you’re trending, but because they see themselves in your story.

When you stop chasing approval and start leaning into your truth, you build something way more meaningful—and most importantly sustainable.

Why Singing Is More Than Sound

🎙 Lara: “I feel like voice lessons can be therapeutic for a lot of people.”

🎙 Ari: “It’s the voice. It’s a human way of connecting through sound with the rest of humanity.”

Singing isn’t just technical—it’s deeply emotional. It taps into parts of ourselves we don’t always know how to express with words.

Ari beautifully described how the voice reflects our personality, our emotions, and our lived experience. It becomes a way to communicate what’s beneath the surface.

So when we sing, we’re not just making sound—we’re telling stories. We’re reaching for connection. And sometimes, we’re healing a part of ourselves in the process.

Singing lets us say the things we don’t always know how to speak.

Ari’s story is a powerful reminder that your voice isn’t just a skill—it’s a reflection of who you are and what you’ve lived through. Whether you’re building community, healing from something hard, or just trying to feel more connected to your music again, it all starts with truth.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be real. And when you are, the right people will hear you.

🎧 Catch the full conversation on From Singer to Artist to hear Ari’s insights, stories, and a whole lot of heart.

Instagram:  @avatariworld

YouTube: @AVATARI

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