Daily Inspiration: Meet Jide’ Fresh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jide’ Fresh

Hi Jide’, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
On July 26th, 2018, life changed forever. It was one of those hot, sticky, humid summer nights, the kind where you feel like you’re breathing in steam. I took my bike out, hoping the night air would help me let go of some of the tension weighing heavy on my chest. As I rode, a vehicle hit me from behind. It happened so fast. One second, I was pedaling, feeling the rhythm of the night, and the next, my body was airborne, thrown twenty feet before crashing onto the unforgiving concrete—right into oncoming traffic. I remember the shock, the panic as I tried to move, to get to the side of the road, but my body wouldn’t respond. It was terrifying.

That night was the beginning of a journey I never could’ve imagined. From 2018 to 2021, I faced fears that had lived deep inside me, the kind that test the very core of who you are. The fear of dying, of being left handicapped and dependent, of my marriage falling apart, my finances crumbling, and worst of all, the possibility of my children being split up. Everything I thought I knew about my life, my future, and my identity came crashing down.

I had to rebuild, and that meant more than just healing broken bones. I had to dig deep. I focused on repairing not just my physical body but also my emotional and mental health. Between 2018 and 2021, I spent countless hours alone with my thoughts, wrestling with who I was and who I wanted to become. It was a time of hard truths. I realized I wasn’t my profession, my physical strength, or even the role I played in relationships. Everything I had once used to define myself was gone, and I had to start from scratch.

Out of that dark, solitary space, I began to imagine the life I wanted—a life filled with purpose, joy, and, most importantly, art. I wrote Weed and Zen as part of that process, pouring my struggle with anxiety and depression onto the pages. Writing was a healing act, a way to make sense of the chaos in my mind. By the time the Cincinnati Reds’ Opening Day Parade rolled around in 2021, I was ready to put myself out there in a new way. I packed up some postcards and headed to the stadium, selling them on the street. It was small, but it was something.

That step turned into more steps. I started making and selling M.E.S.H. Books in markets, setting up booths, and eventually creating full-fledged art pieces. One small act of faith in myself led to a life I never dreamed possible. By 2024, I was giving keynote speeches, creating murals, and even having a piece featured in Cincinnati’s BLINK festival. Looking back, I realize it was focus, dedication, and a commitment to something I couldn’t even see—a future I could only feel in my heart.

It was faith in action, a belief that no matter how broken I felt, I could create something beautiful from the rubble. This journey has been a testament to the power of holding on when everything around you feels lost, of trusting in the transformation that comes when you dare to dream beyond the pain.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? Not even close. The road was anything but smooth; it was a winding path full of potholes, setbacks, and moments when I questioned if I could keep going. After that hit-and-run accident, the first struggle was purely physical. Learning to move again, repairing my body—every day was a battle. There were days when even getting out of bed felt impossible, but I had to push myself to do it, not just for me but for the life I wanted to rebuild.

And then came the emotional and mental struggles. The accident had broken more than just bones; it shattered my sense of self. From 2018 to 2021, I felt like I was constantly battling anxiety and depression. My identity unraveled. Who was I if I wasn’t my profession? If I wasn’t a husband or a provider? If I couldn’t even trust my body to function the way it used to? It felt like everything I’d built my life on was crumbling, and I was just standing there, helpless, watching it all fall apart.

Financially, things were devastating. Medical bills piled up, income streams dried out, and I was left scrambling, trying to make ends meet while facing my fears of losing everything. There were sleepless nights worrying about how I’d provide for my children, if I could even keep our family together. The weight of that responsibility was crushing.

I also faced loneliness like never before. Spending so much time alone with my thoughts was brutal but necessary. I had to sit with my pain and disappointment and make peace with it. It’s hard to explain how isolating that process is—when you’re stripped of everything familiar and left with just the raw truth of who you are and the mess you have to clean up.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is rooted in a deep belief that creativity can be a force for transformation. I’m the founder of In Fly We Trust and the creator of M.E.S.H. Books, which are a series of interactive books that blend art, self-development, and healing. These books are more than just something to read or color; they are experiences designed to inspire people to reflect, grow, and take meaningful action in their lives. I specialize in creating art that invites participation and conversation, where the readers or viewers become a part of the piece.

What I’m most known for is making art that’s soulful, intentional, and tied to a greater purpose. My self-development coloring books I call M.E.S.H (Mental, Emotional, Social, Health) Books and art work tell stories—stories of struggle, hope, resilience, and personal growth. People have described my work as both deeply personal and universally relatable, touching on themes that make you pause and think about your own journey.

One of the things I’m most proud of is having my first mural installed on the side of Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati, a predominantly white parish that embraced my art, featuring two African women. That mural was groundbreaking for me and the community. Even when it was damaged by the wind, I saw an opportunity to create something even more meaningful—a metaphor for how we can rise and rebuild, stronger and more purposeful.

I’m also incredibly proud of the journey that’s led to this moment—giving keynote speeches, having work featured in Cincinnati’s BLINK, and putting out books that genuinely help people heal and grow. Seeing someone hold a M.E.S.H. Book and hearing how it helped them through a hard time is one of the most fulfilling experiences.

What sets me apart from others is the way I weave storytelling, art, and self-improvement together. My work isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about impact. Each project is a call to action—a way to inspire people to transform themselves and, by extension, the world around them. I also have a unique approach to how I engage communities, often creating opportunities for collaboration and shared experiences. My work is never just for me; it’s for us, for everyone willing to see the world a little differently and be a part of something greater.

What makes you happy?
Creating art itself makes me happy. It’s the purest form of self-expression, a space where I lose track of time and let my soul speak. Whether it’s working on a mural, putting together a new M.E.S.H. Book, or sketching out an idea, that creative flow fills me with purpose and a deep sense of fulfillment.

I also find happiness in moments of stillness, in those quiet times when I get to appreciate how far I’ve come. There’s a certain contentment in acknowledging the growth and the grit it took to get here. Simple things—like a good meal with my children, feeling the sun on my face, or sharing a laugh with someone I care about—make me profoundly happy.

At the core, it’s about the sense of meaning and connection. Knowing that I’m living in alignment with my purpose, that my work has the power to uplift and transform, and that I’ve turned pain into something beautiful—that’s what makes me happy. It’s the why behind everything I do.

Pricing:

• M.E.S.H Books $25.00
• Large art pieces $400
• Small art pieces $250
• Commissions (contact me)
• check out the website for more information

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.inflywetrust.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inflywetrustinc/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@inflywetrust