Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Devon Mckelvin of Atlanta

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Devon Mckelvin. Check out our conversation below.

Devon, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Great question. I try to start every day with the same routine because I’ve noticed it keeps me grounded. I begin with affirmations, gratitude, and intention setting, giving thanks to God for another day and reminding myself that the day is whatever I choose to make it. I also practice mirror “I am” affirmations, which help me stay present and kind to myself.

From there, I move to my whiteboard where I write out my to-do list for the day. This helps me start with a winning mindset and a sense of flow, rather than chaos. After that, I make time for a protein-rich breakfast along with my go-to oolong tea with honey and almond milk — it helps shake off that morning grogginess and sets me up with steady energy.

By the time I’ve finished my routine, I feel grounded, focused, and ready to step into the day with purpose.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Devon McKelvin, and I proudly go by “The HVAC Actor.” I’m a U.S. Army veteran, an HVAC student, and an actor with five years of experience, currently training and performing in Atlanta. My journey is unique because it blends discipline and creativity as I’m pursuing a technical trade in HVAC for stability while also chasing my passion for storytelling on screen and stage.

I also was recently diagnosed with ADHD and identify as neurodivergent, which at times has been a challenge but is also a huge part of my gift. My sensitivity, energy, and ability to hyperfocus fuel my creativity as an actor and my persistence as a student. A big part of my mission is to inspire other artists who live with mental health challenges or neurodivergence — to let them know that they’re not broken, they’re just wired differently, and their difference can actually be their superpower.

Through my brand, I want to show that you don’t have to fit into one box. You can be technical and artistic, disciplined and creative, grounded and visionary. Right now, I’m focused on continuing my acting training, preparing for bigger roles, and building my dual-career brand that represents resilience, faith, and the courage to live fully as yourself.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
On a recent trip back home to New York in June of this year, I came across a picture of myself as a little boy maybe five years old, and it stopped me in my tracks. In the photo, I was dressed up posing like i was on a red carpet, already carrying myself like an actor before I even knew what that really meant which was life changing for me.

Seeing that picture brought me face to face with the younger version of me who always knew his purpose, even before life, expectations, and other people’s opinions tried to shape me into something else. It was a powerful reminder that deep down, I’ve always known who I was meant to be. That moment shifted how I see the world. It reminded me that no matter what challenges or detours come, the truth of who we are is already planted in us from the start. All we really have to do is believe in it just enough to bring it to life which helped me see the world alot differently. Knowing that life and the world itself is a reflection of the narrative we as human kind carry on the inside.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was about six years old, my parents separated. My father moved back to New York, while my mom, my sister, and I stayed in Atlanta. In that moment, I felt like I had to step up — to become the man of the house and protect my family in my father’s absence. It was a turbulent time. We were constantly moving into new apartments and with family members, I was always changing schools, and it felt like I was forever “the new kid” trying to start over. That kind of instability was a lot to carry at such a young age.

Even when my parents got back together and we moved back to New York when I was ten, the same cycle continued — always having to adjust, always needing to fit in. It reinforced that feeling of instability but also pushed me to develop resilience early.

What helped me most was leaning on faith. There’s a scripture in John that says, “You may not know now, but soon you will” (John 13:7). That verse became a quiet anchor for me, reminding me that even if I didn’t understand the chaos around me, there was purpose in it.

Those years of turbulence — first in Atlanta, then again in New York — built a strength in me that I now carry into every part of life. It prepared me to survive and thrive in demanding places like the military, the boxing ring, the HVAC trade, and the acting industry where competition is fierce. Looking back, the instability that once scared me became the foundation of my resilience.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what matters most to me is healing and breaking generational curses, especially for the sake of my future children. Many of us grew up in broken homes, where instead of just being kids, we had to step into roles our parents or communities couldn’t always fill. For some, that meant growing up around poverty, watching parents fight or divorce, or dealing with violence in the community. Experiences like that can rob children of their joy and innocence before they even get the chance to grow into it.

I think about that a lot today, especially when I look around and see rising gender wars, declining marriage rates, and families breaking apart. These issues don’t just affect adults but they shape the developing minds of children. When parents are stretched thin working multiple jobs just to provide, kids often miss out on the most important thing which is real quality time and connection. Often times this leads to drug and alcohol abuse and addictions or even fighting for validation in spaces that don’t align with the inner self as adults.

That’s why I’ve always told myself I will work as hard as I can to create a strong family unit. I believe deeply that the mother of my children should always have access to them, because a mother’s love is the foundation of a child’s success. For me, that’s not just a personal goal but it’s part of my life’s purpose: to build something whole, loving, and lasting, where healing replaces the cycle of brokenness.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was a man who turned pain into purpose. Someone who took everything he went through — being neurodivergent in a world built for neurotypical brains, the instability, the struggles, the moments of doubt — and used it as fuel to create healing, art, and opportunity for others. I want the story to be that I didn’t just chase my own dreams, but that I helped open doors, gave people hope and courage, and showed that you can build a family, a career, and a legacy without losing your soul.

I want to be remembered as a man who loved deeply, worked hard, and broke generational cycles not only for his own children, but for anyone who crossed his path. Someone who proved that resilience and faith can transform even the hardest beginnings into a life that inspires others to believe they can do the same.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Devonmckelvin_
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@devonmckelvin3932