Meet Josh Rheaume
Lived Experience. Professional Impact.
Josh Rheaume is an asthma patient advocate, public speaker, and the host of Beyond the Wheeze — a podcast focused on bridging the gap between patients and clinicians through honest conversations about asthma and respiratory health.
Born with severe asthma, Josh spent months of his childhood in hospital and knows firsthand what it feels like to navigate symptoms, flare-ups, fear, and gaps in care. In adulthood, he transformed that experience into a mission: helping improve asthma awareness, education, access, and outcomes across Canada.
Josh speaks to healthcare professionals, advocacy organizations, corporate teams, and the public about patient-centered care, effective communication, and what it truly takes to live well with chronic respiratory disease.
Outside of advocacy, Josh is also a marathon runner — proof that limitation does not have to define potential.
:
- Based in Ontario, Canada
- Speaker + advocate featured in events like Better Breathing Week
- Host of Beyond the Wheeze (patients, clinicians, researchers, caregivers)
My Speaking
Josh delivers keynotes and talks on asthma, chronic disease, and patient-centered care — blending storytelling, practical takeaways, and real-world lived experience. Audiences leave with a clearer understanding of what patients need, where the healthcare system breaks down, and how communication can improve outcomes.
My Approach
Josh brings two perspectives into every room: the lived experience of severe asthma, and the communication skills needed to translate that experience into actionable insight. His work helps organizations improve trust, education, and patient engagement — while keeping the message clear, human, and evidence-informed.
My Story
I was born with severe asthma and spent a huge part of my childhood in hospital — sometimes months at a time. Growing up, asthma wasn’t something I “had.” It shaped my life, my family, and my mental health.
As I got older, I realized something important: too many people living with asthma feel unseen, misunderstood, or dismissed. Education gaps, delayed diagnosis, and limited access to respiratory specialists still affect outcomes every day.
That’s why I do this work now — speaking, advocating, and using Beyond the Wheeze to help close the gap between patients and clinicians. Because better breathing starts with better understanding.