Listen to Noomii's interview with Ryan Benz

About Me

Hi, I'm Ryan. Personal development & mindset coach, student and teacher of mindfulness, inspirational speaker, and Appalachian Trail Thru-hiker.

I had everything I was told I was supposed to want in life, a wife, a home, a college degree, and what many would consider to be a “successful” career. I was chasing the quintessential American Dream, the conventional definition of “success,” and as a result lost sight of everything that was important.

When I reached my early 30’s I became disillusioned, wondering how I could have accomplished so much yet feel so empty inside. Rather than feeling the happiness and fulfillment that I thought I would gain from it all, I felt overwhelmingly stressed, anxious, and suffered from frequent panic attacks. On the surface I had achieved so much, but underneath my life lacked meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.

A divorce left me alone for the first time in my life, so I turned to meditation and mindfulness to try to cope with the change. Then, I decided to let go of everything I knew, including my career of 10 years and the “success” I spent so much time building, and hiked the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, all 2,189.8 miles of it.

I often refer to the day when I completed the hike as the first day of the rest of my life. The moment when I was screaming from the top of that mountain, I had never felt more alive.

My path helped me to discover who I am and what my purpose is in this world—to inspire people to overcome what might seem insurmountable today, and to take control of this one precious life you have to live.

Now, it’s your turn. Let's find your path together.