Few stories encapsulate true transformation like Ryan Rivard’s. From the toughest of personal battles to conquering the world’s highest peaks, Ryan’s journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and service.
Beginning & Background
Growing up in Wayzata, Minnesota, Ryan faced challenges early in life that many would shy away from. The loss of his grandfather to suicide when Ryan was seven left a mark that changed everything. The pain led to a dangerous path of substance use, culminating at age 19 in a near-fatal overdose. That moment became a defining wake-up call.
With the support of recovery programs and a fierce determination to turn his life around, Ryan began to redefine his identity not as someone who had fallen, but someone who would rise. From local sports and outdoor adventures to discovering the life-changing power of purpose, his early chapters laid the foundation for the heights he would reach.
The Spark & Motivation
The pivotal spark for Ryan came when he recognized that his story had meaning beyond himself. His personal recovery journey transformed into a mission: to help others facing addiction, mental-health crisis, and the sense of having to climb their own internal mountains. His decision to physically climb Mount Everest symbolised that mission a metaphor brought to life.
“Climbing Everest isn’t just about the mountain it’s about the mountain inside you.”
Ryan Rivard
Challenges & Obstacles
Ryan’s path was far from smooth. Addiction, loss, and self-doubt hovered over his early years. The mental and physical toll of addiction, the emotional weight of trauma, and the uphill climb toward sobriety tested his willpower at every turn. Yet, each setback became a stepping stone: a chance to rebuild, redefine, and recommit.
When he faced the treacherous ascent of Himalayan peaks, the icy winds and thin air mirrored the inner storms he had fought. He learned that the greatest climbs are often less physical and more psychological.
Turning Points & Growth
The turning point came when Ryan merged his personal growth with a public mission. He co-founded the nonprofit Let’s Fuel Growth, an organisation dedicated to addiction recovery, mental-health awareness, and youth empowerment. His Everest Project wasn’t for glamor it was a platform for change.
With 21+ years of continuous sobriety, Ryan now uses his experience to lead by example. He speaks, he climbs, and he raises awareness. Every mountain he tackles becomes a milestone for many struggling in silence.
Achievements & Milestones
Ryan has summited Himalayan peaks such as Ama Dablam and Lobuche East, and has set his sights on Mount Everest. Each summit is not just a feat of endurance it’s a story of hope. His recovery journey, his nonprofit impact, and his physical achievements combine to form a legacy of transformation.
Ryan’s voice and platform now reach beyond his local community. His Instagram @theryanrivard (169 K followers) showcases his climbs, his message, and his mission. Instagram+1 His nonprofit scholarships and educational outreach link adventure with advocacy.
Values & Philosophy
Ryan believes that real healing is found in connection to oneself, to community, and to purpose. He teaches that you don’t have to wait for change you can climb toward it. He lives by the principle: show up, stay committed, and serve others.
His philosophy blends grit with compassion. Ryan shows that vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s an entry point to strength. He reminds his audience that no matter how dark the path, the summit is real when you decide to climb.
Impact on Others
Ryan’s journey has moved many. Young people facing addiction see someone who’s been there and still emerged. Regions facing mental-health crises gain a voice amplified by example. His climbs become metaphors, his setbacks become lessons, and his mission becomes contagious.
Whether through speaking engagements, nonprofit work, or social media storytelling, Ryan extends his reach from peaks to people. He’s built a community of climbers figurative and literal who believe that with support and purpose, they, too, can rise.
Looking Ahead
As Ryan maps his future, the summits ahead are more than geographic; they’re generational. He envisions expanding Let’s Fuel Growth, bringing scholarships, mentorship and awareness programs to new communities and young people. He sees further peaks, not just for himself, but for the movement he leads.
His next summit might be Everest but his deepest goal is far broader: to summit hope, healing, and possibility in the lives of others.
✨ Follow Ryan Rivard on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theryanrivard?igsh=Ym52bjE3bHkzaWx2
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