TLDR;
Ryan Treyan transformed from a clout-chasing YouTuber to a philanthropic content creator with over 20 million subscribers. He started with entrepreneurial ventures like the Neptune water bottle in high school, then gained initial fame through running videos and a penny-flipping series. After a spiritual awakening, he shifted his focus to charity, creating series like surviving on a penny and visiting 50 states in 50 days, raising millions for organizations like Feeding America and St. Jude's. He also founded Joyide, a healthier candy company, demonstrating that authenticity and purpose can lead to significant impact.
- Entrepreneurial beginnings with the Neptune water bottle.
- Shift from clout-chasing to philanthropic content.
- Successful charity series raising millions for various causes.
- Founding of Joyide, a healthier candy company.
- Authenticity and purpose as key drivers of his success.
Early Entrepreneurial Ventures and College Running Career [0:00]
In high school, Ryan created the Neptune water bottle, marketing it as an alternative to single-use plastics. The company generated over $50,000 in its first year, and a Kickstarter project raised over $30,000. Ryan was also a successful cross-country runner, becoming the valedictorian of his high school and a college athlete at Texas A&M University. In 2017, he achieved third place in the Agile Land Open and earned the SEC Freshman Runner of the Week honor, with a 5K time of 15 minutes and 27 seconds.
Early YouTube Success and College Dropout [2:19]
Ryan started posting running vlogs, gaining initial virality with a video of his fastest mile time. He then created a penny series, inspired by Kyle McDonald and Gary Vaynerchuk, where he attempted to turn one penny into $1,000, accumulating over 12 million views. However, his college deemed this monetization a violation of their agreement, leading Ryan to drop out of college to pursue YouTube full-time, despite having only 27,000 subscribers at the time.
Finding His Style and Meeting His Fiancée [6:21]
After dropping out of college, Ryan experimented with various video styles, including copying Emma Chamberlain's Instagram and creating videos similar to Cody Ko. His video about Lauren Gray became his biggest hit, reaching 9 million views. In 2018, he met Haley Fam at VidCon, and they began collaborating, eventually becoming a couple. They moved in together in early 2019, and Ryan reached 1 million subscribers around the same time.
Controversy and Spiritual Awakening [8:30]
Ryan and Haley's relationship faced backlash due to their young age and decisions to drop out of college and high school, respectively. By 2020, Ryan had achieved his goals but felt empty. He began questioning Haley's religious beliefs, leading him to develop a strong relationship with Jesus and Christianity, which gave him a sense of purpose.
Shift to Purpose-Driven Content [10:49]
After his spiritual awakening, Ryan shifted his content to be more authentic and purpose-driven. He stopped making fun of people, removed his Lauren Gray video, and started creating silly challenges and expressive videos. He revived the penny series, focusing on raising money for charity, starting with the Central Texas Food Bank, where he raised $36,000.
Surviving on One Penny Series [12:53]
Ryan started a series of surviving on one penny for 30 days, traveling from Los Angeles to North Carolina to deliver a penny to Mr. Beast. The goal was to raise money for the Feeding America Foundation, with $1 providing 10 meals and a target of $100,000. The series became revolutionary due to its unique, real-time experience and Ryan's humility. Incentives like the "Great Reset" and a tattoo for a $100,000 donation added to the excitement. The series raised $1.4 million, providing 14 million meals.
Iconic Series and Subscriber Milestones [15:26]
Ryan continued his penny series in 2023, traveling from Paris to New York City and raising $400,000 for water.org. He also created the "One-Star Review" series, where he aimed to find positive aspects in poorly rated locations. Another popular series involved trying the most expensive transportation options. These series helped him break the 10 million subscriber mark.
Founding Joyide Candy Company [17:35]
Ryan founded Joyide, a healthier candy company with less sugar and no artificial ingredients. The brand aimed to change the candy industry for the better, proving that success doesn't require suspicious ingredients. Ryan started "The Climb" movement, aiming to make Joyide the number one candy in Target, which he achieved within a year.
50 States in 50 Days Series [19:35]
In 2025, Ryan announced a series where he would visit 50 states in 50 days with Haley, staying at unique Airbnbs and raising $1 million for St. Jude's Cancer Research. The series included incentives like the "Wheel of Doom" for donations. Creators and companies like Mr. Beast and Starbucks contributed. The series raised over $11.6 million and garnered over 165 million views, becoming one of the greatest experiences ever posted on YouTube.
Ryan's Transformation and Legacy [22:35]
Ryan transformed from a clout-chasing creator to someone dedicated to helping the world. He chose authenticity, positive content, and charity over fame and money. By staying true to himself, he achieved his goals with purpose, demonstrating that being yourself is the best way to make a real difference.