Meet Ryan, a determined individual who opted to tread a path divergent from the one laid out before him. Growing up in a world where addiction was rampant, and witnessing the drastic impacts of substance use at a tender age in East Hastings, Vancouver, he immediately decided that he wouldn’t let addiction rule his life. Despite an irregular education across 11 different institutions, he found solace and inspiration in the figure of his charismatic grandfather, leading him towards education and business. Now, as a business development director, Ryan's compelling story shines as an example of resilience and self-invention.