In 2012, Ryan turned down a job offer to work at a Boston television news station to travel around the world.
His 11-month journey took him through the United States, Central America, Canada and Asia. He fended off robbers in Guatemala, overcame his fear of scuba diving in Thailand and stayed at a hostel with 86 cats in Belize. He also picked up Spanish and French.
You can read about his adventures on lifeofabackpacker.com.