Ryan Trahan

Ryan Michael Trahan is an American content creator and entrepreneur best known for producing travel and challenge videos on YouTube while leading major online fundraising campaigns. Through his philanthropic projects, he has generated millions of dollars for charitable groups, including over $11 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Born on October 7, 1998, in Sugar Land, Texas, Trahan attended Rice High School, where he competed in cross country and graduated as valedictorian in 2017. He then enrolled at Texas A&M University as a cross-country student athlete, taking third place in the 2017 Aggieland Open Competition. However, the NCAA declared him ineligible due to rules restricting student athletes from using their name or image to advertise personal businesses, as Trahan used his channel to share running videos and promote his startup. He subsequently left the university to concentrate on his online career.

Trahan launched his YouTube channel in October 2013, initially uploading running content before expanding into videos exploring restaurants, hotels, and travel spots. In 2017, he began a series of penny challenges inspired by Gary Vaynerchuk, attempting to trade up or travel across long distances starting with a single penny. For his 2022 campaign to travel across the United States to deliver a penny to MrBeast, Trahan funded his trip through odd jobs like lawn mowing, dog walking, and DoorDash deliveries. The project raised $1.38 million for Feeding America. He later completed a similar week-long journey from Paris to New York City, raising over $400,000 for Water.org.

In June 2025, Trahan launched a 50-day project titled 50 States in 50 Days alongside his wife, Haley Pham, visiting an Airbnb in every U.S. state to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Backed by corporate sponsors and prominent public figures, the initiative incorporated donor incentives and penalizing spins on a mechanical Wheel of Doom, ultimately raising more than $11.65 million by January 2026. For his digital video work, Trahan won the First Person award at the 13th Streamy Awards in 2023.

Alongside his YouTube work, Trahan has managed several commercial ventures. In 2016, he co-founded the reusable water bottle company Neptune Bottle, which generated over $50,000 in its first year. He introduced the apparel brand Howdy Howdy in 2023. In 2024, he became chief creative officer and co-owner of Joyride Sweets, a low-carbohydrate, vegan candy company. Represented by a mascot named Joyride Jerry, the brand set a Guinness World Record in June 2025 for Instagram candy photos.

Trahan lives in Austin, Texas. In 2020, he married fellow YouTube creator Haley Pham. Formerly describing himself as a cynical atheist, Trahan later embraced Christianity following a period of personal reflection in mid-2020.