Ryan Phillips

Growing up in Vancouver Canada my passion like many Canadians was ice hockey. I left home at the age of 16 to pursue my dream. Life happens and with all it’s ups and downs I was plagued by many injuries that held my career back. I indulged in substance abuse after feeling very depressed about my downward spiral due to the hockey culture. Trying to fit in with teammates many adversities came my way. Physical and emotional abuse from players and coaches made me dislike the game. When hockey was over, after playing parts of 5 seasons in the professional ranks I became a pivotal part of the lucrative marijuana industry in BC Canada. I was apprehended by the Feds in the USA for conspiracy to import 103 pounds of high grade marijuana into the USA. Incarcerated for over 500 days in a maximum federal penitentiary was my charge. Upon my release I changed my life. I dedicated my life to world service, and since then have worked extensively in helping to raise awareness for human trafficking and child sex slavery. I was granted the first of its kind pardon back to the USA as a humanitarian in the year 2012 for my commitment to helping children. In 2019 I rode across Canada and 4 countries in Southeast Asia to raise awareness for mental health. That was after being diagnosed with bipolar 5 years previous. I was featured on National Geographic’s hit show all Locked up Abroad recently. I did my second Tedx talk on mental health awareness, my first was on (Child sex slavery, ending the economic epidemic.) I’m a published author and have been featured in Psychology Today, the Huffington Post and many other media outlets. My main message to anyone who is suffering is please reach out for help. We have the capacity to turn our obstacles into assets and that’s what I try to do on a daily basis. 

I started a YouTube Channel recently to show the positive side of life and how we all can move forward with intention. Mental health is something I take very seriously and I will always play my part to do the best I can to lead by example.