Centerman for the Nashville Predators. Establishing himself as a game changer on the ice and a role model within the community. Playing over 500 games in his ninth campaign in the National Hockey League. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia; raised 40 minutes North East in the city of Port Moody.
In this article Ryan breaks down his daily mindset and how he approaches the process from growing up as a young hockey fan with a dream to being one of today’s stars in the National Hockey League.
Off the ice Ryan discusses his business venture Journey Risk True Lifestyle and Apparel. A clothing company that began as an initial hobby designing hats, with a few childhood friends. To focusing on establishing an identity that inspires a community to achieve their personal highest standards.
What made you interested in founding a clothing company?
“We started Journey Risk True Lifestyle and Apparel to have a hobby with a group of friends that kept us all connected as we shifted to living in different cities with different carrier paths. This has been a fun opportunity that we plan to continue having fun with while inspiring others to achieve their goals and live out their dreams.”
What do you enjoy the most with this business venture?
“The cool thing about building Journey Risk True in our early stages, is all the people we connect with. The way we want to inspire people is based from our everyday values that we have turned into a brand. Those values influence the way we treat others and approach our day-to-day. It is how we’ve built relationships. As we continue growing with Journey Risk True we connect with people that share their own stories, who have goals and aspirations for their life.”
What is your favorite thing to do in Nashville?
“Get out in the city with friends and family and really do whatever. Go around to different spots and know the city better. Favorite Lunch spots are Burger Up and bartaco; dinner spot is Kayne Prime."
What is your favorite part of being a professional hockey player?
“It gives the opportunity to be a role model for not only kids but all people. Allowing me to set the right examples for the image that I can represent being a Nashville predator.”
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
“Just to be yourself and be the best version of you. Wake up everyday excited to achieve what you want to do. Go out and have fun enjoying each day. Treat people how you want to be treated and make the most of your life. Surround yourself with people and friends that make you a better person.”
What are you currently working on?
“I focus on having a consistent open mind to allow myself to work on ways to enhance my career and my image. Giving back to the community and working on ways to enhance my opportunities in being a professional athlete. To make the most of this chapter in my life.”
What is your favorite city you have visited on the road and what about it makes it special to you?
“There are many great cities on the road. My favorite is just always coming back home to Vancouver. It’s always fun and special to get to see family and friends that you don’t get to see very often. To play in the arena where I watched many Canucks games as a kid. I enjoy those experiences where your family and friends that you grew up watching these games with, now get to watch you live your dream, on the center stage."
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What part of your JOURNEY gives you continuous purpose?
“My motivation everyday and something that I am always excited about is leading by example. I am constantly working on trying to be a figure that people can look up to. As the days and years go on with my career in the National Hockey League; it is important for me to be a difference maker around the community and around the rink representing the Preds.”
How do you approach taking a RISK to elevate your career and yourself as a person?
“For me it is not worrying about making mistakes. I attack every day and situation that is presented to me. You have to have confidence in what you are doing and what you are striving to be. Most importantly, just be yourself. You will make mistakes and you are going to learn as you go along your path. Just have awareness in making the right choices where you are always learning. Always work on finding ways to improve in what you are wanting to be.”
What does the word TRUE mean to you and how does it impact your life?
When you look in the mirror, are you taking action for what you want to be? Are you staying true to what you believe in and what you want to do? Are you making the right choices to lead by example to be a role model? For me it is when you look in that mirror during those moments of reflection in life and you can smile back and say I am making all of those right choices. I am doing everything that I can to be the best person that I can be. I know I am going in the right direction that will continue leading me to the places that I want to go.
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My favorite thing to do in Nashville is going to a Preds game. I have built and grown friendships with the amazing people there. It is such a fun and positive experience, and I now travel to at least one away game a year with girlfriends to continue the fun.
I’m currently working on being more TRUE to myself, which has been a struggle when everyone tells you what they need from you but it’s not what you have to give.
What part of your JOURNEY gives you continuous purpose?
Wow, I would have answered this question so differently a few years ago. I was so driven to work my way up in the banking industry. I was doing all the right things, and was determined to be the best-and to me I was. Money and status proved to not be everything. What was I missing? Fast forward a couple of years to a husband and a baby! Holy cow. This is what my life was missing. What gave me continuous putpose in my journey a few years ago is not the same as today. I have a new purpose, and that’s being the best wife and mom. I know, mushy and weird right? Not to me! As for my career, I will be back. And then I will start with a new drive, a new purpose. Maybe not the same industry, maybe one not driven by numbers and goals. My outlook on life has changed, and it’s for the better. My journey is changing and I can’t wait to see where it goes!
Ryan and the JRT team -just love the blog, your perspective and your passion for living life, giving back and founding this brand. It’s not just a lifestyle company – it’s an extension of who you are and that’s so awesome.
I really identify with the message too. I’m a 2x breast cancer survivor at 43. My JOURNEY has been literal and figurative. I love to travel and have adventures but when you’re told you have cancer at 38, you do everything you can to fight it. Without thinking twice. When it comes back 3 years later despite every best effort, we’ll that’a a journey in and of itself. You take risks and learn to be true to yourself and others along the way. You fight with everything you have and when you get on the other side you look in the mirror and figure out how to give back. That’s my truth. Cancer did not define me or defeat me but it altered my journey and it’s up to me to make a positive impact and give back. I’m finally ready to do just that.
Nashville has long been my favorite city (we live in Connecticut) and my first trip was pre-cancer and my last two have been post. I’ve long been a Preds fan but when y’all began that magical run 2 years ago, well, that gave me something to hope for and be inspired by. That was when I was healing from a double mastectomy and reconstruction and that’s when I finally convinced my husband to become a Preds fan. That’s our thing now, we schedule our lives around your games. We’ve traveled to see you play on home ice, in Montreal, Long Island and NJ and are hitting the road in a few weeks to see you all in Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Two years ago I was on the biggest journey of my life. Now I’m journeying to follow the team that inspires me to never give up.
Oh my fave Nashville recommendations include Acme Feed & Seed, Jenni’s Ice Cream and the Ryman.