Hi, I’m
Ryan Benz.

New Jersey-based speaker, mindfulness teacher, and author helping people walk their path in the age of distraction and comparison.

Mindfulness + Adventure Storytelling

Grounded in a 2,000+ mile Appalachian Trail journey — built for clarity, courage, and connection in everyday life.

Watch the Demo Reel
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Mindfulness that actually works in real life.

I teach mindfulness through adventure storytelling (it makes the work a little more exciting, and a lot more usable).

My approach is down-to-earth, completely secular, and built for real humans with busy brains. No incense required. No pressure to feel “zen” — just practical tools for coming back to yourself, again and again, even when life is loud.

That’s how better decisions happen. It’s how resilience grows. It’s how stronger leadership and healthier culture are built.

Presence is the foundation. Authenticity is the practice.

My Story (How I Got Here)

How I Can Help

  • Schools & Youth

    Story-driven assemblies and workshops for students navigating stress, comparison, and pressure.

    EXPLORE SCHOOLS & YOUTH

  • Organizations

    Keynotes and mindfulness-based workshops that help teams stay grounded, focused, and aligned.

    EXPLORE ORGANIZATIONS

  • Mentorship

    1:1 mentorship (limited availability) and small-group support for people ready to build real change.

    Explore Mentorship

Clients I’ve worked with

Trusted by schools, teams, and mission-driven organizations.

Creating moments that move people

My TEDx talk is the quieter, reflective version, filmed in an intimate TEDx Salon setting. The School Assembly Demo Reel shows the more energetic, interactive side, built for students, humor, and real in-the-room connection. Two videos, two vibes. Same message.

  • “Ryan created the rare kind of session that people are still referencing weeks later — not because it was motivational, but because it was real. Our team left with practical tools and a shared language we’ve actually continued using.”

    — Director of Talent & Culture, KPMG

  • “Ryan has a way of grounding a room without dimming the energy. He helped our leaders slow down, reconnect to purpose, and walk out clearer than they came in.”

    — VP of Leadership Development, Fortune 500 Company

  • "Such a wonderfully meaningful presentation."

    — PTA President

  • “This wasn’t a ‘wellness talk.’ It was a reset. Our team felt more connected, more present, and more capable of handling what’s in front of us.”

    — Executive Director, Family Promise

“In a world that profits off your confusion…your clarity is power.

In a world that rewards performance…your honesty is rare.

And in a world obsessed with becoming someone new…just being yourself is revolutionary.”

– Ryan Benz, TEDx: The Quiet Rebellion of Being Yourself

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Ready to bring me in?

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