SPEAKING & WORKSHOPS

Authentic storytelling that inspires clarity, courage, and connection in life, work, and everything in between.

Watch RYAN'S TEDx Talk
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A voice people feel. A message that lasts.

Ryan Benz doesn’t just deliver a talk—he creates a moment.

Drawing from his 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail journey and nearly two decades as a brand strategist, Ryan bridges story and substance to help people and organizations rediscover what’s real.

From the TEDx stage to schools, conferences, and leadership retreats, his message resonates across generations and industries.

Audiences walk away with more than inspiration—they leave with permission to slow down, reflect, and start walking their own path with courage and clarity.

“Ryan’s authenticity filled the room. You could feel people reconnecting with what matters.”

— Event Organizer, Leadership Summit

Signature Talks

The Quiet Rebellion of Being Yourself (Signature Keynote)

In a world of performance and comparison, authenticity is an act of courage.

  • Based on Ryan’s TEDx Talk, this keynote explores what it truly means to be yourself in a world that rewards performance over presence.

    It’s a talk about courage—not the kind that’s loud and flashy, but the quiet, everyday courage it takes to walk your own path and live authentically.

    Ryan reveals that authenticity isn’t something you find—it’s something you build. Audiences leave with clarity, courage, and a renewed commitment to live and lead true to themselves.

    Ideal for: Conferences, leadership teams, schools, wellness events

Purpose Beyond Success

Redefining success from achievement to alignment.

  • What happens when the life that looks good on paper doesn’t feel good inside? In this talk, Ryan helps audiences reconnect with meaning over metrics. Drawing on his 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail journey, he invites people to realign their lives, work, and leadership with what truly matters—so success feels not just achieved, but authentic.

    Ideal for: Professional conferences, personal development events, youth leadership programs

Resilience from the Inside Out (Workshop or Keynote)

Learning to slow down, find your pace, and keep going when life gets hard.

  • Ryan’s trail-tested lessons in mindfulness, presence, and resilience come to life in this interactive session. Perfect for schools, retreats, or smaller organizations, this program helps participants stay grounded and authentic through change, challenge, and uncertainty.

    Ideal for: Workshops, schools, retreats, wellness programs

The Courage to Be Real (Breakout)

The practical side of authenticity—vulnerability, honesty, and showing up real when it’s uncomfortable.

  • Most people want to be authentic…until it’s time to actually be authentic.

    This breakout session goes beyond the idea of authenticity and into the real, everyday practice of it—how to speak honestly, release comparison, embrace vulnerability, and show up as who you truly are, even when it feels risky.

    Ryan guides participants through the fears that hold people back from being real—judgment, rejection, not being “enough”—and offers practical tools for choosing truth over performance.

    It’s empowering, disarming, and deeply human.

    By the end, audiences walk away with simple, actionable ways to bring more courage, honesty, and presence into relationships, work, and life.

    Ideal for: Breakout sessions, student leadership programs, educator PD days, retreats, corporate teams

Ryan’s talks are fully adaptable for a wide range of audiences and formats:

  • Conferences & keynote stages

  • Corporate teams & leadership retreats

  • Professional development days for educators

  • Youth & university assemblies

  • Wellness & mindfulness retreats

Trusted by:

Conferences • Universities • Fortune 500 Companies • Nonprofits • School Districts • Youth Organizations

  • “Ryan made authenticity feel not only important, but possible.”

    — Leadership Development Manager, National Healthcare Organization

  • “The immediate impact was obvious.”

    — People & Culture Director, Global Tech Company

  • “A powerful message for our students.”

    — Student Life Director, Temple University

  • “His keynote anchored our entire conference.”

    — Program Director, Youth Leadership Summit

  • “Ryan doesn’t just speak—he elevates the room.”

    — Corporate Communications Lead, Fortune 500 Company

See Ryan in action.

Watch highlights from Ryan’s TEDx Talk and Speaker Demo Reel below.

Bring Ryan to your event.

If you’re looking for a speaker who inspires reflection over hype, authenticity over performance, and impact that lasts long after the event—let’s talk.

Ryan is available for keynotes, assemblies, and workshops nationwide.