For Schools & Youth Organizations.

Helping students connect to who they are—and supporting the adults who guide them.

Today’s students are under more pressure than ever. They’re overwhelmed by expectations, disconnected from themselves, and constantly bombarded with messages about who they should be.

In the midst of all that noise, what they really need is a moment to pause—and someone who helps them remember who they are.

That’s where I come in.

Through story-rich assemblies, interactive workshops, and grounded staff experiences, I help school communities explore clarity, courage, and connection—from the inside out.

See me in action →

Assembly Programs

Real stories. Lasting impact. Built for today’s students.

  • I use my 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail journey as a metaphor for the path we’re all walking—full of challenges, unexpected beauty, and lessons along the way.

    Through this story, students learn how to:

    • Build confidence and resilience

    • Let go of comparison

    • Be kinder to themselves and others

    • Stay grounded in a world that constantly pulls them away

    Assembly Highlights:

    • Age-specific content for Elementary, Middle, and High School

    • Message points tailored to each age group’s challenges

    • Optional follow-up workshops to deepen the impact

    • Includes visuals, gear from the trail, and real student engagement

    • Built-in space for students to reflect, connect, and contribute

    Programs by Age Group

    Elementary Assemblies (K–5)

    Shorter, visual, and high-energy. I bring gear from the trail, animal stories, and simple life lessons about being kind, courageous, and proud of who you are.

    Middle School Assemblies (6–8)

    Relatable, funny, and honest. I speak to the pressure students feel to fit in—and offer tools for self-confidence, compassion, and handling emotions with more clarity.

    High School Assemblies (9–12)

    Raw, real, and deeply personal. I share what it means to get lost in comparison, doubt, and pressure—and how we find our way back through self-awareness, resilience, and meaningful choices.

    Learn More »

Student Workshops

Assemblies plant the seed. Workshops help it grow.

  • These smaller, interactive sessions give students the space to:

    • Reflect on what they value

    • Talk about what’s hard (and what’s possible)

    • Build habits that align with who they are

    • Walk away with a clearer sense of direction

    Ideal for:

    • Student leaders

    • Mental health and wellness clubs

    • Peer mentoring groups

    • Assembly follow-up sessions

    Each session is grounded in the Northbound Framework, a set of six “Trail Markers” that help students navigate life with more confidence and clarity.

    “I can guarantee that the students benefited immensely from all three workshops. It was great hearing them share their thoughts and refreshing to see them be so vulnerable and courageous with their feelings and situations. I’m really just getting started with introducing these kinds of programs to our students in the area of mental health—and I’m so glad Ryan was part of those early efforts.” — Bill Martin, Oratory Prep Director of Student Activities

Workshops for Educators & Youth Leaders

You can’t pour from an empty cup.

  • These sessions aren’t about strategies or standards.

    They’re about you—your energy, your heart, your why.

    In a system that often demands more than it gives, these workshops offer space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what led you to this work in the first place.

    The Heart Behind the Work: Reignite Your Why

    A grounding and reflective session designed to help educators:

    • Reconnect with their personal “why” and how it shows up day-to-day

    • Explore the power of authenticity in teaching and leading

    • Practice mindful tools to pause, reset, and stay grounded amid daily challenges

    I’m not a former teacher—and that’s by design.

    My role isn’t to tell educators how to do their jobs. It’s to create space for them to reflect, reset, and remember why they chose this path in the first place.

    Because you’re not just delivering lessons.

    You’re shaping lives.

    And that kind of work deserves support, space, and renewal.

    Other workshop themes include:

    • Burnout & boundary setting

    • Leading with authenticity

    • Stress, regulation, and showing up with intention

    • Finding your own trail in the midst of systems and expectations

    These can be delivered as:

    • Staff wellness days or PD sessions

    • School-year kickoffs or resets

    • Retreat-style workshops for educators and counselors

The framework that grounds it all.

Every program I lead is rooted in the Northbound Framework—six “Trail Markers of Authentic Living” that help students (and adults) navigate life from the inside out.

Each Trail Marker is built around a simple but powerful concept:

  • Know Your Trail – Clarity and self-awareness

  • Hike Your Own Hike – Authenticity and confidence

  • Find Your Pace – Presence and regulation

  • Weather the Storm – Resilience and emotional strength

  • Travel Light – Letting go of what no longer serves

  • Leave Trail Magic – Kindness, service, and connection

I adapt the message depending on the group, but the goal is always the same:

To help people walk their own path with clarity, courage, and connection.

What schools are saying…

  • "Ryan was awesome. He had our middle schoolers engaged as well as staff. His inspiration to be mindful with our pre teen/teen population will go a long way. Students were in awe with his story and even came up after the presentation to shake his hand and autograph their Nike sneakers (sorry parents!), which speaks volumes within itself!"

    — Program Manager, SBYSP Wallace Middle School, Inspira Health Vineland School-Based Youth Services Program

  • "Our students were very fortunate to hear about Ryan's inspiring story of walking the entire Appalachian Trail. He was a true pleasure to work with."

    — Oratory Preparatory School

  • “Ryan made our students think about getting off social media, being kind and enjoying the outdoors. His message is sorely needed in today’s world and it was delivered in a motivating and enjoyable manner.”

    — Dennis Township Public Schools, NJ

  • “My students have a new-found appreciation for nature. Many seemed to appreciate the importance of moving away from the screen and getting outside.”

    — Sussex Charter School, NJ

  • “This presentation was incredible and I was inspired by your story. The students were interested and engaged and took away many great messages about mindfulness.”

    — Stanwood-Camano School District, WA

  • “Ryan is an engaging, heartfelt presenter. His enthusiasm was contagious. He has practical, lifelong lessons for students which are presented in a clear, concise manner. His pictures and videos were remarkable, as his unique perspective on life!”

    — Frankford Township School District, NJ

  • “Ryan is changing lives. In our hurried, technology laden world, he gave us a reason to pause and think, presenting in a fun, engaging, and informative way.”

    — Wildwood City School District, NJ

  • “I’ve been teaching for over 30 years and this was the best assembly I’ve ever seen.”

    — Jefferson Township School District, NJ

  • “I hope this message reaches every child everywhere!”

    — Denville Township School District, NJ

  • “I love, love, loved this presentation! It was relevant, engaging, encouraging and entertaining! All schools should listen to the message and take this phenomenal journey with Ryan!”

    — Old Bridge Township School District, NJ

  • “Ryan’s passion and enthusiasm was evident throughout this amazing presentation. Any student of any age would be very fortunate to be in his audience.”

    — Wildwood City School District, NJ

  • “My daughter thoroughly enjoyed this today. It is all she has talked about. Thank you!”

    — Parent, Middle School Student

Bring me to your school or organization.

If you’re looking for a speaker who can meet your students where they are, speak to their real-world challenges, and leave them with tools they can actually use—I’d love to partner with you.

Let’s create something meaningful for your school community.