My Drug Dealer Brought Me To God

Ryan Joseph Allen is an Author, Transformational Coach, and Speaker sharing his life experiences, vast nonprofit expertise, and ultimately leading leaders.

Ryan authentically shares his story to inspire others to share their stories. When we show up hyper-authentically we are able to help change those around us simply by being oneself.

Ryan has navigated the nonprofit sector by cofounding, founding, and acting as the Executive Director for various nonprofit organizations. His goal is to LEAD the LEADERS and show others how to impact the community and world through kindness, acceptance, and love!

Currently Ryan is working on wrapping up his memoir titled, “My Drug Dealer Brought Me To God.” Ryan is also about to start his dissertation process for his doctorate work bridging the gap between leadership and spirituality.

“Never doubt for one moment you are anything less. You are worthy. You are capable. You are the only one holding yourself from the miracles that are ever so bountiful in this world. Shine. Sparkle. Illuminate the planet with your brilliance!” ~Ryan Joseph Allen

How My Story Helps People
Storytelling has been known to have significant impacts on not only the one sharing their story, but it also breaks down barriers and creates a vast amount of connection. My intense hope is that through my story others will be able to find connections within the recovery, spirituality, and LGBTQ+ communities. Ultimately, leading to them sharing their stories. As my drug dealer shared her story with me, she had no idea the impact she would make within my life in that moment. We all have a story and that story has the potential to ripple out and help other people. These ripples make this world so much more connected and a much smaller (and more beautiful) place.

Media Types/Tools
Initial recordings were created with roughly 45 chapters that span and length of 15 hours of unedited and hyper-raw material. This material is meant to be listened to in it’s raw and authentic form, similar to a podcast. You hear me laugh, cry, and can almost hear me smile. I started the initial process of working with a ghostwriter/editor. Fern believes that once these audio clips are transformed into a written memoir they have the ability to touch even more peoples hearts and lives. This memoir would then be put in a published book form, e-book, and audiobook narrated by myself. A workbook will accompany the book/e-book/audiobook encourage journaling of initial thoughts and ah-ha moments while outlining key concepts. The workbook will be structured for individual reflection, one-on-one, or group work.

A piece of my STORY
From the time I was very young... four years old or so I knew I was different. I was different than my brother and my male friends. I tended to feel things so deeply. At the age of six was the first time I had thought about ending my life. Within a few years I realized that I fell within the LGBTQ+ community. By my teenage years I was engulfed in self-destructive behaviors. Self-mutilation, body dysmorphia, drug and alcohol use and an ever growing sense of self-loathing. I survived suicide multiple times. As I entered college I was in full addiction and spiraling out of control. Until one night me and my drug dealer had a talk about God. She simply was sharing her story with me about her connection with God. After our conversation I went to the bathroom and fell to my knees asking God to save my life. I knew if I continued on the path I was on I would surely end up dead. From that moment everything shifted and changed. Some things little by little and others astronomically. Eventually, I was able to get clean and stay clean at the age of 23. I was able to be a father to my daughter that my father wasn’t to me. I was able to finish my undergraduate degrees, eventually a masters degree and now I’m almost to the dissertation process in my doctorate around leadership studies and spirituality at the age of 31. I helped form a nonprofit organization around love and acceptance. When we founded the organization we knew we needed to do something for those kids, teenagers, and adults like me that had felt a void of love and acceptance for themselves throughout their life. Through this work I’ve had countless souls touch my heart and impact my story. Within each story we share with others we help to break down walls and barriers that so often divide us. Storytelling creates hope! My dream is that by sharing my story I will inspire others to share their story authentically, with passion, and ultimately with love.
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My Inspiration
I’m so blessed to be given a second chance at life. Any one of the many horrible decisions I made could’ve ended up with me in prison, homeless, or dead. I became a Dad at the age of 22. My daughter and drug dealer became the catalysts to drive me closer to God. A God who is ALL loving, pure love, pure light- something so many of us in the LGBTQ+ community didn’t see growing up. My extended family was conservative and lived within a very rural community. We were often taught we were bad, wrong, sinful, and even damned. My true inspiration comes from my heart. I don’t ever want anyone to feel the way I felt growing up. I want others to feel the love that is abundant and available for everyone. No matter what it’s called. The name doesn’t matter. Only the feeling matters. Only the love matters.

Willing to travel within the US/international- travel fees and expenses will apply.