From Bender to Bucket List: Ryan Lee’s Inspiring Story of Sobriety and Adventure

Ryan Lee’s story is one of extremes. After years of chasing thrills through drugs and alcohol, a multi-day bender in New Orleans ended with an ambulance call that became his wake-up moment: no one was coming to save him — he had to save himself.Through his recovery, Ryan became a digital nomad, traveling the world and rediscovering his true passion for adventure and connection. Instead of going back to the safety of a software sales job, he followed his intuition and founded Capsule Adventures — a sober travel company designed for people who want presence, community, and bucket-list experiences without the chaos alcohol often brings.In this episode, Ryan shares his powerful recovery story, the lessons he learned from choosing courage over comfort, and how he turned pain into purpose. We talk about trusting your gut, finding adventure in sobriety, and why the best trips are the ones where you’re fully present.Spoiler alert: by the end of this conversation, he sold me on booking a spot on his upcoming Machu Picchu adventure.Find Ryan on IG here