Ian Ryan Joins Us On The Steve Jobs Inspired Join Up Dots Business Podcast
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Introducing Ian Ryan
Ian Ryan is our guest today on the Steve Jobs inspired Join Up Dots free podcast interview.
He is a man who afforded me the honour of being one of the first guests on a new podcast he created several years ago.
At that time he was a personal trainer and health club manager working in the Washington DC area, who through his day to day interactions with his clients could see that his skills would be perfect for the online world.
But how do you take an idea and transition to the point that you can have clients across the world.
Well first off all you have to get online, then you have to create an attractive offer, and then become visible to the right people.
And this he did in startling effect as over the past ten years he has coached hundreds of clients to figure out the #1 limiting factor that holds people back from achieving great results in their life.
He came to understand how to develop a strong mindset, and realised that this is usually the missing link to the success that people wanted
Without a strong mindset you won’t be able to create better habits in your life, and without good habits you will never gain any serious momentum with your biggest goals.
As he says “A few years ago, I started to feel like something was missing from my life. As much as I loved personal training, I felt a calling for something bigger. Wellness had made such a positive impact in my life & I felt obligated to pay it forward. I wanted to make a bigger impact and inspire more people.
So what the heck was stopping me?
How The Dots Joined Up For Ian
The fear of sharing my voice with the world and potentially failing. I was terrified of falling short.
In January 2015, my 25 year old brother tragically passed away.
His death was the catalyst behind many big changes in my life & I decided it was my time to jump.
The fear of failure becomes obsolete when you come to terms with the fact that none of us are promised tomorrow. Losing a family member makes you start asking yourself the questions that many people put off for a lifetime.
I packed my bags, bought a one way ticket to San Diego and haven’t looked back since.”
So why was he so scared at getting out there, and looking back was it a fear that was valid?
And what is the biggest piece of advice he gives to the world, when they are looking to make changes in their own lives?
Well let’s find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots with the one and only Mr Ian Ryan
Show Highlights
During the show we discussed such weighty topics with Ian Ryan such as:
Why Ian is focused on creating a world class retreat, and the steps he is taking to make this dream to happen.
Why Ian moved to San Diego, for reasons that turned out to be so good for the spirit and the mind, and best of all surrounded himself with amazing entrepreneurs everywhere.
How the world in our view needs to focus more on its addiction to 100% connectivity. We didn’t have it a few years ago, so do we need it now?
and lastly….
Why there comes a time in building an online business, when you realise that its time to step away from the pc and get out into the world…online and offline are the perfect combination.
How To Connect With Ian Ryan
If you enjoyed this episode of Internet Mastery with Ian Pribyl why not listen to some of our favourite podcast episodes such as Brad Hart, Sarah Caltieri, Tra Williams or the amazing How To Make Money Online
Or if you prefer just pop over to our podcast archive for thousands of amazing episodes to choose from.
Full Transcription Of Ian Ryan Interview
Intro [0:00]
When we’re young, we have an amazing positive outlook about how great life is going to be. But somewhere along the line we forget to dream and end up settling. Join Up Dots features amazing people who refuse to give up and chose to go after their dreams. This is your blueprint for greatness. So here’s your host, live from the back of his garden in the UK, David Ralph.
David Ralph [0:25]
You know, I felt actually going quiet there for a moment just for a moment and say, oh, what’s happening here? Maybe the speakers are blown out and then suddenly burst in there. But no, I’m a professional. I can’t leave pauses and gaps. I’ve got to jump into it. And today’s guest I’ve got on the show. He’s an absolute delight, because I actually connected with him. A while back when I was on his show, and quite rudely. I didn’t invite him on mine. I don’t know why. But I apologised to him. We’re okay, now we’re clinking the glasses. And we’re going to deliver a good show for you because he is a man. As I say he afforded me the honour of being one of the first guests on his new podcast he created about a year and a half ago. At that time, he was a personal trainer and health club manager working in the Washington DC area, who through his day to day interactions with these clients could see but his skills would be perfect for the online world. But how do you take an idea and transition to the point that you can have clients across the world? Well, first of all, you’ve got to get online, then you have to create an attractive offer, and then become visible to the right people. And he did this and startling effect. As over the past 10 years, he’s coached hundreds of clients to figure out the number one limiting factor that holds people back from achieving great results in their life. He came to understand how to develop a strong mindset and realise that this is usually the missing link to the success that people wanted. And without a strong mindset, you won’t be able to create better habits in your life. And without good habits. You’ll never gain any serious momentum with your biggest goals. As he says a few years ago, I started to feel like something was missing from my life. As much as I love Personal Training, I felt a calling for something bigger wellness had made such a positive impact in my life, I felt obligated to pay it forward, I want you to make a bigger impact and inspire more people. So what the heck was stopping me? Well, the fear of sharing my voice with the world and potentially failing, I was terrified of falling short. Now in January 2015, he’s 25 year old brother tragically passed away. And I suppose His death was the catalyst behind many big changes in his life, and he decided that it was time to jump. Now the fear of failure became obsolete. When you come to terms with the fact that none of us are promised tomorrow, losing a family member makes you start asking yourself the questions that many people put off for a lifetime. So he packed his bags, bought a one way ticket to San Diego. And he hasn’t looked back since. So why was he so scared at getting out there? And looking back? Was it a fear that was valid? And what is the biggest piece of advice he gives to the world nowadays when they’re looking to make changes in our own lives? Well, let’s find out as we bring onto the show to start joining up dots with the one and only Mr. Ian Ryan. Good morning Ian how are you sir?
Ian Ryan [2:56]
I am doing wonderful. David, thank you so much for having me on your show. It’s a pleasure to connect again. And what a wonderful intro. I look forward to this.
David Ralph [3:04]
Oh, it’s gonna be a good one in it’s a good one. I’m rocking and rolling or patched out for already the energies through me. I just feel like this is my thing. And this is my thing. And I think you do as well, don’t you when you wake up every morning, and you look at what you’re creating, although all the pieces may not be exactly where you want. You still think it’s your thing?
Ian Ryan [3:22]
Absolutely. We just talked a little bit about the pre chat. Sometimes it doesn’t all make sense. It’s like a big puzzle, right? That we’re constantly trying to put together. But at the end of the day, I’m blessed just to be able to wake up and do what I love right and share my passions with the world
David Ralph [3:35]
is just a wake up. That’s one of my biggest fears. I die in a night and I don’t know it. And I’ve got all these things planned. And I just never thought would fulfil them. Okay, so I wouldn’t know but it is a good thing, isn’t it to wake up with that kind of come on? Let’s get going.
Ian Ryan [3:50]
Absolutely man. Nothing better.
David Ralph [3:52]
So what are you doing in your life at the moment? You are in America? You are in Trump land loving the Trump my stone running around? Oh, might be not.
Ian Ryan [4:04]
That’s funny, man. Yeah, I am loving life. I’m out here in San Diego, which you touched on in the in the intro. And I’m doing so many different things. It seems like right, I’m trying to keep everything together and give my life a little bit structure, a little bit of structure. But the main thing David is, you know, I got this podcast that I started a year and a half ago, which is crazy because you were like the third or fourth guest that I had on the show. And here we are reconnecting about 180 episodes later. It’s been quite a journey. I moved across the country. I was actually in DC when we we recorded our interview. And now you know, I help online clients all over the world. My biggest thing is I help people balance a hectic career, the stresses that come along with running a business or being you know, a successful professional and also staying on top of your health because I believe that without that, eventually you’re gonna fall and you’re gonna derail. So with that and the retreat business that I’m in the process of Watching a lot on my plate, but life is good man.
David Ralph [5:03]
I was watching a programme the other day in and it was called a retreat. And it was an English TV presenter, who does this thing called DIY SOS. So if you imagine like builders and handyman, that is to go into an old wrecked house, that somebody who’s had a very sad story, and I can’t rectify it, and they go in, and we’ve been about seven days, they turn it into this wonderful house and everybody’s happy. I think you have similar programmes in America. And you have that one done your mood, the bus or whatever.
Ian Ryan [5:34]
Yeah, we do have something like that.
David Ralph [5:36]
Yeah. And so this guy, he was a real sort of builder. And he it was meat pies and pints of beer and just sort of like rough man’s sort of diet. And he went to this retreat, or three weeks in Thailand, and the first week, he was saying, this is a cult, I shouldn’t be being told what to eat. And it was on these tiny little tablets. Well, by the second week, he started to say, actually, for cleaner, air cleaner inside Apple Thresh. You know, by the third week, he was a changed man, he actually looked younger. He just looked like he had more energy, his sleeping was better. It was amazing. Now, you when you’re building the retreat, is that because of what he’s putting in his body? Or is that just the fact that he’s he separated himself from the constant notifications, the mobile texts, his messages over? What What do you think? Why did he become so young? Because I looked at it and all I fancy this, I fancy this I’d end up looking like Brad Pitt by the end of the week?
Ian Ryan [6:30]
That’s a great question. You know, I really think it’s a mix of both David. I mean, one of the big reasons behind wanting to launch this was selfishly, because I found myself being in front of the computer too much, you know, doing these podcasts interviews, and I feel that right now, you know, so many of us are bombarded by the notifications, you know, social media, and then you mix that in, where a lot of people are on the go, they’re not putting the right nutrients in their body, and they’re eating like crap, you mix those two things. And I just felt the calling for creating a retreat like this. And you know, I think it goes to an experience like this for a week or three weeks and the story that you just mentioned, and you just come out of it, feeling refreshed, reinvigorated, and de stressed, right, and if you’ve been eating the right foods, you’ve been moving your body and you’ve kind of taken that spacer away from the day to day, when you come back into the society, you just feel fresh and inspired. So I think the reason that he feels so young, is it probably because it’s a little bit of mix of both.
David Ralph [7:27]
Did you think though that when you come back, I would always think I separate myself, I’ve done great benefits to my body, my mind my spirit. But ultimately, I know that I’ve got to come back in to the world. And more often than not, the world doesn’t like you being different from them. And I’ll give you a quick story. I don’t have a mobile phone, which I’ve never ever had a mobile phone, but it bothers people. And I kind of, I’m always battling the pressure of people wanting to connect with me, because I don’t want so of anything different. They want to be able to do it when they want to do it, they want it on their terms. So going to that retreat, I’d almost want to stay out there forever, and just grow a very long beard, and never come back. Because I know I’m coming back into what I was trying to get away from in the first place.
Ian Ryan [8:14]
Well, right now, by the way, you know, I have a long beard. Sometimes, you know, I try to cut myself off from the rest of the world sometimes as well, you know, and just kind of like, be that guy that that escapes. And that’s kind of what you know, that’s funny that you bring this up, I had a conversation, my buddy will actually be hosting the retreat with me. And this is a guy that is big into meditation and holistic wellness. And he said, You know, I went to Vipassana, which is a two week meditation retreat a couple years ago. And the first thing is I said, Well, what if everyone wants to get in touch with you? I mean, what do you do? And he said, You know what, in that’s the thing is you go on a retreat like this, and so many people are so worried that the world is going to fall apart while they’re gone. And the reality is, is you get off the retreat, and you’re like, oh my goodness, the world is working just fine. I just was cut off from my cell phone and everything else for two weeks. And nothing’s broken. everything still works. The only thing is, is I feel so much better. So um, you know, maybe I’ll figure that to maybe I’ll do one of these retreats and I’ll just become like this this person that did never wants to leave as well. It does sound like a pretty enticing thing.
David Ralph [9:20]
So how is the beard coming on man? Are we in like Forrest Gump category because I literally I could grow a beard for about seven weeks, I still look like a 12 year old girl.
Ian Ryan [9:32]
My beard gets pretty thick. I will say that I’ll keep it growing. And then when I’m not recording interviews, let’s say I’ll go back into the real world. My girlfriend will look at me and she’ll just give me this look. And I’m like, Well, what she looking at? I mean, I know I’m not that handsome of a guy and then she’ll, she’ll give me she’ll give me these eyes and I’ll realise that it’s it’s time to trim the beard a little bit. So it is in the long stay. It’s grown pretty long. Occasionally I’ll touch it up but that’s the thing. You know, we run that we do these podcasts and we’re constantly in front of the computer. So one more cut off from society sometimes and we’re just like standing behind the computer Rob, things can get out of hand sometimes.
David Ralph [10:07]
Did you think this is the entrepreneurial spirit, the kind of letting yourself go, because I spent years and years and years wearing a suit and a tie and a jacket. And now the only time I wear a suit is when somebody dies. And I’ve got to go to a funeral. And I just like that ability of, you know, at the moment, I haven’t got any socks on sir and I’ve just got bare feet and it’s lovely and I’m making it’s like diehard if you remember I’m making balls with my feet on the carpet and suddenly terrorists are gonna burst in and ruin the show. But I’d like that feeling of not having to conform not having to wear the outfit somehow.
Ian Ryan [10:45]
Yeah, there’s nothing better than that. You know, it’s funny, I’m sitting here without without shoes or socks on to. Um, so I love it. Man. I just love the freedom. I could not imagine wearing a suit and tie going into work. And you’re right. The only time that I ever get dressed up in something like that is one if I’m forced to go to a wedding, and then I have to wear something nice or if I’m going to a funeral the rest of the time. It’s just me who knows what I could be wearing. I could be wearing pyjamas all weekend, I do get up and take care of my physique. I go running I exercise that is a big priority for me. But in terms of just being casual, being able to lay back not worrying about having to shave it is a beautiful thing. Should we go further? And should we stripped down to nothing and just do it nude this this could be a an Emmy Award winning podcast? We could we could do it as an experiment and see how it affects the quality of our work, David. I mean, it’s we should always be doing tests right to see what type of performance we put out. And I’m thinking we might have to strip down to the boxers next time and just see what comes out in terms of a podcast interview.
David Ralph [11:49]
I’m going the whole way may I’m going the whole way. It’s coming up now. And it’s that’s a T shirt off. As it Yeah, it’s down. That’s it down is is a bit hot. I’m sitting on a plastic seat is a bit hot. It’s my buttocks are sticking.
Ian Ryan [12:06]
Hilarious, man.
David Ralph [12:08]
Tell me how it works out. I will do I will put on the webcam in the next two minutes. And that shock? Yeah, right. Okay, so let’s talk about your life then what what was it about? I can understand being at Washington, DC. But why? San Diego because everyone seems to go to San Diego and I spent a day they’re very, very pleasant. But they didn’t fulfil the first stage of you becoming who you were. Were you surrounded by entrepreneurial spirits? Was it the sort of the hub of where you needed to be?
Ian Ryan [12:37]
San Diego David is probably I mean, I haven’t visited everywhere. I haven’t been out to the UK. So that’s actually on my list. But I you know, I really resonate with it as a city for a lot of different reasons. One, there’s just such an entrepreneurial spirit down here, I mean, tonnes of podcasters. And people that had the same idea as me, right. They packed their bags from wherever they were. And they came out here and you know, the weather is great. There’s tonnes of stuff to do outdoors. If you’re into fitness, if you’re in the wilderness. It’s just an amazing place to be. And yeah, I don’t think I could have made a better decision. I mean, every time I think about going back to the freezing cold winters or the humid summers, I know that I made the right decision. It’s a little bit like paradise out here. I’m not gonna lie. So yeah, I mean, I couldn’t be happier.
David Ralph [13:24]
It’s I don’t understand moving to paradise. If you’ve been spend so much time in front of your computer, surely you want to go to Wisconsin or somewhere or Alaska where you think actually, I’m quite happy to be sitting in front of the computer. I don’t think I’d get any work done. I was interviewing a lady. And she said her big thing was to move to Hawaii. She said, I really want to move to Hawaii. And after about six months, she had to move back to the States because she said she couldn’t get any work done. She was just wanting to be out on the beach all the time. Yeah,
Ian Ryan [13:52]
well, there is that constant battle. Luckily, in my backyard, I have a cabana that I set up and I usually record my podcast interviews, and and do work back there. But I will say especially now, um, you know, when the weather’s amazing, you don’t want to be outside. So you have to you have to kind of like, I guess battle that back and forth on. But it’s great, you know, because I, you know, I can do my podcast stuff, I can do my online stuff work with my clients, and then I can go hiking or I can go to the beach. But um, a lot of people it’s funny, you say that a lot of people move out here. And they end up getting sucked into that culture where they want to be outside all day they forget to do the work. And then unfortunately, they’ll have to go back to wherever they’re there from because, you know, life is just too good out here. But if you can balance it, it can be a beautiful thing.
David Ralph [14:40]
So So let’s talk about your mindset right at the very beginning, because although I know you reasonably well, we’ve connected already and I’ve been following your work, of course the listeners don’t. So you are a personal trainer, you are a health club manager, you’re sort of loving it or maybe you were loving it at a beginning. But you just got to that point when you fall. It’s got to be more. There’s got to be And I know that because I went through it myself, and it’s so annoying because you look around at everyone else, and they just seem to be happy being who they are. But you just kind of get that feeling. How did you? How did you sort of silence that? First of all, because most of us don’t allow it to come to the fore, we just keep on pushing it down for a period of time.
Ian Ryan [15:19]
Yeah, I mean, you know, we just touched on the fact how much we both hate wearing suits, right, I was actually working in health clubs, so I never actually had to wear a suit there. But I still felt very constrained around what I was doing, you know, I still had to basically take orders from someone that was always at a higher level than me and do things a certain way. And I said, I don’t really resonate with this, you know, I feel like I kind of want to do things my way as most of us entrepreneurs do, you know, we feel like confined to do things a certain way, whether that be in corporate America, or a job or whatever. So, um, I kind of said, You know, I got it, I got to do my own thing. And it’s funny, because originally, I started training, personal training clients out of my dad’s three car garage, when I left the corporate gym scene, I said this, I’m going to figure out a way to make this work on my own. So I did that. And then, you know, I ran a corporate fitness business in DC. And finally, you know, I started listening to podcasts like yours, and, like, Smart Passive income. And I said, I gotta figure out a way to freakin put this thing online, so I can create a little bit more leverage and freedom in my life. And, you know, it’s funny, because the more I got into fitness, and the more the years went on, I realised, you know, this isn’t just a great thing for the way it makes your physique look. But it really does amazing things to your mind to it for creativity, for energy for all these things. And it took a tragedy in my life, really, to say, you know, what, I’m going for this whole online thing, I lost my brother, which we can, we can hit on if you want, which was a big catalyst and a spark for me to say, you know what, I’m never going to settle, I’m going to figure out a way to make this work. And even if I struggle, and even if I have roadblocks, which we all do, would you do, which I do, which all of us entrepreneurs have, there’s nothing worse in my opinion, than to get to the end and wonder if you still had any gas left in the tank. That’s like the biggest fear for me, man. So really, you know, behind the podcast, in my work, my goal is to help people feel and and, you know, not only look amazing and feel confident, but also just feel inspired, you know, and feel like, you know what, I’m really going after the things that light me up inside, and whether it works out or not, it really doesn’t matter, but I’m not gonna let fear dictate my decision making.
David Ralph [17:32]
Because it is scary time, isn’t it? When you go through it, it’s not if you look at all the podcasts, I’m quite glad actually, that I didn’t have any, you know, like the Entrepreneur on Fire, the entrepreneur, and everything is sort of doing amazing, I would now if I did a podcast now, I would call it entrepreneurs scared shitless. And because I think, generally, literally, every single day, you’re scared of something, you’re either scared, but all your works not gonna work, or your sales funnel is gonna crash or when you go on holiday, and it’s not gonna sort of operate. It’s not playing saving is it? It’s lovely, because you can have time freedom, it’s lovely that you can create your own income and you can, you know, be naked while recording podcast, but it’s scary time all the time.
Ian Ryan [18:15]
100% and I always try to say this, you know, my podcast, it’s called fearless and healthy. Believe me, I have fears every day. Um, you know, there’s stuff that comes up. And, you know, I’m afraid things aren’t gonna work out sometimes. And there’s challenges and there’s roadblocks and there’s a lot of freedom, and there’s a lot of good becomes out of it, too. But anyone thinks that it’s all you know, ice cream with the cherry on top is very mistaken. You know, the entrepreneurial journey is quite a roller coaster. And it’s not for everyone. But as I’m sure you could agree, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
David Ralph [18:48]
Well, no, I couldn’t because I’m not skilled enough for anything else. Really. I think once you find that thing that just seems really really easy. You kind of wonder why you struggle to learn the stuff that you’re not very good at. You know, I do most things in Join Up Dots land, but there’s certain bits where I just I was going to delegate it out but then I decided I just won’t bother and see if anything bad happens and nothing bad happens. As you said earlier, nothing bad happens. But you do have to find the skill set that’s right for you first of all, don’t you?
Ian Ryan [19:19]
Absolutely. You know, I think it’s important and I think it takes a you know, taking a lot of imperfect action and just kind of diving in I know for me you know, there’s never really a perfect time to do anything for me it took some big things in my life to kind of say, Okay, I’m going to jump in now right but at the end of the day, I mean, if you wait for all the cars, the stars to align, you’re gonna be waiting a long time. I mean, I think you just kind of have to like jump in figure things out, really figure out and hone in on what is my superpower What is my 10 or 20% that I can do really well better than anyone else. And then you know if your business gets to a point where you can delegate great but I I don’t think you really even know what that is until you jump in and you figure out what you’re good at. And let me tell you, I mean, in my opinion, that comes from actually jumping in and taking action versus consuming more information.
David Ralph [20:12]
I’m gonna play some words now. And we’re gonna jump back into that, because it’s really key.
Rocky Balboa [20:16]
Here’s Rocky, you, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward, how much you can take it keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.
David Ralph [20:33]
Now, I love those words, because it is, isn’t it any entrepreneur land in COPPA, let’s talk about corporate First of all, because I was in corporate for many, many years. And I went in and I thought I was working really hard. But I look back on it now. And I think, well, I wasn’t because it was all within my skill set, I was just kind of doing what I had to do, and get my rewards at the end of the month, and I had my monthly performance. It wasn’t really being beaten up as such, it was just going and, you know, going with the tide, so to speak. But that rocky speech really touches to me because I think every single day, you take the punches, and you keep them coming back, and you keep on coming back? Is it because we’re viewing and you look around and you’ve seen people doing stuff, but you want to do so you know, it’s possible? Or is it that inside you you actually feel that that almost aggression, that ambition come up? Have you tapped into something? Or is it just that you’re looking around and thinking why not me,
Ian Ryan [21:27]
I think it’s a mix of all both of those, and also looking at people that are miserable in what they’re doing and saying I really really don’t want to do that. Um, so I think it’s a little mix, you know, you see other people that have have kind of made it. And you get, you get to have these conversations on these podcasts like this. And you just realise man, like, all you see from those successful entrepreneurs are the ones that are considered, you know, doing really well just on top of their game. You don’t hear the backstory sometimes unless you get on these podcasts, interviews, and you have these one on one conversation. So you realise it’s possible, but you also realise it’s hard. It’s not easy. And then I feel like I do have some ambition and some passion and a message that I want to share with the world. So that’s important too. But then I look at I’m on the other side of the spectrum, people, like you said in corporate or in a job that that brings them absolutely no joy, you know, or they’re just constantly miserable. And they’re just going through the motions. And I said, You know what, I just can’t do that. I’d rather kind of go after this, this entrepreneurial thing. And you know, however it works out, it works out, but I’m going to keep on rolling with the punches. And like rocky said, you kind of just have to keep on going after, right. And um, there’s a lot of gold in that journey. Because you learn so much about yourself. Just as a human being right, you have to be persistent, you have to be resilient. And you have to, like you said, just roll with the punches
David Ralph [22:53]
is that that has become the whole metaphor of Join Up Dots. It wasn’t at the beginning, it was the Steve Jobs motivational, which we’ll hear later on, you’ve got to trust, you got to move forward. But now we realise that the dark dots, that’s it, that’s the times that’s the learning periods, that’s the growth. And without that it would be really, really boring. I’ve had some times, not very many, where I’ve been sitting there thinking, Oh, I’m going to stop this. This is just stupid. You know, what, what’s the point in doing this, I could just go and get a job and just be happy. But then about 30 seconds later, I think I wouldn’t be I wouldn’t be I’ve got to do this, I’ve got to keep on moving forward with it. And it’s like you’re being pushed by an outside boss without getting too woowoo. It’s like that. I always say you’re in a colour door. And one of the doors is your future. And you know, it’s one of those doors and you’ve just got to try each door. And one of them’s going to open and there’s nothing near the next one, you’re going to open and there’s nothing there. But one of them. And as long as you know that you’re going to keep moving forward. But I never had that before I started this I never had that image. It was just I don’t know, it was just Time passed. I never had was driven to do anything other than what was expected Really?
Ian Ryan [24:03]
Well, you know, I think some people and I think you would agree, you know, they there’s this like linear line. And it that’s just like not the way it works. Like you mentioned, there’s just so many different doors. And I looked at like my experience at Pier David and San Diego. There’s been so many up and down moments the podcast has done well. But in terms of the coaching programmes, it’s like so many people have walked into my life, different relationships through business and all this stuff have kind of appeared. And I’ve gone one door and gone out the other and I feel like all these different things are connecting me and leading me to this place. But at the end of the day, I truly believe that it’s not necessarily about the destination that you get to but the journey and the discovery that you go through on the way to getting to where you eventually want to go. And that is a way that I look at very differently now. When I first started, when I was like, Man, I’m just gonna, you know, launch this podcast and all of a sudden, I’m just gonna have all these people listening and I’m gonna make all this money, well, it doesn’t really work like that. But it’s, it’s, it’s beautiful, just kind of go through the whole process and see what happens. I will say it’s quite a journey, especially if we compare it to corporate America.
David Ralph [25:19]
Now, when you start something, obviously, you’re scrambling around the cache and stuff. And I went through it. So I’m speaking from experience, and I talk about this a lot, because it’s really a sort of, I want people to understand, but even though people are offering you money, when it’s your money, you’re scared to take it somehow, when somebody come along, and I said, Oh, I want you to coach me, I want you to mentor me. Now. I’m pretty good at it. And I will do it no problem at all. But in the early days, I didn’t have that confidence in myself to justify it. It was like, Oh, no, go and have somebody else. They’re better at it. I can’t really do it. Did you have that? Were you quite happy to go yet? $1,000. Give me the money. And he might come?
Ian Ryan [26:01]
Well, I think I think we all go through that. And I had to actually go through some coaching programmes myself, and really learn that process. And one of the big things and one of the, I guess, the thing someone said to me one time said, and you don’t have to be necessarily the best in the world at what you’re teaching yet, to coach someone, you just have to be one or two levels ahead of the person that you’re coaching. So you can help them make a transformation. And I was like, aha, there’s the distinction, right. And I started thinking about like, the fitness stuff. It’s like, I know the fitness stuff really, really well. But I guarantee you that you know, eight or 10 years ago, I could have coached someone and got someone resolved even when I was first getting started, because I was so much ahead of where they are. So I think that’s a big thing to, to think about. And then also realising that we learn best when we teach others. That is when we learn more than anything is when we actually take in that information and then apply it with other people. So yes, I did have that fear. But I learned quickly how to kind of turn that around.
David Ralph [27:11]
So how did you get your first clients been? Was it through the podcast? Was it through your previous work?
Ian Ryan [27:18]
So the very first online client I got was actually through a video on Facebook. So you know, it’s fine, because it probably was from the podcast, someone probably connected with me, I’m trying to think who it was. So it was actually someone that I had known it was in my network and I launched a programme. This is funny, this is actually good to hit on since we’re here. I launched a programme that I had never created before. But I was going through someone’s programme. And they said, Look, what you got to do is you got to you got to launch something, you know, get the format down of what you’re going to teach, and launch it through social media or your podcast. And then if you get some interest, build it out while you’re taking people through that programme. And I was like, what, I had never heard of such a thing. I said, Well, what do you mean? I mean, I got to have everything figured out, how can I launch a programme. And it’s fascinating because you take people through it, but you ask them exactly what they want, while you’re taking them through that programme. Um, so I thought that was a really a cool process to go through. And that’s how I got my first client. That’s how I got actually my first four people that I put through my online coaching programme was through a video series that I did on Facebook, where I basically launched my programme, I collected the money and, and I put them through about 12 weeks of a holistic wellness type programme online.
David Ralph [28:37]
And the other thing you learn as well is the people that buy your products don’t actually want as much as you try to deliver. Now I created something called podcasters mastery, and it was 330 plus videos. And he was teaching people not just how to record a podcast, but how to schedule emails and do Facebook ads and all that kind of stuff. It was the whole package to teach everyone how to run a successful podcast. And I’ve stripped it down massively, and it’s about 60 videos now, because people just didn’t need that. And it was only when I was going back and looking at the video data, I could see that probably three quarters of them was never watched. But I created them, I created them. Now the beauty of that is I’ve just taken them and loaded them up onto YouTube because it’s just content. And now I’m getting traffic that format so it wasn’t wasted time. But people don’t expect you to over deliver. I just want that one simple thing.
Ian Ryan [29:33]
Well, I think it’s a distinction to make, because I don’t always think it’s content that people want. You know, people want to get a result and sometimes as entrepreneurs, we think that that means providing you know, every piece of content under the sun, when in reality then we’re just overloading them with information and sometimes confusing them. So what I’ve learned is really, you know, especially with the programmes that I create, now it’s like how do I solve one problem and simplify it for them so they can get to to where they want to go a lot quicker, instead of overwhelming them and bombarding them with like 87 steps, well, how can we simplify this into a few action steps that are really going to get the result?
David Ralph [30:11]
Perfect is the way forward maybe four or four steps Bang, bang, bang, done and dusted. How would you feel Ian about the mood now, but I’m seeing away from online courses to online courses complementing a live appearance by the host or a coach or whatever. So it’s more an interactive thing. Maybe two years ago, it was all watching videos, but I’m seeing it more now. But people actually throwing themselves into the mix as well.
Ian Ryan [30:38]
Well, you know, I think it’s something that you got to look at, because not everyone is necessarily comfortable with going live, right. And it’s another one of those fears that you kind of have to break out of, and realise, well, this is where the market is going. So if I’m going to have an online business, I might not be able to hide behind a microphone like I was able to do three, four years ago, and you really have to think about what the consumer wants. So you know, live interaction just seems to be where things are going. People want more raw, authentic on the go type content. So the way I feel about it is on Facebook Live was a little uncomfortable. For me initially, I’m still, you know, not as comfortable as I am with doing podcast interviews, but I realised like, that’s where things are going. People want to see the person that they’re buying from, and they want the product to be associated with the face. So I guess that’s, that’s where, you know, we’re gonna see things going, I think I heard something. It was a stat, the other day My friend was sharing for from me and don’t, don’t hold me to this. But, you know, they said, they had heard an interview with Mark Zuckerberg that said, like, by the end of 2018 80%, of the content on Facebook was going to be done through video. So that is just an astounding thing to think about that really. market is going,
David Ralph [32:03]
you know, a lot of the videos is just rubbish. It’s just like they’ve turned on the there’s no structure, you know, I think to yourself, you’ve got to have a point to it, you’ve got to have a reason why somebody is looking. And people don’t they just turn on their little mobile phones, and they start talking about anything. And it’s just boring. The churn rate is ridiculous. It really is ridiculous.
Ian Ryan [32:26]
Yes, no, I agree with you completely. I mean, the only lives that I think, you know, that I get interested in is when people actually take the time to think of a topic and maybe they’re doing a show, once a week on Facebook very much like me, and you were doing right now, right? Where it’s either interview or solo. There’s actually some thought that goes into it. Um, but yeah, that’s what happens. You know, you give someone the access of a phone, and it’s so easy to go live now that it can become quite saturated man.
David Ralph [32:53]
I saw a Facebook Live thing the other day, and it was a discussion. And it was these two guys talking about English soccer, or football as the proper people call it. And they were saying, you know, who is the biggest club, Manchester United Real Madrid, Barcelona or somebody else I can’t remember now. And people were put in comments on Facebook, and doing their likes and voting and stuff. And I actually just picked it on to see what it was about. And I watched it for about 20 minutes, you know, because there was a reason for it. It was a structure there was interaction, I thought it was the perfect format, to do a kind of almost a survey type programme to get people involved. And once I got that into my head, I thought God, you could do this anyway, you could have somebody talking about health products, and what would you have this one or that one? And it’s a good way of training yourself, because you’ve got people live telling you what they most like?
Ian Ryan [33:49]
Yeah, I think if you do it effectively, and you give it some thought, and you create a show, I think it can be an incredibly effective medium, right? Because it’s live on the spot. People can connect with you. But right, there’s that there’s that fine line between just, you know, going on there to rant and talk about yourself, which, like you said, the churn rate is so high and who wants to just, you know, hear something like that on the go versus someone that actually takes the time to talk about a topic that might be of interest to you, and then you might tune in and actually get some value from it. So yeah, that’s kind of what I think about the whole Facebook Live thing. It sounds like we’re kind of on the same page with it.
David Ralph [34:25]
Why can’t we do a Facebook Live retreat where somebody watches a retreat going on, and they can be at home and they get the yoga lessons and they get they get everything? you could you could do it? Can you
Ian Ryan [34:38]
Ah, see, here’s the thing, you got to be in person, you know, I still think
David Ralph [34:43]
No, no, no, yeah, I have stumbled on these porn sites and they’re doing very well. I’m not there but these ladies these ladies are doing very, very well.
Ian Ryan [34:54]
Hey, man, that could be a side business for you. David. Did you ever think about that online retreats. I’ve
David Ralph [34:59]
been there by now. done it. And those days are gone. Those days ago, once you hit your mid 40s, you got to know your time to stop.
Ian Ryan [35:05]
Ah, fair enough, honest, honest, man. I like it,
David Ralph [35:09]
though. So why can’t we do that you say that you’ve got to be there, you’ve got to be interactive. But that is as close as you know, that’s interactive, isn’t it? You You can talk to them, you can vote you can see them.
Ian Ryan [35:21]
So there’s definitely a way that you could do a retreat. And you know, have it be effective online, it just depends on I guess what your model is, let me give you an example. And I’ll kind of kind of tell you where I’m going with this. The whole idea between between my retreats is to unplug from, from the computer, one of the big reasons that I did it was I found myself spending way too much time behind my laptop, because I do it so much with the podcast. And let me tell you, I love the whole reason I started this business was to be able to work from my laptop, but I still don’t think it can replace human interaction, I still think there’s something to be said, By connecting in person. So I said, You know what, I have this platform that I’ve created with my podcast, why not bring people together, three to four times and connect in person and really try to cultivate those relationships. And especially because then when they go back online, and they’re communicating with one another, because I have a group coaching programme, they feel like they know each other on a deeper level. So with my personal retreat, there is a reason method behind the madness, right? I really want people to connect in person. But you’re absolutely right. I mean, you can do, you could do a retreat online, if it was wellness related. I mean, now you have, for example, events, online events, where you have different speakers, and you’re able to watch it from your computer. So really, it’s just what you’re trying to get out of that experience. And that is going to be a big reason behind, I guess the approach that you take.
David Ralph [36:51]
I was going across the Internet, and there was this couple of ladies that created this weekend away, and it was called Sunday night disconnect or unplugged or something. And basically you go there, and you have to hand in your mobile phones. And so it’s almost like to break the addiction, and you’ve actually got to be forced to lock your stuff away. And it seems strange to me that people are actually having to pay for that, you know, they’re having to pay to have their phones taken away where you could just put them in a drawer and just forget about them. Right?
Ian Ryan [37:22]
Yeah, yeah, exactly. Well, I mean, you know, one of the one of the things we want to do is create that unplugged experience too. But I think you have to have, in my opinion, if you’re doing a retreat, you can’t charge just for the disconnection, right? You got to replace it with I mean, the disconnection from technology. So, yeah, the fact that people would pay just for that, um, that’s a little strange for me, too. But if you can say, Hey, leave your phone at the door, because we have all these friggin exciting things planned all day where you’re going to connect, we’re going to work, we’re going to do fitness stuff, we’re going to go on adventures, we’re going to do all that, then that becomes something that I think is enticing, in my opinion, to go and experience. And you’re right. I mean, you just hit on the fact I think it is an addiction for many people, the technology aspect of it. I had to actually I did an interview on this on technology addiction just a couple weeks ago with with a guy named Wesley Chapman and we kind of got into this topic. Um, but you’re absolutely right, I think there needs to be more to it. I think the unplugged is just a piece of the piece of the pie when it comes to these retreats.
David Ralph [38:30]
I totally unplug. I, my listeners will get so bored of me saying this, but I’m proud. I am quite proud of the fact that I don’t have any mobile connectivity. I’m sitting in my recording studio at the moment doing this, and then I walk away and then that’s it. I can’t be got I am totally off the radar. And it does kind of annoy me if I’m sitting there watching the telly with my wife, and she’s only 70% watching it because 30% is reaching out to a phone every time it beeps and flicking and and the kids are always on their phones, you know. So I’d like to be able to get them off it as well. Because I do think there is a quality of time. You know, I’m the only one who reads books, because I don’t have anything else to do. If I don’t want to watch TV then what’s to do, either you you sit there and read a book. So I’ve always got a book on the go. And I think that kind of thing is starting to disappear, isn’t it people actually sitting down and getting absorbed in something because everything is 32nd bursts. And before you click onto something else once you’ve been hit Oh 100%
Ian Ryan [39:27]
I mean, I could not agree more than that. I it is annoying, you know when you’re trying to have a conversation with someone and someone is just constantly checking their phone here and there. And you know, you’re right. So one of the things when I came out to San Diego and it’s you know, I like watching TV here every now and then but I don’t have cable here. And you know, so I didn’t get cable for a reason. I said I don’t really want to watch TV. I’m not really missing anything. And you’re right when you don’t have that TV for me. I’ll read a book, right because there’s nothing else to do. And there’s something to be said to just like having that conversation without that phone going off and distracting you and constantly having something else vying for your attention. So definitely on the same page, and I do believe now, I mean, you remember David, I mean, you’re, you’re a little bit older than I am. But still, when I was in high school, for example, we didn’t even have cell phones, you know, crazy how far things have moved in such a short period of time. And now it’s just part of our everyday life, you know, social media and all this stuff. And I’m blessed and so grateful that we have all these tools to connect us and grow these businesses. But at the same time, there is that element of just being able to kind of like, unplug and disconnect and realise, hey, the world still exist without this technology and trying to separate the two of them, it sounds like you do a pretty good job of that. But I know a lot of people struggle,
David Ralph [40:42]
I kind of live in the 70s really, because, you know, I grew up, we had no internet. And even when I was at work, I remember I must been at work about six or seven years, and the only people that got emails were managers, you know, everybody else didn’t get emails, you just said in trays of work, and the work comes along, and you dealt with it, and you move it along. And I said to my mate, yesterday, I said to him, you know, what are we used to do before emails at work? And he said, we used to just do work, because now people just deal with emails all the time. It’s communication, you know, it’s um, I like the idea of going back into 17th life in so many ways, just because of that. Kids playing out in the streets. I never see that now. You know, because I sound like an old miserable fart, but he don’t kids going out on their bikes, you don’t see them. They just all come home, go into their bedrooms and lock themselves away. I think a lot of it’s got lost. There’s a lot of good things, you know, we’re doing this now, which is brilliant. Somebody can be listening to this and start their own business in their lunch hour. Get a website, domain name, everything of that is positive. But there’s there’s enough isn’t there? There is enough. And I like nothing more than saying to the kids always been a power cut. The internet’s gone down. Well, I’ve just taken the fuse out. And I’ve done that a couple of times, but I’ve wizened up to it now.
Ian Ryan [41:57]
Yeah, I mean, I could not agree more than what what you just said. I mean, I think the internet gives us this, this amazing power to do really cool things. But you just have to, I think become aware of how you’re using it, you know, if you’re using it for things like this, so you’re using it for your business, or however you want to do it. But also just remembering that there’s another part of life too, like you said, you’re in 70s. Man, I was born in the 80s. So your before before my time, but yeah, absolutely. You know, I think it’s just mixing, mixing both I still, you know, I’m big into holistic wellness. So for me, it’s like, you know, finding that time every day, I’m fortunate and blessed to live out in San Diego to go go to the beach, or go explore or go hiking, and just kind of get out of my normal environment. And what it does for me is it just sparks creativity gives me inspired thoughts. For me personally, some of my big ideas have never come when I’m plugging away at the laptop, they come when I create that space in my daily life, to kind of just think and be or meditate or you know, work on my breath or something like that. So it’s it’s funny, because you’re constantly plugging away and you’re go, go go, you can get the work done. But oftentimes, that space will kind of bring new ideas to the forefront, at least for me, maybe I’m crazy. Maybe I’m maybe people are listening like this. And they’re like, what the heck is he talking about, but I’ve truly felt that in my own life.
David Ralph [43:25]
Yeah, I have great ideas. When I stumble across those websites of ladies laying on their bed with the mazing ideas pop into my head. Unfortunately, the married stops every single one of them in it, they don’t go anymore. They’re just they die, they wisdom, a wisdom down to nothing at all. But what I’m going to do now I’m going to play the words of the late Steve Jobs who may said these words back in 2005. absolutely astonishing words, we’re going to hear him again, Steve Jobs. Of course,
Steve Jobs [43:51]
it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards. 10 years later. Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something, your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well worn path. And that will make all the difference.
David Ralph [44:26]
Amazing words I was on a
Ian Ryan [44:28]
I love them. You know you played that on my podcast, Dave and David when we connected was two years ago. And um, yeah, that speech just resonates with me because it’s so freakin true. You know, you cannot connect them like that. So thank you for sharing that.
David Ralph [44:44]
And when you look at your life, are you you know, I think we all can say yes, do this. But are you looking back and going oh yeah, I can see that dot and I can see that. Other dots lining up. Maybe not in a way that you expected him to but you can see some kind of wiggly path
Ian Ryan [44:59]
for sure. Absolutely, yeah, I think you just have to just to trust almost in that intuition sometimes right. And, and not settle and, and just trust in yourself a little bit. You know, I think everyone’s journey here is different. And so many of us get caught up thinking our life has to unfold in a certain direction. But like you said, and like I’ve said in this conversation, we couldn’t imagine doing anything differently. Right. And as crazy as it might look to an outsider, I know you feel like you’re on your path for a reason as to why. And I think everyone has that. So I think really that that speech listening to that, I think it hits home with so many people, because I truly believe that at some level, that’s really what life is all about.
David Ralph [45:43]
And when is the retreat coming to the fore of and this is dots moving forward? And when when’s it going to be as well?
Ian Ryan [45:50]
Yes. So the first retreat is going to be in Rosarito, Mexico, January 11, through the 15th it’s going to be a five day experience in a breathtaking mansion on you know, on the water, teaming up with a good friend of mine that is, was the strength and conditioning coach at Yale, he played football at Miami’s a meditation coach. So yeah, we’re just looking to bring that experience to to people that um, you know, the the run businesses or they’re they’re busy professionals working really hard and just giving them a chance to escape, connect and come back and start 2018, feeling refreshed, reinvigorated, and just kind of have a different experience than they maybe never have done before.
David Ralph [46:33]
It’s really bizarre. But when you said it was going to be in Mexico, I had this vision of that film from dusk till dawn. Do you remember that film? Did you remember that? We have all the vampires and stuff.
Ian Ryan [46:44]
You know, it’s funny, because I’ve seen vampire movies. But I don’t think I’ve seen that one.
David Ralph [46:50]
This is the greatest film you’ve ever see. Everybody, everybody even if you’re in jobs at the moment, even if you like a nice rom com, you got to watch from dusk till dawn, the original one with George Clooney. Alpha bits road movie. Second half is just vampire. The fury. Basically vamper view is the most perfectly mismatched two parts of a film you’re ever going to see.
Ian Ryan [47:12]
Absolutely brilliant. I will put that on the list. I don’t have cable, but maybe I’ll get it on Netflix. And I’ll have to follow up with you and tell you what I
David Ralph [47:19]
think you do that you do that and you’ll love it. Great popcorn movie? Well, Ian, it’s been an absolute great delight to have you on the show. But because before we let you go, we’ve got to send you back in time. And this is the part of the show that we called a sermon on the mind when we send you back in time to have a one on one with your younger self. And if you could go back in time and speak to the young in what age would you choose? And what advice would you give? Well, we’re going to find out because I’m going to play the theme. And when it fades up, this is the Sermon on the mic.
Rocky Balboa [47:55]
With the best bit of the show.
Ian Ryan [48:11]
All right, we are back. So if I could, you know have a conversation, I would say just to trust in yourself. You know, if you’re feeling the itch to go explore, go explore your life doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. You know, we’re all on our own path. We’re on our on our own journey. And trust that you’ll figure things out and learn stuff about you along the way. I would take action sooner, and realise that no one has it all figured out.
David Ralph [48:38]
You know, I think we’re always looking for that perfect time. So just get out there and make it happen. And you will literally and you will do great stuff. And one day you will be on a podcast. But you will then go and watch vampire movies. And it’s gonna be perfect. It’s gonna be perfect. And what’s the number one best way that our audience can connect with you, sir?
Ian Ryan [48:58]
Yes. So thank you so much for having me. I just want to acknowledge you, David, for what you do and bringing this podcast to everyone. Um, you can check out my podcast, you know, it’s a fearless and healthy, fearless and healthy. I talk to people every week. It’s a weekly show that I’m really excited about. And also, David, I’m going to send you this link. But if you go to fearless and healthy.com backslash podcast, I actually created a little guide for your listeners that you know will show them how to create a health routine for their busy and hectic lifestyle. And also there’s a workshop on on meditation and stress relief. So if you want that absolutely free, no catch with that. And thank you so much for tuning in
David Ralph [49:39]
is great. And we will have all the links on the show notes. Ian, thank you so much for spending time with us today. joining up those dots and please come back again when you have more dots to join up because I do you believe by joining up the dots and connecting our past is the best way to build our futures. Ian, thank you so much.
Ian Ryan [49:55]
Awesome. Thank you for your time, David. It’s been a pleasure.
David Ralph [50:00]
And Ryan is really interesting how you connect virtually. And I was on his show when he was on my show. And you don’t really speak again in that interim. But there’s a deep connection that is formed when you have these kinds of conversation, because they’re not the kind of conversations you normally have with your mates. mates are kind of just peripheral things, this city stuff. And podcasts really do build that connection. So if you are looking at building a network, which is gold, I really recommend becoming a podcaster. Or getting on Facebook Live because there is a connection that is liberating, but you build by these these kind of conversations, whatever you want to do, but it’s interesting, I felt really sort of connected with the and they’re great going. Thank you so much as always for listening to Join Up Dots. Thank you so much for everyone that says nice things about the show. It’s really really pleasant to see. And, of course, if you could leave a rating and review on iTunes, always love to see those. Thank you so much. But until next time, we’ll see you again. Cheers.
Outro [50:58]
David doesn’t want you to become a faded version of the brilliant self you or wants to become. So he’s put together an amazing guide for you called the eight pieces of advice that every successful entrepreneur practices, including the two that changed his life. Head over to Join Up dots.com to download this amazing guide for free and we’ll see you tomorrow on Join Up Dots.
