“Stop making goals. Instead put your dreams on the horizon and chase them every day. You’ll find a new meaning of success.”
Ryan Minarik used to have a corporate job full of meetings, schedules, and deadlines. As a sophomore at Arizona State University, he founded an audio brand called, BOOM by Polk. Being the lead on the brand he created, the young entrepreneur spent most of his time working furiously around the clock. To offset all the time he had lost grinding away at his company, Ryan began accumulating lots of things to help him better enjoy the little free time that he did have—but none of that seemed to make him happy…until something did.
A 1981 VW Vanagon, which he purchased with his year-end bonus from BOOM, helped Ryan to realize something simple: all he really wanted in life was to be in his van, bare essentials, chasing waves on the California coastline, surfing to his heart’s content.
The realization sparked Ryan to start a blog (www.reformlife.com) highlighting himself and others who were on a path to living more with less while chasing their passions. His desire to surf and live simple ultimately caused Ryan to reform his own life. Taking a leap of faith, he abandoned most of his possessions and quit his corporate job. No more meetings, schedules, and deadlines—unless they were on his own time.
“Most of the world is way too comfortable….chasing known paths towards “security” and dreaming up inflated concepts of what’s needed to be comfortable. Today, people are less focused on their values (health, relationships, passions) and more on their desires. So our world is full of complications that don’t matter,” says Ryan.
Since quitting his job, Ryan has launched a new brand, Reform, which encourages people to get outside of their comfort zones and be comfortable outside. His love of surfing helped reconnect him with nature and renew an inner passion for the outdoors, which is why his new company seeks to create outdoor lifestyle products meant to inspire and implement solutions to our current environmental crisis—as co-owners of the planet.
Now that he has taken back control of his time, Ryan Minarik stays connected by spending more of his life doing what he loves—traveling and exploring the California landscape and beyond.
“Wealth is not defined in dollars and cents, but in your time and how you chose to spend it…. every day,” says Ryan.
To learn more about Ryan Minarek, Reform and it’s products follow: @reform_life
Or visit: WWW.REFORMLIFE.COM
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Wonderful piece, and great inspiration to reflect and act on.
Great story! Appreciate Ryan’s outlook and the wisdom in his focus. Likewise, the positive impact he’s making with Reform!
Hi uncle, it is me Damon. I really like this story because of how you put it. I also like Ryan’s quotes. Love you!
Oh also hi grandma
????…lol
Thanks, nephew! You’re very insightful for an eight year old!
Thank you! Surfing can change lives!
That I can endorse 🙂
great if you can make enough to pay the bills!
Very true, CalmKate. Ryan worked tirelessly at his side project, Reform, before making the jump to full-time business. Even still, he earns a third of what he did at his corporate job. Scary to leave known security in the rear view. However, he’s now created a mobile business that is all his own. Ryan had the courage to shape his life into what he wanted it to be. Not easy.
Thanks for reading!
he’s not the only one, I’ve heard of quite a few who have left secure employment with far less security than Ryan has!
Plus all those women who sacrifice salaries and superannuation for care situations …
[“Most of the world is way too comfortable…”] Should read most of the WESTERN/DEVELOPED world is way too comfortable. I’ve lived and worked in developing countries on 4 continents over the past 15 years and people in places like Thailand and Colombia enjoy higher quality lives than most Americans/Australians/Brits etc even though most can’t afford the material possessions and achievements that we’re brought up to believe represent ‘success’. Bullshit to that lost concept that’s left so many Americans feeling like empty vessels, lost and alone. We can learn SO much about what’s truly important in life from those in the world who have the least. Happy surfing dudes~
You’re right, Henry. There’s a lot to be said for minimalism, or rather the ability to recognize that true happiness comes from within. ???? Thanks for reading!
I quit at 50, basically, so when people suggest I go to a “meeting,” I can honestly say, “Why do people still have those?”
He learned earlier than I.
Most of the year it’s suits and early morning board meetings ??????????? then summer rolls around and it’s boardshorts and sunset sessions ????
Thanks, Southern California ????
Excellent and inspirational read.
Thank you, Eugenia ????
As the nonprofit counseling agency I worked for became more corporate and bureaucratic (with more meetings and paperwork) I dreamed of freedom. For years I dreamed and prayed for deliverance and finally took the leap of faith two years ago like a bird escaping a cage. Your post reminds me of how thankful I am to be FREE of meaningless bureaucracy and points me to adventure!
Thanks JoAnna, ???? Anything IS possible!
🙂
Wow! Ryan you are simply remarkable! Love that
Excellent story with wonderful emphasis on life freedom. ????
He is currently venturing up the California coastline promoting his brand, @reform_life ????????
Hi there. Thank you for visiting and following HoB. Much appreciated!
Lovely piece of work by you . Truly commendable
Thank you. ????????
Thank you. Seems there’s always something to learn from someone else’s story!
Reblogging this to my readers at sister site Timeless Wisdoms
Thanks for sharing Ana!
My pleasure!