Ryan Trahan is a 27-year-old YouTuber, entrepreneur, and philanthropist from Sugar Land, Texas. He has raised over $13 million for charity through creative challenge videos, co-owns a candy company called Joyride, and has built a YouTube empire with over 22 million subscribers. He’s married to fellow content creator Haley Pham and lives in Austin, Texas.
You’ve probably seen his face on YouTube. Ryan Trahan is the guy who turned a single penny into hundreds of thousands of dollars while traveling across America. He’s the creator who stayed in 50 different Airbnbs in 50 days and raised over $11 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the process. But who is he beyond the viral challenges?
Ryan Michael Trahan was born on October 7, 1998, making him 27 years old as of 2026. He grew up in Sugar Land, Texas, and attended Rice High School in the small town of Altair, where he graduated as valedictorian. Ryan Trahan’s age might surprise you when you consider what he’s accomplished in less than three decades.
From College Dropout to YouTube Star
Ryan wasn’t always a full-time content creator. He started his YouTube channel on January 21, 2012, initially posting videos about running and his life as a student athlete. At Texas A&M University, he competed on the cross country team and placed third in the Aggieland Open in 2017.
But his athletic career hit a roadblock. The NCAA ruled him ineligible because he was promoting his water bottle business, Neptune Bottle, through his YouTube channel. Ryan faced a choice: continue running collegiately or pursue entrepreneurship. He chose the latter and dropped out of Texas A&M in 2017.
Ryan Trahan’s parents supported his decision, though it meant walking away from a scholarship and traditional career path. That risk paid off. By 2019, he reached 1 million YouTube subscribers. By July 2022, he had 10 million. Today, his main channel has over 22 million subscribers with more than 5 billion total views.
His content evolved from running videos to lifestyle challenges, one-star establishment reviews, and ambitious fundraising campaigns. He’s won two Streamy Awards: Breakout Creator in 2022 and First Person in 2023.
The Penny Challenge That Changed Everything
In June 2022, Ryan launched his first Penny Challenge. The concept was simple but ambitious: start with one penny in California and travel to MrBeast’s house in North Carolina using only money generated from that initial coin.
He set a goal to raise $100,000 for Feeding America. He crushed it. By the end of the month-long challenge, his community had donated over $1.38 million. Ryan funded his journey by doing odd jobs like mowing lawns, walking dogs, selling drinks, and reselling golf balls.
The challenge included unique twists. Any $50,000 donation triggered “THE GREAT RESET,” sending his funds back to one penny. For every $100,000 milestone, he got a tattoo designed by donors. The series was sponsored by PayPal Honey.
One year later, in July 2023, Ryan launched Penny Challenge 2.0. This time, he started in Paris, France, and traveled to New York City, raising over $400,000 for Water.org.
These campaigns showcased Ryan’s ability to blend entertainment with philanthropy. They also proved his audience was willing to support causes he cared about.
Building a Business Empire
Ryan Trahan’s net worth is estimated between $8 million and $12 million as of 2026. His income streams include YouTube ad revenue, brand partnerships, and multiple business ventures.
In 2016, he co-founded Neptune Bottle with friend Caden Wiese. The sustainable water bottle company generated over $50,000 in its first year. While the NCAA conflict ended his college running career, it launched his entrepreneurial journey.
He later founded Hydra Collective, a streetwear brand, and launched his own clothing line called Howdy Howdy in 2023. The Texas-inspired apparel reflects his laid-back personality.
His biggest business move came in 2024 when he became Chief Creative Officer and co-owner of Joyride Sweets. The candy company launched in Target stores nationwide in 2025 and set a Guinness World Record for the most candy sold in a single day at Target locations.
Brand partnerships with companies like T-Mobile, Airbnb, and Kia add significant revenue. His YouTube channel alone likely generates $500,000 to $1 million annually from ads, though his business ventures and sponsorships far exceed that figure.
Marriage to Haley Pham
Ryan Trahan’s wife is Haley Pham, a fellow YouTuber and content creator. The couple started dating in late 2018 and married in November 2020.
Haley, born on December 5, 2000, has her own successful YouTube channel with millions of subscribers. She creates lifestyle content, vlogs, and beauty videos. Together, they ran a collaborative channel called The Traphamily, though they now focus on individual content while frequently appearing in each other’s videos.
Is Ryan Trahan Christian? Yes. He’s been open about his conversion from atheism to Christianity. His faith journey is something he’s shared with his audience, though he doesn’t center his content around religion.
The couple lives in Austin, Texas, though they travel frequently for content. Their relationship is central to many of Ryan’s recent projects, particularly the 50 States challenge.
50 States, 50 Days, $11.5 Million Raised
Ryan’s most ambitious project launched in June 2025. He and Haley set out to visit all 50 states in 50 days, staying in a unique Airbnb each night and raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Their initial goal was $1 million. They hit it in 15 days.
By the end of the challenge in July 2025, they had raised over $11.5 million. The campaign included donations from 115+ brands like Lectric eBikes (which donated $500,000), Kia, Dollar Shave Club, and Bob Evans. Individual donations poured in from viewers across the country.
The series incorporated the “Wheel of Doom,” a suitcase challenge activated by any donation of $50,000 or more. The wheel assigned random penalties like switching phones to airplane mode, separating from each other for a day, or wearing pajamas all day in public.
They stayed in memorable locations: an acorn treehouse in Texas, a nuclear bunker in Arkansas, a yacht in North Carolina, and a former Coast Guard lighthouse in Massachusetts. Celebrity supporters included MrBeast, Doctor Mike, Nick DiGiovanni, and Survivor host Jeff Probst.
The 50-video series generated over 150 million views and became one of the largest creator-led charity campaigns in YouTube history.
Ryan Trahan Net Worth and Income
Breaking down Ryan Trahan’s net worth in 2026:
YouTube ad revenue accounts for approximately $500,000 to $1 million annually based on its view count and CPM rates. His 22+ million subscribers and billions of views create consistent passive income.
Business ownership provides the bulk of his wealth. Joyride Sweets, with its Target partnership and record-breaking sales, likely generates millions annually. Neptune Bottle, Hydra Collective, and Howdy Howdy add additional revenue streams.
Brand partnerships and sponsorships bring in substantial income. His 50 States challenge alone featured over 115 corporate sponsors, each paying between $5,000 and $500,000 for shoutouts and visibility.
Conservative estimates place his total net worth between $8 million and $12 million, though some sources suggest it could be higher given his recent business successes.
Personal Life and Faith Journey
Ryan Trahan’s height is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm). He has one brother named Matthew Trahan. Details about Ryan Trahan’s parents remain relatively private, though he’s mentioned their support throughout his unconventional career path.
His conversion from atheism to Christianity marked a significant personal shift. While he doesn’t preach in his content, his faith influences his philanthropic work and personal decisions.
Ryan’s personality shines through his videos. He’s known for his positive attitude, creative problem-solving, and willingness to put himself in uncomfortable situations for entertainment. His content remains family-friendly and brand-safe, appealing to a wide demographic.
Where Ryan Trahan Lives Now
Where does Ryan Trahan live? He and Haley reside in Austin, Texas. The city’s creative community and central location make it ideal for their content creation and business ventures.
Where is Ryan Trahan right now? As of early 2026, he’s likely planning his next major project. Following the success of the 50 States campaign, Ryan has hinted at future challenges but hasn’t announced specific details.
His daily routine involves content planning, business management for Joyride and his other ventures, and collaboration with Haley on various projects. He remains active on Instagram, YouTube, and other social platforms.
Ryan Trahan represents a new generation of creators who use their platforms for both entertainment and social good. From a college dropout with a penny to a multi-millionaire philanthropist, his journey shows what’s possible when creativity meets purpose. With over $13 million raised for charity, multiple successful businesses, and a growing influence in the creator economy, Ryan Trahan is just getting started.
