RYAN TRAHAN

 🌟 Meet Ryan Trahan: YouTube Star, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist

Ryan Michael Trahan, born on October 7, 1998, in Sugar Land, Texas, is an American YouTuber, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. As of 2025, he is 26 years old. He gained prominence through his creative challenge videos, particularly the "Penny Challenge" series, and has amassed a substantial following across various social media platforms.

🏃 Early Life and Education

Ryan grew up in the small town of Eagle Lake, Texas, and attended Rice High School in Altair, where he graduated as valedictorian. He later enrolled at Texas A&M University, participating in cross-country running. However, due to conflicts between his entrepreneurial activities and NCAA regulations, he decided to leave college to focus on his business ventures and YouTube career.

🎥 YouTube Career

Ryan launched his YouTube channel on October 27, 2013, initially sharing content related to running. Over time, he diversified his content to include vlogs, challenges, and commentary videos. His "Penny Challenge" series, where he attempts to travel across the country starting with just one cent, garnered significant attention and showcased his creativity and resilience. As of May 2025, his main channel boasts over 19.8 million subscribers and more than 4.7 billion views .

💼 Entrepreneurial Ventures

Beyond YouTube, Ryan is an accomplished entrepreneur. He co-founded Neptune Bottle, a company focused on sustainable hydration solutions, and launched a clothing line called Howdy Howdy. Additionally, he has been involved with Joyride Sweets, a venture in the confectionery industry .

💖 Personal Life

In November 2020, Ryan married fellow YouTuber Haley Pham, and together they ran a joint channel named The Traphamily . The couple often collaborates on content, sharing insights into their life and adventures.

🌍 Philanthropy and Impact

Ryan leverages his platform for philanthropic endeavors. Notably, his "Penny Challenge" series has raised substantial funds for charitable organizations. In 2022, his journey across the United States starting with a penny raised over $1.38 million for Feeding America . He continued this philanthropic approach in subsequent challenges, supporting causes like Water.org.

🏆 Recognition

Ryan's innovative content and positive influence have earned him accolades, including the Breakout Creator award at the 12th Streamy Awards in 2022 and the Creator of the Year award at the 13th Streamy Awards in 2023 .