From Near Death at 19 to Summiting Everest with Ryan Rivard | Kreatures of Habit

From Near Death at 19 to Summiting Everest with Ryan Rivard | Kreatures of Habit

From Kreatures Of Habit Podcast by Michael Chernow

June 3, 2026 · 53 min · Episode 225

About this episode

Ryan Rivard shares his journey from addiction to summiting Mount Everest and the lessons learned along the way.

Ryan Rivard shares what it felt like to summit Mount Everest while helping save another climber, describing the awe, adrenaline, and danger of the descent, the physical toll of the “death zone,” and the brutal cold and logistics at extreme altitude. He explains why he pursued Everest after getting sober at 19, emphasizing the mental challenge, keeping promises to family, and proving you can rise from homelessness and addiction to “the top of the world.” Ryan reflects on 23 years of sobriety, faith and gratitude, and how setbacks like a torn knee delayed his climb and may have protected him. He discusses building a marketing agency, creating a nonprofit (Let’s Fuel Growth), coaching through the DODEK, finding joy in helping others, and sustaining a 21-year marriage through intentional communication and shared time.TIME STAMPS00:00 Summit Emotions07:22 Why Everest10:24 Life After Recovery16:40 Faith And Timing20:40 Marriage That Lasts31:50 Finding Joy In Service35:25 Rock Bottom Stories49:54 Final Hope And Outro

People in this episode

Host: Michael Chernow

Guest: Ryan Rivard

Topics covered

  • overcoming adversity
  • sobriety
  • mountaineering
  • personal growth
  • entrepreneurship
  • marriage
  • service to others

Keywords

  • Everest
  • sobriety
  • addiction recovery
  • mountaineering
  • personal development
  • marketing agency
  • nonprofit
  • marriage
  • service

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Let’s Fuel Growth, DODEK

Places: Mount Everest

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