Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Mcintosh.
Hi Ryan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Portland, Oregon November 27th, 1982, along with two brothers 35 and 50 min apart. At six years old we had lost our older brother Robby to cancer. He does at age 21.
My mother Mary Jo didn’t miss a beat, and enduring the loss of her firstborn son, she remained focused on us three 6-year-old triplet boys making sure we had the attention and care we needed. She is and has been my biggest inspiration from a young age. She displayed true loyalty, commitment, follow-through, determination, powerful love, and selflessness.
No matter her pain, she didn’t allow it to become a reason to neglect the responsibilities she still had. This would play a huge role in my mentality and heart in life in later years. I joined the Marine Corp in 2002 after attempting to go to college at Portland State University. I served a little over four years and will attribute the discipline and mental strength I have now to this experience.
I also thank my mother for her example early on as it did play into pushing through and completing ky time in, no matter how painful it was. I had made a commitment that needed to be fulfilled and met. Throughout my military experiences and time in, I found that music was my healing and escape. I began to learn the guitar, and write songs.
This was an amazing shift for me once I began to indulge in music because what I was now creating was impacting those around me in such a positive way. I became obsessed with writing songs and learning how to create a melody and tune that would accompany them. These songs and tunes would heal so much of me every time I played them.
Once I was out of the Marine Corps, I found myself with a company that served as a benefits provider for veterans, police, firefighters, and union members throughout America. I was never designed or made to be great in business but at this point in my life, I had to be to accomplish what I wanted to for my parents, my family, and my music.
I pursued all opportunities presented to me and relentlessly worked each day until I was at the success level I had set out to be financially and personally. I did this for 15 years and recently retired at age 39, so that I can now pursue my dream of music stress-free of financials.
I believe that if your dream is truly important to you, you will go through the mess and stress of hard work, the sacrifices of time you may need to put into other focuses that will get you into the position you want to be, and keep pushing through no matter what despite the influences or distractions that come up. I do not believe in or practice victimizing, complaining, or defeatist thoughts.
We have been given a gift of life, and an even more amazing gift and ability to be able to accomplish what we desire within this gift of life if we in fact put forth the effort and display each day the behaviors we need to have and execute on the actions we need to in order to accomplish what we want to.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Not at all, nothing in life is smooth or without some sort of struggle. Like many, I have had struggles with depression, personal battles with insecurity, doubts, hopelessness, and regret from past mistakes.
I’ve experienced rejection and ridicule. I have had people lose faith in me. I could list out more but the struggles aren’t what is important. What’s most important is your reaction to these struggles and how you bounce back.
I would not and will never let any of these struggles defeat me or become defined by the defeat of these issues and hardships that arose in my life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently am a full-time musician. Singing and songwriting. I’m most proud of the musical relationship I have with Michael Shrout and am extremely proud to work together creating the music we always have wanted to.
What sets us apart? You’ll see and hear soon.
What matters most to you?
Family, love, freedom, art, and health.
All of these are the keys to happiness and true fulfillment in life.
Contact Info:
- Email: ryan@ryanmcintosh.com
- Website: Jointventurestudios.com
- Youtube: Mac and Shrout
