RYAN CAMPBELL Global Keynote Speaker, Author, Owner of a Pink Cadillac
“On 8 September 2013, after a 70 day expedition flying around the world, I woke up at home in my own bed. No early alarm, no foreign motel room, no ocean to cross, no aircraft to fly. It felt very odd.
Whether I liked it or not, a significant chapter of my life was over…. It was up to me to use the lessons I had learned to choose the right road.”
FROM THE EPILOGUE OF BORN TO FLY BY RYAN CAMPBELL
Despite our best attempts,
THE ROADS WE CHOOSE DON’T ALWAYS TAKE US WHERE WE WANT TO GO.
At 19 years old, I became the youngest person to fly solo around the world (a wild adventure made possible by an incredible team).
The expedition earned me a Guinness World Record and features on programs like 60 Minutes and Today—pretty unimaginable for a small-town Aussie kid. I even wrote a book about it (with, according to my nan, way too many typos).
But for me, it was never about the accolades. I just loved flying. And I planned to do it for the rest of my life.
BUT THEN EVERYTHING CHANGED.
Two years later, I was flying an antique plane when the engine failed.
Despite my best efforts, what resulted was a horrific plane crash. I was cut from the wreckage, rushed to the hospital, and diagnosed as a complete paraplegic.
What followed was a brutal, hard-earned masterclass in mental health, adversity, and resilience. I spent 18 months relearning how to walk, 6 of them in the hospital. The physical recovery felt insurmountable. But the mental recovery? Even harder.
What do you do when everything you thought was clear about your life falls apart?
HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE A ROAD YOU NEVER ASKED TO BE ON?
At 21, I’d already reached a greater high and a more devastating low than most people do in a lifetime. And yes, it gave me perspective.
BUT HERE’S THE
the thing that changed my life, that brought back my joy and taught me the most powerful lessons about mental health and resilience?
The roads we choose sometimes lead us to the most unexpected places, but in the midst of the chaos, there is always an opportunity to step back, to take a moment for you, and show up no matter what life throws at you.
Never underestimate the power hidden in a moment of joy.
THE LESSONS PACKED INTO THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS OF MY JOURNEY ARE ENDLESS.
I’ve been lucky enough to share the Pink Cadillac message with hundreds of teams across dozens of industries. And at every keynote, I hear the same thing: everyone’s carrying something. It might not be a plane crash, but that doesn’t make it any less heavy.
The world piles it on—a constant stream of unrealistic expectations (thanks, social media), nonstop demands, negative news, health challenges, stress, anxiety—the list goes on and keeps growing.
But you can’t white-knuckle your way through adversity and burnout. (Well, you can… but it’s not sustainable, and you might end up even more burned out.)
WHAT WE NEED IS THE CAPACITY TO ENDURE THE HARD THINGS, BOUNCE BACK FROM THEM, AND BE BETTER BECAUSE OF THEM.
It can feel impossible. But the truth? It’s simpler than you think.
It’s a walk in the park. An iced latte. A trip with your family. Dressing up like a superhero. Whatever makes you smile like a kid again.
For me, it’s driving Flo and watching her make strangers smile.
It’s walking on the beach with my family.
It’s making a really good cup of coffee.
Those moments aren’t just bright spots. They’re essential to helping me show up for others, and for myself.
BECAUSE JOY IS THE MOST TRANSFORMATIONAL FUEL FOR PERFORMANCE, WELLBEING, AND MENTAL HEALTH.
It’s how you unlock a thriving culture, powered by people who are recharged and ready to do their best work.
This is why I created
to help you prioritize joy by taking back control of your time. Because the more you tether joy to your daily life, the more you can recharge, refocus, and rise to whatever life throws your way.
Joy isn’t a reward for doing your best. It’s a requirement.
Today, I live in Nashville with my beautiful wife Rachel and our daughter Madelyn.
I’m blessed to travel the world sharing the transformational power of prioritizing joy with organizations everywhere.
And on Sundays, you’ll still find me driving Flo through downtown Nashville.
And if you look up? You just might see Doug, my single-engine airplane, soaring through the sky—with me back in the cockpit, flying again. 🙂
It’s a hobby, interest, or simple pleasure - whatever makes you smile like a kid again.
We’ve asked thousands of people to share their Pink Cadillacs, and we’d love to add yours to the list.
The answers are as diverse as our audiences, but the results are the same for everyone: positive emotions that renew your energy, fuel endurance, and empower you to show up stronger than ever.
