Dropping Bombs 21 Felonies at 16 to $175M Empire (INSANE True Story)
Nov 12, 2025
Ryan Zofay, founder of We Level Up and author of 'An Unlikely Businessman', shares his incredible journey from a troubled youth with 21 felonies to leading a $175 million addiction recovery empire. He dives into the transformative power of trauma, emotional expression, and the importance of personal responsibility. Topics include the near-fatal crash that changed his life, the role of supportive relationships during recovery, and how he combines leadership with compassion in his business. Ryan's story is a masterclass in resilience and authenticity.
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Near-Death And 21 Felonies
- Ryan Zofay described being in a high-speed chase at 16 where the vehicle flipped and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
- He had accumulated 21 felonies by that time and faced potential life sentences, which catalyzed his later recovery work.
Mother Introduced Drugs At Age 11
- Ryan says his mother introduced him to marijuana at about age 11 and was actively using and selling drugs while he sought her attention.
- He describes being used to supply her drug use and learning criminal behavior from that household environment.
FTC Lawsuit Led To Reinvention
- After getting sober in 2001, Ryan later became a commodities broker and was sued by the FTC in 2012, which devastated him personally and professionally.
- That legal crisis and personal losses pushed him to re-evaluate and ultimately start a rehab business in 2013.
