“Don't give yourself an inch, because then you'll take a mile.” (29:41)
Rylan LaPlante’s journey is one of impossible odds and unwavering resolve. At just eleven, a sudden and rare genetic disorder ripped him away from a world of competitive sports, activity, and normalcy, thrusting him into years of hospitals, unknowns, and pain that at times seemed unending. Unable to walk, speak, or use his hands, Rylan spent his adolescence rediscovering how to communicate—first through an iPad (with his nose), and later by typing with his feet, all while pushing through the physical and mental isolation that accompanies rapid loss and radical change. His story weaves through moments of deep suffering, the struggle to trust caregivers and treatments, and battles of identity that extend far beyond the symptoms of his condition.
But this episode isn’t only about struggle—it’s about the profound hope that comes from small wins, from the patience of family, a caring teacher, a nurse who finally listened, and friends who rallied instead of recoiling at difference. Tyler and Rylan open a candid dialogue about mental health, the unexpected shape of true grit, the discipline it takes to “do the hard things first,” and the power of setting goals that border on the absurd. From the heartbreaks and setbacks—like the relationship he thought would help define a milestone—to the triumph of his first unassisted steps last Halloween, and the audacious challenge of walking a 10K for charity, Rylan reminds us again and again that moving forward, even an inch at a time, is a victory worth celebrating.
This is a story for anyone doubting their own resilience—for anyone needing proof that hope, community, and purpose can outpace even the bleakest prognosis. Come for the journey; stay for the heart. Hit play and experience why Rylan LaPlante just gets it.
