Ryan Trahan is 28 years old as of today, October 8, 2026. He was born on October 7, 1998 in Sugar Land, Texas, which means he celebrated his 28th birthday just yesterday . The YouTuber and entrepreneur has built a career defined by penny-based challenges and massive charity fundraisers.
His birth date is consistently documented across multiple biographical sources, including Wikipedia and entertainment databases . Born Ryan Michael Trahan, he grew up in Texas and attended Rice High School, graduating as valedictorian in 2017 . He later enrolled at Texas A&M University as a cross-country runner before leaving school to pursue content creation and business full-time .
The Penny Series That Made Him Famous
Trahan first introduced his signature Penny Series format in 2017, but the concept reached new heights in June 2022 . That year, he began a month-long journey from Los Angeles to North Carolina with only a single penny, aiming to deliver it to fellow creator MrBeast . The series featured 30 daily episodes documenting his progress, financed through odd jobs like mowing lawns, dog walking, and DoorDash deliveries .
The 2022 Penny Challenge raised over $1.38 million** for Feeding America, translating to roughly **14 million meals** for families in need . Trahan incentivized donations by resetting his funds to the original penny for $50,000 contributions and promising a tattoo of the donor’s design for $100,000 gifts . The following year, he repeated the format with a Paris-to-New York journey that raised over **$400,000 for Water.org .
A note on omitted fields: I did not include height because reliable sources conflict (some list 5’9″, others 5’7″). I also excluded net worth because the figure comes from a third-party estimator (Celebrity Net Worth) rather than a verified financial disclosure, and exact earnings are not publicly confirmed by Trahan or his representatives.
The $11 Million Fundraiser for St. Jude
In June 2025, Trahan announced his most ambitious project yet: visiting all 50 U.S. states in 50 days with his wife, Haley Pham, while staying in unique Airbnbs . The fundraiser benefited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with an initial goal of $1 million . They reached that milestone within just two weeks .
The final total exceeded **$11.65 million** as of January 2026 . Trahan gamified the experience through a mechanical device called the **Wheel of Doom**, which he spun every time a donor contributed $50,000 or more . Penalties included wearing pajamas all day and separating from Haley to find different routes to the next state . The project attracted support from brands including T-Mobile, Airbnb, Kia, and Starbucks, as well as creators like MrBeast and Mark Rober .
Business Ventures Beyond YouTube
Trahan founded his first company, Neptune Bottle, in 2016 with friend Caden Wiese while still in high school . The reusable water bottle brand earned over $50,000 in its first year of operation . The venture ultimately contributed to his departure from Texas A&M after the NCAA ruled him ineligible for promoting his business as a student athlete .
In 2024, Trahan became co-owner and Chief Creative Officer of Joyride Sweets, a candy company producing non-GMO, vegan, and low-carbohydrate products . The brand’s initial release sold out at Target on its first day . On June 14, 2025, Joyride broke the Guinness World Record for most photos of people holding candy uploaded to Instagram in one hour, with 1,733 fan submissions . A subsequent 24-hour Joyride Day livestream drew 2.4 million views and set another record with 11,495 Instagram uploads .
He also launched the clothing line Howdy Howdy in 2023 . His content creation has earned recognition including the 2022 Streamy Award for Breakout Creator and the 2023 Streamy Award for First Person .
Personal Life and Faith
Trahan married fellow YouTuber Haley Pham in 2020, and the couple lives in Austin, Texas . He has spoken publicly about his Christian faith, describing himself as a “cynical atheist” before a spiritual shift around July 2020 . Trahan has stated that his relationship with God became “my source of joy, love, and everything” .
His YouTube channel now reaches nearly 24 million subscribers, and Texas A&M’s Mays Business School recently recognized him for raising more than $11.5 million for St. Jude in a single year . Trahan is scheduled to be honored on the field at a Texas A&M football game this fall .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ryan Trahan’s exact age and birthday?
Ryan Trahan was born on October 7, 1998, making him 28 years old as of October 2026 . His birthday falls in early October, so his age updates annually around that date. The Texas-born creator celebrated his most recent birthday just yesterday .
How much money did Ryan Trahan raise for St. Jude?
Trahan’s “50 States in 50 Days” campaign raised over **$11.6 million** for **St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital**, far exceeding his initial $1 million goal . The fundraiser reached its first million within two weeks and ultimately drew donations from nearly 50,000 viewers .
What is Ryan Trahan best known for on YouTube?
Trahan is best known for his Penny Series, a format where he travels long distances starting with only one penny. The 2022 Penny Challenge raised over $1.38 million for Feeding America and generated more than 190 million views across 30 daily episodes .
What businesses does Ryan Trahan own?
Trahan founded Neptune Bottle in 2016, which earned over $50,000 in its first year . He launched the clothing line Howdy Howdy in 2023 and became co-owner and Chief Creative Officer of Joyride Sweets in 2024 .
Is Ryan Trahan married?
Yes, Trahan married fellow YouTuber Haley Pham in 2020 . The couple lives in Austin, Texas, and frequently collaborates on content, including the “50 States in 50 Days” fundraiser .
