We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ryan Da Lion a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ryan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

There’s a saying: no risk, no reward.Back in 2017 I took a huge risk by relocating my family from Miami Florida to Baltimore to pursue a business opportunity with friends.After a few months in, it was evident that all we had planned to do was not going to happen as expected.Now I was left with no business, no income and no way to provide for my wife and two kids.We lost both of our cars, even the home we were renting.This was a very dark and scary time for us.Only through the blessing of The Most High and the help of my brother and some close friends were we able to get through it.I hit the job market and started working however and wherever I could find work.Retail, customer service, coaching youth sports, I was willing to do whatever to make ends meet for my family.During that time I also applied for a part iime position with a radio station here in Baltimore.Most of my experience had been in the radio entertainment world. So I figured it was worth a shot.Over six months later I get a call from the radio station asking if I was interested in being a part time board operator. Although it felt like with all my years of experience being a board operator was like starting all over. That’s when it hit me, Ryan that’s exactly what you’re doing. This time though I had more experience and wisdom. So I used them to my advantage.I accepted the position and before you know it. I was asked to work overnights to get back in the swing of being on air.Shortly after I was asked to work weekends and had a regular weekend on air shift on Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings.. But it wasn’t enough. I still needed to work a full time job. So it was back to the job search hustle.After finding a full time gig and working both jobs for a short time. The midday personality at the radio station left and there was an opening available.Then I got the call asking me to fill in until they found a replacement to fill the position.This is where the next big risk takes place.I wouldn’t be able to fill in consistently on the radio without jeopardizing my full time job.That’s when I spoke with the program director and asked if I was being considered for the job or just filling in. I was told that I was but no promise could be made.After a few days it was time to go back to my full-time job. I was unable to take any more time off.I was left with a choice. Go back to work for a good company that had some great perks or go for the radio job that I potentially could end up not getting.amd be left with nothing againAfter a lot of prayer and speaking with my wife. We decided I should go for it. So I left my full-time job and continued to fill in at the Radio station.I filled in for almost a full year before a decision was made.

That decision was not in my favor. I was told they would be going in a different direction.But that was not the end of it. Although I was not offered the midday position I was filling in for. They made more changes and offered me a full-time position doing the night shift.I was thrilled to be able to now have a full time position back in radio.Then things changed again.The pandemic hit and more changes were made.The station needed to downsize and asked staff to handle multiple tasks.

Luckily for me my experience working multiple positions in radio paid off.The new midday host was now gone. And again the midday position was available.That’s when I got the call. I was asked if I would be interested in taking the midday job and I accepted.That was three years ago and I haven’t looked back since.Sometimes you get to where you’re supposed to be in a different way than what you planned or expected.Although there are some very rough times and some days filled with uncertainty. The risks paid off.I am now featured on a radio station with big name talents such as Rickey Smiley, DL Hughley, and Al B Sure.Never give up!You can now listen to Ryan Da Lion weekdays Monday thru Friday 10am-3pm on Magic 95.9 FM in Baltimore.

Ryan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got my start in radio after being told many times that I should be doing something with my voice.

After a company I worked for relocated I was left without a job.

I was told of an opportunity to be a part of this program that would help get you trained for a new career if you lost your job due to no fault of your own..

So I got accepted into the program and chose broadcasting as my new career.

After going to school full-time for a year at The Broadcasting Institute of Maryland.
I got my first job with Radio One as a board operator.

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

Radio is different from other mediums. It’s all auditory. That’s why it’s called the theater of the mind.

Being able to connect with a listener in such a way that they trust you is a very special thing.

Being a trusted voice in my community is one of the most rewarding things in this field.
To hear from listeners you helped them through a bad time. Or when someone says you saved my life by motivating me to keep going. That is something that you cannot put a value on. And something I am very humbled by.

But being able to affect people in a positive way through your works is a truly magical and special thing.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

If I understood the value of having great mentorship earlier in my career. I would’ve not wasted so much time trying to figure out so much on my own.

A great mentor is almost like having a cheat code playing video games.

You’re talking about having experience, knowledge, and wisdom in your corner to help you navigate around potholes and over hurdles in your industry. To assist you in achieving your goals,getting better, staying focused and goal-oriented is invaluable.

A resource I wish I had a lot earlier in my career..

Contact Info:

• Website: Itsryandalion.com
• Instagram: Itsryandalion
• Facebook: Ryan Da Lion
• Linkedin: Ryan Da Lion
• Twitter: Ryan Da Lion