Ryan Meyers crushes marathons & HYROX… & always leaves room for a gooey pastry
Ryan Meyers is always on the move.
Mark
Ryan Meyers is always on the move.
Recruited by the legendary Lloyd Carr to play football at the University of Michigan, the ex-D1 athlete enjoys striving towards a goal. In recent years, that’s meant training for marathons and HYROX, two outstanding physical feats.
Meyers posts his fitness–and pastry–content on social media, where he’s amassed nearly 24,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok.
“Growing up, I always had something to work towards,” Meyers tells Queerty. “I had an offseason, then I had a preseason. Then I had games. That’s what kept me going. Once I started doing marathons and HYROX, it’s changed my life.”
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A Chicago resident, Meyers has enjoyed a successful career in restaurants and hospitality, and most recently oversaw marketing for a 
company. Though Meyer seldom lights up himself, he professes a weakness for espresso martinis.
They pair great with his favorite croissant. He says it’s worth the trip to Paris!
In between (pastry) runs, Queerty caught up with Meyers to talk about sweet treats, Danish boys and playing in the Big House. Here’s what he had to say…
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QUEERTY: You played wide receiver at Michigan! What’s it like to play at such an iconic football venue?
RYAN MEYERS: It’s crazy, because it’s actually pretty quiet. My freshman year was before the renovation, so the sound went out. Once the renovation came, they kept the sound in. But it was, I don’t know, for me it was almost like a mediative experience. The crowd could be white noise for me. I think just because there’s so many people, it blends together into this sort of white noise. It’s something that I’ll never forget.
You’re always training for something! What’s your fitness routine?
I have to do a lot of different things, or I get bored. I love the ability to go from marathon to HYROX to the offseason, when I’m doing a little more yoga. Diversity of exercise is huge for me. The second thing is, I love training for something. Growing up, I always had something to work towards. I had an offseason, then I had a preseason. Then I had games. That’s what kept me going. Once I started doing marathons and HYROX, it gave me something to train towards. It’s changed my life.
When you’re pushing through a marathon, how do you get through those final miles?
I do a lot of long runs with friends. I have the best friends in the world. If I’m running 16 miles, I’ll have one friend who will meet me for the first eight and then another who will meet me for the back half. Community and friends are everything for me. But also, music and podcasts. I love curating a playlist. I have a specific playlist for every marathon, half-marathon and types of training. It’s fun to look back at some of the trainings and half-marathons and see what was popular at the time! My playlists always have ’90s music in them. I love Alanis Morissette. She always gets me through!
What’s one thing about being a fitness influencer that people don’t know about?
I think more people show the wins on social media than the challenges. For me, I don’t want to show up every day. Sometimes it’s really hard to show up for a run. Sometimes it’s really hard to show up on camera and share. People see the wins, it can seem really easy. But there are lots of days when it’s challenging. I wish I remembered the exact quote, something about how you should follow the goal, not follow your mood. Basically, you have this vision, and there’s gonna be a lot of days when you don’t want to show up. But if you’re able to push through that, it helps you achieve what you’re trying to do.
I know that you often include pastry stops in your runs! Do you eat the pastry first, or is it a reward?
It depends! When I was in Copenhagen, I ate it and then ran back. But that was a shorter run!
What are the best pastries you’ve had?
My favorite almond croissant is at Plein Air in Hyde Park, [Chicago]. It’s right next to the University of Chicago. I daydream about their croissant! The second one is Du Pain et des Idées in Paris. I’ve been to that place, gosh, probably 10 or 15 times. I recently found out it’s one of Anthony Bourdain’s best recommendations, too.
You are quite the bon vivant! What are some of your favorite trips?
I’m on sabbatical right now. The two places that I felt I really had to go were Copenhagen and Majorca. I went to both, which was awesome. What I loved about Copenhagen is, it’s a big city that moves really, really slow. It’s very calm. You’re able to tap in and out of the energy as needed. And everything is so perfectly and thoughtfully designs. And the boys and their back tattoos… I have no words! That was one of my favorite parts.
So you’re saying the Danish boys are some of the best in the world?
The Danish boys… and their back tattoos! But yes, the Danish boys and the Danish pastries are worth the trip.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love karaoke! My best girlfriend, she lived right below me at the University of Michigan. She played soccer, we both met through sports. We’ve known each other for about 20 years, and we both love karaoke. She used to be in a cover band, so she’s really F’n good at it. When we go, I like to sing. But I also like to cheer her on. I like Iris, that’s one of my jams. And Alanis Morissette, of course. I’m always coming back to her!
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