He Skated With Madonna. Then His Partner's Drug Addiction Changed Everything - Ryan Allen Carrillo - #10
1 hr 53 min
Ryan Allen Carrillo has skated with Madonna, broken world records, and raised three sons. But behind his extraordinary career is a story of family rejection, love, addiction, resilience, and learning when to choose yourself. In this episode of Middle Men, Ryan joins Brendan for a candid conversation about growing up as a Jehovah's Witness, coming out as gay at 21, and being shunned by his parents, who haven't spoken to him in 30 years. Now 51, Ryan is a three-time U.S. National Roller Figure Skating Champion, two-time world record holder, television personality, and entrepreneur who has performed alongside Madonna, Beyoncé, P!nk, and Katy Perry. He shares how discipline, determination, and a commitment to physical and mental health have helped him build an extraordinary life while challenging expectations of what it means to be a gay man. Ryan also opens up about his 14-year relationship with a man whose struggle with drug addiction profoundly affected their family. He discusses the emotional toll of trying to save someone you love, becoming "addicted to hope," and ultimately learning to detach with love and reclaim his own well-being. Together, Ryan and Brendan explore codependency, Al-Anon, relationships, gay culture, fitness, mental health, and finding community and purpose beyond traditional expectations. Ryan is currently writing his debut memoir, i loved you sober: Loving an Addict, Losing Myself, and Learning to Let Go. An honest, inspiring, and sometimes hilarious conversation about overcoming adversity, taking responsibility for your own happiness, and building a life you're proud of. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction: Gay and Outside the Box 04:20 Growing Up as a Jehovah's Witness 06:40 Discovering His Sexuality 10:20 Shunned by His Parents After Coming Out 14:00 Starting Over and Finding Independence 19:05 From Competitive Skating to Hollywood 24:24 Performing With Madonna and P!nk 26:39 Discipline and World Records at 51 30:39 Being an Openly Gay Athle...