Love Life- The story of a young man recovering from a serious drug addiction. 

Wish I could have met this guy. A true warrior, an inspiration, and a hero in my opinion.

my best friend. i miss you everyday still. love life.

Thanks to my professor at CBU I came to know about this video. I think it is greatly inspiring and uplifting to see how Ryan battled and won over his problems. I think Ryan's example can be applied to life in general. Whenever I feel that things are too difficult for me, I will think of Ryan. Thank you Ryan and RIP!

10 years and we still miss and talk about you sweet Ryan. 💔😔

I still watch and rewatch this video and post it often. My fave video that touched my soul. I run a national non profit that works with Heroin addicts. Ryans work continues to this day .. he wasn't done when he left. He is still affecting lives. I hope he is watching and smiling

R.I.P Ryan you'll never be forgotten. For those of you that don't know what happen to Ryan he was killed in a car crash in Alberta Canada and died at the scene it happen on Tuesday at 5 AM.. Thanks to this guy I'll never forget to love life. Ryan I thank you. R.I.P

He came to my school to give a speech. It was a really good speech he gave

Who in their right mind could dislike this video, it's a truly amazing story, very inspirational.

I just want to let people know that Ryan has passed on due to a Car Accident in Alberta Canada. Ryan was on his way to work when his car left the road. Please say a prayer for his family, he was an amazing man doing amazing things.

Missing Ryan from all the way up here in Whitehorse Yukon ❤️ thinking of his this holiday season. My heart. So thankful for this video to hear his voice

Thanks for Watching Bev. We are very fortunate to have Ryan to speak to our youth in the communities. He has helped a lot of people already.

Been in this position myself and made it out. From the same area as this man as well. I have lost so many along the way, that is really what made me change. I almost died and that was enough for me to want more out of my life. This is one of the most inspirational videos on youtube.

Thank you for supporting Ryan, CheapskateGardener. He is trying his very best to stay clean and help others. He is narrowing in on the 2year mark which is a huge accomplishment.

Thank you for sharing this. I think that the majority of those living in Cape Breton have been touched by drug or alcohol abuse in one way or another. We've lost friends and family, or we know people who have, or we're afraid that eventually we will. Its nice to see a success story. Also, I appreciate Ryan's honesty. That must have been extremely difficult for him. His honestly allows other people who are feeling low to see that recovery is possible. Congrats to Ryan on his sobriety, and thank you again for sharing your story.

Well he has a thick accent but where he grew up thats how a lot of us spoke. I still have a huge accent that people make fun of all the time. I can ensure you drugs did nothing to his speech or thought process. I have cut more then half of this interview and he is by far and I mean this, by far the smartest person I have spoken to in a long long time.

Beautiful job to all involved. Working in the field, this is what keeps me going - the amazing journey that am honored to be a part of. Yoga has so much therapeutic value, for any one - but especially in recovery.

So very PROUD of you and thank you for making this video public for others to see.

Truly inspirational story! God bless Ryan for his honesty and his dedication in helping others, addiction destroys people and their families, we need to hear these stories of hope, stay strong Ryan.

That broke my heart watching I can totally relate to everything, even yoga in and saving my life! The power of peace and meditation is amazing

I am wishing you a lifetime of recovery man , its a hard road

Ryan you are an inspiration to us all!! It is so difficult to get the message across to our youth. But having watched your I believe you have done it. Jason has expertly capture what everyone needs to see and hear. Thanks!!

Beautifully done documentary. Touching, sincere and full of love. Hope to see more.

A True Canadian Hero! Peace Love Happiness.... God Bless....

R.I.P Ryan Gillis God bless him...this is so very sad , he got to turn his life around and helped other 's and then his life got cut to short , my heart goes out to his family and friends

Such a wonderful young man and very poignant film. What a terrible tragedy that he's now gone.

Fly high bro.

Ryan, thank you for sharing your story to try and help others. It's a long, hard road, but very worth it, as you've come to realize. It takes a special kind of person to share something so personal. I can relate to your past suffering- it will be 10 years for me in a few more months. Keep doing what you're doing. Sometimes all it takes is for one person to say one thing to turn someone else's life around. ♥

Ryan the integrity and emotion, your spirit shines. You got the message one day at a time, any mood altering chemical.. . Your a bright young man and you can do so much with your life , you have much to offer the world pass it forward Ryan. Folks I left CapeBreton when i was twelve and I am an old lady now , . Ryans accent is what it is for CapeBreton, its his command of the language that impresses me .This young man can go far very very bright . Respectfully Margaret from CapeBreton also..

I live in Sydney mines, I've met him, He is the most inspiring man I've met! RIP

I just watched the video for the first time. Its obvious that Ryan always had a loving soul and Im so glad he found his way before this tragedy. Thinking of all who love him. Yoga is the way, I am convinced of that too. Once you find the right instructor..what you find within yourself is a goldmine. Namaste.

i was thinking of ryan last week wondering how he was,,was very sad to hear about the accident..he was a great guy & a good friend...even through both of our rough times we understood the struggles on a day to day basis..im soo glad that he had a chance to change his life around & start helping people..this is an amazing video & i will sure miss him...R.I.P ryan

Well done Jason. That was hard to watch. It was like he was talking about a war and all his fallen comrades. It was very sad what he went through but wow what an amazing turn around. I don't even know him but I'm so proud of him. Really great article in the Post today. Congratulations to Ryan for turning his life around and to Jason for bringing it to light.

This story stuff home , RIP Ryan Love your story and sorry for your loss

My teacher had shown me it he was going to come into our class but after the Car accident we were all very sad for his loss... LOVE LIFE!!

I knew this guy well... RIP Ryan

I love you Ryan! :) God bless your spirit!

Very brave Ryan!!!! Inspiring to say the least..... I'm wishing you all the best in your recovery. So many of our fellow Miners have left us on the same note you decided to ditch. Very Very Happy for you :) Our little town is a ghost of what it once was. I'm so glad to see success stories of good people, this 1 hits home, as this problem has been such an issue in the community we call our hometown. Kudos to you as well Jason, you managed to capture such an important emotional story and share with those in need. Your talent has really shone through with this 1. So So Real. I'm very glad to know you guys are doing such important work. Keep up the good work Ryan and Jason I hope all your endeavors are a great success as well.

Amazing Job!

There was a time when I was headed down this road. In my case, it was alcohol. I never did any other drugs, but I might as well have been for the impact it had on my life at the time. Basically, I just felt life sucked. My job sucked. I was coming home to an empty apartment every night. I just figured, "F*BEEP* this." And I'd drink to forget how lonely and miserable I was. I was lucky that I had family in my life that supported me, friends that supported me, so I didn't end up going too far down the wrong road. Now, I have the most wonderful woman, the most wonderful person, I've ever met in my life: Marie Stewart. Before the alcohol, when I was a young man, I always said, "I don't want to drink or do drugs; I prefer to keep control of my mind." Now, in large part thanks to Marie's love and support, I feel that way again for the first time since I was in my early 20s. Now I'd rather spend my time making a video, writing a screenplay, mixing a song, doing something CREATIVE, rather than get hammered and pass out on the couch. In my case, I guess the addiction was entirely emotional. I still drink beer, but not eight or nine of them at a time like I used to. Two or three in a sitting, tops, and often only one. I used to LOVE that feeling of the spins I got when I'd drink; I thought it was fun, like being on a roller coaster. I HATE that feeling now. I have NO desire to feel that again. Marie Stewart gave my life the purpose it needed. Gave me a reason to care, to actually want to ENGAGE in this life. And I thank her for that. I'm glad Ryan here found a way out. Many don't.

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm sure it will give hope to those who face trying times. xoxo

Rest in Peace Ryan. #peace

Ya its totally different, parts of Sydney Mines have extremely strong accents compared to other parts and its only a small town. But I grew up down by the Ocean St. area so we spoke with a much thicker accent then people who grew up in the Waterview Dr. area.

"God Bless"

I miss you bro maybe one day when we meet again we can hit up the McDonald's in the sky and finally get the swirly cone. Love you man!

RESPECT

You can tell that his brain and speech has been affected by heavy drinking and drug use at a young age. The poor fellow! He's been very brave to turn his life around! Kudos to the young man! We've got to educate kids IN GRAMMAR SCHOOL about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse!

I miss u so much xo

I am going to upload a new video with all the people Ryans story touched. So if you want to be a part of it you can email me a clip or pic of you saying LOVE LIFE And your location or a photo of you with something saying Love Life. Email is jlefrense@me.com

RIP God Bless

very nice.

Sharing Ryan's story today at St. Paul's United Church in Fredericton during worship.

This touched me to the core. I've been trying to share t his, but it's not going through....

R.I.P bro

You are right Ann but I have known Ryan since he could barely walk. His speech is not affected by drugs. I have friends who have a much thicker accent then Ryan. LOL any given day I could give him a run for his money. LOL

You can hear that ??? I hear a Sydney Mines accent. If you knew Ryan he spoke like that before he started to take drugs thats his dialect. Lets also keep in mind he is speaking in front of a camera about the low points of his life so he is probably a little nervous. Thank your for taking the time to watch Ryans story I agree we need our children to know more about the dangers of drug abuse.

In memory of Ryan a fund has been created to raise money to fulfill Ryans wishes, to carry on his message and to take care of his precious girl in Africa. To continue supporting his extended families who helped him with his recovery and those who taught him how to love life and selflessly give back. Please click on the link below and donate. www.gofundme.com/dbxymo

Thats so true G1, I grew up around fisherman so my accent is much worse then my wifes who grew up in the country area.

Who lives in snydney mines I do

You stated you cut about half of the interview..is there a way to put up the whole thing...it would be nice to hear all of what he had to say. Thanks

:(

Don't do drugs

good story although these slow piano chords make it kind of cheesy.

hash and weed doesn't bring u to use needles or glass pipes, I would say its not something you should use when your in denial or under puberty age if no one there is too support other than your friends of misery.