“Life is short…live it passionately” - Ryan Williams
You can’t help but notice the saying “pura vida” (POO-rah VEE-dah) while attending the Ride on Ryan. “Pura vida” is Spanish for “pure life.” In a way, this translation suffices but only barely scratches the surface of its true meaning. “Pura vida” can be used to address any positive situation. It’s a Costa Rican philosophy that encourages the gratitude of life’s simple pleasures. Ryan learned and adopted this saying while visiting Colombia, South America. Even though the phrase is heavily used in Costa Rica, Ryan heard the Colombians saying it as well. He noticed that while many Colombians were poor and did not have a lot in terms of material possessions, they lived life with no worries and were happy, content, always greeting strangers with a smile and the saying “pura vida.” Ryan began to take the meaning to heart. It changed his outlook and became his lifestyle.
Ryan adopted this philosophy and applied it not only to everyday life but to his coaching style as well. This is why everyone who knew him loved him. He was always positive. Friend and fellow triathlete Augusto Tera Leite said it best, “Pura Vida”… always happy, always smiling and always positive! That’s how I wanna keep you my friend!”
Three days before his death Ryan posted this on Facebook, “I am so grateful to be able to do what I love, coaching, helping other people achieve their goals , and working on achieving my goals in what I love to do, Pura Vida”. Ryan Williams May 3, 2013
Our goal is for those who participate in the Ride on Ryan is to take with them Ryan’s “Pura Vida” attitude towards life. To remember that no matter what your current situation, life for someone else can always be less fortunate than your own. Consider that maybe…just maybe, your situation isn’t all that bad and that no matter how little or how much you have, we are all here together. This outlook practices not taking life for granted, living each and every day to the fullest, and seeing the good in everything. Ryan embodied and executed that attitude every day. Let Ryan’s attitude serve as a daily reminder that life is short so start living “Pura Vida Style!”