From Meth to Machu Picchu with Sober Travel Expert Ryan Lee

What happens when you swap a six-figure tech career and a dangerous addiction for a backpack, a plane ticket and a sober second chance? Meet Ryan Lee, founder of Capsule Adventures — curated group trips where the drama stays home and the booze stays out. From a meth spiral and a hospital scare to Machu Picchu treks and off-grid connection, Ryan shares how he vets travelers (no “one beer after the hike” vibes), why his itineraries are jam-packed and all-inclusive, and how sober travel became his survival — and his business. 

Takeaways : 

• Sober travel ≠ boring: replace nightlife with adventure, nature and deep connection.  

• Fit matters: short “vibe check” interviews keep the group drama-free and aligned.  

• All-inclusive flow: airport pickup to drop-off, activities, guides, meals, lodging — handled.  

• First trips can be small — prove the concept, then scale (hello, Machu Picchu).  

• Future vision: expand guides and build a nature-based recovery retreat. 

Key Timestamps: 

[00:00] - Cold open: “If there’s one shithead…” — why Ryan vets every traveler.  

[02:26] - From $300K tech path & addiction to sober travel reboot.  

[08:43] - The idea: alcohol derails a group trip — so build a sober one.  

[11:31] - What’s included: the “silver-platter” itinerary.  

[18:58] - Who comes: ~60% women, median age ~33, safety matters.  

[25:57] - Alysse-friendly trip? Bali + Komodo (yacht, mantas, hot springs). 

Resources & Links: 

-Capsule Adventures: Website, Instagram, Facebook 

-Ryan Lee: LinkedIn  

-Listeners can use code CAPSULE500 for $500 off Machu Picchu trip (10/25-11/2) and code CAPSULE200 for $200 off South Africa trip (March 2026). 

-Meet the Contributors 

-Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide 

-Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide 

-LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide 

Connect with Us: 

-Website: www.thesobercurator.com  

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About: 

Sobriety isn’t the end of the party—it’s just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson, media powerhouse and sobriety’s ultimate hype woman, and joined by Sober Curator contributors, The Sober Curator Podcast* delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn’t suck. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just looking for good vibes without the hangover, we’ve got you covered. Subscribe now—because getting sober matters, staying sober matters more. 

The intro and outro music for this episode is proudly featured with permission from Avatari. All rights reserved to the original creators. For more of their work, check out his website: https://www.avatariworld.com/music. 

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