“Give people permission not to drink, and watch the trip transform.” That’s the quiet thesis humming beneath Ryan Lee’s story — a story that begins in tech sales and a hospital bed, and then sprints toward fresh air, steep trails and a passport full of second chances.
Ryan didn’t just walk away from a lucrative career; he walked toward himself. Early sobriety peeled away the “I’m fine, I’m performing” armor, exposing a truth many high achievers recognize: survival isn’t the same as fulfillment. “I decided to quit that job… I need fulfillment now, not just survival,” he recalls, describing the moment the old patterns — overwork, stimulants to push through — had to go.
Travel arrived as both salve and structure. New places, long hikes, a beginner’s mind in motion — these became an ethical replacement for the thrill-seeking of addiction. Instead of nightlife, there was sunrise. Instead of numbing, there was presence. “It’s been a big key to my sobriety… being in a new place, going on amazing hikes… it scratches the same itch,” he says.
The business model emerged from a bad group trip: alcohol derailed the vibe, and the solution felt obvious in hindsight — design the same adventures, but sober. That choice reframed everything. He interviews every first-time traveler. Not to gatekeep, but to protect the experience. One misaligned personality can torpedo a week. “I can design the most amazing itinerary. But if there’s one shithead in the group… it ruins it for everyone,” he says, deadpan and correct.
The result is Capsule Adventures: all-inclusive, zero-proof expeditions where logistics fade and connection takes center stage. Airport pickup to drop-off. Guides, tickets, transport, meals, lodging — handled. The days are full: hikes, markets, summits, swims. And there’s built-in free time — because presence needs pockets of quiet, too.
Community is the real itinerary. When everyone agrees to the same container — no substances, shared goals — the group gels faster. Strangers turn into travel buddies; sometimes into future roommates on trips Ryan doesn’t even lead. (He’s fine with that. Mostly.) “Provide people a network of sober travel buddies,” he says. Connection is the point. The scenery is the bonus.
If you’re picturing a quiet retreat with daily meetings, recalibrate. Ryan’s trips are adventurous. Machu Picchu started small; now he’s taking bigger groups. Dream boards include the Amazon and big summits like Kilimanjaro. Demographically, it skews ~60% women, median age early 30s — a reflection of safety and vibe as much as fitness. “No creepy-dude energy” is an unspoken feature of the model.
There’s also a five-year vision: empower a guide team and open a nature-based recovery center — think Puerto Rico, trails for days — because early sobriety and outdoor immersion are a potent combo. “Being in nature… sparked something within me,” he says. Put differently: your nervous system can exhale when your phone can’t grab a signal.
The practicals are delightfully nerdy. AirPods. A food scale for macro phases. Sometimes an Instant Pot — especially in high-altitude cities like Cusco, where the boiling point drops and lentils stage a protest. Packing advice? Ditch the clunky boots; trail runners (or legit adventure sandals) save energy and joints. If the U.S. military says a pound on your foot feels like ten on your back, why strap ankle anvils to vacation? Exactly.
Maybe the lesson isn’t “travel more.” Maybe it’s “travel aligned.” Vet the vibe. Choose presence over performance. Snap your photos, then post at night so your brain stays on the mountain instead of the metrics. And if you’re sober — or just sober-curious about your next trip — consider this your permission slip. The opposite of addiction is connection, and the world is very, very wide.
Listen to the full episode on The Sober Curator Podcast — where the booze is gone, but the glam is not.
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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).
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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.
*The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open and honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. While we celebrate all paths to a sober lifestyle, some topics discussed may be sensitive or triggering for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If you’re in recovery or exploring sobriety, please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed.
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WHAT A TRIP! We trip as often as possible because travel is our jam! Here you’ll find insider information, tips, and honest reviews from a sober perspective. The pandemic is messing with our future tripping mojo, but no worries. We have plenty of really good trips from our past to share. So, come pack your bags and …SOBER TRIP WITH US!
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