The Code To Winning | Episode 064

"GO ALL IN ON YOUR DREAM: FROM TALENT SHOW TO HOLLYWOOD RED CARPET"
Guest: Ryan Ingram | Host: Kagiso Dikane
Date: October 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Ryan Ingram—dancer, DJ, MC, entrepreneur, and CEO/founder of Ingram Entertainment—whose journey from elementary school talent shows to the pulsating red carpets of Hollywood perfectly embodies the episode’s theme: going “all in” on your dreams while staying true to yourself. Ryan recounts his evolution from passionate young dancer, through Hollywood’s illusion, and back to building a successful, values-driven entertainment business from the ground up. The conversation is packed with insights for entertainers, entrepreneurs, and any listeners questioning how to balance creative ambition with personal integrity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Passion and Finding Confidence (00:00–07:00)

• Ryan’s first taste of public performance was at age 10 during a school talent show, performing dance moves like the moonwalk and backspin.
  • Quote: "A lot of people to this day tell me I was the first person they saw do the moonwalk and a backspin, like live in person. And that set it off for me at 10 years old. Once I heard the crowd go crazy while I was on stage, it was like, give me more of that." (A, 00:16)
• The influence of family and pop culture on Ryan’s love for dance: performing at family gatherings and at school functions.
  • Ryan describes performing throughout middle and high school, facing both popularity and peer ridicule, which led to moments of self-doubt and pausing his passion due to bullying.

Mentors, Studios, and Gaining Skills (07:01–14:00)

• Meeting Josh Royal and being mentored by local dance crews shifted Ryan from street-style dance to more structured and professional choreography.

  • Became involved in international exchange programs, performing in London and Paris at 18, and learning directly from dance pioneers.
  • Quote: "Here I am, 18 years old in London and Paris...with these guys that are pros in Vegas...when I came back from that freshman year of college...I started really diving into it." (A, 09:25)

• Ryan started teaching dance upon returning, quickly transitioning to a DJ business, influenced by mentors (notably Miles Gilbert from SKM Entertainment).

Facing Hollywood: Dreams vs. Reality (14:01–24:30)

• Ryan moves to LA under the belief that opportunity was only in big entertainment hubs.
  • Early gigs included DJing the Fox Teen Choice Awards—picked for his look rather than skills—which exposed him to the “fakeness” of the industry (“mixing” on hidden CD controllers while vinyl records warped in the sun).
  • Encounters with music celebrities and insight into the artificiality of entertainment.
• Involvement in a boy band assembled by LA executives, with criminal connections, for image and marketability:
  • Quote: "They put me in as, like, the bad boy of the group because I could emcee and I could freestyle dance, and I was very confident. Even though I'm a nice guy, they marketed me as the bad boy." (A, 19:15)
  • Behind the scenes: drug runs, criminal associates, and “Milli Vanilli” tactics with fake vocals and showmanship.
  • The near-danger and volatility: a close associate was murdered shortly after Ryan left the group.
• Turning point: Recognized for his unique star quality by producer Rodney Jerkins (Darkchild), but realized Hollywood’s validation wasn’t necessary. Returned to Arizona to pursue a more authentic path.

Building Authentic Success in Arizona (24:31–33:15)

• Ryan’s transition to entrepreneurship: Starting his entertainment company after returning from LA. Developed an after-school hip-hop program, which grew rapidly once school districts dropped a major contractor to work directly with him.
  • Quote: “Within a couple weeks, all the schools terminated their contract with Bally's and signed with us. And then now I have 60 schools and 15 instructors working for me and I'm buying a 4Runner.” (A, 27:22)
• The business side: Ryan credits his parents for helping with contracts and administration, while he focused on delivering memorable, culturally authentic programs.
• Distinction between real hip-hop culture (“street”—B-boys, DJs, MCs, graffiti) and its “Hollywood”/studio version.

Impact & Mentorship: Staying True to the Craft (30:00–40:00)

• Ryan’s impact on dance education: helping develop an urban movement curriculum at ASU (Herberger Institute), bridging the gap between street authenticity and academic/theoretical dance programs.
• Ongoing push against "culture vulture" appropriations in dance studios and continual advocacy for proper representation in dance education.
• Emphasis on coaching, mentoring, and working with youth—not just producing dancers, but focusing on life skills and values.
  • Quote: “So what I'm really doing is like sharing all the gifts God seeded in my heart with other people. And my calendar is full and I'm always getting...opportunities to serve other people. And so the more he gives me, the more I give.” (A, 33:35)

Principles for Fulfillment & “Winning” (35:00–50:00)

• Serving others as the highest priority—true abundance comes from creating memorable experiences and supporting others’ milestones, not ego or money.
  • Quote: “If you look at...what are most DJs trying to do? They're trying to be the center of the show. But I'm not here for me, I'm here for you.” (A, 36:03)
• Advice for aspiring entertainers: Don't compromise your integrity; “honor those things God put in your heart and treat people with respect.” (A, 35:37)
• Discussion on scarcity vs. abundance mindset: The more you serve selflessly, the more fulfilled and “prosperous” your work becomes.
• Ryan’s definition of "winning":
  • Quote: "Living a life you love, feeling proud of the person you're becoming, being in service of other people and not having to worry...taking care of your health, taking care of your mindset, having a healthy body...that's winning to me." (A, 49:25)

Practical Event Advice & Unique Offerings (44:00–50:00)

• What sets Ingram Entertainment apart: Ryan’s triple-threat skillset (DJ, MC, choreography), his ability to "read the room," and willingness to give people what they need, not just what they want.

  • Flexibility to adapt genres and event styles, absence of ego and full commitment to client satisfaction.
  • Quote: “The biggest hang up I see with people that are in my industry is their ego...instead of just like giving freely all of yourself to serve people.” (A, 45:15)

• Advice for event hosts:

  • It’s not about you; it’s about the guests.
  • Create spaces where people feel safe and self-expressed.
  • Constantly work on yourself so you can show up fully for others.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On confidence and early inspiration:
  "I remember it to my bones. Like, the whole room went crazy when I hit that moonwalk. And, yeah, it set my life. I mean, I'm still...I'm 48 years old in October. I'm still chasing that dragon...It's amazing." (A, 05:01)

• On entertainment industry illusions:
  "This is where I found out how like fake the industry is. They had me in the middle of the sun with records that were warping from the sun...I would have to actually do the mix on [CD controllers] and then get up and act like I was mixing while the vinyl is getting warped..." (A, 01:35)

• On real hip-hop vs. industry versions:
  "There's hip hop culture, which is street...Then there's hip hop industry, which is basically culture vultures. All these dance studios...are having hip hop classes, but they're actually not teaching hip hop." (A, 29:05)

• On defining "winning":
  "Living a life you love, feeling proud of the person you're becoming, being in service of other people and not having to worry, taking care of your health, taking care of your mindset, having a healthy body...that's winning to me." (A, 49:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |----------|-------------| | 00:00–07:00 | Early years, family influence, school performances, and gaining confidence | | 07:01–14:00 | Finding mentors, transitioning to professional dance, first teaching jobs | | 14:01–24:30 | Moving to LA, reality of Hollywood, confronting “fakeness,” boy band experiences | | 24:31–33:15 | Returning to AZ, launching entertainment business, after-school programs takeoff | | 33:16–40:00 | Teaching, business struggles, dance education, focus on service | | 40:01–50:00 | Service mindset, balancing abundance with integrity, redefining “winning” | | 44:00–47:00 | Unique event methods, triple-threat performance, advice for entertainers | | 47:08–50:00 | Final reflections, life advice, personal fulfillment |

Key Takeaways

• Chase Your Passion Relentlessly: Start early, lean on mentors, and never let peer ridicule or fear stop you from pursuing your dreams.
• Value Authenticity Over Image: Hollywood may offer glitz, but the real “win” is in creating meaningful impact with integrity and authenticity.
• Service Is Success: Building businesses, events, and careers centered on serving others yields both joy and lasting success.
• Remain Adaptable: Talent is key, but reading the room and staying humble are what make the difference in event entertainment—and life.
• Winning Means Wholeness: Personal health, time with family, and ongoing self-growth matter as much or more than money or status.

Connect with Ryan Ingram

• Website: ingramevents.com
• Instagram: @partywizard

This episode is a masterclass in riding the highs and lows of entertainment, learning from every chapter, and emerging with your own definition of winning—rooted in joy, service, and staying true to yourself.