In this episode of Built This Way, Patricia Muellen sits down with Ryan Matthews, celebrity dog trainer, veteran, entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of World of Dog Training.
Ryan shares his powerful story of transformation, from a difficult teenage chapter and joining the military to training military working dogs, surviving trauma, building a dog training business, and working with high-profile celebrity clients. The conversation explores the emotional connection between humans and animals, why “energy runs down leash,” and how dogs can reveal deeper lessons about leadership, communication, healing, and self-awareness.
Ryan also opens up about surviving stage three colon cancer, chemotherapy, a widow-maker heart attack, PTSD, and how a chocolate lab puppy may have helped save his life by keeping him close to a hospital when he needed emergency care. Patricia and Ryan also discuss biohacking, meditation, breathwork, psychedelic therapy, travel, podcasting, and what it means to own your story without shame.
This episode is funny, raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring for dog lovers, entrepreneurs, veterans, leaders, and anyone who believes animals can teach us something about life, healing, and human connection.