Kentucky man turns brain cancer diagnosis into mission to inspire others

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — A year ago, Ryan Simpson’s life changed with just a few words: “You have a brain tumor.”

The 24-year-old remembers the moment it all began. 

“I had a seizure probably a year and a half ago,” Simpson said. “I went to the ER. I never had a seizure or anything before, and they told me that I had a brain cyst.”

Months later, after suffering two more seizures, another scan revealed the cyst had grown. 

“I was told it’s a brain tumor, an astrocytoma, grade two. Which is a lower grade, thankfully, but still brain cancer,” he explained. 

Since his diagnosis, Simpson has undergone two surgeries. 

“It was really difficult for me at first.”

But over time, his diagnosis turned into motivation. 

“The main thing at first was just getting back out there and doing something that I love,” Simpson said. “And then when I started [Fifty Peaks with Ryan], I started getting messages from all these people in similar situations that were saying what I was doing was inspiring them.”

So what exactly was he doing that inspired thousands? 

“I talked about it with my dad my entire life, and I decided, ‘Why not do it now?’ I’ve been procrastinating for years on doing this thing, so we’re going to do it right now, and I set it out to do it that weekend.”

That “thing” was climbing the highest peak in all 50 states. 

So far, Simpson has already been to 11 states and plans to head to New Mexico next. 

“Most of the days I am extremely happy; I barely even think about it anymore because what I’m doing now just kind of consumes all of my thoughts,” Simpson added. 

By sharing his climbs and his journey online, Simpson hopes to raise awareness about brain cancer and show others that a diagnosis doesn’t have to define them. 

“Keep doing what you want to until you can’t anymore, and hopefully you can forever. That would be the goal,” he said. 

To follow along on his journey, you can click here.