Bryan Whitman

Bryan Whitman was born in Flint Michigan on October 30th,1971. Bryan’s Mother Diana Basner died while giving birth and his father is unknown. Bryan was adopted by Ruth Thompson later know as Ruth Whitman. Bryan has two half bothers Duane Dailey and Kevin Dailey (Deceased)

In his younger days, Bryan fell in love with three things: skateboarding, pinball, and punk rock. At the time, skateboarding was still a relatively new sport in Michigan, and because of the harsh winters, many ramps were built inside barns to escape the snow and rain. Bryan quickly became well known in the local skate scene, especially for creating the Whitman Ramp—the largest, and one of the only, half-pipes in the Flint, Michigan area.

The Whitman Ramp became a hub for skate and punk culture, hosting events like Whit Fest, where professional skateboarders such as Lance Mountain, Mark Gonzales, and Christian Hosoi competed. Punk icons including the Dead Milkmen, 7 Seconds, Soul Side, and In Living Color also performed there. During this time, Bryan became the only non-professional skateboarder to be sponsored by Vision Street Wear.

Desert Storm / Navy Life

After graduating high school, I was accepted to the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor and enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves to help cover the sky-high cost of tuition. That summer, I completed basic training at Great Lakes and arrived on campus excited to start college life.

Two days later, everything changed.

I was called to active duty for Desert Storm and given three days to report to San Diego, where I boarded the USS Kincaid, a Pacific Fleet destroyer. Just like that, college life was replaced by military life.

After weeks of briefings and preparation, we deployed.

What was supposed to be temporary turned into 28 straight months at sea.

At 18 years old, it was intense, isolating, and honestly one of the toughest stretches of my life. We were away from everything familiar — family, friends, normalcy. But it also forced me to grow up fast. With nowhere to go and nothing to distract me, I decided to use the time to invest in myself.

During deployment, I became friends with another reservist — a physician whose medical practice had been put on hold because of the call-up. He was a full-bird Captain and took me under his wing. He told me, “If you’re stuck out here, you might as well leave better than you came.” He offered me space to study and made me his personal assistant, giving me structure and mentorship when I needed it most.

Through the Navy’s correspondence education program, I enrolled in courses and earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Maryland — completely free — all while deployed overseas.

My feelings about military life are still mixed. It was hard, uncomfortable, and not something I’d romanticize. But it also taught me resilience, discipline, and how to turn a tough situation into an opportunity. I walked away with an education, perspective, and a toughness you just can’t learn in a classroom.

Looking back, it didn’t go the way I planned — but it shaped who I became.

San Diego Life – Why Living in San Diego Is Worth It — Even with the Cost

Living in San Diego has truly been one of the best experiences of my life. Every day here feels like a reminder of why people dream about Southern California. From the perfect weather and beautiful beaches to the diverse neighborhoods and endless things to do, this city has a way of making life feel lighter and more exciting.

I know the cost of living can make people think twice. Rent, gas, groceries — it all adds up, and it’s easy to wonder if moving somewhere cheaper might make life easier. But honestly? After spending time here, I can say it’s worth it.

San Diego offers something you just can’t put a price on: quality of life. Where else can you start your morning with a beach walk, grab tacos in the afternoon, hike a canyon at sunset, and still catch a community event or live music at night? The balance of nature, culture, and opportunity is hard to beat.

For anyone considering leaving because of expenses, I’d encourage you to pause and really think about what you’d be giving up. Sometimes saving a little money means losing a lot of joy. For me, San Diego isn’t just where I live — it’s home. And I truly believe there isn’t a better city out there.

Teaching Abroad in Korea and Japan: What Life Was Really Like

Teaching abroad in Korea and Japan wasn’t just a job for me — it was one of those life chapters that completely changes how you see the world.

What started as a simple decision to work overseas turned into an unforgettable adventure filled with new cultures, late-night convenience store dinners, crowded trains, language mix-ups, and some of the most meaningful connections I’ve ever made.

Honestly, nothing really prepares you for what it’s like to pack up your life and move across the world.

But that’s exactly what makes it so special.

Life in Korea: Fast-Paced and Full of Energy

Living in Korea felt electric.

Everything moved fast — the cities, the people, the food, even the Wi-Fi. There was always something happening. Street food vendors lined the sidewalks, neon lights lit up the nights, and it felt like the city never truly slept.

Teaching there was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. My students were hardworking, respectful, and full of personality. Education is taken seriously in Korea, so there was definitely pressure to do well, but it also meant the kids were motivated and engaged.

Some of my favorite memories weren’t even in the classroom though — they were the everyday moments.

Grabbing tteokbokki after work.
Late-night karaoke with coworkers.
Exploring markets on the weekends.
Learning just enough Korean to order food (and sometimes totally messing it up).

There’s something humbling about being the “foreigner” who has to figure everything out from scratch. It forces you to grow fast. You become more independent, more adaptable, and way more open-minded.

Life in Japan: Calm, Beautiful, and Thoughtful

Japan had a completely different rhythm.

Where Korea felt fast and buzzing, Japan felt calm and intentional.

Life there felt quieter and more peaceful. The streets were clean, the trains ran perfectly on time, and even small daily routines felt thoughtful. I loved how tradition and modern life blended together — ancient temples next to skyscrapers, old festivals mixed with cutting-edge tech.

Teaching in Japan felt deeply rewarding in a different way. My students were polite, kind, and incredibly respectful. Sometimes shy at first, but once they opened up, their personalities really shined. Watching them gain confidence speaking English was one of the best parts of the job.

Outside of school, life was simple and beautiful.

Cherry blossoms in the spring.
Convenience store meals that were surprisingly amazing.
Quiet walks through neighborhoods.
Weekend trips to shrines, mountains, or tiny hidden cafés.

Japan taught me patience and appreciation for the little things.

The Reality of Teaching Abroad

Of course, it wasn’t always perfect.

There were moments of homesickness.
Language barriers.
Cultural misunderstandings.
Days when I missed familiar food or family.

But those challenges were also part of the growth.

Living abroad teaches you resilience. You learn how to navigate unfamiliar systems, make friends from all over the world, and build a life outside your comfort zone. You start realizing how big the world really is — and how capable you are.

Why I’d Do It All Over Again

If someone asked me whether teaching abroad was worth it, my answer would be immediate: absolutely.

It gave me more than work experience. It gave me stories, friendships, confidence, and memories I’ll carry forever.

Korea showed me energy and excitement.
Japan showed me calm and balance.
Both shaped me in ways I never expected.

Teaching abroad didn’t just change where I lived — it changed who I became.

And if you’re even thinking about doing it, my advice is simple:

Go.
The world is waiting.

Starting a Business

Starting a business is often the easiest part of the entrepreneurial journey. The real challenge lies in maintaining it—consistently, efficiently, and at scale.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve realized that I thrive in the building phase. I enjoy creating new ideas, launching systems, and bringing concepts to life. But once the excitement of something new fades, a different set of challenges begins to surface—hiring the right people, managing operations, and maintaining consistent results over time.

One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced is translating what’s in my head into something others can execute. When a business or system is new, it can be difficult to clearly explain how everything works and what needs to be done to keep it running successfully. What feels intuitive to me isn’t always easy to teach or document.

Over time, I’ve come to a realization: I’m often the one who understands how all the moving pieces connect. I’m the one who can step in, untangle complexity, and get things back on track. And while that sense of ownership is important—after all, it is my business—it also highlights the next stage of growth.

The real evolution as an entrepreneur isn’t just about building—it’s about learning how to sustain, simplify, and eventually transfer that knowledge so the business can operate beyond just you.
I have created a 20 episode podcast called Bryan’s Business Blueprint to help with the reality of being an entrepreneur. Listen Now

Becoming a Grandfather (coming soon)

Keeping up with All my Hobbies

For those who know me, I’m always juggling a long list of hobbies — Comic-Cons, cosplay, vintage VWs, bicycles, volunteering, swap meets, and even auditioning for game and reality shows. Somehow, I make it all work by living out of my Google Calendar and keeping a daily journal. A little planning goes a long way — if you stay organized, you can accomplish just about anything you set your mind to.