Meet Ryan Grow

We recently connected with Ryan Grow and have shared our conversation below.

Ryan, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I didn’t always have a strong support system growing up (at least it didn’t feel like I did), so developing my confidence and self-esteem has been an ongoing journey for me. For a long time, I struggled with self-doubt, and it wasn’t until recently that I realized my mental health was at an all-time low and something needed to change.

That was when I made the conscious decision to start working on myself. I focused on small achievements, challenged negative self-talk, and began stepping out of my comfort zone, even when it felt uncomfortable. Little by little, I started building confidence from within, rather than waiting for validation from others.

It hasn’t always been easy, but learning to rely on my resilience and recognizing my progress has helped me feel stronger and more self-assured. One of the biggest changes has been that I now have a support system – people who encourage me, remind me of my strengths, and help me stay grounded. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and committed to continuing that growth.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’ve always had a huge love for film! From a young age, I dreamed of becoming an actor, taking classes, and performing in school plays. Even though I didn’t end up on that path, my real journey started at 13 when I dove deep into the world of cinema. Since then, I’ve explored nearly every film out there. By the time I turned 18, I found myself captivated by the little details that make movies truly special, like the cinematography, soundtracks, and costumes. I decided to try my hand at being a film critic, and after writing my first review, I knew I had found my passion!

After college, I jumped into freelancing as a film critic for various publications, and it has been an amazing ride! I’ve had the chance to represent my outlets at Comic-Con and even participate as a panelist in a film class at Carlsbad High School. While the pandemic threw a bit of a wrench in some of my plans, I’m still excited and driven to keep pursuing my love for film. Right now, I’m sharing that passion on social media, connecting with fantastic people along the way, and creating some really fun experiences!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I’d say the three qualities that shaped my journey as a film critic are curiosity, communication, and empathy. Curiosity drives me to explore films beyond the surface and understand their cultural and artistic context. Strong communication helps me share insights clearly and engage readers. And empathy allows me to see films from different perspectives, ensuring my critiques are fair and thoughtful. Together, these have been the backbone of my work.

My advice to anyone early in their journey is to nurture your curiosity – keep exploring new ideas, places, and perspectives. Practice communicating clearly and confidently, whether through writing, speaking, or any medium you choose. And always lead with empathy, because understanding others’ experiences and viewpoints will help you connect and grow in any field. Those three qualities can open a lot of doors, personally and professionally.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

This past year, my biggest growth has been becoming more confident in who I am and what I want. I’ve always known I was bisexual, but I’ve realized I’m more drawn to guys, and for the first time, I’ve started to say that out loud.

The movie Young Hearts came into my life right when I needed it most. It completely broke me open – it was like someone held up a mirror to feelings I’d been trying to ignore. It hurt, but it also helped me start healing.

Since then, I’ve been working on letting people in instead of keeping my walls up. It’s scary being vulnerable, but learning that honesty and connection feel so much better than hiding parts of myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.clippings.me/ryangrow15
• Instagram: @ryanthecrazymovieguy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryangrow15
• Other: Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/ryangrow15/