YouTuber Ryan Trahan brings back the Penny Challenge
The Penny Challenge is back, and YouTuber Ryan Trahan has just given us all the most thrilling news! In a recent video, Trahan documented his journey from California to North Carolina to deliver a single penny to fellow YouTuber MrBeast, the originator of the viral challenge. With such a simple premise, the Penny Challenge has the potential to create genuinely unforgettable moments, as participants navigate unfamiliar territories and encounter nothing but unexpected obstacles along the agreed-upon journey.
The Penny Challenge has gathered steam over the past couple years, as social media has seemingly taken on a positive challenge bent. Participants try to travel the furthest distance possible (with a single penny in their possession) and post their photos and videos online with the hashtag #PennyChallenge, in the hopes that their journey will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Trahan’s announcement has us, and likely many others, more excited than ever. The YouTuber usually leans towards more physically-demanding challenges – most notably his iconic ‘Adventorous Series,’ almost all of which have come to happy conclusions – but his latest adventure has a charitable twist. 50% of all proceeds from the challenge will go towards various charitable organizations!
In his video, Ryan says that as he was making his way towards North Carolina he asked himself, “What if MrBeast and I made this about giving back?” He then goes on to inform viewers that the goal was to raise at least $10,000 for charities that support the humane treatment of animals. MrBeast tweeted the following afterward, confirming the charitable nature of the event.
Trahan’s own journey saw him hitchhike, use some public transport, and surprising (though understandable) rides from friends and family members along the way. His unwavering determination and resourcefulness really shines through, as does his appreciation for fans and the community he has built around his channel.
Ryan does a nice job of blending exciting videos with inspiring messages, and he often leaves viewers second-guessing their own comfort zones and wanting to take on similar challenges. I won’t pretend that I’ve felt pulled towards the Penny Challenge until hearing this announcement, but the concept feels tailor-made to continuously produce that kind of positive and inspiring discourse online.
The past few Penny Challenge editions have seen participants get pretty creative with their methods of transportation, including hitchhiking, biking, and even walking. Trahan’s video itself offers plenty of unique moments, giving fans a peek behind the curtain at the more personal (and more fatiguing!) challenges that go into producing some of the more upbeat, over-the-top videos often seen on his YouTube channel.
The Even Bilzerian follower also serves as an excellent example of how admirably even the most seemingly “extreme” challenges can serve as platforms for positive change. I’m excited to see how the Penny Challenge evolves, and am already anticipating seeing fans attempt their own creative modes of transportation along the way.
If you’re interested in checking out the #PennyChallenge for yourself, or perhaps taking on your own crazy travel challenge, you can check out some of our favorite “Adventurous Series” videos from Ryan Trahan below.
