Ryan Monahan was born in Freehold, N.J., and was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 2 years old. He moved with his family to Dallas, Texas, at the age of 10. Ryan graduated from Dallas Jesuit High School in 2006. He spent his freshman year of college at Texas Tech University before moving to Los Angeles to complete his undergraduate degree in entrepreneurship at Loyola Marymount University. Ryan currently works for an oil and gas software company headquartered in Houston. He married his wife, Lauren, in June 2019 after meeting several years earlier at a CF Foundation fundraiser. They currently reside in Plano, Texas.

Ryan works closely with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, including as a board member, speaker and fundraiser for the Northeast Texas Chapter. He is an avid sports fan with an affinity for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Cowboys, and Texas Rangers. He enjoys traveling, golfing, watching movies and going to see live music. Ryan credits his ability to stay active and healthy to his friends and family.