Imagine the passion, energy, and consistent hard work it takes to make it to the Olympics,

even when your star doesn't turn out to burn quite as bright as your passion.

Now imagine those same qualities applied to making it into the top ranks in the world of

international drug dealing. This is how one guy made it into the top echelons in both endeavors.

I'm Patty Steele.

The snowboard phenom turned drug cartel kingpin.

That's next on the backstory.

This is an I-Heart podcast.

Guaranteed human.

We're back with the backstory.

This is a story about a snowboard champion who made it to the Olympics, but when he didn't

medal, he threw it all away to devote his life to the international drug trade.

Now, before we get into it, here's a little quick note for you.

Everything you're about to hear is based on public records,

indictments, media investigations, and law enforcement statements. A lot of the allegations

against Ryan Wedding haven't been proven in court yet. You see, as of this moment, he's still

out there in that world, a fugitive from justice, but he's presumed innocent until he's caught

and convicted. Okay, let's go back in time. It's 1981, and Ryan James Wedding is born in Thunder Bay,

Ontario. It's kind of the perfect scenario for somebody who's obsessed with winter sports.

Thunder Bay with its gorgeous snow-capped peaks,

and Ryan's family has snow in their veins. They're a snow family. His grandparents own a ski resort,

Mount Baldy. His uncle is a ski coach. His dad's a former competitive skier. Snow is their

...