The Whosoevers Release “PRAY HARD” Shoe

Footwear Aims to Make Positive Impact in a Culture that Glorifies Evil

LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2021 - The Whosoevers, a movement created to empower all people to realize their true life purpose co-founded by Radio Host and Author Ryan Ries, announced the release of the PRAY HARD slip-on shoe.

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The PRAY HARD shoe is intended to make a positive impact and offers a hopeful response to the recently released “Satan Shoe,” a collaboration between Brooklyn-based company,  MSCHF, and rapper Lil Nas X, which received much criticism not only for the evil message conveyed but also for falsely associating the shoes with Nike’s brand when they had no relation to and were not endorsed by the company.

“When pop culture embraces references to Satan and makes it seem cool, they really don’t understand the reality of the true darkness that they are entangling themselves in,” said Ries. “As Christians, we want to make sure that we always walk by faith and glorifying King Jesus all things while spreading the good news. As it states in Romans 10:15, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’”

Sharing a message of hope, the inside of the PRAY HARD shoe has the Bible verse John 3:16 printed on it, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The words PRAY and HARD are printed on the back of each heel and a praying hand pattern covers the shoe.

“Every time you put on the PRAY HARD shoe and see John 3:16, it prompts you to think about how much God loves you and how we find purpose through Him,” said Ries. “Even a reminder as small as having a message of hope printed in a shoe can quite literally help us walk in the light each day.”

Ries co-founded The Whosoevers in 2009 with Sonny Sandoval, lead singer of P.O.D., and Brian “Head” Welch, a founding member of Korn. The organization inspires people around the globe to break the barriers of substance abuse, sex addiction, mental illness and suicidal thoughts by hosting dynamic live events at schools, skateparks, churches and juvenile detention facilities where young people have the opportunity to be inspired by encouraging messages, music and skateboarding events.

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The Whosoevers MEGA TOUR kicked off in March to celebrate the May 11  release of Ries’ upcoming book, “Kill the Noise: Finding Meaning Above the Madness.” The Whosoevers will hold events throughout California, Arkansas  Nevada and are adding more dates and locations throughout the summer.

To learn more about The Whosoevers, including information about the PRAY HARD shoe, MEGA TOUR and “Kill the Noise” book, visit https://thewhosoevers.com/about.

About Ryan Ries
Ryan Ries is the co-founder of The Whosoevers movement, host of the national radio show and podcast “The Ryan Ries Talk Show” and a regular speaker at Calvary Chapel Golden Springs, which airs his messages on FM radio. Prior to joining ministry, he worked as the Director of Music Marketing for international brands in addition to managing top skateboarding teams. Today, he continues to work in the skateboarding and music industries and recently launched the new company Custom Branded. Launched in 2020, Custom Branded is a design and production company specializing in footwear and apparel for premium companies and influencers. To learn more visit https://thewhosoevers.com/about.

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The Whosoevers Announce MEGA TOUR to Celebrate “Kill The Noise” Book Release

Tour kicks off May 1

LOS ANGELES, April 14, 2021 - The Whosoevers, a movement created to empower students to realize their true life purpose co-founded by Radio Host Ryan Ries and P.O.D founding member Sonny Sandoval, announced The Whosoevers MEGA TOUR in conjunction with the release of Ries’ new book “Kill The Noise: Finding Meaning Above The Madness.” The tour, which kicked off March 28, includes more than 20 churches, skateparks, schools, concerts, boys and girls homes and rehab facility events featuring speakers, testimonials and skateboarding trick contests.

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“Kill The Noise,” set to release on May 11 from Hachette, shares Ries’ story of overcoming the messiness of his life, even when it seemed impossible. Ries hopes “Kill The Noise” will motivate readers to find God and purpose in their lives. The book recognizes how people are surrounded by noise from social media, the entertainment industry, drugs, pornography, etc. and that it is nearly impossible to hear God’s truth with all the distractions.

“Young adults are going through a lot these days with the pandemic and influences of things like social media,” said Ries, co-founder of The Whosoevers movement. “I hope that young adults can learn to kill that collective noise and have fun at these events, so that everyone can hear the voice of God telling them they are loved, they are wanted, and they are His.”

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Ries co-founded the Whosoevers in 2009 with Sonny Sandoval, lead singer of P.O.D. The organization inspires students around the globe to break the barriers of substance abuse, sex addiction, mental illness and suicidal thoughts by hosting dynamic live events at schools, skateparks, churches and juvenile detention facilities where young people have the opportunity to be inspired by encouraging messages, music and skateboarding events.

The Whosoevers MEGA TOUR will hold the following events throughout California, Arkansas and Nevada over the next few months and is still booking dates for the rest of the summer.

 Upcoming tour dates include:

  • May 15, 2:00 p.m. at Morrell Skate Park, 500 Harris St., Henderson, NV 89015 

  • May 15, 6:00 p.m. at Full Send Movie Screening, 201 Taylor St., Henderson, NV 89015

  • May 16, 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Church, 201 Taylor St., Henderson, NV 89015           

  • May 22, 1:00 p.m. at the Kanis Skate Park, Kanis Park Rd., Little Rock, AR 72204

  • May 24, 1:00 p.m. at the McGee Center / $100 Best Trick, 3800 College Ave., Conway, AR 72034

  • May 24, 7:00 p.m. at  Robinson Avenue Baptist Church, 1832 Robinson Ave., Conway, AR 72034

  • May 25, 3:00 p.m. at the Kanis Skatepark, 820 S. Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock, AR 72205           

  • May 26, 2:00 p.m. at the Valley Hill Skate Park, 501, 599 Valley St., Hot Springs, AR 71901 

  • May 26, 7:00 p.m. at Lake Pointe Church / Youth Rally, 1343 Albert Pike Rd., Hot Springs, AR 71913

  • May 27, 7:00 p.m. at Impact Church Phillip Blunk, 5500 Landers Rd., Sherwood, AR 72117 

  • June 5, 2:00 p.m. at the Frazier Skatepark, 3801 Park Dr., Frazier Park, CA 9322

  • June 12, at Godspeak Calvary Chapel, 320 Via Las Brisas, Newbury Park, CA 91320

  • June 19, at Godspeak Calvary Chapel, 320 Via Las Brisas, Newbury Park, CA 91320

  • July 9, 2:00 p.m. at the Amelia Mayberry Skate Park, 13201 Meyer Rd., Whittier, CA 90605           

“We can’t wait to meet and speak with young adults across these states to bring purpose in their lives,” said Sandoval, co-founder of The Whosoevers movement. “We have seen time and again how these live events bring life and joy to the young people we have the honor of meeting and are confident that this summer tour will have a powerful impact on even more adolescents.”

In addition to the MEGA TOUR, The Whosoevers recently released the “Full Send” documentary which was shot during the COVID-19 pandemic during the summer tour in Idaho. The film features events and outreach programs of The Whosoevers movement at skate parks where they share the Word of God with teenagers, encourage them and pray with them. 

To learn more about The Whosoevers, including information about the MEGA TOUR, “Kill the Noise” book and “Full Send” documentary, visit https://thewhosoevers.com/about.

About Ryan Ries
Ryan Ries is the co-founder of The Whosoevers movement, host of the national radio show and podcast “The Ryan Ries Talk Show” and regular speaker at Calvary Chapel Golden Springs, which airs his messages on FM radio. Prior to joining ministry, he worked as the Director of Music Marketing for international brands in addition to managing top skateboarding teams. Today, he continues to work in the skateboarding and music industries and recently launched the new company Custom Branded. Launched in 2020, Custom Branded is a design and production company specializing in footwear and apparel for premium companies and influencers. To learn more visit https://thewhosoevers.com/about.   

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