Travel Channel Premieres Original Special YES MAN ft. Social Media Star Ricky Smith

Social media star Ricky Smith is Travel Channel's YES MAN, traveling the country to learn about the wildest, craziest and coolest things to do for fun. In his new special airing on Tuesday, April 18 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT, he just can't bring himself to say "no" to any experiences. Smith is currently completing a 50-city tour in 30 days, doing everything from swimming with sharks to competing in an all-night dance marathon and attempting to ride a bucking bronco in a Texas rodeo. Smith has spent the last five years of his life traveling America and made his name discovering great new experiences -- all by word of mouth. He has learned that when adventure calls, it's always best to say "yes."

"I always thought of myself as wild, crazy and adventurous, until we started filming 'Yes Man,'" said Smith. "The people of Los Angeles know how to have fun and were kind enough to show me some amazing once-in-a-lifetime experiences that everyone should say 'YES' to!"

Smith's first stop is Los Angeles, where he says "yes" to holding a tree pose at a paddle board yoga class, snacking on a Mexican pizza loaded with grasshoppers, learning how to take a punch at the Hollywood Stunt University and signing up for a world-famous, 50-pound-pizza-eating challenge. Finally, he overcomes his fear of heights as he flies down the 45-foot-long outdoor glass-encased Skyslide to appreciate amazing views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

"We all know travelers are divided into two types: planners and non-planners. With his unique approach to spontaneous adventures that no one sees coming, Ricky Smith is a favorite example of the latter," said Courtney White, senior vice president, programming, Travel Channel.

ABOUT Travel Channel For virtual and active travelers who want to go on a thrilling quest; taste other cultures; enjoy the mystery of the unexplored; get a dose of epic adventure or a splash of wacky fun; there is no better daily escape than Travel Channel. Reaching more than 84 million U.S. cable homes, Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand. Fans also can visit Travel Channel for more information or interact with other fans through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Travel Channel is owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., which also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.