Born in Chesapeake, Virginia, Ryan Blackwell’s family moved to eastern North Carolina when he was six years old. He now resides in northwest Florida. He started wrestling when he was in elementary school and enjoyed a stellar high school career, winning 172 matches, qualifying for the state tournament four times, and capturing state titles in 2009 and 2010. After graduating from Croatan High School, Blackwell wrestled for five years at the University of North Carolina Pembroke and was a two-year starter, a two-time NCAA Academic All-American, and the 2013 Male Athlete of the year for the Braves. After graduating with a degree in exercise and sports science, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 2017. On the morning of December 6, 2019, a gunman opened fire at the Pensacola base, the first terrorist attack on US soil by a foreign national since September 11, 2001. During the shooting, Blackwell was shot six times. For his actions, Blackwell received the Purple Heart for Valor and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism by the Navy. Ryan is the owner of Well Trained - a wrestling and fitness facility, and Well Trained Academy - a micro school located in Gulf Breeze, Florida.