ALL IN 4AHERO
A Hero Takes it to the Next Level : Ryan Blackwell ’ s ‘ Well Trained ’ Ethic
By Dave Glassman
During the terrorist attack at NAS Pensacola on December 6 , 2019 , Ryan Blackwell embraced certain death as he shielded a coworker with his body , taking a shocking six bullets . He then calculated how to get the coworker and another wounded sailor safely out of the building even as he applied first aid and quickly made a tourniquet for his own bleeding arm using his belt .
In the midst of all this , Ryan was on his cell phone to first responders to communicate the need for transportation once he could get the now-wounded sailor outside .
A police cruiser awaited to remove survivors to the hospital . Once underway , Blackwell ’ s focus shot to the next emergency : the wounded and severely bleeding police officer sitting next to him . A bullet had clearly torn the femoral artery in the officer ’ s right leg . Ryan assessed this and , using his elbow , stemmed the gush of blood – effectively saving the officer ’ s leg .
It was twenty-seven minutes of chaos , Ryan recalls . He had been hit by a bullet that partially severed a nerve in his right arm , another that struck his right leg and left foot , two that slammed into his back missing his spine by a scant inch , and the one that hit the side of his ribcage .
Some might falter , perhaps give up after such horrific mental and physical trauma , but Ryan would not . Instead , recuperating , he decided to star his gym . “ WELL Trained ,” its title , is more than just a play on using part of his name . WELL Trained embodies the philosophy of being well trained in all aspects of life . Its brand is to reflect the achievable best self . The name , essentially a descriptor , suggests one who has been built up to peak
94 AHERO MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021
Ryan , Joe Blackwell , Austin Eliot - Students .
in strength , physicality , spatial intelligence and awareness , as well as in awareness of the presence and potential of others .
As a kid , Ryan and his father had developed the WELL Trained philosophy together . Drawing upon it , they started in two car garage , with a home wrestling mat , a weight set , and a vision fueled by Ryan ’ s drive to be state champion . The training philosophies implemented created in him a competitive mindset at an early age , and resulted in success on the wrestling mat for Ryan – in the form of two state championships and a scholarship to The University of North Carolina at Pembroke , a NCAA Division II program .
Ryan competed for five seasons with the UNC Braves and was a two time Academic All-American , as well as athlete of the year while earning a bachelor ’ s in exercise physiology . His academic and athletic accomplishments are representative of the WELL Trained mindset in all aspects of life .
" The ability to perform while maintaining mental clarity is being WELL Trained ,” Ryan explains . “ Knowing that you can rely on your training throughout life instills a level of selfconfidence that speaks volumes about the mission behind our brand . My wounds are now healed . Scars remain , but they are only an ever-present reminder to me that I am WELL Trained ."