Ryan Johnson

I’m Ryan Johnson. Sometimes better known as Ry or Mighty, depending on who ya ask.

I am the rough-cut, unpolished, kinda crazy, half of the Sons of Strength. Together, my brother and I complete one hell of a team. A two man roster I’d bring to battle any day of the week.

Naturally, while growing up and finding my way through the world I would look to my older brothers’ example as often as I could. But at the same time, I always tended to beat my own drum and rummage my own path. I was a bit of a daredevil and definitely a risk taker (and I have over 15 emergency room medical records to vouch for it) Now that I’m older, and just slightly wiser, I don’t get hurt nearly as much (fingers crossed), but I definitely still keep that little risk taker alive in me.

But being a risk taker without thinking things through can be a recipe for disaster. Which is why I can also tend to be an extremist and perfectionist. When I find something I enjoy or that interests me, I get an organic itch that drives me to see how far I can take it. I want to see the absolute end range and won’t stop until I get there (Did I mention I’m also a Taurus, so that stubbornness lends a hand in never quitting)

For instance, three years ago, I decided to join my local martial arts gym just to keep my competitive nature alive and well. After instantly falling in love with the culture and tradition of Muay Thai, my character traits got the best of me and into the ring I went. Now, I currently hold a record of 3-1 (2 TKO’s) and can’t go a few days without the itch of wanting to give and get some ‘tough love’ from my training comrades.

So going back to my roots. A lot of people tend to assume that I just happened to follow E into this world of health, fitness, and lifelong quest for the highest version of yourself because of how close we are. But actually, that’s not the case at all. I consider myself one of the ‘lucky ones’ in the sense that I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I was just barely a sophomore in high school, standing at over 5’4″ and maybe 150 pounds.

Sports were always a part of my life, specifically football. When I was just a tiny little risk taker in the first grade, I strapped up my first helmet and took to the field. Never turning back, I played eight successful years of Pop Warner Youth Football, in return, crafting some of the best friendships and memories of my youth along the way. So, when the time to came to play high school football, I was more than excited. Except after the first day of practice, disappointment quickly replaced excitement; I came to realize that size mattered and experience not so much. I spent the next two years severely unsized, and using every ounce of my heart, determination, and experience just to keep up. But, I knew that couldn’t last forever. At the conclusion of my sophomore year on junior varsity, I turned in my gear for the season and knew next year I wanted something better…

Something bigger. Varsity. The big leagues.

And I didn’t know it then, but as I look back now, it was this single goal that would forever change my life and ultimately craft me into the person I am today. But I didn’t do it alone…

I’m a firm believer in asking for help. The world is filled with individuals that are not only more experienced and yes, smarter than you, but it is filled with individuals that genuinely enjoy helping you succeed and accomplish your goals.

And in this situation, I was desperate for a helping hand. With only a single off-season to gain as much strength and size as possible and a fitness background that was as lagging as my pecs at the time, I was in need a miracle.

My miracle went by the name Big Tony; shorter man with broad shoulders, a law enforcement mustache and military crew cut. Tony was a scary man from the outside looking in. He had a big hand with a hard handshake that made weak kids like me crumble. If anybody could help me, it was him.

Sitting down with Tony, I told him exactly what I wanted to do. Listening intently, Tony finally responded with the following conditions:

1. Don’t waste his or my time: He had no patience for a young kid distrupting his workouts. If I was going to show up I had to bring everything I had.
2. Buy a new pair of shoes to leave at the gym indefinitely: We trained in his fully overhauled gym in his basement. My personal Mecca of training.
3. Have fun: no explanation necessary.

So after agreeing to the rules and accepting the challenge, Tony took me under his wing (seriously, you should have seen the size of his lats) and jumped right into training.

Fast forwarding (or else I could go on for days) I spent the next three years training under Tony. Five days a week, learning everything I could about fitness, but more importantly how fitness could change my mindset in all aspects of life. I became addicted. Everyday I couldn’t wait to train. It was during those years that I learned the impact being strong and fit had on your life both inside and outside of the gym. Training ingrains something deep inside of you. It challenges you, humbles you, builds you up, buries you into the ground, and changes you. I love every second of it.

It was in that basement that I learned to push my body past its perceived limit on a set of heavy front squats, my mind past its mental barriers on a set of max effort bench. It’s the same place where I learned the value of training in a new clean pair of shoes instead of the dirty ones you walked around in on the street, the discipline of spending an entire hour after training one day a week wiping down and cleaning every inch of your training grounds. It’s where I learned to appreciate timeless music like The BeeGees, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and Pat Benetar. It’s where I learned to respect past Bodybuilding Legends like Frank Zane, Franco Columbo, and undoubtedly Arnold. It was here that I first began to feed and craft: American Muscle Cultured Mind. The mantra that the Sons Of Strength live by today.

Because of Tony. I decided to dedicate my life to fitness, and helping individuals experience the powers and impact that training can hold. I want to pass on what Tony was able to pass on to me, and keep “paying it forward.”

Since then I have acquired certifications in kettlebells (RKC, SFG) along with Olympic weightlifting (USAW), spent years under physical therapists, attended countless seminars and courses, and continue to learn everyday from my mentors and peers.

It is my mission to provide the best skill set possible of training and all things related for anyone willing to listen.

My name is Ryan Johnson and I believe in fitness.