Ryan grew up the youngest of three siblings in Edmond, Oklahoma. He spent a lot of time outdoors and took an interest in sports, playing both football and baseball. He received a baseball scholarship to the University of Texas Arlington, where he earned a sociology degree. After working for his father for a few years, Ryan felt a calling to serve his country. Throughout his five deployments to Afghanistan and Syria, he was invested in leading servicemen and women on missions and enjoyed finding ways to inspire the younger soldiers.

On August 16, 2019, while on deployment in Afghanistan, Ryan triggered an explosion while his team was conducting a raid. It was three hours before the medevack came to take Ryan to the closest hospital. Due to the blast of the explosion, Ryan underwent 28 life-saving surgeries, leaving him as a triple amputee. Ryan lost his right arm above the elbow, his right leg above the knee, and his left leg below the knee. Ryan is still recovering from his injuries at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Today, as he continues to recuperate, Ryan hopes to go back to the 75th Ranger Regiment and become a motivational soldier to inspire others. He looks forward to playing baseball with his son and returning to fishing, skiing, and swimming. As Ryan becomes accustomed to his new normal, the Gary Sinise Foundation looks forward to building Ryan a specially adapted smart technology home to ease his daily struggles and mobility needs around the house.