ABOUT THIS EPISODE
THE DARK SIDE OF BOXING NOBODY TALKS ABOUT | RYAN GREGORY
What happens when a boxing coach achieves his 20-year dream but loses almost everything along the way?
In this powerful episode of Raw Minds Podcast, host Erick McManus sits down with Ryan Gregory, former boxer, professional boxing coach and author of Blood on Canvas: Between Bells, to expose the hidden reality of boxing, mental health struggles, financial hardship and the sacrifices behind success.
Ryan opens up about growing up angry and disconnected, finding purpose through boxing, building a boxing program in Utah and accomplishing his dream of bringing a major boxing event to Logan.
But behind that achievement was another reality.
Ryan had gone through a divorce, lost his home and was living inside his boxing gym.
When COVID shut everything down, he began writing the book that would eventually become Blood on Canvas: Between Bells.
This is a raw conversation about boxing psychology, men's mental health, resilience, overcoming adversity, personal growth and the untold stories behind professional fighting.
We also discuss the boxing industry, coaching, fighter safety, the financial struggles athletes face and what happens when the sport you love becomes your entire identity.
Because sometimes the toughest battles happen outside the ring.
CHAPTERS AND TIMESTAMPS
00:00 The Mental Battles Nobody Sees
01:45 Welcome to Raw Minds Podcast
02:42 Top Host Competition and Thank You
04:11 Meet Ryan Gregory and His Boxing Book
06:35 Ryan's Boxing Career and Coaching Journey
07:31 Homeless While Achieving His 20-Year Dream
08:28 How COVID Inspired Blood on Canvas
09:24 Childhood Anger and Finding Boxing
11:33 How Rocky Inspired Ryan's Book
13:39 Discovering the Boxing World
16:27 The Reality of Boxing Competition
18:34 Building Boxing Events and Coaching
24:15 Life Lessons and Personal Struggles
29:55 Ryan's Journey Back Into Boxing
33:03 Building a Boxing Gym
37:16 The Sacrifices Behind Coaching
44:42 Writing and Creative Inspiration
48:11 The Long Road to Achieving a Dream
53:08 Preparing Fighters for Battle
57:18 The Financial Reality of Professional Boxing
61:41 Boxing Gloves and Fighter Safety
65:14 Inside Blood on Canvas: Between Bells
68:06 The Hardest Part of Writing a Book
70:57 Where to Find Ryan's Book
72:01 Men's Mental Health and Real Conversations
74:49 Why Sharing Your Story Matters
76:05 Closing
ABOUT RYAN GREGORY
Ryan Gregory is a former boxer, coach and author of Blood on Canvas: Between Bells. His story explores boxing, sacrifice, determination and the reality behind the sport.
RYAN GREGORY LINKS
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Canvas-Between-Ryan-Gregory/dp/B0H132FK6W
Barnes & Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Blood%20on%20Canvas%20Between%20Bells
Behind The Punch Podcast:
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-behind-the-punch-podca-334765881/episode/gritty-raw-real-ep-337010351/
Book Information:
https://stevensbooks.com/products/blood-on-canvas-between-bells-9798902515500
ABOUT RAW MINDS
Raw Minds is a men's mental health podcast hosted by Erick McManus, featuring honest conversations about mental health awareness, trauma, addiction, grief, suicide prevention, recovery, resilience and personal growth.
Real people. Real struggles. Real conversations.
For the ones we never meet.
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