On this rung of Next Rung Radio, we welcome Ryan Weaver, U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot turned country music firebrand. After losing his brother (KIA) and later his brother-in-law in combat, Ryan chose purpose over paralysis, turning grief into fuel. From karaoke contests and writing songs in the desert to standing center stage at Madison Square Garden, the Grand Ole Opry with Charlie Daniels, and headlining PBR arena shows as their patriotic voice, his story is equal parts sacrifice, grit, and mission. Whether he’s honoring the fallen, building brands, or ripping through “Burn,” Ryan shows what it looks like to dig the ditches, do the work, and live a life worthy of those we’ve lost.
This episode is about transforming pain into purpose. Ryan walks us through the mindset shifts that carried him from the cockpit to the spotlight: choose a purpose bigger than yourself, set non-negotiables, build the back-office grind, and keep showing up...especially when it’s hard. His message is simple and fierce: honor your heroes by how you live, not just what you say. If you feel stuck on a low rung, this conversation hands you the next grip—faith, discipline, and relentless follow-through.
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