Today we’d like to introduce you to Colbey Ryan.
Hi Colbey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in Dallas while my father served in the Marines. My early years were spent between Okinawa and Camp Lejeune before our family settled in the DFW area. Like many kids, I fell in love with baseball early. From throwing rocks at street signs to cutting grass in cow pastures for makeshift sandlots, I was relentless in my pursuit of baseball.
I had natural talent, but my journey wasn’t easy. My family faced financial challenges that made private coaching and competitive sports difficult to sustain. Injuries, my parents’ divorce, and an unstable home life derailed my path just as I was gaining interest from college and professional scouts. I took academic and athletic scholarships to play baseball in college, but quickly found myself working full-time to make ends meet, financially.
After stints in restaurants, manual labor jobs, and sales, I realized I needed a reset. At 23, I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. I was meritoriously promoted in boot camp and again a couple of months later in MOS school. While on active duty, I deployed to Afghanistan with 1st Battalion 1st Marines, and also took every opportunity to compete in sports—baseball, softball, soccer, golf, and even water polo. Sports kept me grounded and connected to who I was at heart—an athlete.
Becoming a father changed everything. My son was born with a congenital heart defect and spent his first days in the NICU. Doctors said he might not live a normal life—but today, he’s a high-performing athlete in his age group. Watching him and my daughter, who competes in equestrian events, has deepened my belief in the power of mentorship, community, and accountability.
After the Marines, I returned to school, earned a business degree, and launched a career in innovation—co-founding a tech company that grew from 2 people to more than 80 before getting acquired. But something was missing. I wanted to reconnect with my roots and give back to the community that shaped me.
That’s why I invested in D1 Training Alliance, a veteran-owned facility focused on athletic performance and personal development. At D1, we believe in the power of accountability—something as simple as a coach saying, “You got this,” can change a person’s trajectory. Our philosophy is grounded in Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
D1 Training Alliance is more than a gym to me. It’s my way of using my story—my failures, my growth, and my faith—to help others build strength, resilience, and purpose. My mission is to empower the next generation of athletes and leaders in the same community that once empowered me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has been shaped as much by failure as by success. I’ve learned to see adversity not as a setback, but as the price of growth. With the help of some great mentors, I came to understand that life truly begins outside of our comfort zone. That mindset gave me permission to fail—fast, forward, and with purpose.
Most of my struggles were financial. For a long time, just keeping the lights on meant working long, irregular hours, often at the expense of my health and personal growth. But as I got control of my finances, everything shifted. I found work-life balance, renewed focus on my faith, and became the present, intentional father and husband I always wanted to be.
Those hard seasons taught me discipline, perspective, and the value of showing up—for my family, my team, and my community.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about D1 Training ?
At D1 Training Alliance, we’re not just a gym—we’re a community built on grit, growth, and accountability. We specialize in athletic-based training that’s rooted in sports science and delivered by certified coaches who know how to push athletes toward their potential. Our programs serve kids as young as 7 all the way to adults, helping them develop speed, strength, confidence, and character.
What sets us apart is our intentional focus on mindset, mentorship, and mission. We train the whole person—not just the body, but the habits, work ethic, and belief systems that drive success on and off the field. Whether someone’s goal is to make the varsity team, earn a scholarship, improve military readiness, or simply build a healthier life, our coaches meet them where they are and empower them every step of the way.
For me, this mission is deeply personal. Sports were a lifeline for me growing up, but access to consistent training and mentorship wasn’t always there. After my own journey through adversity—including financial hardship, injuries, military service, and entrepreneurship—I wanted to bring something meaningful back to the community that raised me.
That’s why I chose to open D1 Training Alliance. It’s a veteran-owned facility with a mission shaped by my life experiences and grounded in the principle that iron sharpens iron. We believe a coach’s words, a teammate’s encouragement, or a moment of discipline can be transformational. That’s the culture we’ve created here.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how we’ve stayed true to our values. We’re not here to be flashy. We’re here to be effective. We’re here to serve. Every rep, every drill, and every relationship we build is about helping people become stronger in every sense of the word.
If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s this: D1 Training Alliance exists to change lives—through elite training, yes, but more importantly through connection, purpose, and belief. This is where athletes train, and leaders are made.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice? Start before you’re ready, and stay in the fight.
You don’t need to have it all figured out to take the first step. Most people wait for the “perfect” moment or plan, but growth comes from doing—not from waiting. Be willing to take risks, make mistakes, and learn on the fly. The key is to fail with purpose and get better every time.
I also wish I had understood earlier the power of proximity. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, support you, and won’t let you settle. Whether it’s mentors, teammates, or friends and family—iron sharpens iron. You can’t do it alone, and you shouldn’t try to.
And lastly—know your values and protect your peace. Success means nothing if you lose yourself along the way. Build something meaningful, not just profitable. Prioritize your faith, your family, and your future self. Everything else will fall into place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://d1training.com/alliance
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d1_alliance/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbeyryan/
- Twitter: https://x.com/d1alliancetx
Image Credits
Colbey Ryan. D1 gym photo with logo in the turf can be credited to D1 Training
