Ryan began participating in Tri-Masters at the age of nine. After just 6 months in the program, Ryan traveled to Jamaica to compete in the Negril Sprint Triathlon where her team captured second place. One year later in 1996, she completed the entire triathlon individually, capturing first place in her age division. She went on to repeat as champion in 1997 and 1998. She has competed in 15 triathlons overall, including the internationally know Mrs. T’s (now Accenture) Triathlon. Her greatest triathlon accomplishment was, at age 16, winning second place for females age 19 and under at the 1999 U.S. Triathlon Series National Championship in Oceanside, California.

Academically, Ryan graduated from Whitney Young Magnet School a semester early, carrying a 3.82 grade point average. She was on the honor roll and a principal’s scholar all four years. She is currently attending Truman State University where she is in pre-med, pursuing a degree in Exercise Physiology. Ryan is also captain of the university’s triathlon team.