“I take that into anything I do. And it’s made a big difference,” were the words one 2-time Paralympian shared as his voice was filled to the brim with gratitude. But why? Well, for him, giving his all isn’t just a mindset. It’s a philosophy he lives by. One that was passed to him by his dad, the man who showed him the way to life. And with all the success he has gained in recent years, it seems Pops’ advice was a pretty good one. So what did his father say that still drives him today? And who is this champ?
Well, his name is Ryan Medrano, and the man who adopted him showed him what it means to seize every opportunity. If you’re capable of doing something, Ryan believes you owe it to yourself and others to go that extra step, not because you have to, but because you can. It’s this deeply personal belief that has fueled every stride of his incredible journey. At age 27, Ryan Medrano reflects both dedication to his goals and a passionate spirit.
Survivor Season 43 introduced Medrano to viewers, but his life story expands further than his reality television recognition. Ryan Medrano gained silver at the Paralympic Games in 2024 for the men’s 100-meter T38 final while running 10.97 seconds for an outstanding performance. Through the life lessons taught to him by his father, Ryan demonstrates that with heart, nothing is out of reach.
USA Track and Field took to YouTube, posting a heartfelt video featuring Ryan Medrano in conversation with Olympic legends Erik Kynard and Wallace Spearmon. In this powerful sit-down, Medrano opened up not just about his training and career, but about the foundation that shaped him long before he stepped onto the track. His father’s unwavering belief in him.
For Medrano, winning medals isn’t the ultimate measure of success. It’s about living up to the values his dad taught him. “My dad’s Dominican; he adopted me. That’s his last name and my last name, and I’m proud to have it,” Medrano shared, reflecting on the depth of that bond. But his admiration went even deeper. “He’s a war hero, has two bronze stars of valor, a PhD, and is one of the smartest and most patient human beings I’ve ever met.”
The spirit of courage lives on through Medrano as he runs every training session and competition because his father taught him to face life through personal demonstration. Medrano described a critical memory from his youth in the interview session. At seven years old, he stood on a back porch located in Missouri while dealing with cognitive processing delays from his mild cerebral palsy.
His father kept raising the standards while asking Ryan to break through every boundary he faced. “He was challenging me as an individual, not just another kid,” Medrano recalled. That day, while cleaning up multiple piles, Ryan learned a lesson that would define his entire outlook. Medrano’s Texas-sized tank of grit was truly tested during moments like the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships in Chula Vista.
A man whose circle of family, competitive friends, and relentless optimism keeps him surging forward. “I take that into practice. I take that to work,” Ryan says. His journey from the back porch lessons of Missouri to a Paralympic podium shows how family support can turn obstacles into fuel for greatness.
Grinding beyond the track: Ryan Medrano’s next big dream
Ryan Medrano’s path to Paralympic success was anything but conventional. Unlike many elite track and field athletes who have spent a lifetime sprinting toward greatness, Medrano’s journey took shape later. A road built on fierce determination and relentless hard work. Balancing training with the responsibilities of a day job to support his family, he carved out time to hit the Franklin and Coronado high school tracks every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
His preparation was solitary but steadfast, a personal mission fueled by the belief that with enough heart, he could defy the odds. Yet even with that grit, Medrano realized he needed something more: smarter recovery. That turning point came when Cocoon Wellness & Recovery, a center in El Paso, stepped in to sponsor him. A move Medrano credits as a game-changer.
“I feel like (my recovery) is why I was able to hit three PRs. I learned to properly recover as an athlete. For the longest time, I was just grinding and grinding, but I didn’t give myself the time to recover. Now, once I implemented that, my training went crazy through the roof,” Medrano shared with ktsm.com. Thanks to new recovery routines, including infrared sauna sessions and cold plunges, his body found the strength to match his spirit. All with his sights firmly set on the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
But for Medrano, it’s about more than just winning races. It’s about giving back and lifting others along the way. “(Los Angeles) is right down the street. It’s right over in California. Let’s go out there and let’s get it. Let’s show the world that El Paso has some high-caliber athletes,” he said, his voice buzzing with pride. Beyond the track, Medrano dreams of stepping into the world of public speaking, hoping to inspire his hometown community with the hard-earned lessons of resilience, sacrifice, and belief that have carried him this far.
The post Adopted Early in Childhood, 2x Paralympic Medalist Makes Honest Confession About Father’s Help That Shaped Him: “A War Hero” appeared first on EssentiallySports.