Here's a story of my Journey

RyanJPittsPresents: Forged by Passion, Built for Life

For over three decades, from the spark of an idea to the tangible weight of steel, RyanJPittsPresents has been the embodiment of one man's relentless pursuit of strength, craftsmanship, and a life truly lived. This isn't just about metal; it's about the unyielding spirit of Ryan J. Pitts—a dedicated creator, a visionary designer, and a loving father of nine, with a growing brood of five (soon to be seven!) grandchildren. His journey is a testament to the power of passion, the beauty of metal, and the profound strength found in a life rich with family and purpose.

The Genesis of Steel and Strength

It began over 30 years ago, not with a grand plan, but with a burgeoning curiosity and the hum of machinery. At just 16, Ryan stepped into a machine shop, a draftsman charting blueprints, unknowingly laying the foundation for a lifelong obsession. Exposed to the magnificent alchemy of metalworking, he began to craft. His earliest creations were for himself: preacher benches, flat Olympic benches, power racks, even a complete set of dumbbells. This was more than a hobby; it was an insatiable love affair between strength, health, and the endless possibilities of metal.

Through his twenties, while honing his craft as a journeyman machinist and earning an Associate's Degree in Business Administration, Ryan's creations found their first customers through newspaper classifieds, helping to pay the rent. He devoured books, his interests spanning physical culture, martial arts, and the old-school legends of strength. This thirst for knowledge fueled new designs, tools forged not just for muscle, but for mastery.

From Machinist to Master Creator: A Journey Forged in Passion

After a decade at his first shop, Ryan embarked on new horizons, carrying his journeyman machinist card and an ever-expanding vision. His path led him through the disciplined movements of Taekwondo, culminating in a 1st-degree black belt. This physical journey, coupled with his voracious reading, introduced him to the transformative power of kettlebells through Pavel Tsatsouline, and the raw, unadulterated strength principles of Brooks Kubick's "Dinosaur Training." From this gem, Ryan unearthed the secrets of thick bar training, old-school power, and the foundational elements of grip training.

A new spark ignited. Inspired by the incredible feats of strength performed by Grandmaster Old Time Strongman Dennis Rogers—bending steel, twisting horseshoes, ripping phone books, tearing cards, and driving nails through wood—Ryan knew his path forward. In 2006, StrongerGrip.com was born. Countless unique tools for grip strength and conditioning leaped from his mind, becoming tangible metal reality.

This was a hectic, amazing journey. Fifty-hour work weeks at his day job, countless hours in the shop creating gear, all while raising his burgeoning family. Sleep was a luxury, but the dedication to his craft and his kids was unwavering. Even amidst the chaos, Ryan always found time to share moments with his children, teaching, guiding, and instilling in them the same dedication he poured into his life's work.

In 2010, Ryan went all-in, dedicating himself full-time to StrongerGrip. The opportunities multiplied, time for creation expanded, and his ideas exploded into life. His skills were constantly honed, gaining recognition far and wide. His training evolved, shifting to dynamic, loadable, full-body movements that mirrored the innovative nature of his creations.

His work caught the eye of notable personalities and high-profile clients:

• Atlanta Falcons Football Team: A Giant Challenge Battle Axe and a set of Thor training hammers.

• World-Renowned Illusionist David Blaine: A custom wrist roller stand.

• The Legend of Mick Dodge (TV Show): Several custom hammers.

• World Armwrestling League (ESPN): Trophy Hammers.

• Arnold's Armwrestling Challenge: Trophies.

• Michael Clarke Duncan: Custom mace.

• Mark Bell, Kevin Hart, Boss Everline, Myers Leonard (NBA Star): Custom sledgehammers. ...and many more. Each piece a testament to his unique vision and unparalleled craftsmanship.

Metal, Art, and the Future of Strength

Ryan's journey, deeply intertwined with metal and strength, found new expression in 2024 with the "Metal Health" art exhibit, showcasing three original metal sculptures that powerfully blended his twin passions. This was more than just tools; it was art born from a life dedicated to shaping steel and self.

Today, after over 30 years of making metal masterpieces, the journey continues to evolve. Collaborating with his good friend and partner Eric Chessen of StrongerThanU, their sideline creations have spawned licensed products, including the popular Barbell Bomb with Abmat and the eagerly anticipated Walking Sled with Rep Fitness.

RyanJPittsPresents: The Themed Collections

Under the umbrella of RyanJPittsPresents, each sub-brand reflects a facet of Ryan's diverse interests and innovative spirit, offering high-quality, USA-made, metal-crafted strength training gear, designed or made by the master himself:

• StrongerGrip: The pioneering line of unique tools designed to forge unparalleled grip strength.

• BarbarianArmy: Unleash your inner warrior with themed strength training gear like loadable swords, battle axes, and other imposing, barbarian-inspired implements.

• SerialKillerStrength: For those who embrace the darker side of intensity, this sub-brand offers horror-themed strength training gear, from machete-shaped Indian clubs to heavy-weighted cleavers.

• HammerKing: Dedicated to the mightiest of tools, this collection features specialized sledgehammers and Thor hammers, meticulously designed for dynamic strength and conditioning.

This is the story of Ryan J. Pitts. A story of chaos and creativity, of sleepless nights and boundless dedication. It's the story of a man who built an empire of iron, not just in metal, but in the unwavering commitment to his craft, his family, and his lifelong pursuit of strength in every form.