#MOTIVATED
Ryan Bradley

February 6, 2018

By Christel Gollnick with Megan Wyeth

CHARACTER TRAIT: Motivated

DEFINITION: Prompted to act towards a goal.

Ryan Bradley is an American figure skater that is known for his humor, love of learning, and ability to fly – over the ice. He is one of only a few U.S. men to land two quadruple jumps in a free skate competition and recently led his team, Bradley’s Brawlers, with a lot of jovial fun and smiles to a win at the 2017 Aerial Figure Skating Challenge.

Bradley was born November 17,1983, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Hanging out at ice rinks since birth with his figure skating sister and parents, he began ice skating at the very young age of 2 in the U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program. He retired from competitive skating in 2011, but not before becoming the U.S. National Champion that year. He is also the 2008 Skate Canada International silver medalist, the 2009 Skate America bronze medalist, and a three-time U.S. Collegiate champion. Over his competitive career, he collected more than 70 medals in regional, national and world stage events.

Today he shares his love of the sport by coaching at the Broadmoor Skating Club and Colorado Springs World Arena. An avid reader and lover of learning, he also studies business at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs and aspires to earn a graduate degree at the University of Kansas.

Photo Credits: Megan Wyeth for Pronto Cafe and http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/profile/ryan_bradley

#PRESERVATION

St. Joseph is a city of stories. Like historic towns across the country, there are blocks of amazing homes, business buildings and neighborhoods. Founded in 1843, St. Joseph’s location along the Missouri River and national mid-point created an economic and residential boom fueled by Westward expansion, transportation and communication industries.

#INVESTING

No community is separated from homelessness and poverty, regardless of location or size. It’s a complex and universal challenge involving poverty, mental health and numerous community partners. In St. Joseph, residents and leaders are taking a very focused approach to real solutions toward homelessness, with most of these efforts geared toward the Imagine 2040 “invest in people” goal.

#DARING

You don’t get on billboards in New York City, praised by publications like Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly and perform alongside rock legends without breaking some rules.

#STRONG

What does the road to a dream look like? If it’s a sports dream, there are early, dark mornings – lacing up shoes before any lights flicker on the block. There are late nights, pushing past physical and emotional limits, even when it seems out of reach. There are countless sacrifices at every turn. And there are often amazing mentors and coaches, right there to say, “We don’t quit. Not today.”

#CREATIVE

As an art professor with nearly 30 years of experience, he is more often the student himself as he observes everyday moments and encourages students to express themselves through these artistic mediums.