In the world of jiu-jitsu, few names command as much respect – or fear – as Gordon Ryan. A dominant force on the mats, he’s known for his relentless pace, technical genius, and a winning streak that makes even the most seasoned black belts look like amateurs. But despite all the accolades and titles, the biggest fight of his life hasn’t been against another grappler – it’s been against his own body.
And that battle started with antibiotics.
The Hidden Struggle Behind the King’s Throne
Over the past few years, Gordon Ryan’s social media has told a different story than his highlight reels. Despite continuing to win major tournaments, he’s openly shared a grueling health journey: recurring staph infections, intense gastrointestinal issues, nausea, fatigue, weight fluctuations, and even surgery to address his chronic gut problems. The common thread? Antibiotics.
Like many athletes, especially in close-contact sports like jiu-jitsu, Gordon faced repeated skin infections early in his career. The natural solution? Hit it with antibiotics and get back to training. And when it came back? More antibiotics. Eventually, the price of repeatedly wiping out his internal flora came due.
His gut biome – the invisible ecosystem responsible for digestion, nutrient absorption, hormone regulation, and immune response – was devastated. Despite having access to top-level doctors and resources, Gordon found himself in a downward spiral: he couldn’t eat without pain, couldn’t train at full intensity, and described feeling like a “shadow” of himself.
If that sounds extreme, that’s because it is. But it’s also a powerful wake-up call for every solo sport athlete out there – from the weekend grappler to the motocross junkie, the ultrarunner to the barefoot surfer. Because if it can happen to the king, it can happen to any of us.
Antibiotics: Lifesaving… But Not Risk-Free
Let’s get one thing straight: antibiotics save lives. Infections that used to kill people a century ago are now often solved with a simple pill. But that doesn’t mean they’re without consequences – especially when overused.
Antibiotics are like napalm. They wipe out all bacteria, not just the bad stuff. Your gut, which houses trillions of microbes critical for everything from digestion to immune function to mental clarity, gets hit just as hard. And when you take antibiotics frequently, or for extended periods, the
balance of your microbiome gets destroyed. That can lead to:
- Chronic inflammation
- Nutrient malabsorption
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Hormonal imbalances
- Weakened immunity
- Mental fog, anxiety, and fatigue
For athletes who depend on precision, stamina, clarity, and recovery to perform? That’s a nightmare.
Gut Health = Athletic Health
It’s easy to overlook what you can’t see. You feel fine, your diet is clean, you’re hitting the gym hard – why worry about your gut?
Because your gut isn’t just where food gets digested. It’s your command center for recovery, resilience, and even mindset. Over 70% of your immune system lives in your gut. Neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine are largely produced there too. If your gut’s off, everything’s off.
For high-performance, independent athletes – especially those without the infrastructure of big teams or medical staff – it’s even more critical. You are your own performance manager. There’s no trainer or dietician making these calls for you. If you burn out or crash, there’s no bench to sit on. Your health is your responsibility.
Why Independent Athletes Are Especially at Risk
Let’s talk reality: solo sport athletes often push themselves through pain, brush off small injuries, and pride themselves on mental toughness. And while that’s admirable, it’s also risky when it comes to illness.
Take grappling sports like jiu-jitsu or wrestling; skin infections are
common. Someone gets ringworm or staph, and you’re exposed before you even realize it. Motocross riders take tumbles that lead to cuts and scrapes. Surfers and runners alike deal with blisters, bacterial exposure, or travel-related illnesses. The first instinct? Take antibiotics and keep moving.
But too often, there’s no thought given to post-antibiotic recovery. No replenishment of gut flora. No diet changes. Just a repeat cycle of meds and physical punishment. That’s a recipe for chronic illness hiding under the surface.
What Gordon Ryan Got Right (Eventually)
Credit to Gordon Ryan: once he realized how wrecked his internal system had become, he went public with it. He worked with gut specialists, tried extreme dietary changes, and even went as far as stem cell treatment and surgery. His honesty helped shine a light on something many athletes never talk about – because it’s invisible and doesn’t look cool in a highlight reel.
He’s slowly returning to health, but it’s taken years, and he’s still navigating flare-ups. For someone in their athletic prime, that’s devastating. But it’s also a lesson the rest of us can learn from without having to suffer the same.
What You Can Do Now to Protect Your Gut
You don’t need to avoid antibiotics forever. But you do need to respect their power—and act accordingly. Here’s how:
- Don’t take antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. Ask your doctor: “Is this something my immune system can handle on its own?”
- Rebuild your gut flora post-treatment. Probiotic-rich foods like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso can help. Supplementing with a quality probiotic doesn’t hurt either.
- Eat for your gut. Ditch seed oils, refined sugars, and processed junk. Focus on organic, whole foods that nourish you on a microbial level.
- Limit alcohol and NSAIDs. Both damage the gut lining and kill beneficial bacteria.
- Support your immune system naturally. Get sunlight. Sleep well. Stay hydrated. Use natural antimicrobials like garlic and oregano oil when possible.
- Be clean, not sterile. Disinfect your gear, wash regularly, but don’t obsess. Over-sanitizing everything also weakens your natural defense.
- Know your body. If you’re chronically bloated, tired, foggy, or catching every cold, look at your gut first, and then look at your training schedule.
Closing Thoughts: The Strongest Athletes Train Inside-Out
As athletes, we often define strength by what we can lift, how long we can endure, or who we can dominate. But there’s a quieter form of strength – the kind that comes from inside. A healthy gut, balanced immunity, and resilient internal systems are what let you train harder, recover faster, and stay in the game longer.
Gordon Ryan’s journey is a reminder that even the most physically gifted can be brought down by what’s happening under the surface. Don’t wait until your body forces you to pay attention.
Train smart. Fight hard. And take care of the battles happening inside – before they start showing up on the outside.
