Business Administration Student is Man of Many Talents and Abilities

Ryan Balintfy is No Lightweight

At 156 pounds, Ryan Balintfy is considered a lightweight. That’s the only time that word might apply to this Virginia Beach Business Administration student and MMA fighter. For most of his life, Ryan has been a man of action. At age four, he began studying martial arts. After high school, he joined the Army and saw his fair share of combat.

After completing his service in 2012, Ryan figured there were two things he needed to do…find an outlet for his aggression and continue his education. “When you’ve seen as much combat as I have, later on you really need to channel that energy in a positive way,” says Ryan. He did that by competing in MMA or mixed martial arts. Later, he began working as a personal trainer and coaching other fighters.

Ryan soon realized what he really wanted to do is open his own gym. To succeed, however, he would need solid business skills. That’s when he turned to ECPI University, enrolling at the Virginia Beach campus to earn his degree in Business Administration. “I love this school!” he says. “Everyone at ECPI really understands the needs of veterans and they offer plenty of one-on-one help when you need it.

“I also like the quick five-week terms and being able to focus on just two classes at a time. It’s sort of like the way we trained in the Army, hands-on and fast-paced. It allows me to challenge myself just like I do when I am in the ring fighting. I see myself growing in so many ways. Take my checkbook, for instance. It used to be a mess. Now, I run my bank account like I would a business. And that’s important, because within the next few years, I will be running a business.”