Meet Ryan Rutherford

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ryan Rutherford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The idea to start Vice City Striking came from a combination of passion and purpose. Guerby and I always loved combat sports — especially Muay Thai and boxing — and over the years, I saw firsthand how much they can transform people, physically and mentally. After training in different gyms and working in business development, I realized there was an opportunity to create something better: a space that wasn’t just about fighting, but about building confidence, community, and discipline.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started training when I was 16 years old to gain self-confidence, lose weight, and become more athletic for high school sports. I was timid and scared of getting hit at first, but I stuck with it. Through years of trial, error, and consistency, I overcame those fears. By 19, I had lost over 50 pounds and stepped into the ring for my first boxing match.

I eventually fell in love with Muay Thai after visiting Thailand, where I had my first professional fight. Since then, I’ve had 50+ fights across North America, Mexico, and Thailand. It’s been a journey — full of sacrifice, injuries, setbacks, and growth — but every challenge made me tougher and more driven.

Now I get to pass on everything I’ve learned to my students at Vice City Striking, the gym I co-founded with my business partner, Guerby Noel. What sets us apart is that we’re not just another gym — we’re fighters who’ve lived this lifestyle at the highest levels. We’ve been in the ring, we’ve trained in Thailand, and we understand what it takes mentally and physically. That experience informs everything we teach.

I’m most proud of the community we’ve built. We help people of all backgrounds become more confident, disciplined, and resilient — just like I had to when I first started.

Was it easy? Not at all. But I believe growth only happens when you step outside your comfort zone. That’s the mindset we try to instill in everyone who walks through our doors. I want the world to know that Vice City Striking is more than a fight gym — it’s a place where people come to level up in all areas of life. That’s our mission, and it’s why we do what we do

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend visited Miami for a week, I’d give them a mix of classic spots and local gems. We’d hit South Beach, grab lunch at Joe’s Take Away, and walk through South Pointe Park. We’d train at Vice City Striking, then brunch at Greenstreet Café and explore the Pérez Art Museum. One day would be all about Little Havana—café con leche at Versailles, sandwiches at Sanguich, and live music at Ball & Chain. We’d take a day trip to Key Largo for paddleboarding and seafood at Alabama Jack’s. We’d explore Wynwood’s art, grab tacos at Coyo, and dine at Mandolin. To wind down, we’d visit Vizcaya Gardens and end with Thai food at Lung Yai.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who deserve recognition in my journey, but if I had to highlight a few, I’d start with my business partner Guerby Noel. We built Vice City Striking from the ground up, and his dedication, experience, and passion have been a huge part of our success.

I also want to shout out my first coach, Rich Whiteneck, who introduced me to the sport and laid the foundation for everything that came after. Every round, every rep, every lesson — it all started with him.

To all my former training partners over the years, thank you. You pushed me, challenged me, and made me better — not just as a fighter but as a person. And a huge thank you to Sitmonchai Gym in Thailand for showing me what true Muay Thai culture is all about. Training there changed my perspective and deepened my respect for the art.

Website: https://vicecitystriking.com

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