Most people walk past the training room without a second thought. But inside, stories unfold of quiet patience, small victories and people finding their way back to themselves.

At the center of it all is Ryan Duffy, who has been the assistant athletic trainer at SUNY Old Westbury since 2017. His calm presence and steady energy make him the person people turn to when they need to be heard.

“You’d be surprised how many times you just ask the innocent question of how are you, and they’ll start off by saying, ‘Oh, I’m good,’ and then they just start pouring things out,” Duffy said. “Sometimes they just need someone to listen.”

That patience defines him more than any title. He is someone who notices when others do not.

A person who pays attention when people say they are fine but are not.

Growing up in Holtsville, New York, Duffy spent his childhood playing baseball and soccer before discovering running in high school.

“After three years of coasting along, my senior year I decided I wanted to be one of the top runners,” he said.

He credits his high school coach for teaching him focus and accountability.

“My coach pressed all the right buttons to help me focus my energy and really dedicate myself,” he said.

That lesson shaped how he approaches life. It taught him consistency and heart.

Duffy believes mental and physical health go hand in hand.

“You can be in really good physical health, but if your mental health is not in a good place, it doesn’t really matter,” he said. “You’re not functioning at an optimal state.”

He’s learned that balance means slowing down.

“I try to put my phone away, especially in the morning and at night,” he said. “I try to unplug, read a book, ride my bike or lift weights.”

Those small moments of peace keep him grounded. They remind him that caring for others starts with caring for yourself.

Duffy admits that empathy is both his strength and his weakness.

“Maybe it’s a soft spot,” he said. “You want to be there for them, but you have to remember your job is to keep them safe.”

That self awareness drives his honesty. He believes compassion means doing what’s right, even when it’s difficult.

He still remembers one of the most rewarding experiences of his career.

A basketball player he worked with had faced constant setbacks.

“He had a laundry list of issues,” Duffy said. “Some were physical, some were general health, and every time he got close, something would set him back.”

After years of frustration, that player finally stepped back onto the court.

“We worked together for two years, and when he finally got back on the court at the end of the season, that was really rewarding,” Duffy said.

Moments like that reflect who Duffy is a person driven by care.

His strength doesn’t come from pressure or attention. It comes from quiet consistency and the belief that showing up for others matters most.