Community rallies for gym owner hurt after falling through ceiling

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Cape Fear community is coming together in a time of need to help out a local gym owner after a scary accident.

Ryan Gillespie injured after freak accident at his gym, Peak Athletics. (Photo: Ryan Gillespie)

Ryan Gillespie owns Peak Athletics in Wilmington. A normal day on the job last week nearly turned devastating. Gillespie was working in the attic of the gym when the ceiling collapsed and he fell to the ground, suffering multiple fractures to his neck.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover his medical costs and has since raised more than $35,500. Sam Baker, who was with him when it happened, says he always helps others and now he needs the community’s help.

“He’s just a beacon and a light to so many people,” Baker said. “So, I wanted to be able to make sure that he made it through cause he knew he was just barely hanging on. It’s just been so great seeing the outstanding support from everybody in our community. We were able to reach over $25,000 in the first 48 hours.”

The overwhelming support doesn’t surprise those who know him personally, simply because of the impact he has had on so many lives.

“You don’t meet people like Ryan very often in your life,”says gym client Will Daube. “He came at a really important time in mine and my families life. My sister was going through a really significant loss and this gym has been a place for her to recover from grief.”

It won’t be an easy road to recovery for Gillespie with surgery and months of physical therapy. His staff says you’ll be hard pressed to find a tougher person. They know with everyone’s help, he’ll be back in the gym making that same impact before we know it.

“Just talking to him this week I know he’s trying to get back as soon as he can, but obviously you know it’s going to take time,”says Peak Athletics employee Jake Hamby. “He’s going to fight and as soon as he’s ready to go I’m sure he’ll be back in here working eight and nine hours days like he normally is.”

Gillespie is expected to have surgery on his neck in the coming weeks.