Ryan Finch

02 — Interests

The things I keep coming back to.

Soccer, golf, travel, and a stack of books that keep changing the way I think.

Ryan Finch receiving a Colorado Soccer Association coaching award.
Soccer · 20+ years coaching

Playing & coaching for more than 20 years.

At a young age, my parents switched me to a different soccer team simply because they practiced across the street from our house. Looking back, that small decision had a huge impact on my life. The team had an incredible coach who made the game fun, competitive, and challenging — and I quickly fell in love with it.

Shortly after graduating from college, I began coaching competitively and discovered how much I enjoyed teaching and developing young players. I earned my US Soccer National C License and coached for nine years before taking a short break after starting a family. Once my oldest turned three, I stepped back in by leading her team, and I’ve continued ever since.

What I love most about soccer is that it is perfectly imperfect. No matter how long you play or coach, you can never fully master the game.

One of my favorite memories as a player came at 14 years old, competing in the Holland Cup in Amsterdam. Our team won the tournament after surviving three consecutive penalty shootouts — including the championship match against a team from Italy.

Golf

A game played against yourself.

Ryan at Bear Dance golf course in Colorado with mountain backdrop.

Bear Dance, Colorado

Ryan teeing off at Pelican Hill Golf Club, Newport Beach.

Pelican Hill, Newport Beach

Course vista at The Grand Golf Club, San Diego.

The Grand, San Diego

I’ve been playing more consistently for the past four years. My game is at the level where I’ve learned when to pick my ball up and keep things moving — but I’m still improving every season. Favorite Colorado courses: Bear Dance, Arrowhead, Red Hawk Ridge, and The Ridge at Castle Pines North.

Most memorable rounds have come further from home: Bully Pulpit in Medora, North Dakota; The Grand in San Diego; Pelican Hill in Newport Beach; and Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine, Texas. For me, golf is a chance to slow down and be present with the people I’m with. Real conversations, shared moments, no distractions.

Travel

Understanding how people actually live.

What interests me most about travel isn’t just seeing the sights — it’s understanding how people live there. The day-to-day rhythm of a place, how people work, spend time with family, and connect with their community.

One of my favorite destinations has been St. Lucia. The island has a way of slowing everything down — the weather, the scenery, the food, the hospitality. But what truly makes it meaningful are the people I’ve shared those trips with.

I also love the historical layer of a place. Once, on a business trip in New Orleans, a sponsor took a few of us on a half-day driving tour of the neighborhoods and landmarks. Hearing the stories in the place itself was a kind of learning I won’t forget.

Reading

Books that shaped how I think about money — and life.

  • The Most Important Thing — Howard Marks. A breakdown of the nuances behind investing and financial decision-making.
  • Die With Zero — Bill Perkins. Changed how I think about wealth: from something to accumulate, to a tool for creating meaningful experiences.
  • The Art of Spending Money. Practical context on how to derive real, lasting enjoyment from money.
  • The Psychology of Money. How perceptions, experiences, and emotions shape every financial decision we make.
  • 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management. A practical reminder that time, not money, is our most valuable resource.
Next — 03

Philosophy