From the Olympic Arena to the Financial Arena: How Athletic Discipline Fuels Success in Finance

In the world of professional sports, athletes are renowned for their extraordinary discipline, resilience, and focus. These traits not only drive them to victory but also provide a strong foundation for success in other fields. We recently had an inspiring conversation with Ryan Patterson, a Senior Director at IEQ Capital and a former South African gymnastics team member at the 2016 Rio Olympics. His journey from the Olympic gymnastics floor to the boardroom at IEQ Capital exemplifies how discipline and resilience can transcend career boundaries. 

Could you start by sharing a bit about your personal and professional background? 

I was born in South Africa and later moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where my passion for sports truly took off. Moving at a young age meant finding a whole new friend group, so my parents introduced me to various sports and teams, but my competitive nature, love of a challenge, and high energy drove me to gymnastics, where I was hooked from an early age. In 2008, my coach shared a plan he had created, which detailed the steps needed to qualify for the Olympics and represent my home country, South Africa. From then on, that plan was a blueprint and guided the high-level approach to my gymnastics career, culminating in qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

What inspired you to become a professional athlete, and how did you make that decision? 

While becoming a professional athlete was not an explicit goal early on, gymnastics and the Olympics go hand-in-hand, so competing at that level was always in the back of my mind. Once I started to excel and progress quickly, the support and encouragement from my coaches, parents, and teammates was the key driver in deciding to go “all-in”. Their belief in me helped me commit fully to gymnastics and aim for the Olympics. 

Can you describe the journey leading up to the Rio 2016 Olympics and some key challenges you faced?

In the 18 months leading up to the Olympics, my team and I intentionally decided to intensify my training. This period coincided with the end of my senior year at UC Berkeley, so I reduced my junior year course load to allow for more a more focused training schedule. Additionally, the Olympic qualifying event overlapped with my senior year NCAA Championships, so we chose to forego my final year of collegiate competition and fully commit to the goal.

Yet, as much as we prepare, there are always unforeseen challenges. Several months before the Olympics, I was confronted with a serious shoulder injury and forced to choose between surgery – i.e., not competing – or significantly adjusting my training and preparation. However, it was a valuable lesson in resilience and adaptability, and taught me the importance of quickly adjusting to course changes and continuing to pursue my goal.   

Did you have any pre-competition rituals or routines that were crucial for your performance, and do you still use any of those rituals today? 

Before competitions, my main rituals involved visualization and mental rehearsal. I would mentally walk through my routines and visualize every detail, including small movements, to ensure I was fully prepared. Given my shoulder injury leading up to the competition, this mental preparation was even more critical and became as important as my physical training. Not too dissimilar, in my role at IEQ, I still use mental techniques and mindfulness breaks to stay focused and maintain a strong mindset.

How have the skills and discipline from your athletic career translated into your daily life and work? 

I credit much of the discipline and focus I maintain today in my professional life to my athletic development. At IEQ Capital, I apply the same commitment to team collaboration, attention to detail, time management, and high-quality work that I practiced in gymnastics.

Furthermore, competitive sports taught me the importance of striving for excellence while effectively prioritizing all other aspects of life. I learned to handle stress and adapt to challenging situations, which has helped me thrive in high-pressure environments.  

In any field, success often comes from the desire to win and the ability to handle daily challenges, and continuously learn from them. The resilience and adaptability I developed in sports have been invaluable in navigating the demands of my career at IEQ.

What motivated your transition from a career in sports to finance, and how did you make that shift? 

I transitioned from sports to finance, seeking new challenges and personal growth. Inspired by former athletes, University teammates, and UC Berkeley alumni who successfully moved into finance, I decided to explore this field. Although my interests in sports and finance are distinct from one another, they complement each other well.

Conversations with former gymnasts, some of whom were in finance, highlighted the competitive spirit and love for challenges that resonated with me. This, combined with my desire for a blend of intellectual and social engagement, guided me toward finance. 

I approached the transition with the same intensity I applied to gymnastics and, within a week of competing at the Rio Olympics, I joined the IEQ Capital team, fully committed to embracing this new challenge with the same dedication.

What advice would you offer to others looking to transition from high-performance careers to new fields? 

Transitioning from a high-performance career to a new field can be both exciting and challenging. My advice is to leverage the unique experiences and skills you've developed in your previous role and build strong professional relationships in your new field.

High-performance individuals, especially those from sports backgrounds, are often independent and may be accustomed to handling challenges on their own. However, it's important to recognize that transitioning to a new career doesn't have to be a solitary endeavor. Building and utilizing a strong network of colleagues, mentors, and industry connections can be incredibly beneficial. 

Additionally, embrace the transition with determination and an open mind. Apply your previous career's skills and work ethic to your new field, and be willing to adapt and learn. Building relationships early and staying engaged with your network can lead to impactful and beneficial connections, ultimately helping you succeed in your new career. 

How do you try to lift up and inspire your IEQ colleagues? 

In everything I do, I look for ways to drive collaboration and create a supportive environment. I try to engage with colleagues from different teams to identify and address inefficiencies and needs. Our professional achievements are a result of our shared efforts, and we are all working towards the same goal, so I’ve found that engaging with colleagues from different teams to identify and address inefficiencies has been beneficial for the firm broadly and all individuals involved. We support each other in every possible way, which has been a key factor in our collective success.  I’ve always felt that this has been a focus at IEQ, and it has fostered an environment where we can all thrive and grow together.  

What future goals or aspirations do you have, both professionally and personally? 

These past few years, I’ve been able to check off a few personal goals, which includes getting married to my wife, Kristina. So, we are letting that sink in and soaking it up. Outside of that, I still have a love for competition and for pushing the limit. Last year, some IEQ colleagues and I competed in the 29029 Everesting Challenge on Whistler Mountain. I placed third alongside my colleague, Brendon Kempin, and supported my other IEQ colleague, Daniel Hill, while he placed first. It was an incredible experience, and I was honored to have done that with my teammates. We are all on the lookout for that next challenge.

Professionally, I have been with the IEQ for eight years, and it has been amazing to watch the firm grow and contribute to that growth to what it is today. I’m so grateful for my time here and excited to see where we go from here.   

Ryan Patterson’s journey illustrates how the discipline and resilience honed through professional sports can impact success in other fields. His transition from gymnastics to finance showcases the power of applying athletic principles—such as goal-setting, strategic thinking, and managing pressure—to achieve professional excellence. This interview underscores the valuable lessons learned from his athletic career and how those lessons continue to drive his success and contributions at IEQ Capital.