Ryan Borger's transition from professional triathlete to top-performing real estate agent is a story of resilience and adaptability. With more than 11 years in the industry and over $175 million in sales volume, Ryan's journey highlights his relentless pursuit of success.

Growing up in Denver’s Wellshire/Southern Hills neighborhood, Ryan attended Denver Christian High School, when it was located at Pearl & Evans near the University of Denver. He earned a scholarship to run track & field and cross country at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Two years after graduating college, he moved from Santa Barbara back to Denver after securing a spot on a triathlon team in Colorado to pursue his professional triathlon license with the goal of racing on the pro circuit. After hundreds and hundreds of hours of training and hard work, he won an amateur race in Texas and earned his elite/pro license. From then on, Ryan went all in on the sport.

From 2010 to 2014, Ryan competed as a professional triathlete, racing all over the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and even lining up against Olympic gold medalists and world champions. “Looking back, it was definitely the coolest part of my life,” Ryan reflects. However, eventual injuries and financial instability led him to consider new opportunities. “My life as a pro triathlete had a lot of ups and downs. I was living my athletic dream after years of hard work, but at the same time, it was often a lonely lifestyle. Many weeks I would be training 30-35 hours, mostly solo. I started to long for more social interaction. My Saturdays almost always consisted of 5-7 hour bike rides (followed by a run), often in my basement on a bike trainer, especially during the winter months.”

The pivotal moment came in 2013 when Ryan was recovering from foot surgery after breaking a foot bone while running. With a pink cast to celebrate the birth of his daughter and on a knee scooter to get around, he decided to sign up for real estate licensing school & dive into real estate to help his father sell rental properties. His first three listings were in Harvey Park, including two mid-century modern Cliff May homes, which marked the beginning of a new chapter. “I started to learn about mid-century modern architecture and got really into it,” Ryan recalls.

Ryan's had an extensive background in fixing and flipping anything and everything he could get his hands on and make a buck – it started with hunting for golf balls at Wellshire Golf Course in his youth, cleaning them up and re-selling them on the course to golfers (before getting chased away by the course marshal as he was “competing with the pro shop).” Years later Ryan started flipping bikes & bike parts, furniture, and even motorcycles and cars.  Naturally, this transitioned into flipping houses. From 2014 to 2022, he flipped around 30 houses and ventured into development projects, partnering with builders on new construction homes. “I’ve always hustled since I was young. It’s in my blood. Hard work is all I know, and my father was the example for me,” Ryan shares, reflecting on his entrepreneurial spirit. His hands-on experience with these projects has given him a unique edge in the real estate market, particularly in Denver, where mid-century modern architecture has a significant following. He has a keen eye for construction and is able to advise his real estate clients with remodeling & design ideas as well. Once he started using social media to let friends and family know he was a real estate agent, “it took off from there,” he notes.

Despite significant health challenges, including a battle with bladder cancer in 2013 and later a rare autoimmune disease, Ryan’s outlook remains positive. These experiences have shaped his perspective on life and work, highlighting the importance of mental health and balance, especially after his health problems triggered severe anxiety. “Facing these health issues made me realize the importance of being present for my family first and foremost,” he says. Ryan’s goal is to be the best dad, friend, husband, and realtor he can be. “Every day is a gift, and we are not guaranteed another day,” he emphasizes. “I think it’s important to use your gifs and work hard, but we need to remember we can’t take money with us when our time here is up. Sometimes time is the most precious resource we have.”

That is why Ryan enjoys spending quality time with his wife of 13 years, Amy, and his three daughters - Lucy, Josie, and Riley, embracing the joy of everyday moments. He still loves endurance sports of all kinds, enjoys skiing and mountain biking, and now gets to be a superfan at his kids’ sports games. His commitment extends beyond his family and professional life. He and his wife support several charities, including How 101, which aids youth in Uganda and Kenya, and Kids Across America, a cause close to his heart from his college days.

Ryan's career in real estate is marked by impressive achievements. For instance, he was ranked #3 in sales volume for HomeSmart among over 3,000 Colorado agents. However, despite his achievements, Ryan remains grounded in his principles. “Success is not about the sales volume or awards. It’s about making the most of each day and positively impacting those around us,” he asserts. “Our value and self-worth have nothing to do with sales volume or whether we make it into the top 200 in Real Producers magazine, for example.”

As a REALTOR®, Ryan values the connections he makes with clients and finds immense satisfaction in helping them achieve their dreams. “I’m passionate about the relational aspect of the job and make it a goal to build deep relationships with my clients, not just surface-level small-talk relationships,” he says. “The most rewarding part of my job is all the new relationships I’ve gained from being in the business. I really love what I do.”   

Ryan Borger's journey from pro triathlete (and cancer survivor) to top REALTOR® is a story of resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His achievements in real estate, combined with his dedication to his clients and community, make him a standout figure in the Denver market.