Ryan Holiday QUOTES

Ryan Holiday
Bio

Ryan Holiday, born on June 16, 1987, is an American author, marketer, entrepreneur, and modern Stoic philosopher. He is renowned for his efforts in popularizing Stoic philosophy through his writings and public engagements.

Holiday grew up in Sacramento, California, with his father serving as a police detective and his mother as a high school principal. He briefly attended the University of California, Riverside, where he studied political science and creative writing before leaving at the age of 19 to pursue opportunities in marketing and writing.

Holiday began his career working with author Robert Greene, known for "The 48 Laws of Power." He later served as the director of marketing for American Apparel, where he gained significant experience in branding and media strategies. His first book, "Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator" (2012), offers an insider's perspective on media manipulation and its effects on public perception.

Transitioning from marketing to philosophy, Holiday authored "The Obstacle Is the Way" (2014), introducing Stoic principles to a modern audience. The book emphasizes reframing obstacles as opportunities, a concept that resonated with various professionals, including athletes and business leaders. His subsequent works, "Ego Is the Enemy" (2016) and "The Daily Stoic" (2016), further explore Stoic themes, with the latter providing daily meditations on wisdom and perseverance.

Holiday's influence extends to professional sports teams, political figures, and tech executives who seek practical applications of Stoic philosophy in high-pressure environments. His approachable writing style and ability to relate ancient wisdom to contemporary challenges have contributed to the resurgence of interest in Stoicism.

Holiday owns and operates the Painted Porch Bookshop in Bastrop, Texas, where he resides with his wife and two sons on a 40-acre ranch. Beyond writing and philosophy, he is also a musician, drawing inspiration from bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden.

Bibliography

  • "Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator" (2012)
  • "The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph" (2014)
  • "Ego Is the Enemy" (2016)
  • "The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living" (2016)
  • "Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts" (2017)
  • "Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue" (2018)
  • "Stillness Is the Key" (2019)
  • "Lives of the Stoics: The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius" (2020)
  • "Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave" (2021)
  • "Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control" (2022)
  • "The Daily Dad: 366 Meditations on Parenting, Love, and Raising Great Kids" (2023)

Through his extensive body of work, Ryan Holiday has played a pivotal role in reviving interest in Stoic philosophy, making it accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences seeking practical guidance for personal and professional growth.

False ideas about yourself destroy you. For me, I always stay a student. That’s what martial arts are about, and you have to use that humility as a tool. You put yourself beneath someone you trust.
Of course, when pushed, the natural instinct is always to push back. But martial arts teach us that we have to ignore this impulse. We can’t push back, we have to pull until opponents lose their balance. Then we make our move.