Ryan Holiday

Biography

Few writers have done more to bring ancient, timeless wisdom and cutting-edge marketing strategies together than Ryan Holiday. By age 31, his philosophically-driven bestselling books have not only sold nearly two million copies, but they’ve directly influenced Super Bowl-winning teams like the New England Patriots, World Series champions like the Houston Astros and Olympic Gold Medalists, as well as sitting Senators, military leaders and some of the biggest and most important companies in the world like Google, Twitter and Microsoft.

At the core of Ryan’s teachings is Stoicism, a philosophy he has brought back from ancient Rome and into the workplace, entrepreneurship, politics, and sports. What is Stoicism? The idea that while we don’t always control what happens to us in life, we always control how we respond. It’s this message– a framework for overcoming obstacles, scaling new challenges and battling both the ups and downs and life, illustrated vividly with stories from the greats (and not-so-greats) of history– that has brought Ryan in front of some of the most influential audiences in the world. He’s been profiled by the New York Times, Sports Illustrated and ESPN, and he counts among his clients and followers, some of the biggest names in business, tech, culture and professional athletics.

With a thirst for knowledge outside academic norms, after dropping out of college, Ryan’s marketing career has been equally groundbreaking. Beginning at 21 as the Director of Marketing for American Apparel and through his creative agency, Brass Check, his clients consist of a who’s who of hot brands and businesses. His book Trust Me I’m Lying was the first to reveal the massive vulnerabilities (and opportunities) in the global media system in 2012. His book Growth Hacker Marketing is a bible for startups and Fortune 500 companies alike. Both books are taught in colleges and design programs around the world and his most recent book, Conspiracy, is being adapted into a major motion picture.

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The Four Tenets of Stoic Leadership: Wisdom, Courage, Temperance, and Justice

Embracing the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and applying the principles to modern leadership, Ryan shares how to lead with integrity by aligning your actions with your values, how to build resilience in the face of adversity, how to lead with wisdom by understanding the bigger picture, and how to lead with equanimity by maintaining a sense of balance and perspective. In this presentation, Ryan dives into Stoic principles and tools to apply them in your own leadership journey, regardless of whether you are a business leader, entrepreneur, or just looking to lead with integrity, resilience, wisdom, and equanimity. It’s time to embrace the Stoic philosophy and lead with a new perspective.

The Obstacle Is the Way

In this talk, Ryan delves into the wisdom of history’s greatest figures and how they used obstacles as the stepping stones to success. From ancient philosophers to modern-day business leaders, he shares examples of how embracing the challenges that stand in our way can help us achieve our goals. He’ll show how to turn setbacks into opportunities, how to use adversity to your advantage, and how to find hidden opportunities in every obstacle. By the end of this talk, audiences will have a new perspective on the challenges they face and be equipped with practical strategies to overcome them. This talk is perfect for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to gain an edge in today’s competitive marketplace. It’s time to stop seeing obstacles as roadblocks and start seeing them as the path to success.

Conquer Your Ego

Sharing insights and strategies from the wisdom of ancient thinkers and contemporary leaders, on how to manage and transcend the ego, Ryan discusses how the ego can hold us back at every stage of life and how to be liberated to accomplish the world-changing work you’ve set out to achieve. Ryan will provide practical understanding to identify when your ego is getting in the way, how to separate your sense of self from your actions, and how to cultivate humility and self-awareness. By the end of this talk, you’ll have a deeper grasp of your own ego and the tools to conquer it, allowing you to achieve your full potential and make a real difference in the world.

Lasting Impact

What is the difference between products and companies that appear in our lives as fads for a short while, and those that have a lasting impact on the way we think, live, and work? In this speech, you’ll learn what makes a product or company truly valuable, how to build a brand that stands the test of time, and how to create products and services that solve real problems and improve people’s lives. You’ll have a deeper understanding of what it takes to create a lasting impact in the marketplace and in the lives of your customers. Ryan will showcase specific examples of brands and products that have achieved this generational success, and how to approach product building and brand building in a way that creates long-term benefit for your customer, and true worth for your company.

Testimonials

As the founder of The Do Lectures, I get to watch all the talks each year. I have seen over 250 of them. I get asked which ones stand out, all the time. But the better question is which ones do I refer to each day. Which ones help me do more, do better, and keep pushing forward. Ryan Holiday’s talk at Do Wales was a Masterclass for me. Inspirational and brilliant, yes, but it’s more than just words. It is a methodology, an operating system for getting sh*t done. I refer to it every single day.

– The DO Lectures

Ryan didn’t just tell a story on stage; he provided our crowd with a keynote stuffed with hands-on knowledge from his day-to-day work life. He truly rocked our stage, delivering inspiring and real-world-ready know-how on billion dollar brands, including growth hacking insights that can be applied the next day in the office.

– Marketing Rockstars

Ryan Holiday was charged with opening our first Marketing event, a conference which had never been hosted and for which our audience of marketers and ad agencies had high expectations. He truly lived up to the challenge with an inspiring, attention-catching talk filled with real-world examples. He proved to be an excellent and engaging speaker; he set the bar high for the rest of the day.

– Editions Infopresse

I have booked, vetted, and experienced A LOT of keynote speakers. Ryan Holiday is the rare blend of a total pro who’s also likeable and approachable. He brings an “everyman” spirit to a topic that could go over heads in the wrong hands. Ryan’s content was insightful, relevant, timely, and forward thinking. He considered my audience. This wasn’t a plug and play keynote. He knew how to make this a win for ME. To this day I still get notes from our members that attended that event telling me what an impact it had on their lives and their business.

– EO Colorado

Ryan Holiday is one of his generation’s finest thinkers.

– Steven Pressfield, author of the New York Times bestseller The War of Art

Holiday is part Machiavelli, part Ogilvy, and all results…this whiz kid is the secret weapon you’ve never heard of.

– Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek and Tools of Titan

Booksby Ryan Holiday

Discipline is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control

Courage is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave

The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph

Ego Is the Enemy

Stillness Is the Key

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

The Daily Stoic Journal: 366 Days of Writing and Reflection on the Art of Living

Lives of the Stoics: The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius

Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator

Growth Hacker Marketing: A Primer on the Future of PR, Marketing, and Advertising

Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts

Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue

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