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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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

Blog Posts

The Power of Optimism & Choosing to Focus Forward

Learn practical tips to cultivate optimism daily, plus insights on how optimism differs from hope and why it’s so powerful in creating meaningful connections.

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How Events Are Shaping Experiences and Exceeding Expectations

Discover how events are evolving into immersive experiences and learn how to exceed attendee expectations.

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The Power of Improvisation in an AI-Driven World

Discover the power of improvisation in an AI-driven world, enhancing adaptability, teamwork, and authentic human connection with insights from expert keynote speakers.

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What You Can Do to Overcome Your Insecurities

Discover how to overcome insecurities in leadership with insights from keynote speaker Michelle Anne Johnson, focusing on personal empowerment and success.

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How to Teach Kids Accountability So They Can Thrive in Life

Learn how to teach kids accountability and leadership through lessons on integrity and decision-making with insights from motivational speaker Rashmi Airan.

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Lessons From Disney’s Magical Customer Experience with Dennis Snow

Discover lessons from Disney's magical customer experience and how to create brand loyalty and employee engagement with leadership keynote speaker Dennis Snow.

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Blog Posts

 

The Power of Optimism & Choosing to Focus Forward

Learn practical tips to help you cultivate optimism daily, plus insights on how optimism differs...

Read More

How Events Are Shaping Experiences and Exceeding Expectations

Events are rapidly transforming from traditional gatherings into immersive experiences that captivate attendees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7TJEdYZDgc&list=PLXTlGHk63lLgbS8LN-PENXDzwMdqWAnOm With...

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The Power of Improvisation in an AI-Driven World

Why Improvisation is Essential in a Tech-Focused Era In an era where artificial intelligence is...

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What You Can Do to Overcome Your Insecurities

Understanding Insecurities and Their Impact on Leadership https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9JD7cEZlfE&list=PLXTlGHk63lLgbS8LN-PENXDzwMdqWAnOm Insecurities affect how we present ourselves, especially...

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How to Teach Kids Accountability So They Can Thrive in Life

The Power of Teaching Accountability Through Leadership and Integrity https://youtu.be/Vn0nJwyDSHI As parents, we all want...

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Lessons From Disney’s Magical Customer Experience with Dennis Snow

What Makes Disney’s Customer Experience Unforgettable? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g09WV73f6MM&list=PLXTlGHk63lLhUq_lEU1bnM3LbQgMfwD-u Watch this week’s podcast episode here: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon...

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