Raj Sisodia
Co-Founder of Conscious Capitalism, Inc. | FEMSA Distinguished Professor at Tec de Monterrey | Bestselling Author & Speaker on Purpose-Driven Business
Ryan Holiday
#1 NYT Bestselling Author | 10M+ Books Sold in 40+ Languages | Stoicism, Resilience & Leadership
Ryan Holiday has sold over 10 million books in 40+ languages — including the #1 NYT bestselling Stoic Virtues Series — making him one of the world's most widely read living philosophers. He has shaped how NFL champions, Olympic athletes, and Fortune 500 leaders think about resilience, ego, and performance. His keynotes translate 2,000 years of Stoic wisdom into tools executives use the next day.
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Ryan Holiday biography
Few thinkers have done more to resurrect ancient philosophy and make it actionable for modern leaders than bestselling author speaker Ryan Holiday. With over 10 million books sold across more than 40 languages and more than 300 weeks collectively on bestseller lists, Holiday has built one of the most enduring and commercially impactful literary careers of his generation — not through academic credentials, but through the rare ability to translate Stoic wisdom into frameworks that executives, athletes, military leaders, and entrepreneurs actually use.
Holiday dropped out of the University of California, Riverside at 19 to work in Hollywood, becoming Director of Marketing at American Apparel by 21. His 2012 debut, Trust Me, I’m Lying, exposed the hidden mechanics of media manipulation — a book now taught in university marketing programs worldwide. His consulting firm, Brass Check, has advised organizations including Google, Twitter, Microsoft, and some of the world’s most prominent entertainers and authors.
The Stoicism pivot changed everything. The Obstacle Is the Way (2014) became a quiet phenomenon, circulating through NFL locker rooms, NBA front offices, the U.S. military, and Fortune 500 boardrooms. Super Bowl champion teams including the New England Patriots, NBA champions the San Antonio Spurs, and Olympic gold medalists have drawn on Holiday’s work. His Daily Stoic newsletter and podcast have cultivated one of the most engaged philosophy audiences anywhere online. He also owns and operates The Painted Porch, an independent bookstore in Bastrop, Texas — a living extension of his belief in books as engines of transformation.
The Stoic Virtues Series and Wisdom Takes Work
Holiday’s most ambitious publishing project, the #1 New York Times bestselling Stoic Virtues Series, spans four books: Courage Is Calling, Discipline Is Destiny, Right Thing, Right Now, and Wisdom Takes Work (2025) — the culminating volume, which argues that wisdom is the master virtue on which all others depend. The series represents a sustained intellectual project translating Stoic ethics into a practical code for modern life, from individual resilience to organizational leadership and moral decision-making under pressure.
As a speaker, Ryan Holiday delivers something rare on the keynote circuit: a philosophy-grounded framework for performance, resilience, and ethical leadership that resonates equally with C-suite executives and rising managers. His talks go beyond inspiration — audiences leave with Stoic tools they can apply immediately to ego management, obstacle reframing, building lasting organizations, and leading with integrity. Senior leaders consistently cite Holiday’s keynotes among the most practically impactful they have experienced.
Ryan Holiday Speaking Videos
Ryan Holiday - The Obstacle is the Way
Ryan Holiday speaking for Alabama Football - Ego is the Enemy
Ryan Holiday Keynote Topics
Drawing on the Stoic principle that the obstacle itself becomes the path forward, this keynote gives leaders a replicable framework for transforming setbacks into strategic momentum. Holiday weaves together examples from history — Roman emperors, military commanders, great athletes — alongside modern organizational case studies to show how the most resilient companies and individuals share a counterintuitive approach to adversity. Attendees leave with a concrete mental model for reframing pressure, failure, and uncertainty as fuel rather than friction.
Success is often the greatest threat to continued success — and ego is the mechanism through which high performers and organizations undermine their own progress. In this talk, Holiday examines how unchecked ego manifests at every stage of a career: in aspiration, in achievement, and in adversity. Drawing from his #1 bestseller and from the stories of leaders who rose and fell by their relationship with ego, he delivers a frank and practical guide to staying grounded, coachable, and effective as stakes increase.
In an era of constant noise, digital distraction, and reactive decision-making, stillness — the ability to think clearly, act deliberately, and remain present — has become one of the rarest and most valuable leadership capabilities. Holiday argues that history's most effective leaders, from Marcus Aurelius to Winston Churchill, cultivated an inner discipline that allowed them to operate at their best under maximum pressure. This session helps executives and their teams build the mental and behavioral habits that enable clarity, better decisions, and sustained performance.
Based on Holiday's culminating volume in the Stoic Virtues Series, this keynote makes the case for wisdom as the master virtue — the one on which courage, discipline, and justice all depend. In a world that rewards reaction over reflection, Holiday explores how leaders can develop genuine judgment: through reading, self-education, intellectual humility, and the willingness to question their own assumptions. Audiences leave with a personal curriculum for building the kind of wisdom that compounds over a career.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Ryan Holiday
Why Ryan Holiday?
Booking Ryan Holiday for your event is an investment in one of the most intellectually compelling and practically impactful speakers on the global circuit. As the author of over 10 million books sold across 40+ languages — including the #1 New York Times bestselling Stoic Virtues Series — Holiday brings a body of work that has already transformed how NFL teams, Olympic athletes, military leaders, and Fortune 500 executives think about resilience, ego, discipline, and leadership. Unlike motivational speakers who offer energy without substance, Holiday delivers structured frameworks rooted in 2,000 years of Stoic philosophy, translated into tools audiences can apply the next day. His keynotes are meticulously tailored and consistently cited as highlights of the events where he appears. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to check his availability and receive a personalized booking proposal.
What is Ryan Holiday known for?
Ryan Holiday is best known for bringing Stoicism — the ancient philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus — to mainstream audiences through his bestselling books. The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, and Stillness Is the Key are among the most widely read leadership books of the past decade, with influence spanning professional sports, the U.S. military, Silicon Valley, and global business. He is also recognized as a former Director of Marketing at American Apparel, a media critic (Trust Me, I'm Lying), and the founder of The Daily Stoic, one of the world's largest Stoicism platforms.
How many books has Ryan Holiday sold?
Ryan Holiday's books have sold over 10 million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than 40 languages. His titles have collectively spent over 300 weeks on major bestseller lists. His #1 New York Times bestselling Stoic Virtues Series — comprising Courage Is Calling, Discipline Is Destiny, Right Thing, Right Now, and Wisdom Takes Work — represents his most ambitious and commercially successful publishing project to date.
What topics does speaker Ryan Holiday cover in his keynotes?
Speaker Ryan Holiday covers resilience and obstacle reframing, ego and self-mastery, Stoic leadership and ethics, building lasting organizations, discipline and high performance, and the philosophy of wisdom in decision-making. His talks are relevant for leadership summits, sales conferences, organizational culture events, and any audience facing uncertainty, high pressure, or significant change. Whether your audience is navigating disruption or driving growth, Holiday's Stoic framework offers a timeless and actionable lens. Reach out to Aurum Speakers Bureau for full topic descriptions and to explore the best fit for your event.
How to book Ryan Holiday as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Ryan Holiday as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Ryan Holiday's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Ryan Holiday or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Ryan Holiday speaking fee?
Ryan Holiday speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Ryan Holiday to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Ryan Holiday.
How can I contact Ryan Holiday?
We only work with Ryan Holiday on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Ryan Holiday and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Ryan Holiday speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Ryan Holiday for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Ryan Holiday for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Ryan Holiday is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Ryan Holiday for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
