Let go of labels. Transform your life. | Ryan Holiday

15 snips

May 14, 2025

In this discussion, Ryan Holiday, a bestselling author and a leading voice in modern Stoicism, challenges listeners to shed self-imposed labels. He argues that defining ourselves by titles can stifle personal growth and authenticity. Holiday shares his journey of stepping away from conventional roles, emphasizing the value of focusing on actions over identities. The conversation dives into embracing uncertainty, the lessons learned during the pandemic, and how true fulfillment comes from the process of doing rather than the accolades we chase.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Labels Limit Your Identity

Labels limit your identity and potential by boxing you into predefined roles.
Focus on actions like writing rather than identities like being a writer to stay creative and open.

ANECDOTE

Leaving Advertising for Authenticity

Ryan Holiday left advertising because it didn't align with his true interests and values.
He realized fitting into others' standards was unsustainable and chose to pursue his own path.

ADVICE

Do the Verb, Not the Noun

Be busy "doing the verb" rather than obsessing about the noun or your label.
Engaging fully in actions improves health and the quality of your work.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Don’t call yourself “a writer,” just write. Ryan Holiday on how the labels you give yourself can hold you back.

Who are you without the labels? What if you stopped defining yourself by what you do and simply focused on doing it? This episode dives deep into identity, ego, and the struggle of living on your own terms. From walking away from a career that didn’t fit to embracing the discomfort of uncertainty, it’s a raw reflection on the moments that humble us, shape us, and force us to grow. Whether it’s a bookstore built in the middle of a pandemic or the realization that success can cloud reality, this conversation will make you rethink what truly matters. How do you measure your life—by what you achieve or who you become?

Who would you be without all the labels and identities you’ve collected over the course of your life?Ego, titles, and societal expectations often shape who we think we are—or who we think we should be. Author, and for simplicity's sake, bookstore owner, Ryan Holiday explains the simple question “What do you do?” can turn into a trap, making us cling to roles that don’t really define us. But what happens when you let go of these labels? What if, instead of focusing on the identity of being a writer, you focused on the act of writing itself?As Holiday got older, he learned that being busy “doing the verb” is far more valuable than obsessing over the noun. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to fit into the “right” categories and titles, but that often means copying, comparing, and losing sight of what really matters.

About Ryan Holiday: Ryan Holiday is a bestselling author, marketer, and one of today’s leading voices in modern Stoicism. He’s known for taking ancient wisdom and making it relatable and practical for everyday life. Before becoming an author, he led marketing at American Apparel. Now, he writes about strategy, self-discipline, and leadership, weaving history into real-world advice.

-------------------------

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices