Ryan Holiday is an American author best known for his self-help books on Stoic habits and values. His best-selling works The Daily Stoic, Courage Is Calling, and Discipline Is Destiny explain Stoic philosophy through ancient texts and real-life anecdotes. Holiday began his career in media strategy and marketing, working as a talent agent in Beverly Hills, and later becoming the director of marketing for American Apparel while still in his early twenties. He later published the memoir Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator, as well as the business self-help books Growth Hacker Marketing and Perennial Seller. Holiday then shifted his focus to repackaging Stoic philosophy for a modern audience. In addition to his books, Holiday takes an active interest in Stoicism on his YouTube Channel and podcast “Daily Stoic,” as well as his Instagram account @DailyPhilosopher.

In The Obstacle Is the Way, Holiday draws on his passion for history, philosophy, and personal stories. His appreciation for Stoicism echoes his other books. Holiday weaves philosophy with real-life anecdotes from famous figures in politics, business, technology, and sports. He takes particular interest in people’s ability to overcome obstacles and demonstrates how they developed skills and traits by facing hardships.