The Daily Stoic Podcast – BONUS | You Can't Let The Setbacks Win

Host: Ryan Holiday
Date: February 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this bonus episode, Ryan Holiday addresses the all-too-familiar experience of setbacks and how embracing Stoic philosophy can help us overcome obstacles and return to our sincere aspirations—even after we’ve stumbled. Drawing wisdom from Marcus Aurelius and the daily challenges we all face, Ryan reframes failures and detours as opportunities to “revert back to ourselves” and get back on track.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setbacks Are Inevitable—But Not Final

• Theme: Even with the best intentions and detailed plans, life throws unexpected challenges—illness, family disruptions, work stress, or distractions from current events.
• Insight: Setbacks don’t signify the end of our efforts; instead, they’re part of any meaningful pursuit. Stoic philosophy teaches that life is not about achieving perfection but learning resilience within imperfection.

2. Stoic Teachings on Perseverance

• Marcus Aurelius’ Advice:
  • “Right when jarred by circumstances, Marcus Aurelius writes in Meditations, we have to revert back to ourselves. We have to come back to the rhythm. We have to intervene. Can't let the challenges win.” (01:37)
• Message: Don’t resign to fate or mediocrity just because you falter. Large or small, the “interruptions” are not personal failures but invitations to begin again.

3. Returning to Your Path

• Personal Example: Ryan shares how his own start to the year was derailed by unexpected sickness in the family:
  • “The first two weeks of the year were crazy for us—with the flu and strep throat and then the other strain of the flu.” (02:02)
• Practice: The response isn’t to give up, but to “revert back to yourself” and reclaim control over what you can.

4. Actionable Encouragement

• Don’t Wait for Perfect Conditions:
  • “You can take control. You can decide right now you're gonna get back on track, you're gonna stop waiting, you're gonna make those changes.” (02:32)
• Collective Challenge: Ryan references the “Daily Stoic New Year New You Challenge” as a structured way for listeners to recommit to self-improvement, even after a stumbling start to the year.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On setbacks and imperfection:
  • “Stoicism is not about perfection. Life is going to interrupt. Things are going to challenge us. Things are going to happen.” (01:11)
• Courage to keep going:
  • “We can't just resign ourselves to our fate. We can't just accept mediocrity or monotony. Or settling because we got off track.” (01:23)
• Call to regroup:
  • “Track, right when jarred by circumstances, Marcus Aurelius writes in Meditations, we have to revert back to ourselves. We have to come back to the rhythm. We have to intervene, can't let the challenges win.” (01:37)
• Invitation to action:
  • “You can decide right now you're gonna get back on track... and that's what the Daily Stoic New Year New You Challenge is all about.” (02:32)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 01:11 – Stoicism isn’t about perfection; life interrupts our plans.
• 01:23 – Why we shouldn’t settle just because we got off track.
• 01:37 – Marcus Aurelius on reverting back to our rhythm after setbacks.
• 02:02 – Ryan’s personal start-of-year setbacks.
• 02:32 – Encouragement to take control and the introduction of the Daily Stoic Challenge.

Conclusion

Ryan Holiday delivers a concise and practical Stoic lesson: setbacks are a universal experience, but we have the power—and duty—to respond by recommitting ourselves to our goals with discipline and wisdom. Rather than lament lost momentum, the Stoic approach is to recognize disruption, reset, and begin again—never letting the setbacks win.

For more on Stoic challenges and community: dailystoic.com/challenge