On Purpose with Ryan McEwan

In this episode, Ryan breaks down why so many people get stuck in the cycle of starting over—and how shifting from “OR” thinking to “AND” thinking can completely change the way you approach fitness, discipline, and personal growth. This episode will challenge you to stop waiting for life to calm down and start building habits that work inside the chaos of real life. Because the strongest people do...

You didn’t push this hard just to live on edge forever. In this episode, Ryan breaks down the shift from constant survival mode to grounded presence. Many men were trained to ignore pain, suppress emotion, and carry everything alone. Those traits built strength. But when overused, they create exhaustion. Strength isn’t staying braced. Strength is knowing when you no longer need to be. Survival got...

In this episode, Ryan breaks down why urgency—not motivation—is the missing ingredient in most people’s goals. Through a powerful reminder about time, mortality, and action, this episode challenges you to stop drifting, stop postponing, and start showing up for the life you say you want. Listen In!  Thank you for listening to On Purpose with Ryan McEwan!  If you'd like to connect with Ryan or are...

Ryan discusses the challenges of investing in yourself, particularly in terms of time and money. He highlights that people often hesitate to commit to personal growth programs due to perceived costs and time constraints. He argues that the true cost of not investing in yourself is much higher, leading to declining health, confidence, and overall well-being. He emphasizes the importance of prioriti...

Ryan highlights a client named Jim, who transformed his life over 95 days by adopting a healthier lifestyle. Jim's journey began after a Labor Day weekend realization, leading to 95 days of sobriety, dietary changes, and exercise. Ryan emphasizes the importance of recognizing and overcoming quiet resignation, encouraging you to reclaim your identity and set new standards for yourself. He stresses...

Ryan discusses the importance of living in the present moment. He emphasizes that living in the past or future can lead to anxiety and missed opportunities. He shares personal experiences, including his struggle with anxiety and the realization that he often lives in the future, causing him to worry excessively. He highlights the benefits of living in the present, such as increased clarity, focus,...

Ryan discusses the importance of gratitude, particularly during Thanksgiving and December. He emphasizes that gratitude is a powerful tool for building resilience and overcoming challenges. He shares personal experiences, including his time in combat, to illustrate how gratitude can shift your perspective and improve mental and emotional well-being. He advises you to practice gratitude daily, reco...

Ryan discusses the importance of fully committing to your goals to achieve success. He shares his personal journey in fitness, detailing how he initially struggled with diet and exercise, focusing on intense workouts rather than proper nutrition. A turning point came when he hired a coach who advised him to scale back workouts and focus on diet, leading to significant progress in just three months...

Ryan discusses the importance of living in the present and not being stuck in the past. He reflects on his own growth, noting improvements in his physique and career shift from corporate to full-time coaching. He emphasizes the need to shift language from "I used to be" to "I am becoming" to align with future goals. He highlights the dangers of glorifying past achievements, which can hinder person...

Ryan discusses how fear of success and identity disruption often prevent people from pursuing their most proud achievements. He emphasizes the importance of embodying the future self and taking small, actionable steps towards goals. He advises using meditation, visualization, and making public commitments to align with new identities. He also encourages you to identify and overcome your fears to a...

Ryan discusses the importance of mindset in personal growth and fitness, emphasizing the shift from a victimhood mentality to an ownership mindset. He highlights the prevalence of victimhood in society, particularly in the fitness and veteran communities, and stresses the need for personal responsibility. He shares insights from his experience as a retired Army Major and fitness coach, and encoura...

Ryan discusses the often overlooked issue of self-sabotage due to feelings of selfishness in personal growth and self-improvement. He shares a personal anecdote about his fitness journey, where societal judgment and guilt held him back. He emphasizes that self-work builds capacity, making you a better version of yourself, which ultimately benefits others. He advises operating in silence, conductin...

Ryan discusses the impact of self-judgment on personal growth and progress. He reflects on his daughter's wedding, highlighting the emotional journey of fatherhood. He shares his struggles with self-criticism, particularly this year, despite his experience in personal development and fitness. He emphasizes how self-judgment can derail progress, leading to destructive patterns. He suggests shifting...

Ryan discusses the difference between speed and urgency, emphasizing that speed is frantic and reactive, while urgency is intentional and purpose-driven. He shares his personal experience of being busy but not making progress, highlighting the importance of forethought and planning. He explains that urgency involves focusing on high-leverage actions, building sustainable motions, and anchoring in...

Ryan discusses the importance of consistency in fitness transformations. He emphasizes that true transformation requires sticking to a single program for at least 12 weeks without changes. He argues that people often fail because they seek variety and instant results, which leads to boredom and abandonment of programs. He advocates for simple, trackable routines that focus on consistent effort rat...

Ryan discusses how current habits predict future outcomes, highlighting the disconnect between your goals and your actions. He identifies common barriers such as entitlement, fear of discomfort, and lack of clarity. He stresses the need for consistent, intentional actions and deep emotional alignment with your "why." He also advises tracking habits, being honest about them, and seeking support to...

Ryan discusses the concept of "day one motivation" and how it often fades without a clear, long-term vision. He emphasizes the importance of having a compelling "why" to sustain progress, especially in health and fitness goals. He shares that even high achievers in other areas struggle with maintaining fitness routines. He advises creating a detailed vision of future success, tracking progress, an...

Ryan discusses how broken promises and past failures lead to a lack of self-belief, creating a cycle of self-doubt. He emphasizes the importance of small, consistent actions to rebuild trust, such as daily routines like drinking water and walking. He highlights the role of self-talk and the need to honor commitments to yourself. He also encourages you to focus on daily discipline and honest action...

Ryan discusses the concept of the "victim mentality" and how it hinders personal growth. He emphasizes that many people claim to have "tried everything" without fully committing to their goals. He argues that true progress requires taking full responsibility and making intentional, consistent efforts. He highlights the importance of owning your choices and actions, rather than blaming external fac...

Ryan discusses the importance of having a clear vision in life. He emphasizes that motivation is often fleeting and relies on pain points, which can lead to stagnation. He suggests creating a vision statement that includes core values, aligned goals, and a purpose. He explains that a vision statement should align with your true desires and values, using examples like freedom and integrity. He advi...

Ryan discusses the importance of aligning your life with core values, purpose, and goals. He emphasizes the need for a clear vision, which includes understanding core values, defining a purpose, and setting aligned goals. He shares personal experiences, highlighting the pitfalls of chasing superficial goals, such as esthetic fitness, without a deeper connection to one's values. He advises setting...

Ryan discusses the importance of having a clear vision and core values, distinguishing them from mission statements. He suggests identifying core values by reflecting on proud moments and disappointments, and narrowing them down to the top three. He stresses that core values should guide actions in all areas of life, including fitness, business, and relationships. He also advises you to define you...

Ryan discusses the importance of quitting goals that no longer serve you. As a retired Army Major and fitness coach, he emphasizes that persisting in unaligned goals can lead to mental health decline, resentment, and low confidence. He shares personal experiences and advises you to redefine success, thank your past self, and pursue new goals that align with your current passions. He highlights tha...

Ryan discusses the importance of living with intentionality and finding your purpose. He emphasizes that purpose provides motivation and direction, essential for a fulfilling life. He shares personal experiences, including his military service, to illustrate how having a clear purpose can drive actions and decisions. He advises you to reflect on your passions and values, and to take intentional ac...

Ryan discusses the concept of self-forgiveness and its impact on personal growth. He highlights the emotional weight many individuals carry, often tied to shame and regret, which hinders their progress in fitness and life. He describes common patterns among his clients, particularly men in their 40s who initially show strong motivation but later struggle with maintaining momentum. He also emphasiz...