Ep. 137: Ryan Hawk The Price of Becoming

Send us Fan MailRyan Hawk is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and host of The Learning Leader Show, where he has interviewed more than 700 influential leaders, including CEOs, bestselling authors, elite athletes, military leaders, and entrepreneurs.His podcast is consistently one of the world's top business shows, earning millions of downloads annually. Ryan is the author of three leadership books, including the USA Today bestseller The Score That Matters. A former Division I quarterback and corporate sales executive, he now helps organizations develop leadership, excellence, teamwork, and high performance through speaking, coaching, and teaching around the world. His fourth book The Price of Becoming link to order is in the show notes. -Quick Episode Summary:Ryan Hawk discusses leadership, compounding growth, and embracing life’s transitions.-Podcast Chapters:00:00 Introduction about Ryan Hawk06:23 Transitioning from athlete to former athlete08:00 Struggling with big game emotions10:02 At college orientation with my child14:04 Working with high-performing clients16:42 Initial business consultations22:32 Importance of self-truth and compounding23:09 Daily habits for success28:44 Starting a guest quote tradition30:31 Being prepared for the unexpected35:09 Building confidence through evidence38:28 Writing and research process39:14 Motivation and taking action44:17 Reflecting on personal growth-🔥 Torch Takeaways Include:◼ Why the highest performers are the most coachable◼ How to find and appreciate meaning in everyday moments◼Practical habits and questions to help you become the best version of yourself-People and Names mentioned in the episode:Charlie MungerWarren BuffettBrian KoppelmanAustin KleonTerry HoeppnerMatt MuncieSherri Coale (LEGEND)Brook CuppsGeron StokesUncle RicoBrady QuinnKurt WarnerJim CollinsTom Ryan-Quotes to open episodes:"The first rule of compounding is to never interrupt it unnecessarily."-Charlie Munger“Keep following your curiosity and obsessions with great rigor.” - Brian Koppelman“Life is only understood backwards, but we have to live it forwards.” – Austin KleonMy favorite quote from Ryan during the episode:"Your actions speak so loudly,  I can't hear what you're saying."-Ryan's Resources: ◼ Website: https://learningleader.com/ ◼ Order his latest book The Price Of Becoming: https://learningleader.com/becoming/ ◼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhawk12/ ◼ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanhawk12/ Highlights from the Episode🌱 The Good Old Days Are NowRyan shares a moving story about choosing family over work, reminding us that the moments we’ll cherish most are often the everyday ones—like an impromptu pool trip or sharing ice cream with your kids. The real “good old days” may be happening all around us if we pay attention 02:58.⚡ Identity Shifts & Letting GoWe talk about what happens when a major chapter closes, like moving from being a “current” athlete or service member to a “former” one. Ryan opens up about his own struggles transitioning from college athlete to life after sports, and why it’s so hard—but so necessary—to grow beyond who you were yesterday 06:23.💡 Compounding Beyond FinanceWhile Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger may have popularized the concept of compounding in wealth, Ryan explains how habits, character, and relationships also compound. Intentionally doing the right things, every single day, pays massive dividends—not just in business, but in who you become 22:32.👊 Why Elite Performers Seek CoachingAn insight from the show: the people already crushing it—the “eights and nines” out of ten—are the ones most hungry for feedback and coaching. True greatness, Ryan says, means always being willing to get better, to seek out truth, and to act on it 14:04.📝 Favorite Takeaway:"Your actions speak so loudly I can't hear what you're saying."Ryan’s advice: be a doer, not just a talker. The world is full of talkers—be the person who shows up, again and again, making small choices that add up to big impact 36:56.Support the showConnect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartinMore Amazing Stories:Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You InsecureEpisode 81: Kurt Warner – Perseverance, Humility, and Lighting the Way Episode 90: Michelle 'MACE' Curran – How to Turn Fear into Fuel------------© 2026 TORCH LEAP®, LLC. All rights reserved.