The inner critic doesn't just disappear with more success.

Academy Award-winning actor, writer, and artist Riz Ahmed shares why success, recognition, and achievement can never replace self-worth. He opens up about identity, shame, the inner critic, and the pressure to perform, revealing how life can start to feel like one long audition when your value depends on other people’s approval.

Through a deeply personal health crisis and years of chasing validation, Riz discovered the power of vulnerability, gratitude, and self-acceptance. This conversation is a powerful reminder that true freedom begins when you stop proving yourself to the world and start defining your worth for yourself.

In this episode you'll learn:

How to Stop Seeking Constant Validation

How to Quiet Your Inner Critic

How to Find Flow Instead of Chasing Success

How to Let Go of Who Others Expect You to Be

How to Stay Grounded Through Life’s Highs and Lows

How to Build Self-Worth Beyond Achievement

How to Find Freedom in Vulnerability

How to Live More Fully in the Present Moment

Growth isn’t about becoming someone else; it’s about having the courage to be fully yourself. Keep showing up, keep learning, and trust that who you are is already enough.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe  

Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast 

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:33 Rooting for Others Without Comparison

04:01 The Danger of Seeking External Validation

07:02 A Childhood Memory That Shaped Everything

11:42 The Secret to Finding Flow

18:29 Life Feels Like One Big Audition

22:31 The Gap Between Who You Are and Who You Present

25:05 Finding Freedom in the Imperfection 

27:49 One Story Does Not Define You

32:07 When Life Falls Apart Overnight

39:15 Facing Your Darkest Moments Alone

46:44 Breaking Free from the Alpha Male Myth

50:08 When Your Inner Critic Becomes Your Identity

52:56 Managing the Voice Inside Your Head

56:21 Why Does Time Go By Faster as We Grow Older?

58:42 Home Is the People You Love

01:01:55 Setting Boundaries to Protect Your Creativity 

01:04:29 Finding Where You Truly Belong

01:10:04 Growing Up in Northwest London

01:12:32 Riz on Final Five 

Episode Resources:

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/rizahmed 

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/RizAhmed/ 

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/rizahmed

The inner critic doesn't just disappear with more success.
Academy Award-winning actor, writer, and artist Riz Ahmed shares why success, recognition, and achievement can never replace self-worth. He opens up about identity, shame, the inner critic, and the pressure to perform, revealing how life can start to feel like one long audition when your value depends on other people&rsquo;s approval.
Through a deeply personal health crisis and years of chasing validation, Riz discovered the power of vulnerability, gratitude, and self-acceptance. This conversation is a powerful reminder that true freedom begins when you stop proving yourself to the world and start defining your worth for yourself.
In this episode you'll learn:
How to Stop Seeking Constant Validation
How to Quiet Your Inner Critic
How to Find Flow Instead of Chasing Success
How to Let Go of Who Others Expect You to Be
How to Stay Grounded Through Life&rsquo;s Highs and Lows
How to Build Self-Worth Beyond Achievement
How to Find Freedom in Vulnerability
How to Live More Fully in the Present Moment
Growth isn&rsquo;t about becoming someone else; it&rsquo;s about having the courage to be fully yourself. Keep showing up, keep learning, and trust that who you are is already enough.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
JAY&rsquo;S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX
Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe <a href="https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe">https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe</a> &nbsp;
Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! <a href="https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast">https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast</a>&nbsp;
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
01:33 Rooting for Others Without Comparison
04:01 The Danger of Seeking External Validation
07:02 A Childhood Memory That Shaped Everything
11:42 The Secret to Finding Flow
18:29 Life Feels Like One Big Audition
22:31 The Gap Between Who You Are and Who You Present
25:05 Finding Freedom in the Imperfection&nbsp;
27:49 One Story Does Not Define You
32:07 When Life Falls Apart Overnight
39:15 Facing Your Darkest Moments Alone
46:44 Breaking Free from the Alpha Male Myth
50:08 When Your Inner Critic Becomes Your Identity
52:56 Managing the Voice Inside Your Head
56:21 Why Does Time Go By Faster as We Grow Older?
58:42 Home Is the People You Love
01:01:55 Setting Boundaries to Protect Your Creativity&nbsp;
01:04:29 Finding Where You Truly Belong
01:10:04 Growing Up in Northwest London
01:12:32 Riz on Final Five&nbsp;
Episode Resources:
YouTube | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/rizahmed">https://www.youtube.com/rizahmed</a>&nbsp;
Facebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RizAhmed/">https://www.facebook.com/RizAhmed/</a>&nbsp;
Instagram | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rizahmed">https://www.instagram.com/rizahmed</a>

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace.

I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace.
I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

My name is Jay Shetty, and my purpose is to make wisdom go viral. I’m fortunate to have fascinating conversations with the most insightful people in the world, and on my podcast, I’m sharing those conversations with you. New episodes Mondays and Fridays. Please rate and review the podcast if you enjoy it. Live life today ON PURPOSE.

My name is Jay Shetty, and my purpose is to make wisdom go viral. I’m fortunate to have fascinating conversations with the most insightful people in the world, and on my podcast, I’m sharing those conversations with you. New episodes Mondays and Fridays. Please rate and review the podcast if you enjoy it. Live life today ON PURPOSE.

Riz Ahmed: How to Silence Your Inner Critic (And Build REAL Self Worth)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cb5351ec-8cf7-4f38-8adf-b4650059f40d/transcript