Episode 146: Erich Davis & The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday

Episode 146: Erich Davis & The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday

"...it started to come out through my artwork that I was really interested in communicating the better parts of who we could be and this aspiration for what is possible..."

Life is suffering. It's one challenge after the next. Some are within our control (and sometimes of our own doing) while others are not. But we instinctively fight all these fires around us without picking the most urgent to take care of. The alternative offered in this book and conversation is that we can change how we view those obstacles, to move forward smarter and wiser. We need to reprogram ourselves for greater clarity and function.

Erich is great at what he does, both in the workshop and with his coaching clients. He knows what's possible if we push ourselves a bit outside of our comfort zones to learn new things, both in our environments and within ourselves. He opens up about his own life's trials and tribulations and how The Obstacle Is The Way provided a guidepost for him to get out of his own way and start living, both proactively for what he wants and efficiently with his energy.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

• Coaching in creativity.
• The commonality between fabrication and coaching.
• Person to person inspiration.
• Tools are different than solutions.
• Reality vs. Perception.
• Empathy and sensitivity.
• Living in Connecticut vs. living the Florida.
• "I knew there was a means to an end, but I didn't believe in what I was doing."
• Character stuff.
• "I just don't fucking quit."
• Parenting styles.
• Perception, action, will.
• Removing the crutch of emotion.
• After suffering and obstacles: "...what I get after that is the ability to do the next hard thing with more grace, with more understanding, with more ease."
• What helps plant the seed for confidence and creativity.

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Erich is, What lessons do you take from the obstacles and suffering in your life to move forward in your life and leadership?

Preview Clip 1: Progress Through Conflict, Considering The Reward

Preview Clip 2: Leadership Inspiring Potential

Full Episode

MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE BOOKS

• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
• The books of Ryan Holiday
• The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz

MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE PAST EPISODES

• Episode 143: Zachary Green & his book, Warrior Entrepreneur: Lessons From The Battlefield To The Boardroom
• Episode 132: Dr. Bridget Cooper & Her Book, The Book: How To Navigate Clocksuckers and Live a Happy Abundant Life
• Episode 127: Mimi Gonzalez & The Creative Act: A Way Of Being by Rick Rubin

ABOUT ERICH

Erich Davis is a Certified High Performance Coach, workshop facilitator and art fabricator whose career has been focused on bringing his clients' vision forward. Erich’s Certified High Performance Coaching curricula is scientifically proven to build daily practices and mindsets aimed at elevating clients’ performance in all areas of their lives. As the facilitator of WorkWorkshop, Erich hosts in-person group workshops remotely and in his studio designed to inspire participants to go beyond their comfort zone to realize greater potential and connect them to their creative potential for greater authenticity, confidence and self expression. Erich also facilitates professional development group workshops weaving his Certified High Performance Coaching curricula into creative events that builds cohesion, develops creative problem solving skills and increases overall effectiveness in teams. As owner/operator of E J Davis Aesthetics Erich’s work can be seen in museums, galleries, private collections and public spaces all across the country.

FIND ERICH

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erichjdavis-chpc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workworkshops/
• Website: WorkWorkshop.com

VIDEO CHAPTERS

• 00:39 - Introduction & Bio
• 10:31 - An introduction to Erich's workshop programming and coaching expertise.
• 20:11 - How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?
• 33:32 - Erich's journey into coaching.
• 41:08 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?
• 46:32 - What do you consider your super power?
• 49:11 - What does leadership mean to you?
• 52:31 - Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing?
• 59:08 - How Erich utilizes the lessons of the book in handling the obstacles he's faced.
• 01:09:56 - The benefits of obstacles and suffering once you've made it through.
• 01:19:53 - What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)

About The Book Leads

On The Book Leads podcast, I speak to specialists and experts across various industries and from varied backgrounds to learn about the book that made an impact and left an impression on their work, life, and leadership. In the course of my conversation I also learn about my guest's background, experience, and work they're carrying out today. 

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

• Watch on YouTube
• Listen on YouTube Music
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Read About The Book Leads – Blog Post

THE LEADERSHIP SYLLABUS PODCAST IS NOW ONLINE!

The Leadership Syllabus Podcast will provide insights from leaders on one leadership lesson they can share that stems from their work, life, and experiences.

Each 30-minute mod will capture a bit about who the guest is, their work, and the one lesson they would contribute to The Leadership Syllabus.

This collection of mods will offer the listener a one-series stop of lessons to enhance their own leadership understanding, awareness, and effectiveness.

Mod 3: Community & Connection w/Kisha Zullo

Kisha is a dynamic entrepreneur, President of Events of Joy, and the founder of the Women in Business Summit (WIB Summit), and a dedicated leader in women’s empowerment.  As a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) with over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, she has excelled in both sales and event management—bringing people together with purpose and impact.

Leadership Lesson: Leadership during challenging times requires resilience and vision. Building a strong community can provide the support, trust, and collaboration needed to navigate change and lead a thriving team.

Find Kisha

• https://www.eventsofjoy.com/
• https://www.wibsummit.com/

The Leadership Syllabus:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzXadR_BOEgFNk-sSU2HEQUvfwW4YR6lZ
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tQDJ4I0lVXDAYkvVGobWQ?si=a061fcb511ee445b
• The Leadership Syllabus - Blog Post: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leadership-syllabus-lessons-30-minute-mods-jaramillo-mba-msop-otbme/

About Me

I'm a Leadership Performance Coach and Consultant at Coach It Out, LLC (www.coachitout.com). In addition to coaching, and as you can see above, I enjoy writing, podcasting, and speaking about leadership. Specifically, I work with clients to realize what they're all about when it comes to (1) new positions they've been hired or promoted into; and (2) rediscovering what they want out of their leadership, development, and career.

My signature talks include Design Your Leadership! Nine Ways to Sharpen Your Leadership Brand In The Everyday, and Platinum Networking: Designing A Unique Experience For Others In A World Of Disconnection.

Please subscribe to my newsletter Last Week's Leadership Lessons, if you haven't already!

Reach out to me at johnmjaramillo@coachitout.com.