Capitalism.com with Ryan Daniel Moran When Everything Is Falling Apart (Life Is Like An ETF)
Mar 13, 2026
A frank take on navigating uncertainty and personal setbacks with practical routines. He compares life to a mixed portfolio that tends to rise over time. Tips include consistent wake times, immediate exercise, scheduled social time, and blocking deep work. He highlights steady investing, spotting value in downturns, and preparing to buy or build when others panic.
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Setbacks After A Big Exit
- Ryan recounts losing over a million dollars each in three investments after his 2017 exit and suffering long COVID.
- Those setbacks forced changes in investing, health, and perspective that later enabled growth.
Life Is An ETF
- Life resembles an ETF with mixed winners and losers, and overall it tends to rise over time.
- Focusing only on spectacular wins or losses makes you miss the steady, boring compound growth that averages out around ~9% annually.
Pullbacks Often Seed Future Growth
- Major pullbacks (≈20%) feel catastrophic but often create the conditions for disproportionate future growth.
- Ryan realized long-term improvement (investing discipline, health) arose from previous painful setbacks.