Added: Aug 14, 2023
In this podcast episode titled "Katherine Ryan's Untold Story: From Hooters Waitress To Comedy Stardom," comedian Katherine Ryan shares her journey from working as a Hooters waitress to achieving success in the comedy industry. She discusses various topics, including her experiences, challenges faced by women in comedy, the importance of authenticity, the concept of high performance, and the lessons she has learned along the way.Ryan begins by discussing her time working at Hooters and how she initially sought validation through beauty and physical appearance. However, she soon realized that she wanted more from life and decided to pursue a career in entertainment. She talks about the privilege she had in being bilingual and how it opened up opportunities for her. Ryan then delves into her first experience of performing on stage and how she found power in making people laugh. She describes the feeling of being an outsider and how it shaped her comedic style. She also emphasizes the importance of being grateful for the opportunities she has had and the drive to succeed. The conversation then shifts to the challenges faced by women in the comedy industry. Ryan acknowledges that she has been fortunate to have many opportunities, but she also recognizes that she is an example of "pedestal feminism." She explains that she has been used as an excuse not to book other women, which she finds sad. She discusses the lack of women in prominent TV roles, particularly in Saturday night TV shows, and the need for more representation. Ryan reflects on her decision to step back from certain opportunities, such as appearing on "Mock the Week," in order to make space for other women. She explains that she didn't want to be the only woman given opportunities and used as an excuse not to book others. She acknowledges the freelance nature of her industry and the financial challenges she faced, but she prioritized her values and the greater good. The conversation then turns to the concept of high performance. Ryan defines high performance as competence and relentlessness. She talks about the importance of being self-reliant and executing tasks well. She shares a pivotal moment in her career when her tour manager told her to remember the feeling of success because it would never be the same again. She emphasizes the importance of gratitude and being grateful for what she has. Ryan discusses her upbringing in a small town in Canada and how it shaped her perspective. She talks about the value of being bored and having time to think about who she wanted to be. She also reflects on her early experiences of performing on stage and how it influenced her comedic style. The conversation concludes with Ryan discussing the process of becoming a successful comedian. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and finding one's own voice. She talks about the need to be clear about who you are and what you find funny. She also discusses the importance of feedback and learning from mistakes. Overall, Catherine Ryan's story is one of resilience, authenticity, and the pursuit of one's passion. She highlights the challenges faced by women in the comedy industry and the need for more representation. She also emphasizes the importance of gratitude and self-belief in achieving success.
