Leadership is about action, not words. It requires taking risks and sharing your story to garner a true following.
The journey of actor, director, and filmmaker Landon Ashworth, as revealed in my recent interview, offers a profound case study in how deeply vulnerable, purpose-driven self-leadership can transcend traditional success metrics. His path—marked by setbacks in aspiring to be an astronaut, a pilot, and a series of stalled artistic ventures—eventually led him to create the award-winning film, Go On. However, the lasting legacy is not just the film’s accolades, but its raw, personal origin story, which he has shared extensively through his voice.
The Power of Unfiltered Narrative
Ashworth, who is autistic, describes taking a casting director’s advice to heart: “Never be the actor that waits on a phone call from somebody else—be the actor creating opportunities for yourself.” His interpretation—to write, direct, edit, and star in nearly a thousand comedy sketches entirely by himself—showed his determination, but it was also a survival mechanism stemming from a life of masking his autism and a fear of collaboration.
It wasn’t until a profound personal tragedy—the loss of his cousin Landon, who was also on the spectrum, to suicide—that the ultimate opportunity was born. The script for Go On poured out of him in 36 consecutive hours of writing, becoming an apology letter and a testament to the resilient human spirit.
This massive risk paid off. The film not only honors his cousin’s legacy, but also his legacy as someone that has struggled with autism acceptance.
Embrace Vulnerability as Your Superpower
Ashworth shares that he was a “bullied little autistic kid from a cornfield” and has severe social anxiety, even struggling to answer the door for a delivery driver. His honesty is deeply disarming and magnetic. When you speak about your past adversities—the career-stalling federal hiring freeze for astronauts, the failed attempts at short films, the feeling of being “cursed”—you transform failures into foundational elements of your success. Your vulnerability gives your audience permission to connect with your humanity, not just your title.
Move Beyond Traditional Metrics of Success
For years, Ashworth sought validation through accolades: winning writing awards, making Oscar-qualifying short films, and constantly pursuing the next step in his career. Each time, his efforts were met with silence, leading him to the realization that even an Oscar nomination is no guarantee of career momentum.
His true, lasting legacy was only revealed when people began reaching out to him privately. He recounts that three individuals who had been contemplating suicide decided not to, after engaging with the story of Go On. In an industry focused on sales and profits, he is driven by a simple, profound purpose: “I hope my movie saves people’s lives.” By moving his focus from financial or critical success to genuine human impact, his story now defines a legacy of hope and resilience.
Champion the Disenfranchised
Ashworth’s message is particularly powerful for those on the spectrum, but its core theme—navigating a world not created for you—resonates with any marginalized or struggling group. He models for allies to adopt the platinum rule: don’t treat others how you want to be treated, but ask them how they want to be treated.
Your audio legacy should go beyond self-promotion to advocate for a core value or a community you deeply represent. By providing a platform for the underdog, as Ashworth says he strives to do on his social media, you make your legacy about something bigger than yourself. This not only builds a community around your work, but provides a tangible tool—in his case, a film—that gives people “meaning in the mundane” and a reason to process their own trauma.
The Blueprint for Immortality
In an era of endless, forgettable content, the intimate, voice-driven story is your path to permanence. As Landon Ashworth proves, a lasting legacy is not built on what you achieved, but on the authentic, unfiltered story of how you overcame. By embracing your vulnerability, finding your higher purpose, and using your voice to champion others, you can create an auditory blueprint that will resonate long after the noise of the moment has faded. Your vulnerability is not just a tool for communication; it is the immortal record of your soul.