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Ahmed Attributes Life-Threatening Illness to Relentless Critical Inner Voice and Self-Attack

On Purpose with Jay Shetty · Riz Ahmed: How to Silence Your Inner Critic (And Build REAL Self Worth) · June 10, 2026
Ahmed Attributes Life-Threatening Illness to Relentless Critical Inner Voice and Self-Attack
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Riz Ahmed: How to Silence Your Inner Critic (And Build REAL Self Worth)
"An autoimmune condition is when the body attacks itself. It was my belief that I was at war with myself, that my critical inner voice was so out of control. I was always attacking myself, beating myself over the stick so much that in a way my body had turned on itself."
Reflecting on his hospitalization during Star Wars filming, Riz Ahmed directly connected his autoimmune condition to psychological warfare from an internalized critical voice. He described continuing to rehearse scenes from The Night Of two years after winning an Emmy for the role, illustrating the severity of his self-criticism. Ahmed stated he believes this internal attack manifested physically, nearly killing him.
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On Purpose with Jay Shetty
On Purpose with Jay Shetty

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

August 3, 2026 · 5 Egleze moments
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EspionageRiz Ahmed Reveals MI5 and MI6 Repeatedly Tried to Recruit HimHealth, Longevity & BiohackingAhmed Hospitalized for Months During Star Wars Filming Nearly Unable to WalkFaith & SpiritualityAhmed Faced Death During Hospitalization Pleaded With God to Let Him LiveSocietyAhmed and Brother Held at Knifepoint by Skinheads at Age Eight
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