Tony Robbins: Is the Motivational Speaker Enjoying His Own 'Breakthrough'?
Tony Robbins isn't quite a baby boomer - but certainly close. Born in 1960, the self-help author and motivational speaker has been doing his thing for more than 30 years now. Robbins' books include Unlimited Power: The New Science of Personal Achievement and Awaken The Giant Within and just last night, his first foray in national television hit with NBC's debut of 'Breakthrough' With Tony Robbins.
With revived attention on Robbins though, it's worth discussing... Is Robbins a true pioneer in self-help, or simply another personality in the mix of hundreds (or thousands) of others?
Robbins has not been immune to media srutiny or legal issues, either. Wikipedia provides great insight:
In May 1995, Robbins Research International (RRI) responded to Federal Trade Commission charges of misrepresentation of potential earnings to franchise investors, by agreeing to pay $221,260 (USD) in consumer redress.
Financial seminar guru Wade Cook also sued Robbins for copyright infringement, alleging that Robbins used proprietary terms in his seminars and in his book, Wall Street Money Machine. In 1998, a Tacoma, Washington jury ordered Robbins to pay Cook $650,900 in damages. The order to pay damages was later withdrawn, but the allegations remained.
With his new television show, Robbins seeks to help people through difficult challenges in their lives. The whole point being that he's able to help them 'Breakthrough' complex obstacles and ultimately find success, love, happiness, etc.
Tony Robbins has certainly made his rounds with prominent baby boomers too, which only helps to make him and his products a great match for our generation.
In recent years, he's met (and later wrote about, of course) with Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, François Mitterrand, and Princess Diana. Celebrities we're all familiar with have also worked with Robbins on his books, seminars and infomercials. The list of A-listers include Fran Tarkenton, Pamela Anderson, Quincy Jones, Erin Brockovich and Anthony Hopkins.
According to a 1994 article in the New York Times President Bill Clinton invited Robbins, Marianne Williamson and Dr. Steven R. Covey to a meeting at Camp David. However, all parties "refuse to divulge the substance of their meeting with the Clintons".
Robbins has also counseled sports professionals such as Greg Norman, Serena Williams, Mike Tyson, Chuck Liddell, Diego Sanchez and Andre Agassi, and sports teams such as the Los Angeles Kings.
Seeing both sides - we have to then ask what you think about Robbins. Share your comments on this article or take the discussion to Facebook to discuss with more connected baby boomers online.
