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 The order to pay damages was later withdrawn, but the allegations remained.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.
