Tony Robbins
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Anthony J. Mahavorick AKA Tony Robbins (born 29 February 1960, Glendora, California) is an American life coach, motivational speaker and writer. Robbins has authored a number of books, including Unlimited Power and Awaken the Giant Within. His best known tape program is Personal Power II; other programs include Get the Edge! and Lessons in Mastery.
Robbins has coached multiple world leaders, including several US Presidents, as well as Mikhail Gorbachev, Princess Diana and others. He has presented at the White House for both presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He has also been recognized as being in the vanguard of the New Age movement, along with other self-help gurus like Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, and Deepak Chopra.
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Philosophy and Ideas
Robbins is the inventor and proponent of what he refers to as neuroassociative conditioning, which is based on Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). Robbins studied NLP under NLP co-founder John Grinder, who encouraged him to look into the firewalk experience, which became the foundation of his popular firewalk seminars. The book Unlimited Power offers a number of examples of how to employ elements of NLP in day to day situations.
He also conducts seminars, the most famous of which is his four-day Unleash the Power Within seminar, during which the participants walk over hot coals in bare feet. The aim of the seminar, demonstrated in the firewalk, is to illustrate that the main quality shared by those who achieve greatness is the ability to take action ('Personal Power'). Robbins asserts that fear often holds people back from achieving what they desire with their life. Walking safely on burning coals requires few physical skills, but it does require the mental discipline to overcome one's inner doubts. Applying that same principle to other aspects of life can, it is claimed, empower the individual to attempt tasks he or she would previously (erroneously) have considered impossible.
Robbins is involved in a number of charitable works, including his "basket brigade" which helps feed the homeless and poverty-stricken, programs to ensure the fair and humane treatment of patients in mental asylums, a prison program to provide help and support to those in prison, and youth leadership programs where young people are encouraged to achieve in school and make positive contributions to their community.[1]
Health Programs and Recommendations
Robbins also promotes a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle and endorses the views of Dr. Robert Young and Natural Hygiene practices regarding the need for an alkaline diet. He has also praised John Robbins book, "Diet for a New America".
Techniques
Among the techniques Robbins teaches are the following:
- Altering the body's physiology to achieve a change of emotional state.
- Asking specific questions to direct one's attention to aspects of human experience that create a more favorable psychology.
- Getting leverage to create change by associating a person's old behavior with massive pain and the desired new behavior with massive pleasure.
- Interrupting one's limiting pattern by doing something totally unexpected.
- Conditioning .behavior by visualizing it over and over again.
- Goal-setting
- Creating a compelling future, vividly imagining one's end result to generate enthusiasm and power to work towards one's goals.
Criticism
Critics claim that some of his ideas, such as that the energy of food can be measured in hertz, are pseudoscience, and that the methods are really nothing new, but are simply attractively packaged pieces of existing self-help methods borrowed from other sources (such as neurolinguistic programming), mixed with hyperbole and anecdotal evidence. Critics also claim that Robbins' products are overly revenue-focused; packages such as "Personal Power II" are marketed as complete self-development systems, but critics claim that Robbins frequently withholds information and urges the user to attend one of his seminars to learn the rest. Template:Fact
Robbins was sued by financial seminar guru Wade Cook for copyright infringement. Cook claimed that Robbins lifted concepts and terms from his seminars and his book, Wall Street Money Machine, during the creation of a competing financial course. In 1998, a Tacoma, Washington jury ordered Robbins to pay Cook over $650,000 in damages.
2008 Presidential Consideration
In May of 2005, Robbins was asked whether he was thinking about running for the United States Presidency in 2008; he replied, "Maybe. It's a very long time till then."
In his book, Awaken the Giant Within, Robbins talks about the problems with the ecosystem, homelessness, escalating crime rates, huge budget deficits, starvation, prison system, environment, etc.
Robbins is also known to be friends with Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2005, he unsuccessfully urged Schwarzenegger, who was the governor of California at the time, to grant clemency for one of the co-founders of the Crips gang, convicted murderer Stanley "Tookie" Williams.
Media Appearances
- Larger Than Life: His video is seen playing during the junk yard scene.
- Tommy Boy (1995): Chris Farley references Robbins when David Spade says something very cheesy.
- Family Guy: An animated Robbins (voiced by unknown) was lampooned in the controversial episode "When You Wish Upon a Weinstein". Robbins calls, "Tony Robbins HUNGRY!" to Peter Griffin when asked to autograph his book and proceeds to devour him whole.
- Men In Black, (first movie): His image can be seen in the background as one of many aliens being allowed to live on earth while being monitored when Will Smith's character is introduced early in the film to the inner workings of "The Agency".
- Reality Bites: Seen on TV in one of his infomercials toward the end of the movie.
- The Cable Guy: His ad is on TV when Jim Carrey first meets the 'patsy' when hooking up his cable.
- Shallow Hal (2001): He has an extensive scene with Jack Black's character in an elevator.
- Roseanne: Robbins is referenced by her friend Crystal when Dan leaves her and Roseanne is severely depressed.
He can also be seen on various infomercials on TV, usually late at night/early in the morning.
Bibliography
- Awaken the Giant Within, (ISBN 0671791540)
- Unlimited Power, (ISBN 0684845776)
- Giant Steps, (ISBN 0671891049)
- Inner Strength, (ISBN 0684809036)