Tony Robbins
Encyclopedia
Anthony "Tony" Robbins (born February 29, 1960) is an American self-help
author and motivational speaker
. He became well known through his infomercials and self-help books, Unlimited Power: The New Science Of Personal Achievement and Awaken The Giant Within. Robbins writes about subjects such as health and energy, overcoming fears, persuasive communication, and enhancing relationships. Robbins began his career learning from many different motivational speakers, and promoted seminars for his personal mentor, Jim Rohn
. He is deeply influenced by neuro-linguistic programming
and a variety of philosophies.
Robbins's work has been featured in major media including Time, Newsweek, Fortune, Forbes, Life, GQ, Vanity Fair, Business Week, Tycoon and Success magazines, the CBS Evening News, NBC News, ABC's Prime Time Live, Fox News, CNN and A&E as well as newspapers, radio programs, and Internet media worldwide. Robbins has been mentioned or featured in 15 major motion pictures, including a cameo role in the hit movie "Shallow Hal." In 2007, he was named to Forbes magazine's "Celebrity 100" list.
His programs have reached over 4 million people from 100 countries around the world.
Anthony Robbins was ranked among the “Top 50 Business Intellectuals in the World” by Accenture’s Institute for Strategic Change. Robbins has spoken at Harvard Business School and was ranked by the school among the “Top 200 Business Gurus” (Harvard Business School Press, 2003).
, and attended Glendora High School
. Robbins says that he lived in a small low-rent apartment in the Los Angeles area during his early twenties and had dreamed of living in a mansion for years. In 1984, as his career began to take off, he bought Del Mar Castle for $1.7M. He sold the property in 1988 for $3.25M.
. According to Robbins, Jim Rohn taught him that "happiness and success in life are not the result of what we have, but rather of how we live. What we do with the things we have makes the biggest difference in the quality of life."
Later Robbins began his own work as a self-help coach. He taught neuro-linguistic programming
(NLP) and Ericksonian Hypnosis after training with NLP co-founder John Grinder
. In 1983, Robbins learned to firewalk from Tolly Burkan
and began to incorporate it into his seminars.
Robbins promoted his services as a "peak performance coach" through his books and TV infomercials, gaining strong public recognition and lucrative sales. He conducts a large range of seminars and live events around the world dedicated to achieving greatness in his participants by unleashing their personal power and helping them align their values with their individual life goals. In 1997, Robbins began the Leadership Academy seminar, in which participants learn to "[c]reate an identity for them self as someone who can help 'anyone', no matter what his/her challenge may be." Robbins is a featured speaker on the seminar circuit sponsored by Learning Annex. Robbins appeared as a featured speaker at the 2007 Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) conference. His talk is among the top ten TED talks.
He is now involved with The Robbins-Madanes Center for Strategic Intervention, which focuses on personal, family and organizational psychology, and claims to help people "find breakthrough strategies and solutions for overcoming the problems that confront us all."
The UPW is also known as his firewalk seminar, during which the participants walk barefoot over hot coals at the end of the first evening. 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').
Mastery University is promoted at the UPW seminar. Life Mastery, espouses Robbins' ideas about what makes for a healthy lifestyle, and has in the past featured guest lecturers including Deepak Chopra
and John Gray
. Date With Destiny, the only Mastery event at which Robbins is present for the entire event, is said to be designed to help participants align their values so that they are not in conflict, but rather are aligned with the participant's individual goals.
In 1997, Robbins initiated his Leadership Academy seminar, in which he invites participants to learn the skills he uses, with the stated goal of the program to enable the participant to "[c]reate an identity for yourself as someone who can help 'anyone', no matter what his/her challenge may be"
In 2009 Robbins created his Business Mastery program, designed to provide business leaders with tools to manage and grow their businesses. The seminar is conducted live by Robbins and features entrepreneur guest speakers. Past speakers have included Steve Wynn, CEO of Wynn Resorts, Peter Guber
(Chairman & CEO of Mandalay Entertainment Group) and Tony Hsieh
(CEO and Founder of Zappos.com).
Unlimited Power, published in 1987, discusses the topics of health and energy, overcoming fears, persuasive communication, and enhancing relationships. One reviewer called the book "uplifting and idealistic" and referenced the “dynamic enthusiasm" of the book;" and another describes Robbins as “a persuasive communicator who spends more linage on step-by-step details of his recommendations than in self-boosterism." while another reviewer said it's "too wordy" and "reads like a transcript of a series of talks." Other reviewers dispute the book's originality, pointing to ideological similarities with Maxwell Maltz
, Norman Vincent Peale
, Napoleon Hill
, and Dale Carnegie
, all of whom Robbins acknowledges in his book. Some have criticized the chapter called "Energy: The Fuel of Excellence" which includes information on food combining, lymphology, and deep breathing to promote health. Robbins makes reference to the book Fit for Life
and its authors, Harvey and Marilyn Diamond, whom he refers to as his "former partners". The National Council for Reliable Health Information wrote a critical review of the chapter and called his sources unreliable. Awaken the Giant Within, published in 1992, was an expansion of his personal development techniques and strategies taught through a motivational self-help type approach. Robbins made the distinction between his techniques, coined as Neuro-Associative Conditioning as unique from Neuro-Linguistic Programming because the trademarked difference is defined by the application of "conditioning" to a newly learned personal development technique and/or skill or strategy rather than "being programmed" and suggest-ably fixed once and for all by someone else who had more power than the individual to make a change.
.". Robbins also had cameo roles as himself in the 1994 movie "Reality Bites," in three episodes of "Roseanne" (TV series - 1997 season and 1998 season), and in an episode of hit HBO series "The Sopranos" (TV series - 2004 season). In July 2010, NBC debuted Breakthrough with Tony Robbins, a reality show that followed Robbins as he helped the show's participants face their personal challenges. NBC canceled the show after airing two of the planned six episodes, due to low viewership.
. It is dedicated to empowering students and prisoners through food drives and learning programs based on his teachings. According to the official website, the foundation has "products and programs in more than 2,000 schools, 700 prisons, and 100,000 health and human service organizations." The Foundation and the validity and success of its programs have been written about and featured in many dozens of articles, appearing on various websites. Examples include the following source sites.
Despite this, the independent charity watchdog, Charity Navigator
, gives the foundation a rating of two out of four stars. The official website states that "the Foundation is committed to make a difference in the quality of life for children, the homeless, the prison population, and the elderly through its various programs". The foundation has subsequently led to the forming of "Basket Brigades" across the world that occur each Thanksgiving. Individuals and groups have joined together to assemble and deliver dinner baskets to needy families.
charges of misrepresentation of potential earnings to franchise investors. RRI and the FTC entered into a stipulated settlement agreement, in which RRI agreeed to pay $221,260 (USD) in consumer redress. There were no findings or admissions of wrong doing on the part of RRI.
Wade Cook: Financial seminar guru Wade Cook
also sued Robbins for copyright infringement and plagiarism, 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 US$650,900 in damages. The order to pay damages was later withdrawn, but the allegations remained. The ninth circuit court ruled in 2000 that the trial judge has misinterpreted the statutes, and the verdict and damages were reinstated, stating, "The Court found that U.S. District Court Judge, Jack Tanner, erred in "finding a conclusion contrary to the jury award," and sent instructions to reinstate the award. "This is a landmark decision by the 9th Circuit Court because of the high profile players and issues at stake," said lead attorney and Wade Cook General Counsel, Troy Romero. "The Court is telling individuals that, no matter who you are, the protection of copyrightable material will be preserved." Robbins was forced to pay the entire amount.
Vancouver Sun Defamation suit: In 2001, Robbins filed a lawsuit against the newspaper the Vancouver Sun, alleging defamation and libel. The judge determined the Vancouver Sun defamed Tony Robbins when it called him a hypocrite. Awarding Robbins $20,000 in damages, the judge wrote "While damages are presumed, the plaintiff's failure to take the witness stand and to testify about his feelings and the impact of the defamation upon his reputation leaves the court somewhat in the dark about these matters". The court awarded Robbins his attorneys' fees and costs in addition to damages.
, Mikhail Gorbachev
, Bill Clinton
, Margaret Thatcher
, François Mitterrand
, and Princess Diana
. During Robbins' infomercials, he had celebrity appearances by Fran Tarkenton
, Pamela Anderson
, Quincy Jones
, Erin Brockovich
and Anthony Hopkins
. Robbins stated that they came without any compensation.
In 1994, President Bill Clinton
invited Robbins, Marianne Williamson
and Dr. Steven R. Covey to a meeting at Camp David
. All parties "refused to divulge the substance of their meeting with the Clintons".
In 1997, Robbins and his first wife of 15 years, Becky Robbins (née Jenkins), were divorced.
In June 2001, Robbins married Bonnie Humphrey (now known as Sage Robbins) and is the father of four children.
Tony Robbins started his career working for a medium size publishing company in the states. Having a natural gift for sales and communicating he soon rose to the position of director before embarking on peak performance speaking.
Robbins alludes to his personal belief in God in Unlimited Power, giving the grand complexity of life as evidence of an intelligent designer.
Self-help
Self-help, or self-improvement, is a self-guided improvement—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a substantial psychological basis. There are many different self-help movements and each has its own focus, techniques, associated beliefs, proponents and in some cases, leaders...
author and motivational speaker
Motivational speaker
A motivational speaker or inspirational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. In a business context, they are employed to communicate company strategy with clarity and help employees to see the future in a positive light and inspire workers to pull...
. He became well known through his infomercials and self-help books, Unlimited Power: The New Science Of Personal Achievement and Awaken The Giant Within. Robbins writes about subjects such as health and energy, overcoming fears, persuasive communication, and enhancing relationships. Robbins began his career learning from many different motivational speakers, and promoted seminars for his personal mentor, Jim Rohn
Jim Rohn
Jim Rohn was an American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker. His rags to riches story played a large part in his work, which influenced others in the personal development industry.-Early life:...
. He is deeply influenced by neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming is an approach to psychotherapy, self-help and organizational change. Founders Richard Bandler and John Grinder say that NLP is a model of interpersonal communication and a system of alternative therapy which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective...
and a variety of philosophies.
Robbins's work has been featured in major media including Time, Newsweek, Fortune, Forbes, Life, GQ, Vanity Fair, Business Week, Tycoon and Success magazines, the CBS Evening News, NBC News, ABC's Prime Time Live, Fox News, CNN and A&E as well as newspapers, radio programs, and Internet media worldwide. Robbins has been mentioned or featured in 15 major motion pictures, including a cameo role in the hit movie "Shallow Hal." In 2007, he was named to Forbes magazine's "Celebrity 100" list.
His programs have reached over 4 million people from 100 countries around the world.
Anthony Robbins was ranked among the “Top 50 Business Intellectuals in the World” by Accenture’s Institute for Strategic Change. Robbins has spoken at Harvard Business School and was ranked by the school among the “Top 200 Business Gurus” (Harvard Business School Press, 2003).
Early life
Robbins was born Anthony Jay Mahavorick in North Hollywood, California on February 29, 1960. He later moved to Azusa, CaliforniaAzusa, California
Azusa is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 46,361 at the 2010 census, up from 44,712 at the 2000 census. Though sometimes assumed to be a compaction of the phrase "everything from A to Z in the USA" from an old Jack Benny joke, the place name "Azusa"...
, and attended Glendora High School
Glendora High School
Glendora High School is located in Glendora, Los Angeles County, California, United States.-History:The high school was built in 1958 on the land owned by Clarks Gordan, an orange grower. The land contained oak trees which still grow on the school ground. The first graduating class of GHS was in...
. Robbins says that he lived in a small low-rent apartment in the Los Angeles area during his early twenties and had dreamed of living in a mansion for years. In 1984, as his career began to take off, he bought Del Mar Castle for $1.7M. He sold the property in 1988 for $3.25M.
Career
Robbins began his career promoting seminars for Jim RohnJim Rohn
Jim Rohn was an American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker. His rags to riches story played a large part in his work, which influenced others in the personal development industry.-Early life:...
. According to Robbins, Jim Rohn taught him that "happiness and success in life are not the result of what we have, but rather of how we live. What we do with the things we have makes the biggest difference in the quality of life."
Later Robbins began his own work as a self-help coach. He taught neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming is an approach to psychotherapy, self-help and organizational change. Founders Richard Bandler and John Grinder say that NLP is a model of interpersonal communication and a system of alternative therapy which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective...
(NLP) and Ericksonian Hypnosis after training with NLP co-founder John Grinder
John Grinder
John Grinder, Ph.D., is an American linguist, author, management consultant, trainer and speaker. Grinder is credited with the co-creation with Richard Bandler of the field of Neuro-linguistic programming. He is co-director of Quantum Leap Inc., a management consulting firm founded by his partner...
. In 1983, Robbins learned to firewalk from Tolly Burkan
Tolly Burkan
Tolly Burkan, also known as Bruce Burkan, is a firewalking spokesman. He is the founder of the Firewalking Institute of Research and Education in Twain Harte, California and claims there are over three million firewalkers globally, including 3,000 instructors on six continents...
and began to incorporate it into his seminars.
Robbins promoted his services as a "peak performance coach" through his books and TV infomercials, gaining strong public recognition and lucrative sales. He conducts a large range of seminars and live events around the world dedicated to achieving greatness in his participants by unleashing their personal power and helping them align their values with their individual life goals. In 1997, Robbins began the Leadership Academy seminar, in which participants learn to "[c]reate an identity for them self as someone who can help 'anyone', no matter what his/her challenge may be." Robbins is a featured speaker on the seminar circuit sponsored by Learning Annex. Robbins appeared as a featured speaker at the 2007 Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) conference. His talk is among the top ten TED talks.
He is now involved with The Robbins-Madanes Center for Strategic Intervention, which focuses on personal, family and organizational psychology, and claims to help people "find breakthrough strategies and solutions for overcoming the problems that confront us all."
Seminars
Robbins also conducts seminars, including his four-day Unleash the Power Within (UPW) seminar, Mastery University and Business Mastery.The UPW is also known as his firewalk seminar, during which the participants walk barefoot over hot coals at the end of the first evening. 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').
Mastery University is promoted at the UPW seminar. Life Mastery, espouses Robbins' ideas about what makes for a healthy lifestyle, and has in the past featured guest lecturers including Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra is an Indian medical doctor, public speaker, and writer on subjects such as spirituality, Ayurveda and mind-body medicine. Chopra began his career as an endocrinologist and later shifted his focus to alternative medicine. Chopra now runs his own medical center, with a focus on...
and John Gray
John Gray
-Born 18th century:*John Gray , member of the North Carolina General Assembly*John Gray , president of the Bank of Montreal...
. Date With Destiny, the only Mastery event at which Robbins is present for the entire event, is said to be designed to help participants align their values so that they are not in conflict, but rather are aligned with the participant's individual goals.
In 1997, Robbins initiated his Leadership Academy seminar, in which he invites participants to learn the skills he uses, with the stated goal of the program to enable the participant to "[c]reate an identity for yourself as someone who can help 'anyone', no matter what his/her challenge may be"
In 2009 Robbins created his Business Mastery program, designed to provide business leaders with tools to manage and grow their businesses. The seminar is conducted live by Robbins and features entrepreneur guest speakers. Past speakers have included Steve Wynn, CEO of Wynn Resorts, Peter Guber
Peter Guber
Howard Peter Guber is an American film producer and executive and Chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment...
(Chairman & CEO of Mandalay Entertainment Group) and Tony Hsieh
Tony Hsieh
Tony Hsieh is the CEO of online shoe and clothing shop Zappos.com. Prior to joining Zappos, Hsieh co-founded and sold the internet advertising network LinkExchange to Microsoft in 1999 for $265 million.-Early life:...
(CEO and Founder of Zappos.com).
Books
Tony Robbins has published two best-selling books, Unlimited Power and Awaken the Giant Within.Unlimited Power, published in 1987, discusses the topics of health and energy, overcoming fears, persuasive communication, and enhancing relationships. One reviewer called the book "uplifting and idealistic" and referenced the “dynamic enthusiasm" of the book;" and another describes Robbins as “a persuasive communicator who spends more linage on step-by-step details of his recommendations than in self-boosterism." while another reviewer said it's "too wordy" and "reads like a transcript of a series of talks." Other reviewers dispute the book's originality, pointing to ideological similarities with Maxwell Maltz
Maxwell Maltz
Maxwell Maltz was an American cosmetic surgeon and author of Psycho-Cybernetics , which was a system of ideas that he claimed could improve one's self-image. In turn, the person would lead a more successful and fulfilling life...
, Norman Vincent Peale
Norman Vincent Peale
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale was a minister and author and a progenitor of the theory of "positive thinking".-Early life and education:...
, Napoleon Hill
Napoleon Hill
Napoleon Hill was an American author who was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal-success literature. He is widely considered to be one of the great writers on success...
, and Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie
Dale Breckenridge Carnegie was an American writer, lecturer, and the developer of famous courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills...
, all of whom Robbins acknowledges in his book. Some have criticized the chapter called "Energy: The Fuel of Excellence" which includes information on food combining, lymphology, and deep breathing to promote health. Robbins makes reference to the book Fit for Life
Fit for Life
Fit for Life is a diet and lifestyle stemming from the principles of natural hygiene, an offshoot of naturopathic medicine. It is promoted mainly by the American writers Harvey and Marilyn Diamond...
and its authors, Harvey and Marilyn Diamond, whom he refers to as his "former partners". The National Council for Reliable Health Information wrote a critical review of the chapter and called his sources unreliable. Awaken the Giant Within, published in 1992, was an expansion of his personal development techniques and strategies taught through a motivational self-help type approach. Robbins made the distinction between his techniques, coined as Neuro-Associative Conditioning as unique from Neuro-Linguistic Programming because the trademarked difference is defined by the application of "conditioning" to a newly learned personal development technique and/or skill or strategy rather than "being programmed" and suggest-ably fixed once and for all by someone else who had more power than the individual to make a change.
Movie Appearances and TV Show
Robbins had a pivotal storyline-setting cameo role in the 2001 Jack Black box office hit movie "Shallow HalShallow Hal
Shallow Hal is a 2001 romantic comedy film starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Jack Black, and Jason Alexander. It was directed by the Farrelly Brothers and filmed in and around Charlotte, North Carolina as well as Sterling and Princeton, Massachusetts at Wachusett Mountain.- Plot :Hal Larson is a...
.". Robbins also had cameo roles as himself in the 1994 movie "Reality Bites," in three episodes of "Roseanne" (TV series - 1997 season and 1998 season), and in an episode of hit HBO series "The Sopranos" (TV series - 2004 season). In July 2010, NBC debuted Breakthrough with Tony Robbins, a reality show that followed Robbins as he helped the show's participants face their personal challenges. NBC canceled the show after airing two of the planned six episodes, due to low viewership.
Anthony Robbins Foundation
In 1991, Robbins launched a charity, the Anthony Robbins FoundationAnthony Robbins Foundation
The Anthony Robbins Foundation is a charitable organisation created and chaired by motivational speaker, Tony Robbins. The foundation was created in 1991 with the belief system that "regardless of stature, only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s...
. It is dedicated to empowering students and prisoners through food drives and learning programs based on his teachings. According to the official website, the foundation has "products and programs in more than 2,000 schools, 700 prisons, and 100,000 health and human service organizations." The Foundation and the validity and success of its programs have been written about and featured in many dozens of articles, appearing on various websites. Examples include the following source sites.
Despite this, the independent charity watchdog, Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities. Its stated goal is "to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America's largest charities."-About:...
, gives the foundation a rating of two out of four stars. The official website states that "the Foundation is committed to make a difference in the quality of life for children, the homeless, the prison population, and the elderly through its various programs". The foundation has subsequently led to the forming of "Basket Brigades" across the world that occur each Thanksgiving. Individuals and groups have joined together to assemble and deliver dinner baskets to needy families.
Lawsuits
Federal Trade Commission: In May 1995, Robbins Research International (RRI) responded to Federal Trade CommissionFederal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
charges of misrepresentation of potential earnings to franchise investors. RRI and the FTC entered into a stipulated settlement agreement, in which RRI agreeed to pay $221,260 (USD) in consumer redress. There were no findings or admissions of wrong doing on the part of RRI.
Wade Cook: Financial seminar guru Wade Cook
Wade Cook
Wade Bruce Cook is an American author and self-proclaimed financial guru. Cook claims to have started his success when he was a taxi driver in the 1970s. His first book, Real Estate Money Machine, was originally self-published in 1981...
also sued Robbins for copyright infringement and plagiarism, alleging that Robbins used proprietary terms in his seminars and in his book, Wall Street Money Machine. In 1998, a Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
, jury ordered Robbins to pay Cook US$650,900 in damages. The order to pay damages was later withdrawn, but the allegations remained. The ninth circuit court ruled in 2000 that the trial judge has misinterpreted the statutes, and the verdict and damages were reinstated, stating, "The Court found that U.S. District Court Judge, Jack Tanner, erred in "finding a conclusion contrary to the jury award," and sent instructions to reinstate the award. "This is a landmark decision by the 9th Circuit Court because of the high profile players and issues at stake," said lead attorney and Wade Cook General Counsel, Troy Romero. "The Court is telling individuals that, no matter who you are, the protection of copyrightable material will be preserved." Robbins was forced to pay the entire amount.
Vancouver Sun Defamation suit: In 2001, Robbins filed a lawsuit against the newspaper the Vancouver Sun, alleging defamation and libel. The judge determined the Vancouver Sun defamed Tony Robbins when it called him a hypocrite. Awarding Robbins $20,000 in damages, the judge wrote "While damages are presumed, the plaintiff's failure to take the witness stand and to testify about his feelings and the impact of the defamation upon his reputation leaves the court somewhat in the dark about these matters". The court awarded Robbins his attorneys' fees and costs in addition to damages.
Celebrity status
In his book, Awaken the Giant Within, Robbins recalls meetings with various celebrities, saying he was a student of their success. People he mentioned were Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
, Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the USSR, having served from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991...
, Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
, Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
, François Mitterrand
François Mitterrand
François Maurice Adrien Marie Mitterrand was the 21st President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra, serving from 1981 until 1995. He is the longest-serving President of France and, as leader of the Socialist Party, the only figure from the left so far elected President...
, and Princess Diana
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
. During Robbins' infomercials, he had celebrity appearances by Fran Tarkenton
Fran Tarkenton
Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton is a former professional football player, TV personality, and computer software executive....
, Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress, model, producer, author, activist, and former showgirl, known for her roles on the television series Home Improvement, Baywatch, and V.I.P. She was chosen as a Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in February 1990...
, Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
, Erin Brockovich
Erin Brockovich
Erin Brockovich-Ellis is an American legal clerk and environmental activist who, despite the lack of a formal law school education, or any legal education, was instrumental in constructing a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company of California in 1993...
and Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, KBE , best known as Anthony Hopkins, is a Welsh actor of film, stage and television...
. Robbins stated that they came without any compensation.
In 1994, President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
invited Robbins, Marianne Williamson
Marianne Williamson
Marianne Williamson is a spiritual activist, author, lecturer and founder of The Peace Alliance, a grass roots campaign supporting legislation currently before Congress to establish a United States Department of Peace. She is also the founder of Project Angel Food, a meals-on-wheels program that...
and Dr. Steven R. Covey to a meeting at Camp David
Camp David
Camp David is the country retreat of the President of the United States and his guests. It is located in low wooded hills about 60 mi north-northwest of Washington, D.C., on the property of Catoctin Mountain Park in unincorporated Frederick County, Maryland, near Thurmont, at an elevation of...
. All parties "refused to divulge the substance of their meeting with the Clintons".
Personal life
In 1984, Robbins and his ex-girlfriend, Liz Acosta, had a son, Jairek Robbins.In 1997, Robbins and his first wife of 15 years, Becky Robbins (née Jenkins), were divorced.
In June 2001, Robbins married Bonnie Humphrey (now known as Sage Robbins) and is the father of four children.
Tony Robbins started his career working for a medium size publishing company in the states. Having a natural gift for sales and communicating he soon rose to the position of director before embarking on peak performance speaking.
Robbins alludes to his personal belief in God in Unlimited Power, giving the grand complexity of life as evidence of an intelligent designer.
Teleological argument
A teleological or design argument is an a posteriori argument for the existence of God based on apparent design and purpose in the universe. The argument is based on an interpretation of teleology wherein purpose and intelligent design appear to exist in nature beyond the scope of any such human...
CD/DVDs
| accessdate =September 20, 2007}}|accessdate =December 20, 2009}}|accessdate =December 20, 2009}}|accessdate =December 20, 2009}}Other
- Living Health
- The Time of Your Life
- Mastering Influence
- The Ultimate Relationship Program (Robbins-Madanes)
- Leadership In Times of Crisis (Robbins-Madanes)
- Reclaiming Your True Identity (Robbins-Madanes)
- Conquering Overwhelming Loss (Robbins-Madanes)
- Personal Training System
- Unleash The Power Within