Anthony Robbins on CNN

Sat, May 20, 2006

An interview by Larry King with one of my favorite
personal development coaches, Anthony Robbins, with topics spanning the psychology of change, the six human needs, relationships, his early days and more.

Good stuff!

This post was written by:

Alvin Soon - who has written 458 posts on Life Coaches Blog.

Alvin has been a personal development coach and is the founder of Life Coaches Blog. He now writes full-time and keeps a personal blog at 21 Dragons.

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19 Comments For This Post

Tatiana Says:
May 20th, 2006 at 7:51 pm

Meh. Anthony Robbins is the least credible person in the world. The only thing he should be giving advice on is how to run scams via late night TV infomercials.

Alvin Says:
May 22nd, 2006 at 10:43 am

Why the negativity Tatiana? Have you watched the video? I think there’s stuff we can all learn from.

Thomas Says:
May 26th, 2006 at 9:28 pm

I believe that Tony Robbins is really good at heart. But if he’s such a kind soul, why does he charge for all his programs, and why so many of them? It seems rather apparent that one of his aims is money making.

Alvin Says:
May 27th, 2006 at 12:52 am

And how is making money for yourself a bad thing, Thomas? I want to make loads of money too. And his books & programs help a lot of people, I know they helped me and there’s no other way he could have reached a kid all the way in Singapore unless he made those.

Ag Says:
August 13th, 2006 at 3:56 pm

I’ve heard of Robbins through a danish coach website.

I saw the video at CNN. At the begining I thought – oh, that’s very american – in Denmark that means too much of every thing – but along the way he got deeper and had more sustanse and nuance in his argumentation.

The statement concerning the smokerindentity is very true – so I got some good and new information – and before I’ve never heard about Robbins.

Alvin Soon Says:
August 13th, 2006 at 10:42 pm

That’s interesting, Ag, I didn’t know you had that expression in Denmark. In Singapore, to say something is too American is simply to mean that it’s too westernized and far off from our own Asian traditions.

I enjoyed this interview too because I felt Tony became very personal along the way during the course of this interview, and was very honest and open about his own life. It really brought new insights to me about the man and especially about how vulnerable he’s willing to be just so he could share something of value with us.

I’m glad you found your first encounter with Tony Robbins a nice one

Bretticus Says:
February 1st, 2007 at 5:10 am

For any of you who have doubts about Mr. Robbins, please take a minute……

http://www.tonyrobbins.com/nextlevel/SEP05/Katrina/press.htm

iron erik johnson Says:
February 12th, 2007 at 10:14 am

if you dont like tony robbins,then it sucks for you…for the ones that do live with passion..ill see you at the top..

Chris Lyons Says:
June 13th, 2007 at 2:40 pm

There is some wonderful discussion in regards to this topic. The negative is just as important as the positive, imagine if we all just agreed to things just because they were in the media. You all make valid points in regards to Tony.

My first experiences of personal development and the psychology of change were through Tony Robbins, I even had the privilege of meeting him here in Australia briefly during his Unleash the Power Within seminar. I have been in the personal development industry now for around five years and before that I ran a personal fitness training and exercise physiology business.

Anyone who would like to discuss anything related to personal development and human potential check out my site at: http://www.endlesshumanpotential.com and fill out the contact form. I also offer free sessions for those who would like a consultation and see for themselves what this sort of material can bring you. It may surprise you, I’ve seen people make a literal 180 degree shift in attitude after 60 minutes.

thefullsp Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 8:36 pm

you know – I’m a very smart guy aged 34 with what most perceive to be a great sales job on a bank trading floor. However, I think my life sucked until I had a combi of NLP/Counselling/Hypnotherapy end 2006. I saw the TR infomercials again in Denmark in a hotel and thought, that looks like total BS – what a dork. So I asked my NLP coach. She said that she had done all of his courses (and she’s not dumb believe me). She doesn’t preach it or sell it it anyway – I brought it up, but said she thought I would enjoy going to the 4 day UPW course in London. So I did. Last weekend.
I can honestly say I have never had such a fun 4 days of mixed emotions ranging from huge tears to massive exhilaration.
TR is truly a master of the audience and how anyone can stay on stage for 14 hours in one day with just a one hour break and do that for nearly 3 days running, I have No idea. Someone told me that he has a shot before he goes on stage? Not sustainable in my opinion.
YES – it’s very much rehearsed – but then so are all great shows – and he is definitely a showman and an entrepreneur – 5 / 6 times they try to get you to sign up for the next level.
However, if all you get from the weekend is a warm glow that lasts a few weeks, then is that really too bad. But I believe that most people got far more than that. For some it was the first time that they had confronted certain emotions and fears and learned simple tools to move on with their lives. 12k smiling people in London – would never have believed it…
Me? I lost 5lbs in weight dancing like a crazy man for hours, met some great people, have started going to the gym again, eating healthily, look only forwards now (dont even know what ‘back’ is) and have NEVER been in a better frame of mind. The job that I ‘hate’ has taken on a new life. What the hell happened to the past 10 years. If only I’d gone when I was younger…
No-one should judge this stuff until they have experienced it.

Maybe it is all a con, maybe he is a charlatan. Who knows? Who cares? I’ve wasted money on cars, booze, vacations to put myself in a great frame of mind, but nothing compares to the energy of a Tony Robbins event. Read this and weep soothsayers…

Alvin Soon Says:
July 4th, 2007 at 11:27 pm

Great review, thefullsp I like the way you write; you tell it like it is from you own experience.

I come from the philosophy that we are the sum of all our experiences. So what if you only make small little changes or realizations instead of grand sweeping ones? In the end that change or that realization still helps you grow and add to the richness of your life.

life coach reviews Says:
August 20th, 2007 at 11:02 am

My co-worker told me yesterday that after he had put down $1500 for the admission price, he arrived in a big stadium to see Tony…only what they say for the $1500 was a recording of Tony on a big screen/jumbotron TV…if nothing else, Tony is a brilliant businessman.

Alvin Soon Says:
August 21st, 2007 at 12:18 am

That’s something Tony’s doing which I don’t agree with – although I understand it from a business point of view I would never pay to go to a video event of his – I’d so much rather hear the man live.

That said, I’m surprised your co-worker didn’t know that he was paying that much money to find out it was a televised event – they’re usually pretty clear on the official website.

Renee Says:
March 6th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

tony does the video recordings of UPW to reach more people. Guys he’s 48 years old and has a schedule so packed most of us wouldnt even imagine. Of course he charges money for his seminars!!! But do you know only 20% of his income is from seminars but he spends 80% of his time at them???

Whats more, he DOESN’T NEED TO DO THESE SEMINARS!!! He is more than able to live very well without them. He does it to contribute. Plus, can’t you see the passion in this man? Yes, there’s money in it, so what. He feeds millions a year.

Anyway, I’ve been to his UOPW in sydney australia and am going to his Date With Destiny Event.

Joyride Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 8:37 am

This is Sage Robbins’s ex husband John: http://www.wallbeds.com/files/u1/bobjohncaroline_X.jpg

This is Anthony Robbins’s ex wife:
http://www.roadandtravel.com/celebrities/images/beckyrobbins.gif

Any questions?

Steve Hedger Says:
May 13th, 2008 at 5:20 am

I was so shocked to see such negative remarks about this brilliant man. I guess it’s just a case of them wanting to be right, those who think they are right have got just that, but that’s all. Those who have got to know his teachings will have got so much more, like me.

Being open minded to what we don’t know is what successful people do.

I’m sure these negative people are not so arrogant that they think they know everything and if that’s true then maybe they could be wrong about Mr Robbins.

Nicholas Finnegan Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 pm

I think we all want to make money in life. His infomercial are not scams, I ordered get the edge from an infomercial and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. It would be cool if they were abit cheaper, but the results you get from spending £100 was well worth it, and i can use his system again and again!! Its a much better way to spend your money than blowing it all away on a night out clubbing. Know what i mean?

http://www.nicholasfinnegan.com

average joe Says:
September 11th, 2008 at 11:27 am

I borrowed one of Tony Robbins CD programs from a friend a few years ago. What I found to be the most useful of the program was the NLP conditoning technique he teaches. I used it to overcome my fear of swimming. After using the technique I was enthusiastic, not fearful, when I took swim classes at the Y. I am a pretty good swimmer now. I also was successful in overcomming my stage fright. I almost crapped in my pants one time I had to make a simple presentation in front of a small group of clients. I had to lie and pretend to be sick in order to escape the situation. I used the method Tony teaches for about a month and joined my local Toastmaster’s Club for about a year. I can now speak in front of any audience and deliver any well prepared talk without feeling any fear or anxiousness at all. I still now guys who have been in Toastmasters for years and still get quite nervous and they accept it as a natural feeling that never goes away. I feel empowered before I have to speak before an audience. I still get butterflies in my stomach, but my butterflies are not fear-producing, they are courage producing ones. I didn’t have to pay for the knowledge I got from the CD’s, but I’m sure there are plenty of folks out there that have paid thousands of dollars to shrinks to just talk about their fears. I would rather pay a couple of hundred dollars to Tony and get to the solution to my fears. I don’t know if Robbins really cares about people or not and I really don’t care. I live in a capalist country. I don’t have to like him and I certainly don’t consider him to be my Guru. He’s just another american marketing a product for a living. My testimonial is that this stuff really works as it pertains to fears and phobias. I think he’s earned his money delivering a good product.

pulpfact Says:
December 11th, 2008 at 12:53 am

He’s an amazing soul

1 Trackbacks For This Post

Battling an Inferiority Complex - Personal Development for Smart People Forums Says:
November 4th, 2006 at 6:34 pm

[...] Whoa starkey, it’s a big big jump from feeling inferior to depression! I’d hold the horses on that for a while WayToTwilight, everyone has times when they’re feeling down or rotten about themselves, even my hero Tony Robbins (who reveals it in this interview with Larry King) But I believe it when you say you have a cycle of putting yourself down…your whole post puts yourself down! How about a little experiment, Twilight? Why don’t you put yourself up for a while? Tell us what you do well, what you like in yourself and stuff you’ve done that you’re proud of. There must be at least one __________________ Who else wants more strategies to create an effective life? Visit Life Coaches Blog now. [...]

Tatiana Says:
May 20th, 2006 at 7:51 pm
Meh. Anthony Robbins is the least credible person in the world. The only thing he should be giving advice on is how to run scams via late night TV infomercials.
Alvin Says:
May 22nd, 2006 at 10:43 am
Why the negativity Tatiana? Have you watched the video? I think there’s stuff we can all learn from.
Thomas Says:
May 26th, 2006 at 9:28 pm
I believe that Tony Robbins is really good at heart. But if he’s such a kind soul, why does he charge for all his programs, and why so many of them? It seems rather apparent that one of his aims is money making.
Alvin Says:
May 27th, 2006 at 12:52 am
And how is making money for yourself a bad thing, Thomas? I want to make loads of money too. And his books & programs help a lot of people, I know they helped me and there’s no other way he could have reached a kid all the way in Singapore unless he made those.
Ag Says:
August 13th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
I’ve heard of Robbins through a danish coach website.

I saw the video at CNN. At the begining I thought – oh, that’s very american – in Denmark that means too much of every thing – but along the way he got deeper and had more sustanse and nuance in his argumentation.

The statement concerning the smokerindentity is very true – so I got some good and new information – and before I’ve never heard about Robbins.
Alvin Soon Says:
August 13th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
That’s interesting, Ag, I didn’t know you had that expression in Denmark. In Singapore, to say something is too American is simply to mean that it’s too westernized and far off from our own Asian traditions.

I enjoyed this interview too because I felt Tony became very personal along the way during the course of this interview, and was very honest and open about his own life. It really brought new insights to me about the man and especially about how vulnerable he’s willing to be just so he could share something of value with us.

I’m glad you found your first encounter with Tony Robbins a nice one
Bretticus Says:
February 1st, 2007 at 5:10 am
For any of you who have doubts about Mr. Robbins, please take a minute……

http://www.tonyrobbins.com/nextlevel/SEP05/Katrina/press.htm
iron erik johnson Says:
February 12th, 2007 at 10:14 am
if you dont like tony robbins,then it sucks for you…for the ones that do live with passion..ill see you at the top..
Chris Lyons Says:
June 13th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
There is some wonderful discussion in regards to this topic. The negative is just as important as the positive, imagine if we all just agreed to things just because they were in the media. You all make valid points in regards to Tony.

My first experiences of personal development and the psychology of change were through Tony Robbins, I even had the privilege of meeting him here in Australia briefly during his Unleash the Power Within seminar. I have been in the personal development industry now for around five years and before that I ran a personal fitness training and exercise physiology business.

Anyone who would like to discuss anything related to personal development and human potential check out my site at: http://www.endlesshumanpotential.com and fill out the contact form. I also offer free sessions for those who would like a consultation and see for themselves what this sort of material can bring you. It may surprise you, I’ve seen people make a literal 180 degree shift in attitude after 60 minutes.
thefullsp Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
you know – I’m a very smart guy aged 34 with what most perceive to be a great sales job on a bank trading floor. However, I think my life sucked until I had a combi of NLP/Counselling/Hypnotherapy end 2006. I saw the TR infomercials again in Denmark in a hotel and thought, that looks like total BS – what a dork. So I asked my NLP coach. She said that she had done all of his courses (and she’s not dumb believe me). She doesn’t preach it or sell it it anyway – I brought it up, but said she thought I would enjoy going to the 4 day UPW course in London. So I did. Last weekend.
I can honestly say I have never had such a fun 4 days of mixed emotions ranging from huge tears to massive exhilaration.
TR is truly a master of the audience and how anyone can stay on stage for 14 hours in one day with just a one hour break and do that for nearly 3 days running, I have No idea. Someone told me that he has a shot before he goes on stage? Not sustainable in my opinion.
YES – it’s very much rehearsed – but then so are all great shows – and he is definitely a showman and an entrepreneur – 5 / 6 times they try to get you to sign up for the next level.
However, if all you get from the weekend is a warm glow that lasts a few weeks, then is that really too bad. But I believe that most people got far more than that. For some it was the first time that they had confronted certain emotions and fears and learned simple tools to move on with their lives. 12k smiling people in London – would never have believed it…
Me? I lost 5lbs in weight dancing like a crazy man for hours, met some great people, have started going to the gym again, eating healthily, look only forwards now (dont even know what ‘back’ is) and have NEVER been in a better frame of mind. The job that I ‘hate’ has taken on a new life. What the hell happened to the past 10 years. If only I’d gone when I was younger…
No-one should judge this stuff until they have experienced it.

Maybe it is all a con, maybe he is a charlatan. Who knows? Who cares? I’ve wasted money on cars, booze, vacations to put myself in a great frame of mind, but nothing compares to the energy of a Tony Robbins event. Read this and weep soothsayers…
Alvin Soon Says:
July 4th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Great review, thefullsp I like the way you write; you tell it like it is from you own experience.

I come from the philosophy that we are the sum of all our experiences. So what if you only make small little changes or realizations instead of grand sweeping ones? In the end that change or that realization still helps you grow and add to the richness of your life.
life coach reviews Says:
August 20th, 2007 at 11:02 am
My co-worker told me yesterday that after he had put down $1500 for the admission price, he arrived in a big stadium to see Tony…only what they say for the $1500 was a recording of Tony on a big screen/jumbotron TV…if nothing else, Tony is a brilliant businessman.
Alvin Soon Says:
August 21st, 2007 at 12:18 am
That’s something Tony’s doing which I don’t agree with – although I understand it from a business point of view I would never pay to go to a video event of his – I’d so much rather hear the man live.

That said, I’m surprised your co-worker didn’t know that he was paying that much money to find out it was a televised event – they’re usually pretty clear on the official website.
Renee Says:
March 6th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
tony does the video recordings of UPW to reach more people. Guys he’s 48 years old and has a schedule so packed most of us wouldnt even imagine. Of course he charges money for his seminars!!! But do you know only 20% of his income is from seminars but he spends 80% of his time at them???

Whats more, he DOESN’T NEED TO DO THESE SEMINARS!!! He is more than able to live very well without them. He does it to contribute. Plus, can’t you see the passion in this man? Yes, there’s money in it, so what. He feeds millions a year.

Anyway, I’ve been to his UOPW in sydney australia and am going to his Date With Destiny Event.
Joyride Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 8:37 am
This is Sage Robbins’s ex husband John: http://www.wallbeds.com/files/u1/bobjohncaroline_X.jpg

This is Anthony Robbins’s ex wife:
http://www.roadandtravel.com/celebrities/images/beckyrobbins.gif

Any questions?
Steve Hedger Says:
May 13th, 2008 at 5:20 am
I was so shocked to see such negative remarks about this brilliant man. I guess it’s just a case of them wanting to be right, those who think they are right have got just that, but that’s all. Those who have got to know his teachings will have got so much more, like me.

Being open minded to what we don’t know is what successful people do.

I’m sure these negative people are not so arrogant that they think they know everything and if that’s true then maybe they could be wrong about Mr Robbins.
Nicholas Finnegan Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I think we all want to make money in life. His infomercial are not scams, I ordered get the edge from an infomercial and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. It would be cool if they were abit cheaper, but the results you get from spending £100 was well worth it, and i can use his system again and again!! Its a much better way to spend your money than blowing it all away on a night out clubbing. Know what i mean?

http://www.nicholasfinnegan.com
average joe Says:
September 11th, 2008 at 11:27 am
I borrowed one of Tony Robbins CD programs from a friend a few years ago. What I found to be the most useful of the program was the NLP conditoning technique he teaches. I used it to overcome my fear of swimming. After using the technique I was enthusiastic, not fearful, when I took swim classes at the Y. I am a pretty good swimmer now. I also was successful in overcomming my stage fright. I almost crapped in my pants one time I had to make a simple presentation in front of a small group of clients. I had to lie and pretend to be sick in order to escape the situation. I used the method Tony teaches for about a month and joined my local Toastmaster’s Club for about a year. I can now speak in front of any audience and deliver any well prepared talk without feeling any fear or anxiousness at all. I still now guys who have been in Toastmasters for years and still get quite nervous and they accept it as a natural feeling that never goes away. I feel empowered before I have to speak before an audience. I still get butterflies in my stomach, but my butterflies are not fear-producing, they are courage producing ones. I didn’t have to pay for the knowledge I got from the CD’s, but I’m sure there are plenty of folks out there that have paid thousands of dollars to shrinks to just talk about their fears. I would rather pay a couple of hundred dollars to Tony and get to the solution to my fears. I don’t know if Robbins really cares about people or not and I really don’t care. I live in a capalist country. I don’t have to like him and I certainly don’t consider him to be my Guru. He’s just another american marketing a product for a living. My testimonial is that this stuff really works as it pertains to fears and phobias. I think he’s earned his money delivering a good product.
pulpfact Says:
December 11th, 2008 at 12:53 am
He’s an amazing soul

Battling an Inferiority Complex - Personal Development for Smart People Forums Says:
November 4th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
[...] Whoa starkey, it’s a big big jump from feeling inferior to depression! I’d hold the horses on that for a while WayToTwilight, everyone has times when they’re feeling down or rotten about themselves, even my hero Tony Robbins (who reveals it in this interview with Larry King) But I believe it when you say you have a cycle of putting yourself down…your whole post puts yourself down! How about a little experiment, Twilight? Why don’t you put yourself up for a while? Tell us what you do well, what you like in yourself and stuff you’ve done that you’re proud of. There must be at least one __________________ Who else wants more strategies to create an effective life? Visit Life Coaches Blog now. [...]

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