Tony Robbins
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Anthony Robbins (born 29 February 1960, Glendora, California) is an American motivational speaker and writer.
Robbins is the inventor and proponent of what he refers to as neuroassociative conditioning, which is based on neuro-linguistic programming (NLP).
Robbins has authored a number of best-selling books, including Unlimited Power (ISBN 0684845776) and Awaken the Giant Within (ISBN 0671791540). His best known tape program is known as Personal Power II; other programs include Get the Edge! and Lessons in Mastery.
He also conducts a number of seminars, most famously one where the participants walk over hot coals on bare feet by employing the psychological techniques Robbins promotes.
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.
Robbins also promotes a vegetarian lifestyle and endorses the views of Dr. Robert Young regarding the need for an alkaline diet.
Supporters argue that Tony Robbins' books, tapes and seminars have given hope to thousands of people and there are many testimonials to the changes brought about by applying the methods he expounds.
Critics claim that some of his ideas, such as that the energy of food can be measured in Hertz, are unscientific, and that the methods are really nothing new, but are simply attractively packaged pieces of existing self-help methods borrowed from other sources, 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.
Robbins is involved in a number of charitable works, including his "basket brigade" which helps feed the homeless and poverty-stricken. He also appeared as himself in the Farrelly brothers movie Shallow Hal.
See also
External link
- Anthony Robbins' official website (http://www.anthonyrobbins.com)
- Straight Dope article (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_036.html) explaining the science of hot coal walking
- Interview with Tony Robbins (http://www.nlpweekly.com/index.php?p=65)