Dear Permission to be Powerful Reader,

This is a photo of my twin sister and me.

Her name is Ashley. She’s been missing for almost 15 years. People ask me all the time, “Where’s your sister? What’s going on with her?”

The truth? She vanished. Became a ghost.

Which brings me to last summer…

In 2024, I was living the dream—writing copy for Tony Robbins. Dream client. High performance. Big wins.

I was the golden boy. Just delivered a $23 million sales letter. The numbers didn’t lie. The results spoke for themselves.

So after a year of relentless deadlines, I asked for a raise. But it wasn’t just about the money. It was desperate.

You see, my sister spends most of her time in catatonia—like a ghost, really. Rail thin. Tormented by voices all day. She can’t work. She can’t drive. She’s totally helpless. And she’s in a third-world country with no real medical help.

She’s all I’ve got.

We grew up side by side. Same schools, same classes, same university. We even started our first business together. And with all the professional success I’ve had, I’m haunted by what could have been. She was brilliant—top of her class, a ballerina, a pianist. She earned a medical degree on a full scholarship. But schizophrenia ravaged her life, and there’s nothing I can do.

Behind my career, there’s a mission. I need to move heaven and earth to get her the care she needs. But the reality is, I wasn’t making enough money to help her. So, I asked for a raise. It wasn’t just a “nice to have” request—it was a matter of life and death for her. I needed to get her the help she deserved, and quickly.

But instead of compassion, I got fired.

Consider donating to my sister Ashley’s GoFundMe here—because we can’t wait for the world to change for us. We’re taking matters into our own hands.

When Tony Robbins fired me, they didn’t warn me or even talk to me.

So I had no idea for a week.

I just kept doing my job until Melanie—who helped me land my first big client 10 years ago—told me I wasn’t supposed to be there anymore.

That broke me.

But here’s the kicker—this wasn’t just about a missed email or an office mistake. No, they used AI to analyze my work retroactively, searching for “weaknesses” to justify firing me. I had just delivered a $23 million sales letter. My work had generated millions for them.

And now, they were using AI to find reasons to criticize me. It was like a betrayal on top of betrayal. They didn’t even have the decency to confront me personally. Instead, they used a machine to pick apart my performance after the fact.

I spiraled. Questioned my worth. Blamed myself. Felt like I was back in a struggle I thought I’d left behind.

I know how to perform at the highest level, but when I’m down, I can’t function. And I was sick of being punished for asking for what I was worth.

Jesse called me “ungrateful.” “Undeserving.”

After a $23 million launch. After 15 years of grinding.

I came from a third-world country. There was a time I couldn’t even open a U.S. bank account. I made it to Tony’s doorstep, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.

I’m an Agora-trained copywriter.

That’s like the Harvard of copywriting.

I’ve written for the sharpest marketers out there: Ramit Sethi, Neil Patel, Jason Fladlien.

You call that “undeserving”? Nah.

That’s what late-stage capitalism gets you—sell your soul, then get stabbed in the back.

Whatever. I’m done with that.

I’m starting something nobody can take away from me.

For the longest time, I didn’t know what I’d do next. I spent years writing for others, but never knew what I’d say for myself.

Now I know.

This newsletter, Permission to Be Powerful, is special. People are already raving about it. One reader told me my posts made her cry four times.

My voice is more powerful than ever.

The world is listening.

I’ve got so much love for Tony Robbins. I wouldn’t be who I am today without him. I’ve listened to his work since I was 18. He taught me to think big and dream even bigger. No question—he helped shape the man I am today.

But, I’m coming for him anyway.

Why?

Because Tony’s best years are behind him. But my voice is just getting started.

That’s why I started Permission to Be Powerful.

We’re small now, but this newsletter has been forged from 15 years of writing alongside the best, and it’s only going to grow.

Consider donating to my sister Ashley’s GoFundMe here—because we’re taking matters into our own hands.

And as for my next step, Permission to Be Powerful is my mission to build something nobody can take from me. It’s a product of 15 years of writing for the best, and it’s only going to grow from here.

By subscribing, you’re supporting more than just a newsletter. You’re part of this journey—my journey—to empower myself, my sister, and anyone who’s ready to take control of their own life.

I’m not asking for a handout. I’m asking for a community of people who believe in empowerment, authenticity, and the power of taking action.

Join us.

Until next time,

Dancer, Writer, Buddhist.

It’s called, “How to Get Hired For Your Dream Job (Without Bowing to the Bullshit!)”

I’ll be teaching you the secrets that got Tony Robbins to hire me.

You’ll learn:

• The one question to ask at the start of every job interview that flips the script and makes you the boss. (They’ll say, “Nobody’s ever said that before.”)

• How to become the best in your field.

• What it was like working for some of the biggest players in the online marketing world, including Ramit Sethi, Neil Patel, Agora, Jason Fladlien, and more.

• How to seed your future with career victories 2-3 years in advance.

Reserve your ticket here.

(VIP members get access for free. Upgrade here.)

But first…

Let’s drag Tony…

Dear Permission to be Powerful Reader,

I used to work for Tony Robbins.

The guy who tells millions of people every year to raise their standards.
✅ To know their worth.
✅ To take massive action.
✅ To never settle for less than they deserve.

I believed him.

I listened.
I executed.
And then one day, I decided to actually live that message.

I went to my boss—Jesse Ecker—and asked for a raise.
Not a crazy ask. Just a raise that reflected the A-list copy I was delivering for one of the biggest personal development brands on earth.

What happened next?

I got fired.

Not for doing bad work.
Not for slacking off.
Not for missing deadlines.

I got fired because I dared to believe I was worth more.

Let’s just be clear about what that means:

I got fired from a company that teaches people to know their value…

…because I knew mine.

The irony doesn’t just sting—it screams.

This wasn’t some faceless tech firm or soulless corporate giant.

This was Tony Robbins.

The "Take massive action!" guy.

The "Raise your standards!" guy.

The "Live with passion!" guy.

And the second I did that—lived his teachings—

I got slapped back into place like I’d committed some cardinal sin.

Let’s call it what it is:

Hypocrisy.

Because if you’re preaching one thing outwardly—and practicing the opposite internally—what do you call that?

A brand?

No.

A scam.

Let me break this down:

They didn’t fire me for being bad.
They fired me for being brave.

They fired me when I stopped being the “grateful freelancer” and start being the “true professional.”

They fired me when my belief in myself threatened the chain of command.

That’s what happened to me.

And the worst part?
I had looked up to these people.
I studied Tony’s work for years.
I dreamed of being part of this movement.

And then—bam.
One conversation.
One honest request.
One act of self-worth… and I’m out.

Let me tell you something most people inside the personal development industry are too scared to say:

These companies don’t build leaders.
They build followers who buy tickets.

They don’t want you to rise.
They want you to clap harder.

And the second you show up with an actual spine…
The second you embody what they’ve been preaching?

You become a problem.

A “bad culture fit.”
A “diva.”
An “egotistical freelancer who’s asking for too much.”

That’s how they spin it.

But the truth?

I didn’t get fired for failing.
I got fired for being powerful.

Jesse told me I was “undeserving” for asking for more money.

Not “Hey, we can’t afford it right now.”
Not “Let’s revisit this in 90 days.”
Not “Here’s what we’d need to see to justify that number.”

No.

Just straight-up: “You’re not worthy of more.”

Said from the inside of a self-worth empire.

Ain’t that a bitch.

That told me everything I needed to know.

Outwardly: transformation.
Inwardly: control.

Here’s what I learned

This wasn’t a death.
This was a birth.

It forced me to wake up to a pattern that had been governing me for my whole life:

I kept asking OTHERS to validate my worth—because I hadn’t claimed it for myself yet.

I thought I NEEDED permission.

Turns out—I needed exile.

Because it was only after Jesse fired me that I finally understood:

Those who preach power will often try to crush it when it appears too close to home.

But there’s no hard feelings.

This is just the law of the jungle.

Power is NEVER given.

It’s taken.

Because if you become powerful, who’s left to buy the ticket?
Who’s left to stay in line, applaud on cue, and say, “Yes sir, I’m so grateful to be here”?

Not you.

You’re dangerous now.
You own yourself now.
You’re outside the story.
And once you’re outside the story?

They can’t control you.

So here’s my message to you:

If you’re in a situation where you’re doing excellent work…

And the second you ask for more, they punish you?

That’s not feedback. That’s fear.
Their fear of your independence.
Their fear of your self-belief.
Their fear of losing control over you.

It means you’ve already outgrown the room.

And the door that closed behind you?
That wasn’t rejection.
That was release.

Now, go build something nobody can ever take away from you.

Or, join me this Friday to find your dream job.

I’m not teaching you how to “get hired and stay small.”
I’m teaching you how to land positions on your own terms.

So you leverage the system to buy your freedom faster.

Without becoming a corporate drone.

LIVE workshop this Friday at 2 pm EST.

It’s called, “How to Get Hired For Your Dream Job (Without Bowing to the Bullshit!)”

Register here 👉 https://lu.ma/82gemhv7

Until next time,

Dancer, Writer, Buddhist

Dear Permission to be Powerful Reader,

Okay — so I used to write copy for Tony Robbins.

I’m still salty about them, but I think it’s worth talking about, so I will power through the salt for now. Tony Robbins was a world-class educator.

I’m so damn proud of myself for the work I did and the lessons I learned. I left Tony Robbins feeling self-aware. I finally understood what I was — what I had become.

And it just so happens that I’d become a finely tuned instrument. I became self-confident. I appraised the value of my work there, and it became evident that, somehow, some way… I had become Mike Tyson. At least as far as copywriters go.

How I got there is a wild but very long story. Save that for another day.

I want to say that I was doted on so much by the company. My job was so easy compared to my other client, Dylan. The level of copy I had to deliver was elementary compared to writing for him. More on him another time.

I discovered that I do know what the fuck I’m talking about. Not only that… I’m a freak of nature.

My path to this point was very unusual.

I suppose there’s a reason to be grateful for St. Lucia that I never considered before. I worked from St. Lucia for five years with my now ex-wife. Those five years were a crucible, shaping me into this incredible instrument. But I had no idea.

At ground zero, I was depressed. I was broke. I was stressed out. But I didn’t give myself enough credit for my hard work. Because freelancing has always been a game of survival, I had a very frantic energy about myself. I was always afraid.

It was not necessarily the recommended path, but it shaped me into Mike Tyson. I got enough reps in, and then one day, I was buff as fuck.

I can walk around with my enormous dick energy and fuck-you attitude because I earned it. I had to eat a lot of shit to get here. I finally became a professional.

Tony showed up exactly when I was ready for him to show up.

I had so many epiphanies working for him. I realized I’d crossed a threshold where, having worked for so many brilliant marketers, their training was inside me.

I don’t know why I keep shaking in my boots about keeping the lights on. This is yet another trauma that I’m working through. The reality is… I have a black belt in marketing, and I know that because I’ve hacked it among the best.

Even among the best, people look at me like a freak.

How did a boy from an island just 14 miles long get to write to 2 million people? How did my copy find its fucking way to Times Square? What the fuck.

I scraped and scrunted by for so long; it behooves me to think I made it this far coming from where I started — on Elance for $10 bucks per hour. I made every mistake I possibly could. I failed my way to the top.

I had some massive inner blocks I needed to overcome. I’ve been busting my ass for so long I became a fucking samurai.

My words are lethal weapons. And but a rare few people have put in as much sweat as me. Just on this one area. I understand copy better than you, bitch. I know this shit so well… I have a magic voice.

Whatever I say sparkles in the night. I know how to make it rain. And I’ve dropped some monsoons for Tony Robbins himself.

I had the great honor and pleasure to write alongside a dear friend and colleague I’ve known for 10 years.

It was such a remarkable combination — me and her. Both are in our prime. Both are smart as fuck. Both salsa dancers (I introduced her to dancing, and she became a badass, as God intended).

There was a magic between us.

One of the sweet pleasures I had working for Tony — I was so good, everybody just got the fuck out of my way. Everybody knew whatever I wrote was going to be good.

There’s nothing like selling 20,000 tickets to Unleash The Power Within to inflate a man’s ego. It adds a certain gravitas to my words, don’t you agree?

I know what the fuck I’m talking about.

If anybody is curious, I marveled at the real Tony Robbins, which was not quite what I was expecting, in a good way.

Tony seemed sincere about his desire to help people. I also think his Unleash program was about showing people how to feel worthy.

The feeling of unworthiness is one of the major blocks to success. How can you ever get it if you don’t feel like you deserve success? It’s impossible.

As a man thinketh, so shall he be.

I concluded that Tony must be selling something of value if this is what they are getting on the other side.

A worthy cause to stand for, to be sure.

The people inside the company were primarily good.

I think my ex-boss was a pussy bitch, and I think it’s toxic to go firing your talent over stupid personal grievances.

But honestly, I’m finally starting to see that there’s so much more for me in the wild.

I don’t think I give myself nearly enough credit.

So, I’ve written copy for some of the best in the industry.

Beyond that, I’ve put almost 15 years into writing every single day. The muscle is so strong; I think not too many people have put more hours in than me. I’m too good at this point.

If I can stop being a basket case and get my act together.

Yes, Tony forced me to grow. Necessity is the mother of invention. I had to finally face the parts of myself that I didn’t want to face—or I would be homeless.

There’s been a side of myself that I’ve been too afraid to look at for a long time, and it’s held me back for the longest time.

I didn’t believe people would value what I had to say.

Meanwhile, I’ve got Frank Sinatra’s voice, JFK’s charm, and Mark Twain’s wit. Sexy Ernest Hemingway. LOL.

So humble. I know.

Since I left Tony, things have been falling into place so perfectly that I can’t deny that God is at work.

The precision with which things have fallen together gives me renewed faith. And thank God.

It took a while to put Humpty Dumpty back together again, but I can feel the giant within waking up.

I feel mighty.

Add ChatGPT to the mix. Ya, I’m unstoppable.

I’ll have to write something about ChatGPT very soon.

The literal perfect clients are just showing up on my doorstep.

I have no choice. My apartment, as of tonight, is now a place of business.

I’m working on a tight schedule to roll out several webinar launches concurrently.

Not just that, I met a hot babe who might be my dream girl. I’m not sure yet, but she will be my point guard.

She has an automated webinar funnel running, so I have someone on the technical side who can help me fill that gap.

I have some incredible mentors.

I’m incredibly pleased with the various people I keep in my orbit.

My mentors have been a Godsend.

With my 15 years of experience as a copywriter, I’ve put in an incontestable number of person-hours into my craft.

The blueprints for making millions of dollars have been seared into me.

It’s encoded into my nervous system. My body knows what to do, even if I feel self-doubt.

I can work off muscle memory, at the very least.

It’s incredible how much alignment I’m experiencing right now.

I love all of my clients, even if one pays dirt.

My clients are Stansberry, Investorplace, Behind the Markets, Foundr, and my two gurus, who will be my first true business partnerships.

Talking to this Jamaican dude tonight was so special. He taught me so much he doesn’t even realize it.

I thought about it… and worked with a therapist and my cult leader.

Ah, perfect. This is my cup of tea. There are two causes I can get behind.

I think it’s an excellent sign that I’m feeling mental clarity around this guy.

I’m so excited to have a new mentor in my life.

This guy is so far out that I should dedicate a whole post to him.

But let’s just say this motherfucker is better than Tony Robbins on so many levels.

No disrespect to Tony… He’s got some powerful stuff.

But this guy is introducing me to a new universe of wisdom and power.

The harmony between us is perfect.

He wants it more than I do. I got this.

His mindset is perfect for the moment.

And he has a proven brand already.

With my copywriting prowess, I expect good results.

As of tonight, my house is now a studio, and I love that.

We’ve got webinars to make.

We’ve got launches to do.

I know what must be done and feel ready to take that big, bold step forward.

I’ve worked for a ton of scumbags in the industry.

And, as I was telling him earlier, I think it’s more than just the shady industry filled with unscrupulous actors.

This is just late-stage capitalism doing what it does.

Like, I could judge people for sidestepping ethics when they create content…

But there are so many other industries that are just as bad… Or worse…

When I think about it, I conclude that that’s just the nature of the beast.

Sure, I could question my ethics or my colleagues.

But if the same shit is happening everywhere else, too…

I don’t know. There’s more happening behind the scenes.

This is a systemic issue.

I sleep better at night, knowing I’ll be in good company if I go to hell.

This guy is better than Tony. Believe that.

His words cut with precision, profoundness, and truth.

I’m currently most fascinated with — fuck, I forget.

Sorry. It’ll come back. Don’t worry. It happens.

This guy has spent time with all of your fave gurus.

He’s gone into the Amazon to disappear into the jungle for months.

How wild is that?

You know you’re a little crazy when you can claim to be a hunter-gatherer on your resume.

He’s seen things. He’s been placed.

I think I will be exactly like him when I’m old.

We just read and read and read.

An unquenchable thirst.

And the dividends are compounding.

I have my marketing black belt. No superpowers.

So I won’t be able to wow people.

It’s not glamorous.

But that doesn’t mean I’m not deadly.

Until next time,

Dancer, Writer, Buddhist

Dear Permission to be Powerful Reader,

I didn’t want to write this.

I’ve avoided this topic for months.

But I realized people can benefit from hearing what happened.

So, I’ll hold my nose and tell you what I learned.

I’m a copywriter by trade, and I can tell you—landing Tony Robbins as a client is every copywriter’s dream. My friend, hired as my Copy Chief, once got a standing ovation at a seminar just because her name was announced.

That’s how much weight the brand carries.

And yeah, it inflated my ego.

One minute, I’d be on a Zoom call talking strategy, and the next, Tony would be on Fox News saying something I had written.

I’d write a line, forget about it, and the following week, my Copy Chief would casually say,

“Oh yeah, we used that for a billboard in Times Square.”

It was surreal.

The sheer scope of the work.

The audience of 2 million people.

There’s something about operating at that level—it forces you to rise. I showed up determined to crush it, and I did. There’s no better way to silence self-doubt than proving you can hang with the best.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I had truly made it.

Then, I got fired.

I Got Fired for Asking for a Raise.

I didn’t think asking for a raise could get a person fired.

Especially not when that person was delivering A-list work.

But it happened.

See, I was born and raised in a third-world country. These people have no idea what it took for me to even get in the room.

And once I was there, I wasn’t just playing to survive.

I was playing to win.

When I asked for that raise, I wasn’t just thinking about myself. I was thinking about my sister, who is in poor health and unable to support herself.

I wanted the freedom to help her.

But the response I got?

“You don’t deserve it.”

I know that’s not true.

I asked for an A-list rate because I was delivering A-list work.

And yet… I struggled to understand why my request was met with such hostility.

Until I realized something.

It Wasn’t About the Raise.

It was about control.

Because if they could make me question myself, I wouldn’t move forward.

If they could make me doubt my worth, I wouldn’t ask for more again.

If they could make me feel small, they wouldn’t have to face their own insecurity.

And that’s the hardest part of losing that gig.

Not the job.

Not the money.

The bragging rights.

I had my identity deeply invested in being Tony’s copywriter.

And when that was taken away?

It felt like a part of me died.

Losing the Job Felt Like Losing Myself

Before this happened, I had a sense of stability.

Maybe not perfect, but enough.

Then overnight, it was gone.

And that version of me—the one who felt secure, the one who thought he had made it, the one who believed he was safe—died.

That’s a grief process.

That’s why I felt stuck.

Because I wasn’t just mourning a job.

I was mourning the version of myself who trusted that the world was fair.

This wasn’t just about getting fired.

It was a betrayal of my worth.

It hit deep because I wasn’t just working a job—I was climbing. I was making it.

Landing a client like Tony Robbins felt like proof that I was on the right path.

And then, in one moment, it was all taken away.

That kind of thing shakes your foundation.

It’s not just about losing income—it’s about losing certainty, security, and the feeling that you’re moving forward.

And worst of all?

They made it seem like I deserved it.

That’s what lingers.

That’s why it haunted me for months.

That’s why I kept replaying it in my head.

Because even though, logically, I knew my value…

Somewhere, deep down, I felt like I got kicked out of the room I had worked so hard to get into.

The Trauma of Unfair Rejection

Most people don’t understand this.

When you get fired in a normal way, you can process it. You can move on.

But when you get fired in a way that feels unjust, cruel, or manipulative, your brain loops on it.

Because it doesn’t make sense.

Because there was no closure.

Because it wasn’t fair.

It’s like a relationship ending when you weren’t ready.

It’s like watching someone burn your house down and walk away like it was nothing.

This wasn’t just a job. It was my identity, my future, my proof of success.

And they ripped it away—while making me feel like it was my fault.

That kind of betrayal doesn’t just go away.

Why It Took Me So Long to Move On

Because I was too close to it.

I took a risk. I asked for what I was worth.

And instead of being met with fairness, I got punished.

That kind of experience sticks with you. It makes you question everything.

Maybe I was out of line for asking.

Maybe I wasn’t worth that much.

Maybe I should have known better.

But all of those are just the echoes of how they wanted me to feel.

💡 It’s hard to see someone else’s insecurity when you’re the one they took it out on.

But from the outside?

It’s crystal clear.

I wasn’t fired because I wasn’t good enough.

I was fired because someone felt threatened.

When You Work Under Insecure Leadership, You Have to Play Small

I wasn’t fired for my work.

I wasn’t fired because I failed.

I wasn’t even fired because the company couldn’t afford me.

I was fired because someone felt threatened by me asking for more.

That’s the real reason.

They didn’t want people around them who knew their worth.

They wanted people who would accept crumbs and stay quiet.

And when I made it clear that I wasn’t willing to play small, they had to cut me loose.

I wasn’t fired for asking for a raise—I was fired for refusing to shrink.

Because my existence challenged their illusion of power.

The moment I started thinking bigger, they needed to push me out.

That’s what insecure leadership does.

• They don’t reward talent.

• They don’t promote strength.

• They don’t respect ambition.

• They punish independence.

And the ones who stand up for themselves?

They get shown the door.

Because in environments like that, it’s not about talent.

It’s about control.

The Lesson I Took Away

At first, I thought getting fired was a failure.

But now? I see it for what it really was.

It was proof that I was outgrowing the room I was in.

Because here’s the truth:

When small people have power, powerful people have to leave.

And that’s precisely what happened.

I wasn’t meant to stay small.

And neither are you.

A lot of good has come from losing this gig.

It forced me to stop relying on the whims of my clients to support my business because you can’t control what they do. I could have been perfect in every way, but I still would have gotten fired.

Because I got fired, I finally wrote my memoir, started this substack, and started 2 YouTube channels.

Getting fired compelled me to stop being a freelancer and start being an agency.

I refuse to let this loss define my career.

Until next time,

Dancer, Writer, Buddhist

Permission to be Powerful has officially crossed 10,000 subscribers. Wild. I promised myself that when we got here, I’d republish my favorite article, Blackballed.

To mark the occasion, here’s my Big Fat Mega Dump of every place you can find me online...

• Facebook

• Twitter/X

• YouTube (Mr Congress)

• YouTube (Permission to Be Powerful)

• TikTok

• BlueSky

• Mastodon

• Telegram

• Amazon

• Kick

• Twitch

Follow all of these at your own risk—your timeline will never be the same.

Now, on to Blackballed…

Dear Permission to be Powerful Reader,

A few years back, a survey asked 300 copywriters one question:

"What’s the worst thing that can happen in this business?"🤔

Some said writing a promo that flops.

👉 "Zero conversions. Client pulls the plug."

Others said pouring your soul into a campaign, only for the client to shelve it.

👉 "We love it—but we decided to go in another direction..."

Some said it was writing a promo that makes millions… but someone else gets all the credit.

👉 "Congrats to our Copy Chief for this record-breaking launch!"

But that’s not what I answered…

The worst thing that can happen in this business?

👉 Getting fired.

👉 Blackballed.

👉Your life’s work gone overnight.

This is a true story.

But except for my own, I’ve obscured all the names and identities for reasons that’ll become clear.

I’m Anton Volney, and I thought I’d never write again...

I grew up in a tiny third-world country in the Caribbean—3,000+ miles from the U.S.

I clawed my way into the world of New York Times Bestsellers like Ramit Sethi…

Forbes 30 Under 30 Entrepreneurs like Neil Patel…

And eventually, for the biggest self-help icon of them all…

Tony Robbins.

My words printed millions.

And then—

One moment, I was on top…

The next—I was erased.

Because of a weak man with a laughably fragile ego...

(Seriously, bro, I know some good therapists who will help.)

I spent 15 years chasing this dream.

And I had learned my craft from the best in the world.

Yet, it collapsed in the blink of an eye.

This journey wasn’t quick.
It was slow.

Painful.

Then…

When I was 36, after 15 years grinding in the dark, my career detonated overnight

And suddenly, my words are in front of MILLIONS.

In print on Times Square.

Then, out of nowhere—

I was locked out.
Kicked off Slack.

Colleagues—silent.

I had “Rapid-Onset Blackballing.”

I wasn’t just fired.

I was radioactive.

"You’re undeserving."

Whatever that means.

I went from being the MVP to being persona non grata.

I’ve got one last promo for the next biggest client I’ve ever landed.

It’s a small consolation prize compared to Tony Robbins… but this could make me a killing.

This was my Alzheimer’s Promo for Behind The Markets.

The stakes?

Six figures in royalties—IF I beat the control.

Fifteen years boiled down to one moment.

No second chances.

The deadline is in 48 hours.

I’ve spent years preparing for this moment.

One launch.
One sales letter.
One chance to prove I belong at the highest level.

I’m watching my competition.

One guy played it too safe—his promo was dead on arrival.

Another tried to be clever — subscribers didn’t take the bait.

They’re talking about the biggest names in the room—guys with resumes stacked a mile high.

But they missed the mark.

I can make my name right now.

“Go get it…”

And if I have a perfect launch…

The BEST work of my life…

I can beat the control and cement my name in the industry forever.

Then?

Ball out so hard I have to invent new ways to waste money.

Ice cream for breakfast...

Hire a butler to stand in the corner and clap every time I send an email.

I even thought about getting my anus bleached because it was the biggest waste of money I could think of.

My Copy Chief is telepathically telling me to check my hook…

"Check your hook."

I check my hook.

Strong lead.

Killer Offer.

Perfect funnel.

Set up for the close… and…

Watch sales start flooding in.

Now, two things you need to know before this offer goes live:

The first is that when the offer isn’t clear, you take big swings.

You make bold, risky claims to break through the noise.

The second is that your copy’s selling power largely depends on what’s called The Big Idea…

If you’re a beginner, this is what triggers the “lizard” part of your brain to activate wild, irrational desire.

If you’re an experienced freelancer, you’ve got a handful of winners under your belt.

Mine?

A killer control.

One that prints money.

It’s locked in.

Battle-tested.

Right.

So, how does this happen?

Flatline.

Zero conversions.

No sales.

It happened because of one bad clinical trial.

And the results came out the night before — it shattered my Big Idea.

Right at that moment, I didn’t have time to calculate the odds of that happening—because I was about to watch my hopes and dreams go up in smoke.

"Back up! Back up!"
"Kill the launch!"
"We’re pulling the offer!"

None of this has anything to do with Tony Robbins…

I’m only mentioning it because I wanted to say to whoever answered that the worst thing that could happen in copywriting was a promo that flopped…

Seriously?

Fuck you.

Until next time,

Dancer, Writer, Buddhist