From $10 an Hour to Tony Robbins

A Copywriter's Journey to Mastery

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