It seemed that “Breakthrough” ended so quickly. The 6 week episodes hooked us in and left us wanting more. The stories were amazing and the lessons still resonate with us today. It is safe to say that Tony changed the lives of each and everyone of these families and it was truly impressive. Helping people to see beyond their self-imposed limitations, Tony opened all of our eyes to the possibilities and strength that lies within each of us. For those of you who loved the show as much as we did, we have great news for you! Tony Robbins actually has more in-depth, after-show commentary and insight posted on his website…and even a few extra clips. Check them out!
Each week Breakthrough with Tony Robbins brought hope to a family in crisis. Whether it was money, loss of a dream or even post traumatic issues, he found a way to help couples find their way back to what was important…and each other. This week was a little harder for me to watch. Not because the issues were real or important, but I have a harder time sympathizing with people who take their families for granted and cheaters. Each person did damage and each person was searching for help.
Don’t get me wrong. I wanted Tony to help, but the process can be more frustrating. I know… I’m working on it. In the meantime, I watched as Tony met up with Melissa and Rick Lawson. The couple had bonded earlier in life over their love of music which they often played together in clubs. However, Melissa became the breakout star when she won Nashville Star , which is a lot like country’s version of American Idol. After winning she threw herself into the life and didn’t look back. Unfortunately she didn’t even look back to see her family which consisted of her husband and their five sons. As her husband grew more resentful, he did the obvious and the unthinkable…he cheated on her.
It was time for Tony to step in and help them pull it all back together. He began by teaching them to be present in communication. While Melissa cried and shared her frustrating issues, Tony instructed Rick to stand there and listen and think, “I love you. I worship you. I own you forever.” At first I cringed with the “own you” piece but I got it…it was about knowing that this relationship wasn’t an option. It was for life. Once he got them communicating, Tony decided to send them to a primitive ranch. Yes, the kind that Oprah and Gayle could only handle for a night. With all technology left behind, they were forced to spend time together and rely only upon each other. They needed each other. Feeling like it was more of a punishment, the couple didn’t quite get the point and continued to be both lazy and selfish. But by day 12, the lesson was coming. [read more…]
Most families are only a few paychecks from being homeless. If you own a home…you may have a little more time, but without an income the stress builds up quickly. As financial problems get worse it is almost impossible to not worry and start to freak out a little. That kind of stress can destroy a family…and it almost did for the Stegners.
With Ron working a six-figure job, he and his wife Marie and their three kids seemed to have it all. But like so many others, Ron’s job was downsized after 23 years as the economy started struggling. Deciding to take a chance and creating his own business, Ron tried to pave a new path for his family. Marie didn’t want him to do so. Reluctantly she came around but unfortunately it didn’t make it. That catalyst triggered a blame game that was eating at his marriage. Still unable to find work, the pressure was building for Marie to find a job and take care of the kids. By the time Tony Robbins got involved, it appeared they may not make it.
“Show me a straight line that God made. The only straight lines you are going to find are made by man,” Tony has told us. And he is so right. We often make our plans are set our expectations based on no peaks or valleys. In fact, unfulfilled expectations can chain you down and stop you from moving into growth.
Burdened by stress, Tony decided he needed to give them a more intense stress that would hopefully help to lighten them. He sent them up in a jet to pull some Gs which can make people pass out or even throw up. They both did a great job and with Ron pulling 5.6 Gs, suddenly anything seemed possible! They were going to need that edge as they were thrown into Tony’s next task. [read more…]
Each Friday, we are taking a look back over the week and bringing you the “Top 5 Moments” of OWN programming each week. There were plenty of moments to pick from….so much good stuff and we did our best!
“Oprah’s Next Chapter” in India – Sitting in a 10×10 home with a beautiful family in the slums of Mumbai, viewers watch as the smiling faces of the children tell us how happy they are. Panning to the father who has tears in his eyes, Oprah asked him what his dream was for his family. He just wanted a better life for children. He had been in the same small room for 33 years (he had lived there with his family growing up). Despite how little they had, they were grateful…and that is how they lived their lives. It was a powerful reminder that as humans we really don’t need much. It’s all about perspective, adapting to what you have and never giving up hope.
“Oprah’s Masterclass” with Sidney Poitier –Sidney’s “Masterclass” was bursting with lessons and light. Truly amazing work. However one piece spoke to us above all the other teachings. While working as a dishwasher in a restaurant, a Jewish waiter noticed that Sidney was looking at a newspaper and asked him “what’s new in the paper”. Unable to read, Sidney told him he didn’t have a good education and was trying to get better at reading. He asked Sidney if he’s like it if he read with him. An amazing outreach of the human spirit and a profound difference it made in his life. During the program, someone tweeted to us that there just aren’t people like that in the world today. But if anything this lesson has taught us is that we all have the ability to be the “Jewish waiter” and change someone’s life.
“Oprah’s Lifeclass” with Deepak Chopra– Perez Hilton took to the stage talking about his new spiritual frequency. It was interesting. When we began our website we made a conscious decision. Despite all of the advice written out there telling bloggers to write negative material to attract readers, we made the decision to not go there. That isn’t who we are and it isn’t the energy we want to put out into the world. Listening to Perez one thing kept coming to my mind…”if you know better, you do better.” No one is perfect and the hope is that each of us can embrace the good despite the road it took for those to get there. AND we all are responsible for the energy we put out into the world. Be aware and be thoughtful.
“Breakthrough” with Tony Robbins- Watching the journey of a couple who were falling apart, Tony highlighted Ron & Marie who had gone from a six-figure job to losing all of their savings and unable to find employment for years. Filling their marriage with blame, they didn’t know where to turn. In one of their tasks, Tony had them living on the street homeless (no perks or protection from the camera crew). They LIVED it. Learning to rely on one another and finding gratitude for what they have, they learned that they could handle anything. It was a wonderful lesson.
Super Soul Sunday’s with Ram Dass- God lives in the moment…not in the past or future. Those are in the mind. In the stillness of “now” is where you find God. It’s a beautiful reminder to not get caught up in the past or obsessed with the future. In the still of now is what truly matters.
Don’t see your favorite moment here? Well…leave a comment and share it with other us and the rest of the OWN family.
Finding your passion and living your dream is something all of us strive for in life. But what happens when you have all that and then lose it? Jauquin Hawkins was playing professional basketball for over a decade and filled his life with a supportive wife and three daughters…but everything changed when he suffered a stroke on the court in Australia. Although he recovered, he wasn’t at 100% and his team eventually released him. This was the beginning of his downward spiral. He was drowning in his story and depression which was keeping him from finding work and jeopardizing his family’s security. His family was in need of a new coach that could help bring him back to living life.
This was where Tony Robbin’s stepped into the game. He began by bringing Jauquin and his wife, Kim, to Fiji. After getting his focus on change, Tony sent him into the village to live amongst the people who work hard to just survive. A community that required him to be a whole new team member. He worked all day, slept on the floor, fed the animals and even had to stand by as the village killed a pig so they could feed their families. Realizing he had been complaining about living like a king, Jauquin’s perspective changed. This was real life and their teamwork depended on the village’s survival. Tony left him there until he got it. It wasn’t about the job anymore. It was about putting his family first and providing for them. By day 12, the lesson finally came and he was heading home.
Once he returned Tony had another surprise for Jauquin…the coach that had fired him. This was the person that Jauquin had focused all of his resentment on. A man he felt had abandoned and disappointed him. Following an intense conversation Jauquin finally realized that his coach cared, but there were serious concerns about Jauquin’s health. The doctors had noted he wouldn’t fully recover cognitively for two years…and that was the reason he was released. By the end of the session, both men had tears in their eyes. Finally Jauquin could let go of his anger and try to focus on creating a new story.
The conversations weren’t over. Tony then pulled Jauquin’s family together and had him disclose his financial crisis to them. Suddenly by opening up, he had his own team who wanted to see him succeed. Before the moment was over, Tony informed Jauquin that he was going to work. It wasn’t as glamorous as playing ball, but it hard work that he could feel proud of. He was up before the sun and reporting as the newest member of the waste management team. Reflecting back on his Fiji lessons, he didn’t care. His goal was simply to take care of his family by whatever means it would take. When the first paycheck arrived, he was proud and he knew that he could do it.
What I loved was that by the end of the show, like most of Breakthrough shows, Jauquin was a changed man and his life and family were back on track. However in the end, Tony arranged for Jauquin to live his true passion. Jauquin had mentioned the love he had for kids and his desire to teach them. We find in the end that he will get that opportunity as a youth coach…and the moment was clear. What you believe is your path may only be a step stone to what you are meant to do. Stay open and embrace the change. You may find that you are happier than you could ever imagine!
Each Friday, we are taking a look back over the week and bringing you the “Top 5 Moments” of OWN programming each week. There were plenty of moments to pick from….so much good stuff and we did our best!
“Oprah’s Next Chapter” with Gloria Steinem – Although Gloria’s personal story was amazing, the part of this show that resonated most with viewers was that the conversation was opened up and we were reminded of the difficult road so many women took to get to where we are today. Paths that greatly impacted the lives of brave women like Gloria Steinem. There is no one quite like Gloria, but we pray that there will be. All of us are Gloria, whether we are women or men. Equality is so much more than about doing what is fair…it is about respecting one another. Kudos to OWN for putting a spotlight on such an important woman in our history.
“Oprah’s Lifeclass”: The Tour Goes to Canada – All FIVE teachers on one stage…each taking us through 30 minutes of life changing lessons…but the real OWN moment was Oprah in Canada. For weeks since the announcement, Canadians have been flooding the social media scene with excitement and anticipation. Starting in the early hours before daylight, #OinTO participants lined the streets for their moment in Lifeclass. Ending into the night with the second taping and the sun going down, Oprah took in all the love from the 17,000 in attendance at the events from the day. Students were there because of one teacher…one woman…and one amazing team to bring the lessons to the world LIVE! With an amazing energy and great Canadian OWN and Oprah fans, Canada finally got their Oprah moment and now, they are already ready for the next time!
“Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s”- Trust is such an important part of our daily lives. Whether it is your childcare provider, an employee, a boss, or a loved one, we all need people in our lives that we know have our back and we can believe in. Without trust there is no peace of mind. This week “Sweetie Pie’s” reminded just how important trust can be with stolen items and young TJ’s care.
“Breakthrough with Tony Robbins” – It is easy to get stuck in disappointment about unfulfilled dreams. This week was a great example of the emotional quicksand which makes us resistant to change. Juaquin Hawkins’ path from basketball star to stroke survivor was a lesson to us all…a great example of how your job doesn’t define you or what you are to become. Life is so much bigger than that.
Super Soul Sunday’s Film, “Autism: The Musical” – Sometimes change can only occur when you step back and look at a situation from a different perspective. In this film, not only do we learn new innovative techniques to help children with autism, we are reminded that anything is possible. In a world of boxes and can’ts, this film sends a resounding “yes you can” message and OWN viewers heard it loud and clear.
Breakthrough with Tony Robbins got a bit intense this week. The episode began with a family in the midst of what seemed to be an endless panic attack. Following a near-death accident with their daughter, husband and wife, Scott and Mandy Smith, were finding it hard to adjust to life and move past it. In fact, Mandy lost her job as a medical assistant because the sounds of ambulances turned her inside out. Her kids’ every movement was closely monitored. They were on high alert all the time and always expecting the worse. Luckily…Tony came along.
Short of boarding up their home and locking down the kids, Mandy was only a hair away from really losing it. She was completely overwhelmed by post-traumatic stress. You could actually argue that she was paralyzed by it. Although Scott seemed to be able to handle the stress a little better, he was in the constant throws of trying to calm and stabilize his wife. To make things worse, Rita, Mandy’s mother, was caught up in the drama. It was driving them apart and causing serious problems.
Tony brought Scott, Mandy, the kids and Rita to Fiji in hopes of making a breakthrough. He began first by sizing it all up. He quickly realized that Rita was right in the middle of everything. Despite trying to help, she had become a catalyst for drama herself. He knew he needed to get Rita invested in feeling as if she was important in the process. ..and it worked.
He began by putting Mandy and Scott in one villa and Rita and the kids in another. Once Mandy calmed down, we saw her mother storming down the path looking for her. Demanding that Mandy let her know where she was at all times, it became REAL clear that Mandy’s issues weren’t Mandy’s alone. After a talk with the couple, Tony set his sights on Rita. With harsh words and a firm tone, he made her realize that she wasn’t using her “power for good.” Pointing out the dysfunction, Tony pushed Mandy and the family towards their first adventure. [read more…]
Tony Robbins’ new show, “Breakthrough with Tony Robbins” is a great addition to the OWN lineup. Almost like a lifelong friend being adopted into your family. The fit is perfect. On a channel that strives to lift and inspire, he could almost be the spokesman. In his show, he doesn’t focus on the story behind the tragedy or the quicksand of negative thoughts that hold us down. Instead he shakes us out of our comfort zones and maneuvers us into a world of hope and endless possibilities. He’s like the nice Willy Wonka making you believe anything is possible!
The first episode highlighted a couple, Frank and Kristen Alioto, who followed tradition by jumping into a pool after saying their vows. Unfortunately with the simple dive, Frank found himself a quadriplegic. Their lives and dreams as they had imagined it changed. They had their “story.” Tony’s job was to refocus them and help to change their story. “Suffering in life doesn’t come from the life events. Suffering comes from the meaning we attach to the events,” Tony tells us. He is so right. We decide our own stories.
During the show, Tony pushed Frank and his wife to LIVE. Tony began with helping Frank to find a new role in his marriage by giving Kristen the support she craves. It was new and uncomfortable and so important. The first big act to defy their story was tandem skydiving…which seemed to open them up to trusting Tony. The next step was harder. For the first time, Tony had the couple apart. Since the accident they had been glued together, but now they were forced to relinquish their roles. Frank found out he was stronger than he could ever have imagined…bringing his wife to tears. Now the good news, Kristen was off to focus on herself which was good, because her husband was off to play murderball, rugby for quadriplegics. “Instead of trying to tell somebody, give them the experience and then it’s true for them.” Oh, Tony, how did you become so wise?
During this time, he met one of the guys who taught him to think of all possibilities. As his pregnant wife joins the conversation, Frank realizes that maybe he has limited himself and his dreams. As his wife and family sat in the bleachers, they watched as Frank came alive. It was amazing! As the game came to a close, Tony informed him that he was going to drive a racecar in the desert with Tony as his wingman. Tony was amazing and Frank just leaned into his new story. A powerful moment that changed Frank’s and Kristen’s lives forever.
At the close of the show, Frank and Kristen were remarried in front of huge crowd of loving supporters. The perfect symbolic ceremony for a rebirth of their new life together. “Breakthrough with Tony Robbins” broke through the pain and lifted the blanket revealing a whole new world. Seriously….this show rocked and I can’t wait to see what Tony does next week!
