This last weekend I conducted a Unleash the Power Within Program in Los Angeles for 4,200 people from 36 countries. I want thank everyone who participated and gave so much of themselves to make this an event none of us will ever forget!

Because the program was held at the LA Convention Center I decided the night before to take a trip down “memory lane” to the places where I began my journey 34 years ago. Back then I had nothing but a vision of how I want to touch people’s lives. I wanted my life to have a deeper meaning and to know that I had given something that made a measurable difference in the lives of others. Yet, I was broke, 38 lbs heavier than I am now, working as a janitor, and more than a little depressed! Borrowing money to start a business seemed beyond reach (interest rates were 19% back then, not for credit cards but for a regular loan!). Unemployment was higher than it is today at 9.6%  and downtown LA was the place I would go to get a perspective.  I would drive my 1960 Volkswagen bug (with no reverse so I always parked on a hill to get out!) to the then relatively new Bonaventure Hotel and literally run up the services stairs to the 35th floor restaurant that rotates around looking at the entire city. There, out of breath with no real money, but feeling I had accomplished something, I would order an iced tea and eat as many free mixed nuts as they would put in front of me as I stared out on the city I was going to conquer!  LOL

To find myself years later just a mile down the street with so many exceptional people… and to see how far vision, relentless persistence, passion, education, and “grace” has carried me was a magnificent gift. The greatest gift of all was seeing the transformations in so many diverse and extraordinary people.

Since it was LA I was also able to bring many of my friends and some leaders in the entertainment and sports fields as my guests. I was proud to have 2011 NBA World Champion Coach Rick Carlisle attend (since the NBA season is delayed).  He shared how he used my Ultimate Edge audio program to help his team gain the certainty to win the 6th game of the NBA finals.. If you have listened to my first audio in that program – here’s a hint – he “borrowed” the very same tool Pat Riley used to beat Dallas in 2006 for the championship! In addition we were honored to have Mixed Martial Arts Legends the Gracie Brothers with us, as well as Champion Boxer Victor Ortiz. Academy Award winning producer and Co-Founder of Imagine entertainment Brian Grazer dropped by and a very special surprise guest…. Oprah Winfrey!

I was especially privileged to have Oprah at this event. For years I have described her as the ultimate example of someone who’s overcome the most extreme odds to create an extraordinary life of service & contribution. My team worked hard to preserve her privacy during the event so that she could have her OWN experience and be herself. I was thrilled that she stayed for the entire 12 hours, played full out and—in spite of significant fear—was one of the first to storm across the fire!  I am sure you will be seeing more of this on her new series launching on OWN – OPRAH’s NEXT CHAPTER which launches in January.

I was equally proud of each and every person in the room. Like Oprah, and like myself, they were all in the midst of coming full circle of— to one degree or another — throwing off rough beginnings and taking steps towards designing the lives we all desire and deserve. The transformations in the room were breathtaking. What I am most happy about is that we also gave back to the community. With Thanksgiving coming we at RRI decided to contribute 40 meals in the name of every person in the room, 168,000 meals to feed hungry families in the L.A. Area through the L.A. Food Bank….. and as a result many of the participants also made contributions of their own so we should reach somewhere around 200,000 meals. So while we all transformed we also found a way to support those less fortunate to have a memorable Thanksgiving.

I truly can’t wait to see you all at the next step on the journey to true Mastery, Date with Destiny, in Palm Springs December 9-14—or at our next UPW in New York, March 29-April 1, 2012.

Until then, live well, and live with passion!

Tony