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Review: Get Motivated Seminar, Colin Powell, Michael Phelps, others live @ Arco arena
Posted by Xeno on March 25, 2009
For $19 everyone at your workplace can attend a Get Motivated seminar in certain towns with some celebrity speakers. It was free, so I went. $12 parking at Arco Arena. Speakers today were: Steve Forbes (from Las Vegas via live link), Michael Phelps, Phil Town, Tamara Lowe and Colin Powell.
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I did not realize that Phelps did something other swimmers did not: trained every single day, year after year, without fail.
Even now, Phelps trains every day — including Sundays, figuring it gives him 52 more days a year in the pool than many of his competitors.- usatoday
Colin Powell was a very good speaker. I enjoyed his story about the perks of his position, what it was like to always have his own private jet, and his story about his meeting with Gorbachev.
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I got motivated to try Phil Town’s day trading seminar since my 401K has been taking a royal beating. After researching investools.com, however, I realize you can get the same information for free. Just try this Google search: Swing Trading Tutorial. This site seems like a realistic overview. I believe that there is not, after all, an easy fortune to be made by swing trading if you are a beginner. As they say, “A fool and his money are soon parted.”
Some comments I found:
“There really is no sytem [sic] actually. All they will do is ask you to pay up for the next level of education with promises that profits will come with that next class (”You must be a PhD to make money.” Then, “You have to learn currencies to make money” etc.). Each class gets further and further away from the method they use as a marketing tool (basic fundamentals and MACD/Stochastic/Moving Averages (MA) technical indicator ie red/green arrows, plus industry group analysis, etc.). There is an entry/exit system involved in the basics, but they also exclude some of the most important aspects of what makes a trader successful (namely controlling risk). I can testify that in the 1.5 years I worked at SWIM and of the many hundreds (thousands?) of students I met, only a handful were profitable traders. Many wiped out accounts or took retirement capital down 30-50%. It was a very serious problem. I tried to make changes within the company, alerting management to issues in the sales tactics, but was routinely brushed off.
So I guess the short answer is that no, the method really doesn’t work. At least I have never seen any evidence to suggest that more than a handful of people (who, I might add, were not even trading the method!) who went through the program were profitable.”
I have e-mailed Brad Moore (you can too, there is contact information available) and he confirmed the information in the post, and that he did post the comments, and did work for INVESTools.
INVESTools teaches you short-term trading. I have read that it is called “swing trading“, although I think the time frame is actually a little longer than the one to four days time frame shown on Investopedia – it seems to be two to six weeks. This is VERY risky – although INVESTools does not caution you enough about this. They will tell you “this is a little risky” but do not impress upon you EXACTLY HOW risky it really is.
I’m sorry I gave them my credit card number and I’ll be canceling and not going to the 2 day seminar. One reviewer said they will try to go back on their guarantee not to charge your card, so be sure to get a confirmation number.
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Tamara Lowe, I didn’t enjoy. She sounded as if she was delivering the same memorized speech for the 200th time. The worst part was that she turned what was supposed to be a motivational business seminar into a buy-yourself-some-Jesus pitch. I found it offensive because she did not seem to consider that there were people of all religions, including non-religious people in the large audience. I went to this to get motivated, but left feeling tricked into attending an infomercial … I am not a morning person and getting up at 6:30 AM puts me in a foul mood all day. ( Google “How to motivate people”. )
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The Vizjrnl » Blog Archive » Slickness said
[...] And luminous and insightful those speakers were. I really enjoyed listening to them, and got a lot out of it. It was nice to get a day out of the office, too. But there was one problem: in between the good, meaty, inspirational talks, there were talks that basically amounted to live infomercials, slick sales pitches disguised as actual content. The first one or two were convincing until they got to the end with a slick sales pitch and you realized you were being played. Some were pretty ridiculous. There was a guy who was selling some website thingamajg that he called “wham-o” that can make you — yes, YOU! — a million dollars. Without doing ANY WORK! (Last I recall, Wham-O is the toymaker that brings us such hits as Slip-N-Slide) Yeah, we got a good laugh out of that one. And then there was Phil Town’s day-trading scheme with the silly green and red arrows, which, as I’ve dug around a little bit, turns out to be something of a scam. [...]
lantana said
I couldn’t agree with this review more. One of my employees is Jewish and I just kept mouthing to her during Tamara’s presentation, “I’m SO Sorry!” It was insulting to those of other faiths and belief systems to assume that everyone in the room is or should be actively practicing the Christian faith. No wonder the world hates us and thinks we’re completely self-absorbed. It is supposed to be a business seminar not a church convention!
Thanks for the tips on the investment course, I thought it sounded pretty interesting but part of me felt that skeptic voice saying, “if it sounds too good to be true…” Will research more for sure.
All the rah rah crap, dancing, etc. just grated on my last nerve, not to mention the MC who just reinforced the fake blond stereotype. We couldn’t understand half of what she said because she was screaming the whole time.
Despite the annoyances, Colin Powell and Rudy Giovanni were awesome and it was touching to see Zig Ziglar’s daughter helping him continue doing what he loves despite short term memory problems after a fall. Captain Sully, while not exactly a motivational speaker had a very unassuming manner and was interesting to hear his story.
So, I think overall it was worth the $5 we spent, but I’d rather have spent more for more meaty content and less infomercials.
Miss Butterfly said
I attended the Get Motivated Seminar today in Philadelphia, PA. Having worked in Corporate America for 40+ years, I have attended many seminars of this nature. I was inspired to go because I had heard Zig Zigler about 15 years ago and I liked the venue of speakers at this event: Gen. Colin Powell, Donovan McNabb, Steve Forbes, Rudy Giuliani, Charlie Manuel, etc. As a retiree starting a business, I found the event to be very inspiring and motivating, professionally, personally, and spiritually. As Christians we are to share the God that we know and love without reservation, but with boldness and courage. I admire Tamara Lowe and every other speaker who had the courage to do so regardless of the different believers or non-believers in the audience. At $4.95, every attendee who was offended or uncomfortable had the option to get up and leave; or to be rude and talk among themselves as they did. Remember, we are America, a country that believes in God. As an American, I apologize to no one for that belief. I thoroughly enjoyed the event.
Free Thinker said
Don’t forget, though, there ARE different versions of who God is (and not all of them are Christians). Just be honest & call it what it is…A religious and arguably right wing focused event. No one’s asking for an apology….Just truth.
Irish said
Can I get an AMEN!! Those of us who are not Christian do not want to be preached to. Pushing religion is just plain wrong. As Gandhi said: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Alec Berg said
I also attended the Philadelphia Get Motivated seminar. What an awful, awful event. One of the worst things I have ever been to. Tamara Lowe comes across as self-serving as she flashes photo after photo of her with famous people and mentions who she has met. The cover of the booklet they give you is covered with photos of her husband Peter Lowe with famous people, it’s conveys nothings but the “look at me” image. The emcee was dreadful as he conducted the most impersonal interviews I have ever seen. Poor Zig Ziglar should never have been a speaker as they are reducing the great things this man has done by allowing him to ramble on stage with his daughter helping him, he’s a great man and should be remembered for it. He is being expolited for his name.
Donavan McNabb was not a good speaker, Charlie Manuel was not a good speaker, James Smith was absolutely vulgar and racial with his remarks, Phil Town was doing his best sales job, Colin Powell added very little content and just provided a “cool factor” for the event. Tamara Lowe was not inspiring, she came across as insincere, sales-pitchy, and Tammy Baker-ish. The rap guy Jay-something was terrible, the other rapper KJ52 was okay and somewhat entertaining. Every speaker acknowledged the military in the crowd, nice, but it got old by the afternoon. Even the soldiers were getting sick of it.
Rudi Guliani is a true American hero and did well, and Steve Forbes is a true American hero and did well.
Overall this event was bad and a waste of time, it came across as very phony.
Moose said
The real title of this seminar should be “Get Motivated…Republicans!” This was a cliché-ridden, one-sided, ideological display of the Republican platform with enthusiastic infomercials peppered throughout. The pandering of the presenters and speakers to the ultraconservatives was so obvious that it might as well as have been sponsored by the NRA. The fact that they disguise this cheesy little old fashioned tent revival as a business seminar is preposterous. The only business tip I got was the idea to chorale a bunch of suckers into an arena, appeal to their patriotism and sentimentality with references to God, Apple Pie, and the American Way, and then sneakily weave in my get rich quick schemes and Dr. Phil-pseudo-psychological bull crap. There wasn’t anything motivating about it, other than it will motivate me not to ever waste my time at one of these things again. Not to mention it was the most disorganized event I’ve ever attended. Nobody knew what to do, or how to do it. The only thing they got right was when to shoot off the fireworks, and when to throw out those silly beach balls. The moderator was incredibly smarmy. He also sucked at his job. When he interviewed Charlie Manual and Cole Hamels his only response to their statements were “Awesome,” or “that’s awesome.” There were way too many evangelistic references to the “big man upstairs” and speakers raising their hands to the sky crying out “you better get right with The Lord”. This event was billed as a business seminar and the last time I walked into a meeting at my office, I don’t remember anyone shouting out loud for The Lord to give them strength. When I got home that night, I felt like I needed to take a shower. The only redeeming aspect of this whole debacle was Rudy Guiliani, who gave an excellent speech on leadership. Its too bad that I had to wade through the rest of the horsecrap to hear it.
Mary Kennedy said
My son and I attended the seminar in E. Lansing, MI on July 14. The only good thing about it was the lesson of how easily people’s minds can be controlled. I was disappointed to see Dr. Robert Schuller being exploited. I wonder if he even knew why he was there. We left after Phil Town’s presentation and tried to salvage what was left of the day by having a nice lunch and visiting a relative in the city.
Karen Fodor said
I came to the Buffalo Seminar for inspiration due to the business titles advertised. I found many speakers lacked motivation, direction and passion for their speaches! Please understand there were several good speakers. But here was more you had to be drawn for the names than to learn and to be inspired with motivation. Part of it was more of a selling ploy for their books and the infomercial man hyped many on his stock kit by saying “would you not want my life. I do what I want and when I get tired of it I move on”. I will not comment but I would pass on changingwith you thank you! This part actually cheapened the atmosphere. If you want a free lunch you will buy what I am selling!! No thank you!! Would I recommend this for a productive day to learn new management skills and for employee motivation. No I am sorry but no. I went on their email to email what I would like to see and their email does not work. I am not a “name brand” entertainer but I could rock the house and discuss the business world more effectively and have fun with people doing it!!
Sean said
I was just dragged to this event in Hartford. Wish I has read this first. The guest speakers were Joe montana Laura bush steve forbes Rudy guliani and Colin Powell. They were all excellent and enjoyable. However all the other late night informercial-esque speakers were so transparent and self promoting it made me sick. I had emailed friends te day before and said I was going to a republican brainwashing. Not too far off. All the talk about Jesus made me uncomfortable. I’m Catholic. I have no questions about my faith but strongly respect the faith of others. But I don’t go around shoving it in other peoples faces. It was downright shocking that the lowes have been so successful at pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes. Taking advantage of thousands of people during our economis struggle by masking this as a business seminar then just promoting their books, get rich quick schemes, self righteousness, name dropping. Apparently everyone there is a student of or have met with the likes of mother theresa and Warren buffet.
alfio R said
Just attended the Hartford, CT., G.M. Seminar-9-9-09. Line-up was pretty much the same. There was Tamara, Krish, Phil Town, James Smith, Laura Bush, Forbes, Guliani and Gen. Powell, Montana and Zig. There was another speaker after the General, but we left.
This was a pyramid scheme of sorts. You charge 5.00($10.00 if you bought the useless workbook)/head X 19k people=somewhere between 100-200k is made. Tamara takes the cash and pays her speakers- 10-25k each, only the big names, Zig, Colin, Laura, Montana. The others don’t get paid but reap the rewards of the side seminars where they will teach you how to sell and buy property, stocks, etc. Thats the scam in a nutshell.
Phil Town, James Smith, Tamara, are the ones who benefit. They get you there with the names and then sell you a bunch of snake oil. Story after story about how they made money etc…
The religous overtone makes you think wow, how could someone so ripe with belief in God and Jesus rip us off???
They say over and over how you need to be nice to others, “do onto others as you would want done to you” sort of stuff. Attempting to gain your confidence and your trust that anyone who quaotes the Bible and tells me to be good to others can’t possibly be trying to screw me…ha ! Watch your wallet on this one kids. The best part of the seminar was the two beers and greasy sandwhich my buddies and I enjoyed at a local Irish Pub on the lunch break. Otherwise, keep your 5 or 10.00 bucks.
As far as Zig, I felt bad for the man. Wish I saw these posts before I went, however then I maynot have had those wonderful beers !!!
Daphne said
I also attended the Sept. 9th seminar in Hartford, CT. My friend and I arrived approx. 45 minutes prior to the doors opening. It was totally mobbed, and people were almost tumbling over each other to get in line. It was unfortunate to see adults behave that way just to get a few feet closer to the door. However, my friend and I made several contacts (ranging from a doctor to a radio station representative to a consultant). I think the $5 bucks to attend was worth the new contacts made alone.
It was great to see Rudy Giuliani, Joe Montana, Laura Bush, Zig Ziglar, and others. I took copious notes and shared a few points with my manager the next day. She found it useful.
It was unfortunate to see Zig Ziglar as he seemed rather feeble. However, I’m sure he was aware enough to know that he was still getting paid to speak, and the money would go to grow his organization and further take care of his family. He was in no way a victim, in my opinion. He was still going strong and speaking with passion.
I figure for 5 bucks, I made numerous contacts, saw a few celebrities, got a boost in my motivation, and got a day out of the office.
As far as Tammy Lowe, her speech was definitely “business as usual” and she wasn’t really connected to the crowd. Although I grew up very religious in the Bible belt, even I was a little put off with her message, as it just did not fit with the rest of her speech. If she had truly made a connection with the audience and been authentic in her communication, perhaps the crowd would have been more open to her message. Nevertheless, it was only 5 bucks, and she can share her beliefs at her event – it’s her privilege to freedom of speech in the wonderful US of A. If people stop expressing themselves just because they may offend someone else, then we should just all stop talking because it’s inevitable someone will be ticked off (no matter what).
One of the biggest things I noticed was my reaction to her message. It wasn’t that what she was doing was bad; it was just how I immediately critiqued it. When I got over my negative responses, then I could really hear her message, and I was inspired. Inspired enough to go to church tomorrow morning and make some connections with people in my faith.
Also, I loved the rap. She had a better message than most other rappers. Good for her for putting on a motivational boost with celebrities for the everyday person.
Finally, the sales pitches were a bit much. However, they did get me thinking that I need to get much more serious about my investing strategies and also finding other sources of income. Yesterday, I spoke with a gentleman whose entire career is focused on property management and flipping houses. As the non-politically correct salesman, James Smith, stated, there’s money in real estate (he was hilarious!). People are really doing it, but it takes fortitude, persistence, drive, and capital.
It makes sense that a lot of people were put off by the sales pitches because most people don’t think that way. There were two major schools of thought at that seminar – employee minded and entrepreneurial-minded people.
My friend that attended with me was right on board with their sales pitches. She quit her job as a CPA over a decade ago and started her own business, and she’s very successful. She knew they were salesmen (just as I did), but she understands you have to take chances, get out there, and mess up a few times before you make it. She said to me, “Daphne, we’ve got to get out there and shake things up and take some chances”.
Ironically, I did not purchase the $99 Investools deal or the $49 real estate seminar. I almost did, but the crowds were just insane. I also figured there’s way too much information out there, and I’d try my hand at getting the information for myself instead of paying them.
Best of all, I went to lunch with a gentleman who works at a consulting firm that I’m interested in learning more about. We made a real connection, and connections are very important to me (not to mention the lunch was phenomenal). I’ve got a new spot to hang out.
All in all, it was a great event – great people, good music, and inspiring messages. I typed up the notes the next day and refer to them frequently. Finally, I noticed how pure strangers, even in the Northeast, could make a connection and be gracious to one another. I enjoyed the event very much.
Sam Cohen said
HORRIBLE Seminar. I can’t believe that they used a business seminar to try to proselytize folks.
Sales pitches were very transparent and rediculous. For example, Phil Towne pitches his stock trading program. He shows his big house. He shows his beautiful wife. He shows trades that made a lot of money, although these might not be make by Investools folks. What he doesn’t show are the losses garnered by folks.Also, the idiots buying this program never think that maybe if this program was so good, why is INvestools trying to sell it at seminars? Why not sell it to the big wall street firms for billions and earn enough interest to more than pay for the seminars with no risk and no work. In case you can’t guess the answer: it really doesn’t work that well. There is a LOT of online sofware that works just as well and is MUCH cheaper. Obviously, there are lots of commissions paid at these events ,which is why the price is so outrageous.
Moreover, I know someone who personally knows Phil, and he noted that Phil made most of his money selling the junk software and NOT trading.
Even worse, when you get to their training, during the second day,which is after the refund period, they hard sell you on an upgrade in order to get the real benefit from the stock trading program. This upsale is almost $25,000! This is in addition to the $3,000 initial investment.
Bottom line: They use big names to get the suckers in the room and then emotionally hard sell them on expensive, crappy products. BEWARE. You have been warned
Sam Cohen said
I just wanted to clarify my previous post. It was based on my opinion and not necessarily on facts.You can research Investools for yourself
Rick Harrington said
http://www.getmotivated.com/city.aspx?a=5106
A Lion in Sheep’s Clothing
A motivational seminar sounds innocent enough. Who among us doesn’t need a little motivation once in a while. With the economy the way it is, most of us need a boost. Wouldn’t it be even better if such a seminar included speakers such as Colin Powell, Laura Bush, Rudy Giuliani, and Terry Bradshaw to lure thousands of these people into a big venue arena. It would be better yet if the arena was filled with giant jumbotron televisions, some exhilarating music, fireworks and a light show.
Well, a company called “Get Motivated” is doing that very thing. The only problem is that they are using the stage as a platform for perpetuating a giant fraud. They are ambushing the unsuspecting audience when they least expect it and when they are most vulnerable. It is fraud and deception at its worse. They’re dangling carrots in front of the horse and then bringing in the vultures later to clean out their pocket books.
These famous speakers are being dooped and so are all the attendees. The venue promises the big celebrities but nothing is said, about having to listen to 3 get rich speakers that aren’t even on their posted agenda. The “Lowes” (who run the seminars) are pulling off a scam to rip people off. Caveat emptor or let the buyer beware doesn’t really hold true when the captive audience is at the prey of their deception and deceit. The audience is highly vulnerable in this setting and are easy victims in their emotional state of trying to learn to be successful. Their highly unethical and possible criminal approach to promising people riches isn’t necessarily new but it has definitely taken on a new approach with their wide scope of celebrity speakers as a decoy. Their big venue approach in soliciting unsuspecting and susceptible targets for their deception has taken on a whole new meaning of fraud.
Perhaps the biggest scam in this, is hiding the highly suspect “Investools” company under the name of “Wealth Magazine Investor Education”. This “Investools” company is under investigation from almost every Attorney General’s office in the United States. (check out the internet for scams and rip off reports for both this company and “Get Motivated”. They are selling a $3950 dollar, 2 day course in day trading, for an unbelievable price of $99 with the idea that you will get rich from their award winning software. What they don’t tell you is that after the course, you will not be able to use the complete software without taking an advanced course for as much as a $1000 more and then after that course, taking another PHD course for as much as $10,000 or more. The illusion is that you can get rich for $99 but the reality is that they will keep after you until you use up all the money on your credit cards plus whatever else you can borrow.
I think it is one thing for such a seminar to sell their books and CD’s but these events are designed to suck you in and bleed you dry. I saw about 15,000 people pack the Wells Fargo Center in Des Moines, Iowa on the 17th of September and maybe as many as 5000 or more bought in to their hype.
Please see what you can do to warn the people in your area of this scam. The celebrities also need to know that they are helping these people perpetrate a fraud.
Amy said
Just attend Springfield seminar. First of, this I not a business seminar. It is a mixture of a republican convention, church and sales pitches designed to rip you off.
Getting motivated for me does not mean believing I live in a country that is better than everyone else. Where does this Armageddon idea come from? Also, a business seminar is not appropriate place for either politics or religion. Completely inappropriate and would never waste my day again.
John said
Just saw this in Jacksonville, FL. I am a moderate independent, and a Christian so I was not offended. However, I can see how many would be. It did seem very preachy and right-wing oriented.
Also I did not see much of a value for business people at all. Maybe sales people could learn some techniques on playing to people’s emotions.
I really like Rudy Giuliani and Colin Powell so it was worth the price of free. I could not believe all of the sales pitches, but I now saw why my ticket was free. Bottom Line if you are not a right wing Christian Conservative you may not like this very much. If you are manipulated by high pressure sales don’t bring your credit cards.
John said
I almost forget… I would go again. Some very good speakers in person, free, and a day off work. Those are a great combination. Just don’t be taken in!
zack said
I just attended the Orlando Seminar. Enjoyable and entertaining speakers. Got suckered into the investools- knew it from the moment that I was signing up, felt embarrassed with the “sucker bag” for the rest of the day. Not offended by the Jesus talk- its America and was founded on Christian principals and Christianity.
I would go again because it was a unique experience with excellent big name speakers.
Mugzi said
This should have been called “Get Motivated Republicans”. I was offended…are Christians only Republican????
Irish said
Not being offended by Jesus talk is easy when you are in the majority. But this program is not about Jesus–it’s about money. The giant halls are mega-churches designed to separate seekers of “motivation” and exposure to famous people from their money, in a manipulative process carefully designed to the last detail: music, cheers, flashlights pointing to credit card stations, promises of fortunes, rituals of crowd self-praise, expressions of patriotism and jingoism, etc. The Jesus talk was just another prop.
Now imagine the real Jesus of Nazarath attending one of these events incognito. He who taught that “The meek shall inherit the earth.” And “How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” How would He react?
Regardless of your religious persuasion, these events are monuments to Mammon, not Jesus.
George said
Attended the Orlando seminar in November. Some of the speakers were good but a few either had a bad connection with the microphone or they were not tuned in right. Difficult to hear what they said. Mr. Ziegler is a good man, with a good reputation, but I think that his family is using him to the point that it may be a remake of “Weekend with Bernie” movie soon. Overall I saw the gig as a live “infomercial” with overtones of a tv evangilistic entertainment enterprise .
Lunch was limited to a 54 minute break and I stood in line for an hour and a half in the concession stand line and missed most of General Powel’s speach. The last part of the General’s speach showed that he was obviously pushing his left wing agenda by expressing his support of the global economy, how great Europe is and we all need to be globalists, rhetoric.
I do not recommend waisting your time on this gig.
Tether said
Tamara Lowe, Ceo of Get Motivated Seminars, presents herself in her book,on TV and to the audiences of Get Motivated Seminars as coming from “rags to riches” She also states that she was a school drop out and was a drug pusher on the streets. She was into drugs as a young teen like many teens do, but came out of drugs at an early age.
She was never in “rags” as she grew up in a very nice home in New Orleans with her mother and father. She DID dropped out of school only to CONTINUE on in a “magnet” school for writing and then went on to graduate from Bible college, before meeting her husband, Peter Lowe, whom she met while in Bible college. Peter Lowe was putting the seminar business together when Tamara first met her husband.
Tamara was NOT in rags when she was with her husband, as he provided a very comfortable life beginning with a very lavish wedding and a honeymoon to Africa and then beautiful homes and traves from day one of their marriage. She did not come from rags in her childhood or her marriage. She doesn’t even know what a “rag” looks like and I say shame on her for deceiving the public into a presenting a false image of herself by giving this LOOK AT ME AND LOOK WHAT I HAVE DONE imgage, of coming from rags to riches and being a school dropout and building this business up. What a FARCE! She is outright deceiving the public!!!