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The Power of the Only

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  2. 05 Behind The Scenes Of Tony Robbins 60th Birthday Celebration - The Power Of Sharing Your Story, Community and Giving Back

Mar 10, 2020

"Would you ever think standing up and sharing your story could lead to raising 18 Million Dollars and save 15,000 children? That is the Power Of The Only in action."

Today I’m going take you behind the scenes with Tony Robbins.  Last week my husband and I had the privilege of being a part of the host committee for Tony Robbins 60th Birthday celebration and benefit concert for Operation Underground Railroad - an organization that rescues children from sex trafficking.

Some of you may a be a big fan of Tony’s work, read his books or been to his transformational events or just know him as the self-help infomercial guy in the 80's and 90’s, coach to the stars and 4 US Presidents, or the person that got Oprah Winfrey to walk on fire.

He’s all of these things and more. He’s an entrepreneur, #1 NY Times best selling author, philanthropist and the nations #1 life and business strategist. For more than 40 years he’s impacted more than 50 million people across the world… helping others create success and fulfillment.

Last weekend we celebrated his life and legacy at the Microsoft Theatre in the heart of LA Live. While I’m going to share behind the scenes of this red carpet-celebrity filled celebration and benefit concert, more importantly I’m going to share the story of how the ripple effect of one single act can really create positive change.

I’ll share the true secret to living a full life, why sharing your story matters, how to open up to receiving, how to build community and influence, and I’ll share what one celebrity host did that instantly created a deeper connection with the audience and how you can apply it to your communication. I’ll also share the lessons and stories from that evening  that can help you in your business and life.

The event was a benefit for Operation Underground Railroad led by former Homeland Security agent Tim Ballard. Together with his team of former CIA, FBI and law enforcement they rescue victims, help capture and prosecute the offenders, they also give local law enforcement the tools and strategies to dismantle the human trafficking networks. They also focus on the aftercare to reintegrate or rehabilitate the children.

It’s a dark issue that many don’t want to see, but they are taking it head on and making a difference. There is more slavery today than anytime in human history and many of those trafficked are children-globally and here in the US. Since 2013 they’ve rescued more than 10,000 victims but now they can continue to save more lives.

"In one night more than $18 Million was raised! That’s saving the lives of 15,000 children Wow. I was in awe." - Angela Chee

This all started just a few years ago when one woman stood up at a Tony Robbins’ Business Mastery event and shared her story. Tony believes life is not just about business, it’s about contribution and the secret to living is giving. They shared stories about causes they were passionate about, she said she wanted to help rescue girls and talked about the work of Operation Underground Railroad. This led to Tony learning about the organization and donating on the spot and it created a ripple effect where others started to donate and led to $500,000 being raised that day. Since then Tony has been passionate about the organizations’ work and vowed to save more lives.

"On his 60th birthday - his friends, family and hundreds of those he impacted filled the Microsoft Theatre to celebrate and fufill this mission." - Angela Chee

From the evening’s host Dr. Oz and Maria Menunous and a dance performance from Derek Hough (Huff) accompanied by Lindsey Sterling on Violin, performances by Melissa Etheridge, Leona Lewis, Andy Grammer, Pitbull and Actor Gerard Butler doing his best Tony impersonation with his signature baseball cap, black shirt and shorts. It was a beautiful moving evening.

You can find videos of the performances and stories on Instagram under highlights-events.

18 million dollars means 15,000 lives saved.

If you would like to find out more go to www.ourrescue.org.

There’s also a major Hollywood film about Operation Underground Railroad and the life of Tim Ballard coming soon starring Jim Caveziel called Freedom. I saw the trailer, it’s really powerful!

The reason I’m sharing this story is because I want you to know if you don’t think you make a difference, you do.

"What you believe in matters, what you share matters and what you stand up for matters." - Angela Chee

Remember this: One woman sharing her passion at an event led to Tony’s support and bringing more awareness, and the power of his community and influence because of his impact through the years will now save more lives and bring even more awareness.

That is The Power Of The Only and Power, Presence and Representation in action.  You have no idea of the ripple effect of one single act. When you step up it can change everything. What are some of the other lessons from that evening?

Being at LA Live brought back memories….I can’t believe I covered the ground breaking ceremony back in 2005 when I was an LA reporter and this whole complex was just an idea. I remember sitting in the news van in front of the Staples Center looking at graphic of the development plans - they wanted it look like Tokyo…. with all the video screens…. A reminder that all things start with a vision.

I was also inspired by so many moments that evening about the power of stories. The ones you tell others and the ones you tell yourself and their impact on your life and your success.

From seeing blind and autistic singer Kodi Lee - winner of America’s got talent play the piano and sing with such beauty and grace.

To Melissa Etheridge sharing her story of how Tony impacted her life…. and what she learned. She said when you’re reaching for your dreams you always think once you reach your goal then you will be fulfilled. You spend your life chasing this thing….whatever it is for you…… but then wonder why it’s not enough - because fufillment doesn’t always come with success or having it all. It comes from within you and stories you tell yourself.

To listening to leaders like Peter Guber - Chairman of Mandalay Entertainment and owner of several sports teams from Golden State Warriors to LA Dodgers, and Paul Tudor Jones hedge fund manager and philanthropist talk about the power of mindset, and their transformations through the years. And Marc Benioff founder of sales force talking about giving and tackling the issue of homelessness in San Francisco.

Singer Andy Grammer shared his joy and gratitude remembering his journey from starting as a street performer in Santa Monica to now. There’s also lessons in receiving. Tony who is usually on stage for hours at a time leading the transformation was just sitting in the audience and listening. There was also another example of receiving……. His wife Sage who organized the event shared stories from last year when Tony had some health scares but continued to serve at his events and during that difficult time he also learned how to receive from his team and his audience.

For those of you who are leaders and are usually giving and sharing it isn’t always easy to stop and receive, but that can be powerful as well.

And while The Power Of The Only is about inspiration and lessons from leaders it’s also about how you can use your voice, power and presence to help you be a better communicator and leader.

I also wanted to share a specific behind the scenes moment that will give you an inside look at what it was like hosting a show and what you can learn from Maria Menunos that may help your speaking and how you connect with an audience.  Tune into the podcast to learn how she turned her life's biggest challenge to a gift and what you can learn from her sharing her story.

The power of sharing your story not only creates connection and helps you command your audience, but you never know who you may impact or what ripple effect you may create like it did for Operation Underground Railroad.

"Remember there is power in sharing your story, community and giving back." - Angela Chee

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Thanks for being a part of this bold and powerful conversation on The Power of The Only!

Whether you feel like the only one in your company, industry or community or the only woman in the room, we're here to support you in stepping up, speaking up through power, presence and representation and to make an impact in your personal and professional life.

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Learn more about this episode at angelachee.com/05