How a Brain Tumor Transformed Tony Robbins

Upon being diagnosed with a brain tumor, Robbins was told by doctors the only thing to do was surgery. Robbins did not sit comfortably and accept this as his only reality; he began asking better questions.

“What is causing this? What are my alternatives? What can I do to help my body heal?”

As you might expect, these questions began him on a journey of radical self-education. Robbins reported a realization that most people give away their own power as soon as they are given a diagnosis – they relinquish their health to the medical system. “But healing truly starts when you take ownership”  he noted. 

He started working on the problem very early; consulted different categories of specialists – from endocrinologists to alternative headers and so on. He acquired comprehensive knowledge about stress management, nutrition, and cellular regeneration. After continued discussions with them, he got the fantastic news that the tumor he is having is not metastatic but benign; growing gradually. On their suggestions, Tonny Robbins started organizing his lifestyle, monitored his health regularly, and also leveraged natural therapies. By doing all of this, he could maintain the stability and health of his tumor for an extended period of time; causing him to have surgery. Remember, no one provides you these thoughts on your health more than you do. Doctors provide you with invaluable assistance and become a trusted confidant, but in the end, it is all your choice.

 Robbins is fond of saying, “You must become the CEO of your own health.” Philosophically, Robbins has built books around this idea.

2. Nourishing Your Cells, Not Your Cravings

Robbins is known for his high energy levels and claims that much of it stems from how he eats, rather than specifically what he eats.

He spent years following a plant centric diet which emphasizes green, healthy fats, and clean protein; but later transitioned to include more fish and high-quality omega-3’s after discovering he had mercury toxicity due to his excessive consumption of tuna (a reminder that there can be downsides to even the healthiest of habits).

His current approach to eating is quite simple, though very powerful: eat to energize, not to entertain.

Often you will find Robbins drinking nutrient-rich smoothies, combining alkaline greens, and engaging in hydration practices for the optimization of his cellular function. Food is information and tells your body how to act.

In Life Force, Robbins shares valuable insight from some of the world’s leading longevity researchers, such as Dr. David Sinclair and Dr. Mark Hyman, who will tell you that the keys to aging vibrantly is reducing inflammation throughout the body, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and supporting mitochondrial wellness.

The summary statement is this: every bite you take is either fueling disease or fueling vitality. Eat things that will serve your future and not just serve your immediate pleasure.

3. Harness the Power of Motion

Robbins’ day does not start with a cup of coffee but with cold plunges, followed by movement. 

Every morning, Robbins wakes his system up by jumping into a plunge pool with a temperature of 57 degrees (or colder). Cold exposure reduces inflammation, gets the blood flowing, and stimulates the nervous system for performance right away. That moment of being shocked into cold water creates an instant state change that is in total agreement with Robbins’ philosophy that “emotion is created by motion”.

Then Robbins gets sweaty on the rebounder (mini-trampoline workouts) or engages in resistance training, or walks outside to enhance movement. Plus, Robbins also does stretching and breathwork to keep his flexibility and energy throughout his demanding schedule. 

His point is: your physiology is by far the easiest way to change your psychology. 

When you feel mentally stuck, move your body. Robbins has employed this principle to help millions break their trains of thought associated with depression, anxiety, and low motivation. The moment you change your physical state, you can change your emotional state.