Perhaps you have found this site because you have recently “pulled back the curtain” and discovered that Oz is not who you thought he was. Perhaps you are a simply seeking to seat your own “Great and Powerful Oz” firmly in the driver’s seat– to navigate your life going forward. To this end, what I have discovered is this: You may find a group, a person and even a place aides you in discovering your personal power but abdicating that power to anyone of those will never fuel your life purpose for long. Your internal compass requires 100% autonomy as you make decisions, act with character and make a contribution. No more looking to food to numb sadness or pain— no more looking to those in positions of authority for approval and validation– and no more excuses for being silent and muting your personal truth. What is it time for you to act on in the interest of your inner peace– and your physical as well as emotional health?
Quite simply, it is time to be your own Oz.
*******************************************
I had to change my life myself, but I didn’t do it by myself. If you need help gaining control of your health and fitness, may I recommend the following resources? They have been invaluable to me during my journey and I know you would benefit from the knowledge, insight, and community participation.
Michelle, we’ve not met but since I’ve spent the last 8 years involved in BFL principles, I can relate to so much of your message. Mind you, I’ve never been harmed by anyone and have no personal resentment. However, I agree that ANY program in which others fear rejection for respectfully questioning or disagreeing with anyone, be they the CEO, Coach, or past champion, is potentially harmful to that person’s wellbeing. Human beings helping each other, with honest motives, by sharing their experiences is beautiful. A group of people practicing “hero worship” (particularly when a prize is on the table) becomes dangerously cult-like. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. It has been my experience that helping others with NO STRINGS ATTACHED, will always be in everyone’s best interest.
BTW, great job in changing your body and your life! You did good, girl
I so agree with this statement, Beth! Michelle, again, I wish you the best on your future endeavors!!
Yeah, they lost me for good now. All this talk of a “wisdom council”?? Hello? We do NOT need a “wisdom council” to live healthy and well. Wow! Yes. Be your own Oz!!! I am glad to learn I do have boundaries and I know when to walk away. Take care, Michelle! Keep that power and don’t give it away.
I love this post, Michelle. I can completely relate to the “pulling back the curtain…” and revealing someone human, someone flawed. I knew deeply that it would be that way, but had wanted to believe it wasn’t so. And so, we begin again!
Hi M-
Some great insight here. We’ve shared many of the same internal struggles and revelations. Today, this line is the one that struck me: “…no more looking to those in positions of authority for approval and validation.”
This resonates with me after years of trying to gain validation & approval by winning a contest. Body-for-Life and the Transformation challenges have helped many along their journey, myself included. However, after ‘losing’ I felt I was without approval, without acceptance to a degree. By the grace of God, and wonderful family & friends, I finally understood that this is NOT the validation or approval I need. Being selected by someone who really doesn’t have a clue who I am as a person, outside of a written essay, in a very subjective contest does not mean I haven’t ‘made it’. It doesn’t mean I am ‘almost there’. I agreed with them for awhile, you know. I believed myself to be less than I was because they told me I wasn’t the ‘winner’.
Silly, silly me. God is the only one from whom I need validation and approval; I will never earn that through a contest. And, the best part is that there isn’t only one winner in God’s eyes. We can all share it!
I stumbled upon this site quite by chance this evening whilst thinking back to my, admittedly extremely short, time on T.com. This evening a friend, in a fervour of New Year ambition, was thinking of Body for Life and I warned him not to do it unless he really fancied joining a cult.
I came to T.com from the UK; quite simply a woman looking to lose some weight and get fit, nothing more, nothing less. I joined a board for UK members and whilst posting there one day, mentioned that I thought Phillips’ marketing techniques were clever; that he’d taken techniques from religion, having champions to spread the word like disciples. My posting was in a backwater board on the T.com site…but not for long. Before I knew it my post was dragged out into the full glare of the main board, reposted by one of the community leaders and taken as a full frontal attack on Phillips.
What happened next was an eye-opener to me. A lot of people took part in the thread and I defended myself vigorously (I’m no shrinking violet, in fact I can be rather ferocious on paper). I’d describe what happened on that thread as a poor attempt at bullying, involving Phillips himself. I was portrayed as a troubled person; there were hints that perhaps I drank excessively or that there were other, darker, issues with me. The fact that I’d openly stated I was an atheist was dragged out and used as a weapon to try and belittle me. I had numerous private emails, some from Phillips’ ‘gatekeepers’ which I’d describe as bullying and threatening – I was threatened with what I jokingly now called ‘excommunication from T.com’ which was a thread wide of the mark with me as by that point I really didn’t care one iota.
I left a few weeks later and never regretted it. Why? Because getting your life in order is about understanding and respect, not about fitting into a cookie cutter template some guy with a god-complex tells you is *right*.
I stumbled upon this site quite by hncace this evening whilst thinking back to my, admittedly extremely short, time on T.com. This evening a friend, in a fervour of New Year ambition, was thinking of Body for Life and I warned him not to do it unless he really fancied joining a cult.I came to T.com from the UK; quite simply a woman looking to lose some weight and get fit, nothing more, nothing less. I joined a board for UK members and whilst posting there one day, mentioned that I thought Phillips’ marketing techniques were clever; that he’d taken techniques from religion, having champions to spread the word like disciples. My posting was in a backwater board on the T.com site but not for long. Before I knew it my post was dragged out into the full glare of the main board, reposted by one of the community leaders and taken as a full frontal attack on Phillips. What happened next was an eye-opener to me. A lot of people took part in the thread and I defended myself vigorously (I’m no shrinking violet, in fact I can be rather ferocious on paper). I’d describe what happened on that thread as a poor attempt at bullying, involving Phillips himself. I was portrayed as a troubled person; there were hints that perhaps I drank excessively or that there were other, darker, issues with me. The fact that I’d openly stated I was an atheist was dragged out and used as a weapon to try and belittle me. I had numerous private emails, some from Phillips’ gatekeepers’ which I’d describe as bullying and threatening I was threatened with what I jokingly now called excommunication from T.com’ which was a thread wide of the mark with me as by that point I really didn’t care one iota.I left a few weeks later and never regretted it. Why? Because getting your life in order is about understanding and respect, not about fitting into a cookie cutter template some guy with a god-complex tells you is *right*.
I remember that situation well. It was one of the first big incidents which got me really looking at what was happening on t.com.
I’m glad to see you here.
As for your friend, I’d point out that using BFL is a world of difference from being exposed to the vibe on T.com. There’ve been a ton of us who used it quite successfully. At the end of the day, it’s not about the messenger, it’s the message. If she needs support, there are good places she can find it.
That said, I loved it when you called Bill out on the site being a multi-level marketing gig.
Hi Michelle,
I came across your page while browsing and I wanted to say “hi”.
Your beauty inside and out knows no boundaries. It is evident that your spirit is pure and your willingness to share your story to inspire others genuine. I wasn’t surprised to read about why you left T. It is a sad day when those we look up to let us down in this manner, but I am happy to see you on here and continuing to share your story in your words and on your own terms
I look forward to seeing more of you and to see you hopefully at a future event.
Hugs,
Margi Faze
Yesterday a friend pointed me here. I had no idea that there were so many other people that found themselves stung a bit on T.com What a relief to find that my instincts were correct. What a pleasure to see you all somewhere else – strong and free,
Thank you for this avenue to share my story. I became active in t.com in November 2009 and by November 2011 I had lost 60 pounds, regained my health, repaired my marriage, and made many close friends on t.com. I didn’t get too involved in the forums but I did see my share of threads disappearing.
Recently Bill Phillips blocked me from his “Bill Phillips Transformation” facebook page and I don’t know why. I supported him and the community. I attended his open house and thanked him personally for the program. I even gave his now wife a ride to the airport after Camp 1!
Is it all because I am not willing to shell out $2000 to attend a 3-day seminar and work out at the center for a month?
As I reflect upon my two years with t.com I realize that there were a lot of scammers. It sickened me to know that so many of his contest winners and runner-ups were using fat burners and appetite suppressants and trying to peddle them to members. I did it the old fashioned way. Eat right and exercise.
I was reading about the 10 warnings signs of an unsafe group/leader (cult) and my opinion is that t.com easily meets 7 of those criteria.
I tried to stay supportive and active this past year but the spirit and beauty transformation once held is gone. I deleted my t.com profile a couple of weeks ago and have never looked back.
Congrats on your 60 pound loss LJ. You took what you needed from Bill and did some great work. You did the work. What a lot of people have found out is that Bill is marketing his site and camp and basically, if you don’t pay, you don’t play. He will allow just about anything anyone can use to make a marketable story. Heck, go google one of the champs Valerie Fontenez. He found her after she had done all of her own weight loss. She was on another site hoping to find a way to get some help to have her excess skin sugically removed. Bill apparently found her, made that happen and has been using her as one of his champions who has used his program, which is totally not the case.
With Bill, it’s almost about smoke and mirrors.
Again, great work LJ!!!!
Well, time has moved on since the Oz site first started and it seems so has Bill. He moved on to his next adventure, which was his camp in Denver, but even that seems to be coming to a halt. And as time moved on I’ve had many more people contact me and tell me what a fraud and narcicistic jackass Bill is. So many of his contests were rigged, people made champs who didn’t deserve it or were given prizes as a way of apopoligizing to certain people for his behaviour toward them. Then if you look around his site, which hardly has any activity on it anymore, you have to ask yourself why so many of the past champs have deleted their profiles. Where have all the people gone that he hired at his camps. They surely aren’t around anymore singing his praises.
I guess, maybe as the title suggests on this entry….. they’ve all simply moved on……..
From worst to first was his vision.
What a joke !!!!!!!