We recently had the chance to connect with Garrett Binder and have shared our conversation below.
Garrett, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I just recently attended Tony Robbins’ Date With Destiny seminar which is a 6 day event designed to help you understand where every single thought, belief, emotion, actions and values come from. It was intense to say the least but while I was there, he took us through several closed-eye processes that really helped penetrate my heart.
I just recently lost my Dad the day after Thanksgiving and while at the event, I was able to feel his presence, see his (younger) face smiling down on me and that made me feel super proud. I was also overwhelmed with the amount of love, and support I received after news of my Father’s death had spread. What also made me proud were the tons of emails and messages I received from friends and family about how great of a man he was. I was very lucky to have a Dad like him and that made me extremely proud to be his son.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My life is shifting right now. For the past 20+ years I have worked in the coaching space and for most of the time I have worked for Tony Robbins selling his events and coaching packages. Like everything, there are seasons in life, and at this point I believe the season is changing for me personally and I have decided to leave the Robbins organization to pursue something on my own. While not entirely sure yet of what that will look like I do know that the purpose of my life is to be an inspiration, enjoy all of life’s gifts and be of service for myself and others.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors who profoundly shaped how I view work.
First was my dad, a world-class ophthalmologist whose life motto was carpe diem. He worked relentlessly to be the best at whatever he pursued—whether in sports or his career—and watching him showed me, firsthand, what true discipline and dedication actually look like.
My second mentor was Jim Brogan, a former NBA pro who runs a basketball school for kids in San Diego. His academy taught far more about mindset than mechanics. He drilled in discipline, personal responsibility, and the importance of pushing beyond perceived limits—especially when you think you’re exhausted, because that’s usually when you still have more to give.
My biggest mentor, and one I share with many others, is Tony Robbins. Working with and for him for the past 19 years has been a masterclass in excellence. When it comes to work, the principle that’s shaped me most is CANI—Constant and Never-Ending Improvement. That mindset has driven me to continuously refine my skills and has helped me become one of the top sales producers in his organization for nearly two decades.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In 2017, I decided to challenge myself—and to this day, I’m not entirely sure why I thought this was a good idea. I signed up for a Navy SEAL–style crucible that put civilians through a “Hell Week”–inspired workout for 12 straight hours overnight. It was the kind of thing only masochists or psychopaths would voluntarily do.
At any point, you could ring a bell, tap out, and go home. After all, I paid for this. I could quit whenever I wanted.
After hours of push-ups, pull-ups, swimming in ice-cold water, and being hosed down while doing jumping jacks in the bitter cold of the night, we were taken to the beach around 2 a.m. We were ordered to lie down in ankle-deep water, arms locked, heads facing the ocean, while the waves rolled in and fully submerged us.
There were two rules: don’t speak and don’t get up.
Everyone was shivering. Some were gagging for breath. I was fighting the sensation of drowning while thinking, What the hell am I doing this for? I can leave at any time. I started negotiating with myself: You’ve already gotten what you came for. You’ve done a workout ten times harder than anything you’ve ever done. What do you still have to prove?
And I was right—but I also knew why I was there. I knew I had given up before when things got hard, and I wanted to prove to myself that if I could endure something this difficult, what else might be possible?
I didn’t give up. When they finally told us we were done at 7 a.m., I understood exactly why I stayed. I realized I had far more in the tank than I ever believed—and that pushing through discomfort builds a level of strength and resilience I hadn’t accessed before.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to see life in very black-and-white terms. People were either right or wrong, good or bad—and, more often than not, I believed my way was the right way.
Over time, that belief has softened. I’ve come to see that most people aren’t acting out of malice; they’re acting from the tools, experiences, and emotional resources they have available at that moment. I now believe that, at our core, people are doing the best they can—even when their behavior is frustrating, hurtful, or feels like a betrayal.
When someone accuses me unfairly or does something that really gets under my skin, I pause and remind myself of that. It doesn’t mean I excuse the behavior or avoid setting boundaries, but it does allow me to respond with more clarity, compassion, and effectiveness than I ever could when I was convinced I was simply “right.”
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I don’t pretend to be more important or significant than anyone else, and I’ve never placed great importance on legacy. My belief is that we’re all here for a brief moment, and if I can leave the world a little better than I found it, that’s enough.
If anything, I hope people remember how I made them feel. I’d like them to tell stories about laughing together, about moments where their day felt lighter simply because we shared time or space.
Most of all, I hope my son remembers how deeply I loved him—and that I taught him mindfulness, courtesy, and how to master his emotions and find empowering meanings in life’s hardest lessons. If he feels I helped shape him into a better person, that would matter more to me than anything. And if he gives me some credit for his taste in music, I wouldn’t mind that either.
Ultimately, I hope I’m remembered as someone who loved life and lived it fully.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garrettbinder1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-binder-0b3b472/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@garrettbinder
Image Credits
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