About Mike Robbins

Byline:
Mike Robbins is the author of Focus on the Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation. A well-known keynote speaker and personal development expert, Robbins has inspired thousands through his keyotes, seminars, and workshops.

Broadcast Bio:
Mike Robbins is the author of Focus on the Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation. He is a former pitcher in the Kansas City Royals organization and is now a well-known keynote speaker and expert in gratitude and personal development. Welcome, Mike. Why is appreciation so important?

Full Bio:
Mike Robbins was born and raised in Oakland, California. Even as a child, Mike was keenly aware of the feelings of others. An avid athlete, Mike was a team leader who threw strikes during the game and offered comfort to teammates following the occasional loss.

He went on to become a standout pitcher for Stanford University, where he helped lead his team to the Pac-10 Conference Championship and an appearance in the College World Series. Mike was named to the All-Conference team, nominated as an academic All-American, and voted "Most Inspirational" by his fellow teammates. Mike was drafted by the Kansas City Royals, where he played three seasons of professional baseball. Click here to read Mike's complete baseball bio.

Though he loved baseball, Mike's passion for his own personal growth and for seeking out ways to positively affect the lives of others was what motivated him to be successful on the field. He believed that once he had established himself as a notable ball player, he would be in a better position to act upon his desire to help other people find happiness and success in their own lives.

When Mike's baseball career ended due to injury, he worked in sales and business development for two Internet start-ups. He made a good living but knew it was not his calling. When the dot-com bubble burst, Mike's layoff came almost as a relief. He looked at it as an opportunity to figure out how to make a living doing what he loved: motivating others.

Mike studied a wide variety of disciplines in both personal and professional development and received training from the nationally acclaimed Coaches Training Institute. He drew from his background, knowledge, and training to develop and lead seminars and workshops designed to inspire, teach teamwork, and empower people and organizations to work together effectively and be more successful.

Today, Mike's expertise in teamwork, communication, and the power of appreciation has made him a well-respected and sought-after speaker. He has worked with some of America’s top organizations and institutions such as AT&T, Apple Computer, UC Berkeley, the U.S. Department of Labor, New York Life Insurance, Stanford University, Chevron, Wells Fargo, and many others. He is a member of the National Speakers Association and has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today, and on Fox Sports Television.

Mike teaches people how to appreciate themselves, acknowledge others, create successful relationships, work together, and be grateful for all that they have, drawing upon what he has learned studying psychology, metaphysics, spirituality, and personal growth. He has always had a desire and a talent for positively affecting other people. His intention is to make a difference with people wherever he goes.

He is the author of the successful audio program, The Power of Appreciation and a contributing author of Chicken Soup for the Single Parent's Soul. He is also the author of the book Focus on the Good Stuff. Mike is a member of the board of directors for two non-profit organizations: Challenge Day (a youth peace and empowerment program) and The Peace Alliance (an organization focused on building a culture of peace in America and around the world).

Mike graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in American Studies and a specialization in race and ethnicity. He lives in Concord, CA (San Francisco Bay Area) with his wife Michelle, their daughter Samantha, and their two cats – Gouda and Emma.