"Day two is even more amazing. By 5 P.M. I'm 'brain dead,' another company phrase also known as 'brain overload.' Mr. Gouldd keeps talking until well afer midnight. Logically I should rest. . . and then drive home. But this is not a logical company. It's emotional and I'm excited. I stop to grab my stuff, leave a note, and start driving. I'm not even tired. In fact, I feel more awake and alive than I can remember. I don't even go home. I drive eight hours straight to the office. I'm the first one there. . . The cleaning people let me in. . ."
This is part of Rob Styler's account of his first "Training" with Bill Gouldd. His journey with Equinox lasts seven years, during which he becomes one of Gouldd's top producers. Finally, realizing he can't continue with Equinox, he tries to gather his courage to make the break. He gets a phone call from a friend, Val, another Equinox distributor.
" 'Rob, I know we're not supposed to talk about negative stuff, but I hate what I am doing. There are too many lies. It's all about money. And worst of all, in order to qualify for my check, I am doing things and saying things I don't believe.' She says this quickly, like it has been waiting to come out. . . .
" 'Val, it is such a relief to talk to you about this because it has been my own private hell. . .' We both laugh. It's a wonderful release. We've been holding these feelings in for a long time. There is a code in Equinox: if you have a lack thought, or negative energy, go home. The result is that people quietly suffer, alone."
Rob finally tells Gouldd he is leaving. Gouldd immediately starts publicly slandering him at sales meetings. "His actions make me wonder how I blindly followed him for so many years." Rob Styler's account of the man and the company which held him spellbound is a compelling read. Those who have been involved in Equinox, Amway, or a score of other MLM businesses will find pieces of themselves in this book.
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