I got this question the other day, and the very fact that it was asked helped me to realize that while the answer is obvious to me, it may not be to others.
The answer is: no. In fact, I’m not even inviting him back.
What!? You’re not inviting Mark Sisson back? OMGZZZZZ
Hold your horses there buddy. I’m not inviting Mark back because it’s not the right time to do so. It literally doesn’t make sense for me to invite him back this year — and it does make sense to invite other speakers who are close with him and to his work this year. Guys like Richard Nikoley.
Guys who kick just as much ass, but are not insanely popular like Mark, who does about as much blog traffic as Tim Ferriss.
Did it make sense for he and I last year?
Sure. I know Mark got a lot of value out of flying down to Orlando last Summer, experiencing the event, speaking alongside guys like Doug McGuff, and producing an ultra-awesome video.
Mark speaking at T21C was also a tremendous boost to the entire event, short and long term. He has really opened a lot of doors for T21C, and I thank him for that.
But in all cases, 2011 isn’t the year for him to return. I know how busy Mark is with his business. It keeps him as busy as humanly possible, and I don’t expect him to fly to Orlando every Summer without it making perfect sense for him to do so. Someday, it may, but that’s not right now.
On the flip side, two things come to mind.
1. Whenever you see a speech, and wonder whether a speaker will be returning next Summer or not, stop and say to yourself “I should have been there”, because that’s how I’m going to start responding to e-mails that ask questions like that. No to be a jerk, but because it’s true.
If you missed it, you should have been there.
Mark’s 2010 speech wasn’t the first one to blow the doors off the event. Dj Fuji did the same thing in 2009, and Adam Lyons the same in 2008.
Epic speeches like these happen every year — and you only have one chance to see them LIVE — and then that chance is gone forever, including the chance to participate in the speech.
2. Authentic generosity towards the achievements of others is a profound sign of self-esteem. While Mark spoke primarily about health, nutrition, and fitness, this should be kept in mind when viewing his speech — a sort of easter egg takeaway if you will.
~~~
Prices rise April 30th. Attend 2011.
– Anthony Dream Johnson
[...] Is Mark Sisson Returning to T21C in 2011? [...]
“Authentic generosity towards the achievements of others is a profound sign of self-esteem”
I hope you keep blogging and spreading your message for a long time- I love reading words of truth like the above.
Anthony my friend, I just want to say that your site, T21C rocks! Great content and your writing style is very engaging, and very authentic. Last years event was kick ass! There was so much value, I left with like 12+ pages of notes, and experiences that I’ll never forget. If you’re reading this and you feel inside that you should go, then TAKE ACTION and make it happen. T21C is an extraordinary event!
[...] see that in the website and the event … well, I can’t help you. Being able to see that in the achievements of others is a sight that only a man can grant himself, not [...]
[...] short, value your time, and therefore yourself, and don’t be generous in dishing it out. Benevolence is a sign of self-esteem, yes, but being overly generous is tantamount to dishing out the unearned – which is destructive [...]