Bill Bartmann is a good man…

If there were ever a “Healthy Wealthy Boomer” role model, this is the guy. As Baby Boomers, he’s the guy we should listen to and emulate.

I first heard him speak in Orlando at a 2006 Peak Potentials event called Guerilla Business School – where I was an attendee. Then a week later I met him in LA at GBS (where this picture was taken) – only this time I was on staff.

Face to face, I was impressed by his:

• genuine humility
• consideration for other people
• grace
• mental acuity and wit

A majority of the “big guns” in the seminar circuit have huge egos. Bill Bartmann doesn’t – at least that’s my impression on a personal level and I say this from experience – not just conjecture. From June 2005 through September 2006, I was on Core Team (staff) for Peak Potentials for 26 events across north America.

In that capacity, there were many occasions to interface with speakers; often to observe them behind the scenes; how they handle themselves; how they treat staff; how prepared they were and generally what kind of people they were ‘behind the cameras’.

Bartmann is a tuned-in guy; fully conscious and present – both through astute observation as well as an active interface. He lives life fully and pays attention.

I liked him the moment I heard him say (paraphrased):

The difference between highly successful people and those who are not boils down to two words: Self esteem. I don’t consider myself to be an expert about too many things – but on this topic, I consider myself an expert.

And then he told us why…

Aside from the fact that he is a martial arts practitioner, rides Harleys, went from being a human teenage ‘gutter rat’ to becoming the 25th wealthiest man in America, he’s just the kind of guy you would want watching your back in a tough situation.

You get a sense when you meet him that you can trust his judgment and that he’s not ‘running a game’, he’s the real deal. He’s a man’s man with principles and integrity and plenty of battle scars from the street. You can tell he’s conquered his demons and come to peace with who he is. He’s not a tall man, but he is a very “large man” with an obvious command of his personal power who easily fills a large space when he enters a room.

I trusted him immediately.

When he talks about his family, he makes it clear that his family is the most important thing in his life. The rest – the money, the action, success – is all secondary to family.

He also seems to be the epitome of innovative thinking and curiosity.

Boomers, listen to this man. He knows what he is talking about.