LifeSurge and Pablo Torre story

[Jagdaddy]

Torre is legit and investigating Life Surge is also. The group is really scammy. He mentions the players simply to show the the company uses well known celebrities and athletes to draw people to their seminars. Torre never accuses them of any wrongdoing.

I think that there are the local guys who do a show or two, like Buckeye athletes, and then there’s Tebow who essentially toured with them and made at least a couple of million dollars from them for doing so. Whether or not he or the company ever actually crosses the line into illegality isn’t entirely clear, but they surely know that they are using their “Christian” status to build trust that allows them to obtain a lot money from people to give them “training” that at best helps a small minority of them. Here’s a pretty detailed article: https://www.motherjones.com/politic...ds-inside-tim-tebows-favorite-wealth-seminar/

This kind of halo effect marketing (in the sense of because of this positive or similar to you characteristic that I have that logically doesn’t relate to the service I’m selling you can still trust me to provide the service or anything else) always raises my suspicions. I tend to avoid any business that advertises itself as, for example, Christian or veteran-owned unless that positive association seems to be relevant (e.g., the veteran-owned business is offering weapons training).

 

[brodybuck21]

Mods clean up in aisle 4

 

[gmen6981]

I think that there are the local guys who do a show or two, like Buckeye athletes, and then there’s Tebow who essentially toured with them and made at least a couple of million dollars from them for doing so. Whether or not he or the company ever actually crosses the line into illegality isn’t entirely clear, but they surely know that they are using their “Christian” status to build trust that allows them to obtain a lot money from people to give them “training” that at best helps a small minority of them. Here’s a pretty detailed article: https://www.motherjones.com/politic...ds-inside-tim-tebows-favorite-wealth-seminar/

This kind of halo effect marketing (in the sense of because of this positive or similar to you characteristic that I have that logically doesn’t relate to the service I’m selling you can still trust me to provide the service or anything else) always raises my suspicions. I tend to avoid any business that advertises itself as, for example, Christian or veteran-owned unless that positive association seems to be relevant (e.g., the veteran-owned business is offering weapons training).

Exactly. Our guys appeared at the seminar in Columbus and that was it. Life Surge uses well known athletes and celebrities from the areas that they do those seminars at. Tebow was involved with them at pretty much a corporate level however, but how much he knew about what they were actually doing is the question as far as he is concerned. He HAS stepped away from them. And once again, our guys have not been accused of any wrongdoing in any way and the school has said the did nothing wrong.

 

[BB73]

Pulled thus out of JJ’s thread. Let’s keep discussion about it in here.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Sounds like they go from town to town preying on rubes and use very religious athletes as their hook. The university needs to be more proactive about educating the players about getting used for other people's scams, including Christian scams.

 

[gmen6981]

I think that there are the local guys who do a show or two, like Buckeye athletes, and then there’s Tebow who essentially toured with them and made at least a couple of million dollars from them for doing so. Whether or not he or the company ever actually crosses the line into illegality isn’t entirely clear, but they surely know that they are using their “Christian” status to build trust that allows them to obtain a lot money from people to give them “training” that at best helps a small minority of them. Here’s a pretty detailed article: https://www.motherjones.com/politic...ds-inside-tim-tebows-favorite-wealth-seminar/

This kind of halo effect marketing (in the sense of because of this positive or similar to you characteristic that I have that logically doesn’t relate to the service I’m selling you can still trust me to provide the service or anything else) always raises my suspicions. I tend to avoid any business that advertises itself as, for example, Christian or veteran-owned unless that positive association seems to be relevant (e.g., the veteran-owned business is offering weapons training).

The "veteran's owned" thing can work both ways. A good example is a small wings restaurant here in the small town I live in named Warrior Wings ( not a plug but their food is great). The place was started a few years ago by two brothers who both served in Iraq/Afghanistan. They really don't hype the veteran aspect of it other than to say on their website that 10% of the profits are donated to veterans causes, which they actually do. I don't see anything wrong with that. But there are other businesses that just trade on the "hero" aspect but do nothing. That's a problem.

 

[Buckeneye]

Hoping these guys can get some counseling and stay away from schemes like this.

These guys are basically paid mascots; They see dollars, that's about it.

The downside is, when you do this, you are putting your name to it - something more people need to consider.

 

[Poe McKnoe]

These guys are basically paid mascots; They see dollars, that's about it.

The downside is, when you do this, you are putting your name to it - something more people need to consider.

Life Surge is definitely 100% scammers. Their whole business is extracting money out of gullible followers in the name of “kingdom impact.”

I assume Ohio State has has people that vet these type of things for athletes, or they should. I also assume those processes were overlooked or bypassed with Urban Meyer involved. In the DJ Byrnes episode, he says they basically wrap up the signing up for the $99 financial classes, which give you the access to the possibility to earn “kingdom impact” to the tune of $30k-$50k, THE bring in the headliners after 9 hours.

Interestingly, Pablo didn’t (nor did DJ) explore the entire backstory on “The Walk Foundation” but probably isn’t as straightforward as scamming people and taking advantage of their credit.

 

[Tomateaux Quinoa Gumbeaux]

It seems Life Surge seems to be a scam and using OSU players to influence people to attend.

Sounds like they should have Giovanni Strassini on speed dial.

 

[gmen6981]

Does this seem well intentioned?

Investigating a company that is scamming people? Yes. You're just upset that he mentioned the players who appeared at the seminar. He never accuses them of any wrongdoing but talks about how the company uses well known athletes and celebrities to draw people in. It's Life Surge he is investigating, not the players. Torre is a legit investigative journalist.

 

[jwinslow]

Investigating a company that is scamming people? Yes. You're just upset that he mentioned the players who appeared at the seminar. He never accuses them of any wrongdoing but talks about how the company uses well known athletes and celebrities to draw people in. It's Life Surge he is investigating, not the players. Torre is a legit investigative journalist.

And legitimate journalists use underhanded tactics.

1) This is twitter. 99.99% of people will not read this.

2) Read this sentence and tell me whether it implies Urban is the scam artist:

Three Ohio State football players, Urban Meyer and Kirk Herbstreit (and his dog) headlined a Life Surge event in Columbus:"I was stunned that it really wasn't a bigger story... These guys are literally funneling well-intentioned, financially illiterate Christians into a meat

You shouldn't need to re-read other things it to realize what's actually being said. But that was his intention, because he knew:

- Trolling OSU
- attaching it to these characters the face of CFB in Kirk, the 2nd best coach of the previous 20 years and a highly controversial dog

would generate massive ratings:

Interestingly, Pablo didn’t (nor did DJ) explore the entire backstory on “The Walk Foundation” but probably isn’t as straightforward as scamming people and taking advantage of their credit.

Quoting DJ Byrnes is certainly a choice by Pablo.

There's an actual story here full of ugly details. It doesn't require idiotic tactics to get people to read about it (or maybe it does, which is sadder)

 

[osuvictory1]

And legitimate journalists use underhanded tactics.

1) This is twitter. 99.99% of people will not read this.

2) Read this sentence and tell me whether it implies Urban is the scam artist:

Three Ohio State football players, Urban Meyer and Kirk Herbstreit (and his dog) headlined a Life Surge event in Columbus:"I was stunned that it really wasn't a bigger story... These guys are literally funneling well-intentioned, financially illiterate Christians into a meat

You shouldn't need to re-read other things it to realize what's actually being said. But that was his intention, because he knew:

- Trolling OSU
- attaching it to these characters the face of CFB in Kirk, the 2nd best coach of the previous 20 years and a highly controversial dog

would generate massive ratings:
Quoting DJ Byrnes is certainly a choice by Pablo.

There's an actual story here full of ugly details. It doesn't require idiotic tactics to get people to read about it (or maybe it does, which is sadder)

This was my take away as well. Is there a legitimate story, yes.

Are there tactics that journalists use to make it more sensationalized, to stir the pot for clicks, subscriptions and awards? Yes
The "I was stunned it wasn't a bigger story" is a tell.

I didn't know who DJ Byrnes is, and looked him up. Interesting choice of source for the story as it relates to OSU. Apparently he has been arrested for harassing people, and is some sort of controversial progressive firebrand. It looks like he has separation of church and state concerns with the university, and the religiosity of the players.

I am not saying that the story is illegitimate, but journalists definitely use sensationalizing tactics, and gaslighting to drive buzz, then innocent parties end up have to explain it away.