Regarding Adam Heller and the Zero Pain Now book and program:
I purchased the book and found it to be a useful adjunct. As a result, I began to investigate his program, which he promotes heavily. I went to his web site, and no great surprise, the test he offers indicated that I am the ideal candidate to purchase his $500 program.
He followed up with a series of emails reminding me that his test had identified me as someone who would be successful by purchasing his program. Eventually this led to him offering me a free 15-minute personal consultation. He began the call by asking me a couple of questions, including what I had done so far. I told him about my experience working with this web site and the program here. He interrupted me to say, "May I have your permission to be direct? Because I have to tell you, so far, you have done
absolutely nothing. "
He dismissed Dr. Sarno's idea that accepting the diagnosis is the most important aspect of resolving pain. He told me I could read books and participate in forums, but that I was essentially wasting my time unless I engaged in a structured program, such as the one he offers. I didn't argue. The idea of a structured program appeals to me and I agreed, saying I thought that was reasonable.
"See what you did there!" he countered. "You just said 'I thought,' and that is a big part of your problem." He explained that I think too much. OK, no argument from me on that, although his brusque approach was beginning to have the ironically welcome effect of stirring unpleasant emotions. His intent perhaps? Carry on...
He assured me that as the world's greatest expert on this subject, he could tell, even from our brief encounter that I was ideally suited for his $500 program and that I would benefit greatly from it. Super! I want to benefit greatly and I was almost ready to sign up on the spot. Almost. I probably would have, had he stopped there!
But he did not. When I supportively mentioned that I thought his program sounded like something I could benefit from, he pointed out that I had referred to "thinking" again. A big problem of mine, he said. OK. Probably so. Good. I added that I was excited about the program (emotion, not a thought!) and noted how great it was that he offered a guarantee, which doctors and chiropractors do not. This instantly triggered a response from him, and he replied in a somewhat scolding tone that I should not purchase his program for the guarantee. He explained that he "has to offer that", (?) but that in his private consultations, for which he charges $15,000 (!) he never offers a guarantee. A guarantee is a psychological hook, and it gives the participant an "out", a reason to fail. And he wants people to commit 100%, no matter what it takes, or how long it takes. OK. Although some self-evident questions suggest themselves here! But I didn't ask. Instead, I told him I understood and agreed that it was reasonable (oops! there I go again, and I corrected myself for "thinking," just as he was about to).
After the call, I returned to his web site and began to look through it. It is a little difficult to navigate, because it keeps wanting you to take the test again and to go through the funnel towards purchase. I managed to find the page where he has a comparison chart showing features of the three programs he offers. There, he again touts his guarantee (although when I scrolled down to the fine print, it it is clear that if you open the books or write in the workbook or otherwise actually use the materials, they are no longer "new" and suggests this will invalidate the guarantee).
In the chart, he shows that the cheapest program has "no guarantee". The mid-range program has a guarantee. And the $500 program has a
triple guarantee, for which I could not find any explanation. Up popped a chat invitation to help me by answering any questions. So I inquired. First about the distinction between the Email support offered and the 12 months of personalized support offered only by the $500 program.
The chat operator responded, telling me that for the first 30 days, support is provided by email. After that, support is provided by email. I assumed it was not what she intended to say, since that makes no sense, so I asked for clarification. No reply. After waiting about 10 minutes, I typed "??" and got a response that there was something wrong with her software. She told me that the IT guys were waiting there to fix it and asked if I had any other questions before she closed the chat.
I asked again about the different support options, and also asked her to explain the difference in the guarantees offered by the programs. She told me she had already answered the support question and that the guarantee is fully explained on the site. Further, she repeated the exact same line previously offered by Adam that I should not purchase the course for the guarantee.
I told her I understood she was under some pressure to close the chat, which may explain her lack of responsiveness and suggested that I would try again later, after the IT guys finished their work.
In about 10 minutes, I got an email from Adam saying that he knew it was me on the chat because he had connected my IP address to my previous inquiry. He went on to say, "
You seem disturbed." He then continued with:
My feeling is that you probably want to wait for a program until you are really ready. We will be here when you are.
She did answer your questions about the difference between email and personalized support and with your focus on the guarantee so strong after our call this may not be your time.
I know enough about sales to recognize the manipulative "takeaway" technique! It's just my opinion of course, but it struck me that the calm, gentle smoothness he presents is eerily reminiscent of the disarming facade presented by sociopaths. Hopefully that is not the case, but when coupled with the manner in which he was triggered by the most casual mention of his "guarantee", and his non-responsiveness to legitimate and reasonable pre-sale inquiries raised huge red flags for me.
