Denis Waitley Memorial

I just got back from a powerful weekend in San Diego where I attended the memorial for Denis Waitley and also spent 1-1 time masterminding with long-time friend Darren Hardy. I will share more in a future email about some of the ideas Darren and I discussed.

Denis Waitley was my long-time mentor and friend, and it was an honor to attend his memorial.

His family did such a beautiful job sharing his legacy and the impact he had on them and the world. Hearing each of his 4 kids share as well as 3 of his grandkids (2 of them performing songs) left me in tears.

I met Denis Waitley in 1997. I was his agent 2004 to 2007 before I sold my companies. And 2020 to 2024, he and I hosted an annual retreat at his beautiful Rancho Sante Fe, CA compound.

Below is my tribute to Denis after his passing in June.

I’m sad to share that my long-time friend and mentor, the iconic Denis Waitley, passed Saturday evening, a day after his 92nd birthday.

Denis was a powerful mentor and friend, not only to me, but to many of you as well!

I shared the news with my Inner Circle Sunday night. Many knew him from attending the retreats we hosted. Today, I want to share more in-depth about Denis and his impact on me.

Denis is one of the most remarkable humans I’ve ever known—a mentor to me and to so many of you as well.

I first met Denis in 1997, but our friendship deepened after I ask him to speak at the Jim Rohn 3-Day in Anaheim in 2004 (alongside Jim and Brian Tracy).

Afterwards, he asked if I would be his agent, like I was for Jim Rohn. I said yes.

We went on to publish books and programs together up until I sold my companies in 2007.

In 2020, we reconnected when I did a podcast with him at his home.

Over the next four years, we hosted an annual retreat together at his home in Rancho Santa Fe. During the entire four years, Denis was overcoming multiple physical challenges and yet would show up with more mental clarity than any of us.

The hundred plus combined people that attended the four retreats were beyond impressed with Denis’ wisdom, depth, and character!

Denis was a better human than speaker. And he was one of the great speakers.

Denis truly was one of the kindest and most caring men I’ve known. And incredibly generous!

He was in touch with nature and at peace. He taught me to slow down and smell the roses, to be grateful, and that life—and people—are our greatest teachers.

I devoted my chapter in the book Bringing Value, Solving Problems, Leaving a Legacy to Denis overcoming five months of intense cancer treatment during COVID. It’s one of the great stories of resilience I’ve ever witnessed.

In his final years, Denis taught me more than he had in the previous decades—showing me that it’s possible to endure suffering with grace and to never give up. I can’t adequately explain what I witnessed him going through, and still, he showed up daily, including writing two books and speaking at events during it all.

Denis spoke multiple times to my Inner Circle and was in three books I published including Success Habits from Super Achievers and Lessons From Thought Leaders.

Denis served as Chairman of Psychology for the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Sports Medicine Council, authored 16 bestselling books—including classics such as Seeds of Greatness, The Winner’s Edge, Empires of the Mind, and Safari to the Soul (which I had the honor to publish), and is in the International Speakers’ Hall of Fame.

Denis was an amazing man and such a shining example of how to live a life well lived!

He will be missed, but never forgotten. I already know he and Jim Rohn are having an amazing conversation.

Until I see you again, my mentor and friend, much love and respect!

In a book I released a few years ago, I shared about Denis’s impact on my life, in particular, his battle with cancer. I’m happy to forward you both that chapter with my story about Denis as well as his chapter sharing about his life. Just reply back and I will send both.

Kyle Wilson

Founder Jim Rohn International, YourSuccessStore, and KyleWilson.com

Listen to Kyle Wilson’s Success Habits Podcast Guests include Les Brown, Denis Waitley, Darren Hardy, John Assaraf, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Brian Tracy, Mark Victor Hansen, Jeffrey Gitomer, Roger Love, and more KyleWilson.com/podcast

Learn More About the Kyle Wilson Inner Circle Mastermind kylewilson.com/mastermind

What Others are Saying About Kyle

“Kyle, thank you for our partnership and friendship. Friendship is wealth and you make me a rich man. Love and Respect!” Jim Rohn, Iconic Philosopher & Speaker

“Kyle Wilson is brilliant and so very knowledgeable and an icon in this industry. He was the power behind Jim Rohn. Kyle is my longtime friend and someone I have a great deal of respect for.” Les Brown, Iconic Speaker and Author

“I guard my endorsements carefully. Regarding Kyle, he is simply a marketing genius! No joke. Kyle was the wizard behind the successful business of my mentor Jim Rohn. Every marketing dilemma I have ever had Kyle has given me the brilliant and elegant solution on the spot. Kyle’s consulting has saved and earned me hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.” Darren Hardy, Former Publisher of SUCCESS Magazine

“I have worked closely with Kyle Wilson for 20 years. He is one of the best all-around marketers, promoters, business-builders and entrepreneurs in the business today. We have generated more than a million dollars together.” Brian Tracy, Int Speaker and Author

“Kyle is a valued friend, a marketing superstar and one of the most knowledgeable people in the personal development industry.” Robin Sharma, Author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

“I’ve known and worked with Kyle Wilson for over 20 years. Kyle is the ONLY person that ALWAYS under-promised and over-delivered every single time my dad Zig and I worked with him. He is a valued friend and some one I have great admiration and respect for!” Tom Ziglar, President of Zig Ziglar Corp

“Kyle is one of my old and dear friends and one of the smartest marketing guys I have had the opportunity to work with. He is the scrappy marketing guy. What I mean by that is, there are lots of guys who will put out business plans and do all kinds of nonsense and swing for home runs. Kyle is the real deal and finds ways to create product, add value, help people, build community, he’s unbelievable.” Eric Worre, Author of Go Pro

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"I guard my endorsements carefully. Regarding Kyle, he is simply a marketing genius! No joke. Kyle was the wizard behind the successful business of my mentor Jim Rohn. Every marketing dilemma I have ever had, Kyle has given me the brilliant and elegant solution on the spot. Kyle’s consulting has saved and earned me hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years."

Darren Hardy

Former Publisher SUCCESS Magazine

"Kyle, thank you for our partnership and friendship all these years. Friendship is wealth and you make me a rich man. Much Love & Respect"

Jim Rohn

(1930-2009), Internationally
Renowned Speaker and Author

"Kyle Wilson is brilliant and very knowledgeable and an icon in this industry. He was the power behind Jim Rohn. Kyle is my longtime friend and someone I have a great deal of respect for."

Les Brown

Iconic Speaker and Author

"Kyle you were a master to work with when filming and producing at my house. Also, Helen and I have toured and done so many 'meet and greets' and have had all kinds of cool activities and opportunities on the road, but last year at your house at the Inner Circle Mastermind ranks at the top as one of the all time best experiences we have ever had on the road. At your house the people and the love was so amazing. We are use to doing all the giving, but that day we felt loved and cared for. It was just an amazing experience! We still talk about it to this day. It is at the top of our tour memories from over all these years!"

Phil Collen

Lead Guitarist, Def Leppard

"Thank you Kyle Wilson for being such a magnificent leader and creating a powerful, humanitarian thinking group of leaders. You’re such an amazing human being. Always inspired by who you are!"

Lisa Haisha

Host Amazon Show, Producer,
Philanthropist

"I have worked closely with Kyle Wilson for 20 years. He is one of the best all-around marketers, promoters, business-builders and entrepreneurs in the business today. We have generated more than a million dollars together.”

Brian Tracy

Professional Speaker,
Best-Selling Author,
CEO of Brian Tracy
International™

"If wanting to break into the speaker, author, marketing world, no one knows and does it better than my 10 year friend, Kyle Wilson. He is responsible for millions of people having access to the brilliant wisdom of Jim Rohn and so many other business thought leaders. He attracts the best people to his Inner Circle, something I'm proud to be a part of. I’m also excited to be working on a new book with Kyle, Lessons From Sports. Honored by his friendship."

Newy Scruggs

7x Emmy Winning Broadcaster,
NBC Sports Dallas/Ft Worth

"Kyle is one of my old and dear friends and one of the smartest marketing guys I have had the opportunity to work with. He is the scrappy marketing guy. Kyle is the real deal and finds ways to create product, add value, help people, build community, he’s unbelievable."

Eric Worre

Founder of Network Marketing
Pro and International Best-Selling
Author of Go Pro

"Kyle Wilson, single handedly changed the way I look at life! And the way I participate in my own! Kyle's wisdom, loyalty and commitment to seeing people soar is unmatched in the industry. He is a spring board, sounding board and ultimately a launch pad for anyone committed to pursuing their deepest dreams and ultimate goals! He is the most authentic mentor, friend and business parter I've ever had. I'm so thankful I ended up in your sphere 'KW,' Kyle Wilson.”

Erika De La Cruz

TV & Media Host, Speaker,
Trainer and Author of Passionistas

"Kyle Wilson is the man! When I made the decision to transition from my 15 year MLB career to being a speaker, best-selling author and business consultant I researched and then sought out the man who has been behind such iconic speakers as Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy and many others. Hiring Kyle as my coach has been one of the smartest decisions I made.“

Todd Stottlemyre

Author of Relentless Success,
15 Year MLB Pitcher
and 3x World Champion

"Kyle is a valued friend, a marketing superstar and one of the most knowledgeable people in the personal development industry.”

Robin Sharma

Author of The Monk Who
Sold His Ferrari

"Kyle can I thank you for something and congratulate you in the same breath? I've done easily 500 interviews in my life. This has been my favorite one. One that went on and allowed that deeper dive because that's one of the things that time limits can rob us of. And I thank you for that because it's been very healthy and very cathartic. And you kind of brought me back in touch with how ready I am to get back on stages. I'm ready."

Glenn Morshower

Actor in Over 250 Movies and Shows

"Kyle is one of the wisest and most brilliant marketing consultants in the world. He is the man behind the great marketing of Jim Rohn International and so many other personal development legends. He is not only someone I’ve enjoyed collaborating and working with for over two decades, but is also a close and valued friend. I recommend Kyle without equivocation."

Mark Victor Hansen

Co-Creator of World’s
Best-Selling Book Series
Chicken Soup for the Soul

“Kyle Wilson is a masterful marketer and there is a good reason why top investors, entertainers, sports figures, leaders in personal development and entrepreneurs call on him as a coach, mentor, business partner and friend. Kyle knows what works in business and most importantly relationships and always over delivers. As an Inner Circle Mastermind member for over 2 years, it’s been the very best thing I could have done to level up my circle of influence, surround myself with success and have the platform to launch a best-selling book, be invited to speak, partner, invest and take my brand to the next level. I highly recommend you invest whatever is necessary to be a member of the Inner Circle or hire Kyle as your coach.

Kelli Calabrese

Wellness Mompreneur,
#1 Best-Selling Author
Mom & Dadpreneur

“Kyle Wilson is the best marketer I know. In the 20 years that I have known him, everything he touches and every idea he generates, turns into money. If you’re looking for a degree of fame, and a higher degree of wealth, I recommend you get YOUR ass to Kyle as fast as you can.”

Jeffrey Gitomer

Best-Selling Author The Little Red Book of Selling

"I've known and worked with Kyle Wilson for over 20 years. Kyle is the ONLY person that ALWAYS under-promised and over-delivered every single time my dad Zig and I worked with him. He is a valued friend and someone I have great admiration and respect for!"

Tom Ziglar

President of Zig Ziglar Corp

"Kyle's Inner Circle Masterminds have been some of the most enlightening events I've been a part of. I've met so many incredible people outside the world I live and work in. It is the pinnacle of places you can go to upgrade your network. Plus, Kyle's coaching has helped me create and additional six figure side income that allows me to impact more people."

Seth Mosley

2x Grammy Winner,
Billboard #1 Producer and
Song Writer of the Year

"When I met Kyle Wilson I had been speaking professionally for 12 years and my biggest ‘achievement’ was $60,000 in debt to the IRS, a truck I prayed every day would start, and a simple 6 CD memory training set. Kyle coached me to market that CD set and in less than 12 months my IRS debt was gone and I was speaking in Australia, Bangkok, Belgium, Singapore, Malaysia and all over the USA with the biggest names in the speaking business. It was almost magical how Kyle took my business from giving speeches in the back room of an IHOP restaurant to audiences as large as 8,000 in what seemed like overnight. I can honestly say that Kyle Wilson was not a major factor in turning my business around. Kyle Wilson was THE factor. I can’t strongly recommend his wisdom, knowledge, business mind or who he is as a person enough."

Ron White

Best-Selling Author of
Black Belt Memory,
2009 & 2010 US Memory Champion

"Kyle Wilson is not only one of my most valued friends and mentors, he is a marketing genius and brilliant business man, always providing the most honest and insightful solutions to any challenge. I am honored to have him as my book partner and life-long counterpart."
Jeanette Ortega,

Jeanette Ortega

Best-Selling Author of
The Little Black Book of Fitness
& Celebrity Fitness Trainer

"Kyle, you ROCKED the EOFIRE show. You are a great storyteller and shared great lessons. Truly impressed…and thank you for what you do/have done for this Entrepreneurial world."

John Lee Dumas

Host of EOFire Podcast with
over 100 million Downloads

"Anytime I'm in a conversation with Kyle Wilson, I always take my notepad out and start taking down notes cause there's so much to learn. Kyle it's a real honor for me to know you."

Bob Burg

Speaker and Best-Selling Author
of the Go Giver

“Kyle Wilson literally built an empire over 18 years working with one of the true legends in the entire speaking space, Mr. Jim Rohn. Somebody I look up too, somebody who was a hero of mine that I wanted to be like because of the way he had great integrity. Kyle has that same integrity, he truly cares about making you look good. He cares about you having quality materials and I will Guarantee you will be so grateful you partnered up and got into one of Kyle's books. Kyle cares truly from the heart about your success. And about representing you in the way you want to be represented. With your great content, and your great information and with who you are as a business, as a brand, as a person. So do yourself a favor, work with my friend Kyle.”

James Malinchak

Featured on ABC’s Hit TV show
Secret Millionaire &
Founder of Big Money Speaker

"Kyle Wilson’s insight, marketing acumen and business knowledge are guru level. His consulting, friendship and brilliant solutions have changed the trajectory of my career and life. His strategies don’t just elevate, they transform you and your brand.”

Olenka Cullinan

Speaker, Passionista, Founder of
Rising Tycoons &
#iStartFirst Bossbabe Bootcamps

"From the moment I met Kyle realized that he was a unique individual. In life their is 'talent' and then behind that 'talent' there is always the business savvy behind it. We say that when the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear. Kyle Wilson IS that teacher and that consultant....are you ready? Kyle, I know our best work is yet to come. Thanks for the friendship and expertise."

Nick Bradley

PGA Tour Mentor,
Speaker, Author

"Is there anyone in the world who is better at grooming and managing a speaker than Kyle Wilson? Absolutely not! Kyle was the man behind Jim Rohn. Kyle, while managing my speaking career, took me to 60 speaking engagements a year while increasing my fee, and helped me publish numerous books that sold nearly a million copies, produce two best-selling audio programs, taught me how to sell product from the back of a room (with a number of $50,000 days and one $110,000 day) and got me my own television show and a co-host with Zig Ziglar on his television show, True Performance. There is not a single person alive who not only knows but has mastered the speaking business from beginning to end like Kyle Wilson. Take my highest recommendation and multiply it by ten and you have what I think about Kyle. What? You haven’t picked up the phone yet to get on board with him? Get going!!"

Chris Widener

Best-Selling Author The Angel Inside

"Kyle Wilson has been a life changing mentor, friend and business partner. He not only has extreme marketing knowledge, is talented and gifted at speaking, coaching and leading, but he also has a unique focus, drive and charisma that magnetizes others and helps them to succeed and become more motivated. I would recommend anyone wanting to propel to higher levels to work with Kyle"

Kim Somers Egelsee

# 1 best selling author
and Tedx speaker

"Kyle Wilson's Inner Circle is nothing short of Life Changing! It offers insights and valuable outcomes for entrepreneurs, champions, and business leaders. IC is high-trust, honest, and encouraging, an integrity-filled environment that generates awareness, understanding, and wisdom from the team for you. IC provides one a board of trusted advisors... the ""GPS to help you get to the next level."

Tim Cole

(Business) Managing Director,
(Military) Colonel, USMC (Ret)

"After only working with Kyle for a few months, I felt my professional world opening up in new and inspired ways. Kyle’s marketing brilliance and business wisdom combine to make him a one in a million in this coaching world. I found that I literally would just listen to whatever he says and that is not common for a strong-willed woman like me, but his guidance is pure gold and his goodness shines through it all. I am so very grateful to him for his coaching.”

Dr. Stormy Hill, OTR/L

Entrepreneur, Author, Educator, Mom

"Kyle you have greatly influenced my life and career. You and Jim made a perfect team with a legacy that will continue to change lives more than any otherthought leaders with timeless wisdom."