Colin Robertson
From Burning Out to
Building Up
I spent years researching the science of willpower and pushing myself to the breaking point. Now I'm using AI to help experts scale their impact—without paying the price I did.
The Obsession That Changed Everything
I've always believed that the human brain is the most marvelous tool in the known universe. There's greatness at the center of every human mind, just waiting to be unlocked.
In 2011, I became obsessed with understanding how we unlock that potential. I read everything I could find on neuroscience, decision-making, habit formation, and the psychology of achievement.
The common thread? Willpower. The ability to do what needs to be done, even when you don't feel like it.
After four years of research, I launched Willpowered: a blog dedicated to sharing the science of perseverance. Within a year, over 1,000,000 people from around the world visited to strengthen their willpower.
My Purpose
“To help individuals use the tools of science to unlock the greatness within their mind and take control of their future.”
The Will of Heroes
In 2015, I ran a Kickstarter campaign to publish my first book. With only 10 days left and less than half my goal raised, I refused to give up. More time at the keyboard. Less sleep. Repeat.
By some miracle, I raised $13,000. I moved to Florida, eliminated all distractions, and wrote 140,000 words in three months.
The book shares the stories of 12 extraordinary individuals—from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Temple Grandin—and the science behind how they willed themselves to greatness.
The Dark Side of Willpower
Success came at a terrible cost—one I didn't see coming until it was too late.
“I'm in my 30s and I can no longer use my hands to navigate my phone, drive a car, or type the words you are reading now.”
I applied the science of willpower to push through fatigue, pain, and every signal my body sent me to slow down. I told myself that the discomfort was just my brain being conservative—that I could push through like the heroes I studied.
I was wrong. Willpower without wisdom is dangerous.
The damage accumulated over years of 14-hour days at the keyboard. Writing, editing, promoting, building online courses. All while ignoring the pain creeping through my wrists and hands.
When I finally sought medical help, the specialists delivered devastating news: I would likely never be able to type on a keyboard or tap on a phone again.
Finding Hope in Technology
As I looked at braces on both my hands, a thought occurred to me: I am truly lucky to be living in this time.
The human hand is a marvelous tool. But it is not as marvelous as the human brain. I had the wealth of all human knowledge available on the internet and emerging tools that could help me accomplish work without my hands.
I became an early adopter of voice technology. What started as a necessity became a revelation. In today's world, you do not need the use of your hands to do meaningful work. All you need is your mind.
Every word on this website was created using voice commands. And as AI technology has evolved, I've realized something even more profound...
Why I Build Agents Now
I spent years learning the hard way. I pushed myself to the breaking point, made countless mistakes, and paid a permanent physical price.
What if there was a better way?
Agents aren't about replacing experts. They're about removing the admin and prospecting burden so experts can stay in their zone of genius.
What if you could package your expertise into an AI that thinks in your methodology—delivering personalized guidance to thousands without trading more of your time?
That's why I built Willpowered: an AI coach that contains everything I've learned from a decade of research, the stories of 12 extraordinary achievers, and the hard-won wisdom from my own journey.
And now I help other experts do the same.
Why I'm Uniquely Qualified
- 1I've done it myself—turned my book into a working AI product
- 2I understand methodology deeply as an author, not just as an engineer
- 3I built a healthcare platform as CTO of Steadii—I ship production software
- 4I use voice + AI daily—I understand the technology intimately
What I Believe
The principles that guide everything I create
Greatness is learnable
The heroes I studied weren't born exceptional. They became exceptional through deliberate effort and the right methodology.
Science beats motivation
Motivation fades. Understanding how your brain works and building systems based on science creates lasting change.
Wisdom prevents suffering
You don't have to learn every lesson the hard way. The stories of those who came before can light your path.
Technology amplifies humanity
AI doesn't replace human potential. It removes barriers to achieving it.
Balance enables endurance
Sustainable success requires knowing when to push and when to rest. I learned this the hard way.
Everyone deserves a coach
Personalized guidance shouldn't be a luxury. AI can democratize access to world-class mentorship.
Ready to turn your expertise into impact?
If you've built a methodology that transforms lives, let's talk about how AI can help you scale it.
Get in Touch