For over 11 years, Bob played a vital role in the development and growth of his family's third-generation family owned and operated business. Sales soared and confidence was high among those working closely with Bob. With over 350 associates and total company sales volume exceeding 80 million, Bob was on his way to becoming the President and CEO of one of Arizona's largest privately owned businesses. What the outside world did not know about Bob was his daily battle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the havoc it played on his life "behind the scenes." A disorder so severe it often left him pondering how he was going to survive another single minute.

Bob's journey toward living life with Hope | Vision | Passion® began several years ago. In fact, when reflecting back over the past 10 to 15 years it became very evident to Bob that the challenges life had presented to him were actually opportunities for him to grow as a person. In reality, Bob would never have chosen his journey through life to have taken him some of the places he has gone. However, it is because of his challenges in life that he learned the importance of choosing to be happy. He recognized and accepted that none of us have a choice of what comes our way in life, but we do have a choice in how we
handle it.

An audience member, Jim MacLaren and Bob Hobbs Jr. immediately following a HOPE | VISION | PASSION® event in Scottsdale,AZ, in September of 2005. "You are the author of your own life story." Bob Hobbs Jr.

Although it is now quite easy to look back and notice the presence of OCD during the childhood years of his life, it was not until 1986 that Bob reached his true low point and began to seek out help. To his classmates, Bob appeared as a very outgoing high school athlete who was fortunate enough to come from an affluent family. He appeared to have the "perfect" life . . . however Bob's life was far from perfect. In fact, during this point in his life Bob could not walk through a doorway or enter a room without first having obsessive thoughts about certain people or things and then feeling the need to relieve these thoughts by performing compulsions. When turning lights "on" or "off " it was common for him to flip light switches as many as 30 times. If he did not give into the compulsions caused from the intense anxiety of horrific obsessive thoughts, he could not proceed with his day. Getting dressed had become a huge problem. Bob literally felt hopeless and out of control. There were numerous times when Bob had difficulty even leaving his bedroom closet. School was becoming impossible. One particular memory that Bob often refers to during his program is when he used up an entire notebook (40 pages) of paper to answer 10 simple math questions because OCD was preventing him from using his eraser when he made an error. Instead, Bob would scribble through his mistakes until they were completely covered and no longer legible. After months of ongoing Cognitive Behavioral type therapy and the introduction of Prozac, Bob was finally able to get a handle on things and slowly piece his life back together.

In 1997, things began to change all over again. Shortly after receiving exemplary results from a physical he had taken earlier in the summer, Bob began to have heart palpitations. After being assured that his physical health was in top condition, he continued to have frequent palpitations and feelings of nervousness, until he finally suffered a full-blown panic attack. For the next six months, life as he knew it literally stopped. He could not get out of bed, go to work, interact with friends, etc. OCD was the root of his problem and he had somehow completely lost control of it.

Bob's life story is still unfolding, but already has presented many challenges besides his ongoing struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. His mother's and father's battle with Cancer and his wife's Multiple Sclerosis have added huge obstacles to all their lives. Although today some days are obviously much better than others, a single day does not go by when Bob is not somehow reminded that OCD is still very much a part of his life. Today, Bob's OCD is under control, his parents have continued to stay cancer free and his wife is managing her MS extremely well. Bottom line. both Bob and his wife Michelle feel very blessed to live such fortunate lives. They have two beautiful children, have enjoyed success in business and choose to focus on the positive things in their lives. Even through their most difficult times they have always maintained that God will never give them more than they can handle. Bob and Michelle have always looked for the lessons to be learned so they could one day help others remain hopeful during adversity and remind them that difficult circumstances are temporary but Hope | Vision | Passion® lasts forever. Now it's Bob's turn to share the benefits of self-discovery with others.

Bob's Vision . . .

Over the course of a few years, I began to recognize that I was happy with what I was doing in life but not fulfilled. I was very content in working in my family owned and operated business but something was missing. It was hard to put my finger on it but I finally discovered I was not living my life with purpose. I was a product of circumstance. Once I realized this I knew I needed to begin my quest to discover my purpose in life. During all my personal struggles with OCD I never let anyone know I was suffering. I did not want anyone to see my vulnerabilities. I was embarrassed. That said, I quickly recognized that if I could fake it and not let others know how bad I felt behind closed doors, there had to be people all over the place that were living life struggling with something that they did not want to share. I learned you cannot judge a book by its cover and quickly began to live by the saying . . ." Who I am to judge?" Bottom line...I wanted to find a way to live a fulfilling life that allowed me to help others recognize they can get through any of life's "speed bumps" no matter how bad things might seem. Something that allowed me to inspire others to never give up regardless of where they are in life and to understand that each of us really is "The Author of Our Life Story."

Bob includes his audiences, of all ages and backgrounds, by making them laugh, cry, and walk away moved and inspired to learn from their own life's circumstances.

Bob includes his audiences, of all ages and backgrounds, by making them laugh, cry, and walk away moved and inspired to learn from their own life's circumstances. "Learn from difficult circumstances." Bob Hobbs Jr.

HOPE | VISION | PASSION® Bob's high-energy, self-development programs are truly powerful and engaging. They'll encourage you to discover your own purpose in life,help you to learn from difficult circumstances and motivate you to write your own life's story. Learn how Bob has overcome these adversities and share the benefits of self discovery on your journey towards personal happiness and fulfillment. Discover the tools you need to create the life you want, affecting change in yourself and the world around you.

What people are saying . . .

"He has a gift to get into peoples' hearts."- Karl Eller,
Chairman and CEO, The Eller Company, Author - Integrity Is All You've Got

"Hope/Vision/Passion® is done with great spirit and stage presence. Bob has definitely found his calling in life."-
Doug Ducey, Former CEO and Chairman, Cold Stone Creamery, Inc.

"I have heard many great speakers in my lifetime, but none impressed me more than Bob. He lives what he speaks and it comes across very clearly in his message."
Rob Evans, Former Head Coach, Men's Basketball, Arizona State University

"Bob was spellbinding in his passionate plea for people to find their own purpose in life. A complete sensory experience with his voice setting the stage for a lush video presentation left me with hope for the future."
Jane Mitten, SAG, Writer's Guild of America, Sports Writer's of America

"Hope Vision and Passion® provided me an opportunity to reflect on past challenges in my life and appreciate the strength and insight I've gained to overcome small and large scale adversity."
Andy Kramer, Senior Vice President, Major Gifts and Planned Giving, United Way - Valley of The Sun

"I came out of the presentation with the passion to run my own race and take ownership of my life."
Yvette Toledo Katsenes, Executive Director, Phoenix Day

"Hope,Vision, Passion®: the essential ingredients to success in life, family, and business."
Senator Dean Martin, Sixth District,Arizona