Mel Robbins calls herself the 'villain' of her own story and shares lessons from 'rock bottom'

Mel Robbins has sold millions of books, built one of the world’s top podcasts, and promoted mantras for the goal-oriented and career-minded.

Mel Robbins has sold millions of books, built one of the world’s top podcasts, and promoted mantras for the goal-oriented and career-minded. But in an interview with “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, the popular motivational speaker flipped the script, casting herself not as the hero of her story, but as the villain.

“I feel like I spent my whole life navigating every decision based on people’s moods or what was going to make somebody happy or somebody’s expectations,” Robbins told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker. “I chronically worried about what other people were thinking.”

This, she said, is what makes her the villain of her story, captured in the bestseller, “The Let Them Theory,” a guide that teaches readers to release the need to control others and instead focus on what they can control. Robbins blends personal anecdotes, psychological research and practical exercises to help readers create change.

The confession is a pivot from the polished success story that often surrounds Robbins, whose “5 Second Rule” and “Let Them” theory, along with her podcast “The Mel Robbins Podcast” have turned her into one of the most influential voices in personal development. TIME Magazine has said she gives millions of listeners around the globe “a reason to believe in themselves.”

But by recasting herself as the antagonist, Robbins said, she hopes to give others permission to be honest about the messier parts of change.