Top 15 PUAs of 2012 by PUA Lingo

You voted… and we counted. There were so many great instructors and stories that came through the comments, blogs, my inbox, and the threads on the forums. Most importantly, it came from observation of students actually improving and instructors who gave a shit about the art of seduction.

This year’s list will no doubt create some controversy and I am the first to admit our bias – ultimately the decision making came down to the owners of PUA Lingo. That being said, we have been working on this site since 2008, myself (AlphaWolf) joining the game in 2007 after picking up The Game. We’ve seen instructors come and go, met them at events, and personally witnessed them in field helping us with specific problems or helping a friend or a student.

This years list wasn’t so much about innovation but rather authenticity and dedication to the craft. Shutting the F*** up, and actually working on their technique and coaching skills, instead of mass marketing. Sure, we all need to make a living, but this happens after one adds value to the capitalistic system and the world at large.

So without further ado, here are the Top 15 PUAs of 2012:

Honorable Mention: Sean Stephenson

Sean Stephenson isn’t really a professional PUA Coach, but he’s helped millions of people find inspiration in their own lives. Born with severe osteogenesis imperfecta, Sean doesn’t let his height, fragile bones or use of a wheelchair stop him. He’s worked at the White House with president Clinton and got his Ph.D in clinical hypnosis.

He runs a profitable public speaking business (website) and is a trained psychologist. He is a regular participant of many documentaries from all over the world. His lessons on love and meeting the right woman puts a normal guy’s lame excuses into an embarrassingly stark perspective.

Here he is on David D’s Transformation Seminar:

In 2012, Sean married his girlfriend Mindie. What’s your excuse?

Honorable Mention: Neil Strauss (Style)

Our very existence would probably not exist in this form were it not for Style exposing the community and forever romanticized the game in his book. That said, he has moved on with his identity as an author and Hollywood icon. One can’t blame him – life goes on and we continue to evolve and take on challenges that make us grow. Neil, however, will always remain a hero and a legacy of the seduction community.

Honorable Mention: Erik Von Markovik (Mystery)

Mystery has gone into hiding since airing Season 2 of VH1′s The Pickup Artist and launching his new company with Matador and Lovedrop at Venusian Arts. Although he charges tons of money for 1-on-1 private coaching, one never fails to NOT learn from the great Mystery. We owe many of our original ideas to him, as much as psychotherapy owes Freud. Erik turns 40 this year, and we hope that this is just the beginning of his work. As the man who once said, “on my tombstone, I would write, ‘Please bring me back! I have much more to offer the world!’”, Mystery, we await your return.

#15) JT Tran (ABCs of Attraction)

JT Tran hit the road this year, making his rounds at Ivy league universities and putting the spotlight on Asian men and dating on ABC News. JT’s company, ABCs of Attraction, also employs Anna and Gareth Jones, and they continue to work with guys on improving their dating skills, with a focus on the calibrations needed to train Asian men.

#14) Joshua Pellicer (Tao of Badass)

Joshua hit it big this year with runaway hit Tao of Badass. One of the few Clickbank marketers of seduction products that hit it big. Josh has been doing this for a while on his own, and been featured on the Today Show and Maxim Radio. His interview with PUA Lingo is here.

I have met Josh in person, and the first thing I noticed was his ease and seemingly enthusiasm to connect with everyone around him. He didn’t flaunt his pick up skills or talk himself up, he simply is. I’ve reached out to him for advice on dating, relationships, and whether I’d find the right girl, and he always finds time to respond without any expectation of a favor in return. Josh is the real deal.

#13) Roosh V. (Bang!)

I first heard about Roosh V. via a feminist blgo post talking about his American vs. European woman video. Since then, I’ve learned that he causes major controversy due to 2 reasons. One, he travels a lot, and perhaps is the only guy in the industry that zooms in on country-specific game. Two, he’s blunt and often replies in kind to feminist bloggers.

Naturally, the “pattern recognition” creates some stereotypes that causes strong reactions from women of that country and feminist groups. But he speaks the truth, and has the courage and balls to actually relay his experiences on video as he travels around the globe. Roosh has a loyal male following and his book Bang and Day Bang gets many accolades from PUAs and non-PUAs alike. He needs a haircut though.

#12) Adam Lyons (AFC Adam)

Cajun was a Love Systems instructor in Canada before his international debut on Keys To the VIP where he did PUAs the world over proud. Being Canadian, Cajun is friendly and willing to help. He’s perhaps the first guy to appear on national television in a cold approach situation by himself. You might argue that Mystery and Matador did that too in VH1′s The Pickup Artist. Nonetheless, Cajun’s approaches and performances were open to judgement and he still came out on top.

#9) Beckstar

Beckstar has that childish spirit in his smile…matched with the icy look of a true seducer. He has worked for PUA Training and then went on to several partnerships with other dating companies over the span of 15+ years. His main motivation is the art and the game, rather than building a business or the money. Beckstar continues to put out cool video content, however his focus is on training his students out in the field. One of my favorite routines still comes from Beckstar.

#8) Kezia Noble

Kezia gets a lot of shit tests from competing male coaches and even students who don’t believe that a woman can properly teach pick up. Her perceived weaknesses, however, have a funny way of turning into strengths. I think it would be hard to argue that Kezia is not a hard 9 or 10.

Being a hot girl herself, she is able to identify, as the source, what the woman is really thinking. Having interviewed Kezia and also having worked with her, I can say that her bitchy side is reserved to play the part and get students to see the reality of the dating world. #8 therefore goes to the “bitch with a heart”.

I’m sure this review will get me laid soon.

#7) Jeffy (Jlaix) from Real Social Dynamics

Jeffy walks into the room, and starts playing one of his in-field videos. Within 90 seconds, the whole room bursts out with bouts of laughter and fun. That was the Hot Seat event in San Francisco. As the author of Nine Ball and Get Laid or Die Trying, Jeffy is a weird and hilarious combination of intelligence and self parody. His wit and vocabulary is unmatched and you will often learn new words listening to Jeffy speak.

His fans worship him, while AMOGs consider him their worst nightmare. Jeffy is not at all about the money – he simply gets girls and enjoys sex. Choosing to live in and coach in San Francisco, he has mastered the intricacies of bay area game. His “rape van” (I mean, consensual sex van) continues to make the city rounds.

Jeffy on the “marketing haze”

#6) Alexander (Real Social Dynamics)

 

RSD’s newest shining star, Alex comes across as weirdly likable and alpha at the same time. If you review his older pictures, he has turned from a dorky looking kid to a very good looking and charismatic dating coach. His latest seminar and product focuses on breaking down the hardcore art of “natural instincts” and the process of internalizing a true natural’s frame.

His in-field footage casts him in some amazing situations. I remember seeing him stop 4 girls about to drive away and getting a kiss close with one of the girls. We look forward to seeing more of Alex in 2012.

#5) DJ Fuji (Tao of Fuji)

DJ Fuji is one of those guys that considers pick up his calling. He’s probably one of the few coaches who turns down clients, because he wants to devote proper time to teach his students. Never one for applying “mass marketing” techniques, his blog and his training process is based on quality over quantity.

His advice to me on day game has helped me gain tons of hot female friends from day time approaches, and one hot French girlfriend. DJ Fuji’s focus (perhaps due to his Asian heritage) is on fundamentals by applying proper technique and practicing it over and over again, makes him one of the best technique-based coaches in the industry.

#4) Richard La Ruina (Gambler) from PUA Training

At first, Gambler may seem meek or shy. That is simply a part of his avatar and allure. Richard comes across as sincere and humble, despite running one of the biggest pick up companies in the world. His PUA Training organization was responsible for providing the platform for European stars like Beckstar, Matthew Hussey, Adam Lyons, Kezia, and many others. In that sense, Gambler is much like the Hugh Hefner of Europe. His PUA University DVDs are some of the best products I have ever seen.

Gambler currently spends his time traveling around and running his UK-based business. You can catch occasional pictures of him with hot girls on his Facebook.

#3) Julien (Real Social Dynamics)

Tyler: “See… I like to get girls to do errands for me. Julien likes to make girls cry”

Even as a RSD Intern and apprentice to Owen, Julien showed massive potential as a seducer. Owen calls him “Anakin Skywalker”. RSD interns knew it, and sometimes choose to hangout with him instead of Owen himself.

3 years later, Julien is an executive coach at RSD, and also considers teaching game his passion. He constantly uploads videos via RSDNation.com. Julien’s voice has a very deep and powerful resonance, and having seen his in field footage, I can say he’s definitely the real deal. Some might consider Julien’s crazy antics a bit too much, as he likes to see if he can make girls cry, and often will do things in game much like a hacker tries to hack a computer simply because he can.

In Owen’s words, “Julien is a social psychopath”, and we look forward to seeing more of him in-field.

#2) Owen Cook (Tyler Durden) from Real Social Dynamics

The mastermind behind RSD, Owen has taken a 2-man company who lived in the closet of Project Hollywood to a global phenomenon. RSD continues to innovate and teach useful and practical pick up advice to men all over. Seeing him in person reminded me of seeing someone who was so committed to a cause, that the world around him actually shifts and bends to his will.

Owen has a look in his eyes and he will challenge you to see if you are really going for what you want out of life. He also lost a ton of weight and sports a beard, definitely a new look for his 2012 image. His YouTube videos are some of the most useful ones I have seen that has helped me tremendously as an intermediate PUA.

#1) Zan Perrion (Ars Amorata)

Zan separated from the “community” after his appearance at the Cliff’s List convention in Canada years ago. Ever since, he’s sort of been an enigma to guys in the PUA world. Through his company Ars Amorata, he continues to travel the world and teach men as well as women on the art of love. A modern day Casanova, he considers women his true teachers in the art of seduction.

The fact that Zan has full bookings with WOMEN joining his Ars Amorata seminars means that he really has some pull with the female psyche. Going deeper than inner game, techniques and the seduction community in general, Zan is an icon for discovering our real selves. Much like reptiles evolving wings to become birds, Zan’s trajectory of love and seduction has evolved to a different plane.

Zan on compliments and living as a real man: