I really thought I could outsmart a firepit.
For the past four days I’ve been at a Tony Robbins seminar in the suburbs of Chicago. Over five thousand people have come in from eighteen countries to listen to the man with the huge hands help them help themselves. During the past few days I’ve cheered, yelled, screamed to the heavens, cried, and danced to over fifty songs. I’ve hugged well over a hundred strangers and given group massages to participants. When I leave to go to the bathroom I instinctively high-five people coming out of the bathroom. This would not be well-received in polite society. But, hey, this is Tony Robbins. It’s the culture of the event. You drink the Kool-Aid.
One area where I was extremely suspicious was the firewalk on Day One. Just using my logical mind suggested that if this were really dangerous he wouldn’t have us do it. Nearly two million participants have walked on fire since his first seminar thirty-six years ago. He explained that in that entire history only twelve needed hospital attention. So, to me, this was not even a dangerous event. I wasn’t worried in the slightest.
Many people at the seminar, I could tell, were afraid of the firewalking. I don’t blame them. We’ve all touched a hot stove with our finger and felt the pain. I’ve heard burns are one of the most painful experiences the human body can endure. But a hot stove is only at roughly 650 degrees farenheit max. These coals were to be around 2000 degrees. Again, I wasn’t worried. Firewalking has been around for thousands of years, and people have been doing it for centuries without Tony Robbins’ help. We did have to sign a waiver of health liability, however.
Tony takes the safety of the participants very seriously. Even though there are only a few principles of firewalking, mechanically – stuff like how fast to walk, where to keep your eyes focused, and how to exit the firewalk without coals being stuck to you, he wanted to teach us how to go into a peak emotional and physical state so that our mind wouldn’t poop out during the experience.
For over two hours he taught us how to condition our nervous system to feel strong so that we could use all of our emotional, mental, and physical resources to get through this five second firewalk. At one point all five thousand of us even laid on the ground and did a hypnosis of sorts to get our unconscious mind in alignment.
Throughout all the hoopla, I was like, “C’mon, let’s move it along. I’m not afraid of this, and I don’t need all this conditioning. It’s only five seconds and there’s a lot of reseach that I’ve seen online that says it’s just about impossible to burn your feet if you walk at a regular clip.” Tony himself mentioned several times that this is not to prove to yourself that you can walk on fire – he says anyone can. This is a metaphor for being able to do something in life you thought you couldn’t do.
Well, that’s all great except I knew I could do it. So, I wasn’t as pumped about the firewalk as a lot of people.
In the midst of all of this, I made a decision – I would do the firewalk in the most unresourceful state possible. I’d summon fear, I’d walk slowly, I would not repeat the “cool moss” mantra (replaced with “This is hot!”), and I would actually “feel” my feet with every step. I wanted to try to feel the coals.
I knew it wasn’t dangerous, but I wanted to find out how non-dangerous it was, just because sometimes I’m weird like this.
When I got up to the grass and it was my turn, I feigned excitement. I got myself in the resourceful state, all pumped up to pass their gatekeeper. He has people that will assess whether you are in a peak state to be able to do the walk. If not, they yank you out for safety reasons. As soon as the guy yelled, “Go!” I dropped all the personal power I had and started walking.
The first few steps were fine. Sure I could feel the lava rocks beneath my feet and that is awkward, but it didn’t hurt. I thought, “See? This is no big deal. You don’t need all the pump-up to be okay. The feet can handle this all on it’s own.”
This lasted until my fourth step when I landed right in the middle of a coal and I felt it. I felt it hard. It fucking hurt. I had burned myself.
A few steps later and I had finished the firewalk. They hosed down my feet and I celebrated. I had made it. Slightly burned, but still. I had just walked on fire for chrissakes. I jumped up and down with my partner and we hugged. I yelled in his ear to ask if he got burned at all. He was like, “Nope – didn’t feel a thing!” He had followed all the instructions, along with probably everyone else. In the end five thousand people walked and nobody was injured.
My foot was mildly on fire (excuse the poor metaphor). I drove home that night and realized that my state probably did affect my experience. I didn’t have any marks on my feet but for the next few days I could feel it. It’s gone now and I’m fine, but I did learn a valuable lesson – my state is important.
That’s probably the most important thing I learned at the seminar. Our states affect our resources. We can snap into certainty and resourcefulness or laughter or empathy in a moment. My state at work affects my performance. And I need to get conscious about what I’m bringing to each situation.
In the end the seminar was life-changing. He really knows his stuff and, if you do the work, you’ll come out stronger than you came in.
Plus, I now have a bar stool story about walking on fire. Sure I got a little burned, but I’ll probably leave that part out.
marquita herald says:
Congratulations! I’ve never made the walk myself, but Tony held one of his events where I live in Maui several years ago and because I used to work for the hotel I was able to score some time there – specifically I wanted to see the fire walk. They held it on the top level of the parking garage so the view was of the ocean and Maui mountains – breathtaking and I live here! I could clearly see how careful they were in the set-up process – right down to the ambulance tucked away in a dark corner of the lower level of the parking structure. It was easy to catch the excitement standing there watching each participant finishing the walk. I hope the rest of the event was a memorable. 🙂
Kat says:
Go ahead, leave that part out; nobody will mind 😉
He’s right, if you’re not in the right state of mind when you enter any new task, you will not succeed. So many of us don’t realize it until we get burned.
Jess elaine says:
But really his hands! They’re huge right?
jennifer sweet says:
Enormous, the size of my head
Joe says:
“one’s state affects one’s resources”… but surely it is one’s resources that affect one’s state? But if one means capabilities instead of resources – I get it – but also would say it was obvious that the state one is in will impact one’s capabilities.
I worry also that everyone in a Tony Robbins session is in two hyped up a state to use any ‘resources’ effectively. And then when they get back, all that they recieve for their $2000+ is a big downer, and an almost compulsive desire to repeat the experience! Or not?
Joe says:
…typo – ‘two’ should be ‘too’!
Lovelyn says:
I’ve studied Tony Robbins like the obsessive maniac I secretly am for a long time and how your state affects your life is at the core of his message. I think that even after all the hype of the seminar has worn off this message can really help change your life.
Congratulations on doing the firewalk!
Raluca says:
DJ, I was in the same room Thursday night, I was just like you: “C’mon, let’s move it along. I’m not afraid of this, and I don’t need all this conditioning. It’s only five seconds…”. However I did the conditioning exercises and I had absolutely no burns. I temporarily lost my voice in the event (today’s job interview was hilarious but perfect, amazing how the 4 days conditioning worked…!!) because, just like you, during the “past few days I’ve cheered, yelled, screamed to the heavens, cried, and danced to over fifty songs. I’ve hugged well over a hundred strangers and given group massages to participants. When I leave to go to the bathroom I instinctively high-five people coming out of the bathroom…” And at times, I felt like a warrior in a very old tribe in the middle of an initiation ritual.
Jenni says:
I was there as well and I am so glad that I went! The Firewalk was very exciting to me, a former firefighter I wasn’t scared of walking on the fire but I was certainly aware of what heat that temperature can do to a body..hell yeah I got into state! LOL!
In that short period of time I felt I had made some great friends..I ventured there by myself, and left feeling like a certainly changed person. It’s been a few days now and I “make my move” followed by “yes! Yes! yes!” before I go into the building to talk to a new client or start to question (FEAR) what I am about to do. I make an honest effort to control my physiology in times of uncertainty and use my visions for what I was allowing to hold me back before and my visions on where I must be in my future to propel me forward.
Obviously I would love to keep in contact with those who went to the seminar. So please find me on facebook.com/jennicoolwhip and let’s change the world!
Albert says:
I was trying to get pumped and excited but I had doubts that it was that dangerous to begin with, just like you were thinking. I googled it and everything and it seemed pretty safe, and given thousands of people do it at the event, I figured it was well planned to not harm people. So I tried to be in peak state, but I had that in the back of my mind the whole time.
I got burned. I think I counted 7 blisters on my feet, AND I had to walk back to the parking lot, trying to balance on the sides of my feet because the bottoms were BURNING. While I was at the medical center soaking my feet in cold water, one workers asked, “Why do you think you needed to be burned?” Meaning it was my choice. Weird question, but I understood it. I now know that the firewalk is real and now think, so many people were fine, but why wasn’t I?
If I get a second chance, there’s going to be actual fear, and my mind better treat the exercise with respect. I see it as a real challenge now.
Carla G says:
Your story was very entertaining and i knew the end! Ive walked on fire twice with Tony Robbins, having been a student for over 10 years. Your state is everything- dont doubt it.
Kristina says:
I feel like I need to preface this with a confession — aside from some of the context you provided here, I have absolutely no idea who Tony Robbins is. That said, I don’t think there is any way I could ever attempt to walk through fire. Just sitting here at my desk, the thought makes my throat constrict and my chest tighten. Holy crap.
Felipe says:
@ Kristina – “Yes you can walk on fire!” I witnessed and participated in 5,000 people doing it this weekend. If you don’t know who Tony Robbins is – Google him, youtube him, go to his website, listen to his CD’s and go to his events. The man won’t change your life, he will simply show you how to change your life. That being said Tony Robbins is life changing!
Jen says:
I was there this weekend also and it a LIFE CHANGING EVENT!! I AM A FIREWALKER!! It was a great experience and I was slightly hesitant at first but knew I could not stop I had to walk! I mean that was a big point of this event! Anyone looking to change your life….. SEE TONY!! If you do not know who Tony is, look him up! HE IS A LIFE CHANGER!!!!
cynthia says:
Thanks for sharing that – such a good reminder on the power of the mind. Tony is so inspiring.
Bianca says:
Loved to read your story, although it would be much more enjoyable at a bar! LOL I participated in the UPW Chicago this past weekend as well and came out stronger than I got in. Too bad we didn’t meet during the seminar but will follow your blog from now on. Live with Passion! 🙂
Evelyn says:
Love your story — it brought back memories of my experience a year ago when I did the firewalk in California. I was ready for the walk until Tony started preparing us, that’s when I started thinking “maybe I should be afraid.” I did get a bit burned, but I am definitely a stronger person because of the firewalk!
Darris says:
Love your honesty D.J.
I did the fire walk at a three day event in San Jose, CA. I did get myself ‘in state’ and walked unscathed. I did, however, witness three or four people sitting on the steps doctoring their burned feet. I decided that I’m either fully ‘in’ or leaving. I’m glad I stayed all three days.
Joanne says:
hmmmm i saw the title of this and got excited!
As being a smart ares like yourself, did exactly the same thing and i DIDN’T get burnt!
Although, im not criticising the 4 days course at all! I loved it! That was 10 years ago and im still using the things i learned then, every day!
Mick says:
I the Firewalk at UPW 2011. At first, I didn’t know if I could do it mentally and was sceptical about physical injuries; But then after about 2 hours of training, conditioning my mind under Tony’s NLP guidance with another 7000 people; I just felt ready to do it.
I was excited and felt like I did it a million time. My fears were completely removed.
I stepped even slower than during the visualization and looked at the burning coals instead of at the stars. My state was so high that I was able to look down and walk slowly. I tried to feel something but I couldn’t feel absolutely no pain at all.
After the Firewalk, I wanted to do it again! I just couldn’t realize how cool this was to step on fire when previously I was scared to.
After about an hour, all our group of friends felt heat coming outside our foot in our shoes. It was kind a strange feeling for about an hour 🙂
Cassie says:
So is it frowned upon if you “fire run”?
D.J. Paris says:
Hi Cassie – next time, I’m definitely running. Ha!
Kate Hall says:
Holy crap, that’s crazy.
Cari says:
I had to laugh when you wrote, “C’mon, let’s move it along…” I can see myself having the same attitude. In most everything I do, I tend to rush things. Great story!
D.J. Paris says:
Rushing things is the American way! Plus, it’s fun. Elbowing mofos and such.
Chris says:
Holy cow! If I needed a metaphor for achieving something I thought I couldn’t achieve, I’d probably start with peeing in a Walmart public restroom or doing a pull-up. Firewalking would likely be 1,034th on the list. You brave, brave man, you. #fireenvy
D.J. Paris says:
Peeing in a Walmart bathroom is just straight crazy, sister.
Linda Whidby says:
Great story, Paris. I love the honesty with which you share yourself – and the humor. Keep writing, my friend!
http://www./ says:
Yeah that’s what I’m talking about baby–nice work!
http://www./ says:
In the complicated world we live in, it’s good to find simple solutions.