Motivational speaker Robbins' coal walk burns more than 30

[rooster59]

Motivational speaker Robbins' coal walk burns more than 30

ERICA HUNZINGER, Associated Press
DAVID WARREN, Associated Press


DALLAS (AP) — More than 30 people who attended an event with motivational speaker Tony Robbins have been treated for burns after Robbins encouraged them to walk on hot coals as a way of conquering their fears, Dallas fire officials said.

Five people were taken to a hospital Thursday night, while the rest were treated at the scene for burns to their feet and lower extremities, Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Jason Evans said.

The hot coals were spread outside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center as part of a four-day Robbins seminar called "Unleash the Power Within." It's a regular part of some of Robbins' seminars; more than 20 people were treated for foot burns after an event in 2012 in San Jose, California.

Paul Gold of West Palm Beach, Florida, suffered second-degree burns on both feet that will take about two weeks to heal, he told The Associated Press on Friday from a burn unit. It was the second time he's walked on hot coals; the first he described as a "very good experience" at a Robbins seminar a few months ago in Florida.

He said the difference Thursday was that it appeared staff members didn't allow the coals to cool enough before adding more to the pile, which was about 3 to 4 feet wide and about 20 feet long. He realized halfway through his walk over the coals that he'd suffered burns.

"In hindsight, jumping off would have been a fantastic idea," he said. "But when you're in the spirit of the moment, you're kinda focused on one task."

After his walk, Gold, 44, said it felt like someone had "taken a hot iron and pressed it against my feet." He also said he saw a girl who was crying and others complaining of burns; his fiancee had minor burns.

"I'm not even sure I could do it again, because now I have this massive fear of fire," he said, adding later that he still believes Robbins helps a lot of people and that it was staff members who "weren't following directions properly."

In a statement to the AP, representatives for Robbins said about 7,000 people walked across the coals and only five "requested any examination beyond what was readily available on site."

"Someone not familiar with the fire walk observed the event and called 911 erroneously reporting hundreds of people requiring medical attention for severe burns," according to the statement.

One participant, Jacqueline Luxemberg, told WFAA that some people were not concentrating on walking across the coals because they were taking selfies and asking others to take video of them.

Evans, with Dallas Fire-Rescue, said organizers had the necessary permits for the burning coals.

The fire walk is a voluntary experience and trained medical staff is on hand, according to Susan Thompson, a spokeswoman for Robbins Research International. In the decades that the fire walk has been part of events, very few have suffered any extensive injuries, she said.

Thompson did not know whether participants had to sign a waiver or what instruction was given by staff; Gold said he signed something at registration, but did not know what it said.

The 6-foot-7 Robbins conducts a variety of seminars — which can range from about $1,000 to up to $3,000 — and "Unleash the Power Within" is described on his website as "designed to help you unlock and unleash the forces inside that can help you break through any limit," and those who do the fire walk are instructed to wear pants that can roll up and avoid loose-fitting or long-flowing clothes.

Robbins says on his website that he believes people who perform tasks they once thought unthinkable, such as walking across hot coals, will help them "conquer the other fires of your life with ease."

Robbins' celebrity has resulted in crossover appeal. For instance, he played himself in the 2001 comedy "Shallow Hal" starring Jack Black.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-06-25

[Pimay1]

Stupid is as stupid does.

[CaptHaddock]

I especially enjoy the part about how he still believes Robbins helps people, yada yada yada. A perfect disciple.

[halloween]

7000 mugs paid $21,000,000 to unleash the power within.. Einstein had it dead right.

[LannaGuy]

I have done that walk in London... successfully with 1000s others so no idea what went wrong this time and, no, I didn't pay anywhere near 1000$

[Buzzz]

What happened Tony?

This group wasn't feeling 'the force' or did your fire walk trick just go wrong this time?

[daveAustin]

Lemmings. Why do this to feel power within, it is already there. The next person who slags off Thais for being stoopid, I will point them to this thread.

[Emster23]

"Fools rush in

Where wise men never go

But wise men never burn their feet

at AR snake oil show....

[klauskunkel]

Robbins conducts a variety of seminars — which can range from about $1,000 to up to $3,000 — and "Unleash the Power Within" is described on his website as "designed to help you unlock and unleash the forces inside that can help you break through any limit,"

and "Unleash Your Wallet" is "designed to help you transfer money from your account and to fully unleash your very own idiocy which can help combat your better judgment"

[Stray]

After you've walked across burning coals, 'unleased the power within' and 'unlocked your full potential,' what happens next?

Besides sitting in a burns ward, salivating over an autographed picture of Tony Robbins (complete with a motivational passage extolling how much money HE has made), what is your next tender step?

[Bunnychow]

The lawyers will be lining up...

This is why mummy told you not to play with matches or fire

[LannaGuy]

I am no fan of Tony but these comments are less than fair. I have attended his seminar in London along with 1000s and did this walk without incident as have 100,000s of others. It is empowering to 'face the fear' and he has helped many people.

Why a few complaints have come in I don't know nor do i know the extent of these 'injuries' but sounds like typical Yank litigiousness to me trying to get a few $ but out of 7,000 on this course 5 complained??? come on

[Bunnychow]

I am no fan of Tony but these comments are less than fair. I have attended his seminar in London along with 1000s and did this walk without incident as have 100,000s of others. It is empowering to 'face the fear' and he has helped many people.

Why a few complaints have come in I don't know nor do i know the extent of these 'injuries' but sounds like typical Yank litigiousness to me trying to get a few $ but out of 7,000 on this course 5 complained??? come on

Organised religion/ motivational speakers like this Robbins milk weak minded people and play on their insecurties

If you need to walk on coals to feel empowered, then i will light my BBQ and only charge you half of what ever the conman charged you last time...i will even give you a ride to the hospital thrown in for free

[LannaGuy]

I am no fan of Tony but these comments are less than fair. I have attended his seminar in London along with 1000s and did this walk without incident as have 100,000s of others. It is empowering to 'face the fear' and he has helped many people.

Why a few complaints have come in I don't know nor do i know the extent of these 'injuries' but sounds like typical Yank litigiousness to me trying to get a few $ but out of 7,000 on this course 5 complained??? come on

Organised religion/ motivational speakers like this Robbins milk weak minded people and play on their insecurties

If you need to walk on coals to feel empowered, then i will light my BBQ and only charge you half of what ever the conman charged you last time...i will even give you a ride to the hospital thrown in for free

*sigh* if this is really your analysis then it's hopeless refuting it as it sounds like I am the only one on this thread who has actually attended a Robins event and done the walk but 'hey ho' you know best right?

[oxo1947]

I am no fan of Tony----LannaGuy,

But I have paid him to walk across hot coals ---and been to his seminars ....... ..........every thought about a job in politics LannaGuy, your double speak is quite good.

[mesterm]

Nutjobs.

[12DrinkMore]

You can go and "face the fear" in various places around Thailand during the Chinese Vegetarian festival in September/October.

Free.

Or get the wife/gf to lay out the charcoals after cooking bbq chicken.

[Buzzz]

I know allot of people that attended his seminars.

One of my neighbors held an event at their home. I saw the fire. It was a legitimate fire. I think its a physics trick, letting the fire get to a particular stage where a layer of ash is over the coals. Allot of people do get across the coals. Some get burned.

Pretty good trick. I would suggest just reading his book and skip the expensive fire walk team building stuff.

Tony does motivate people and he doesn't turn them into cults member like many of these guys try to do.

Remember EST? Erhard Seminar Training. He started the 'self improvement workshop' craze in the 80s.

It was like a religion. Guy called himself GOD. We called the people that graduated his workshop, ESTHoles.

He is a particularly nasty "Self Improvement Expert" that sold his BS to hundreds of thousands...while he personally abandoned his family, changed his name, was caught molesting his daughter, arrested for tax fraud then disappeared.

Probably living in Pattaya

Edited June 25, 2016 by Buzzz

[silent]

I have done that walk in London... successfully with 1000s others so no idea what went wrong this time and, no, I didn't pay anywhere near 1000$

Have I got a deal for you.

[Duvidl]

After his walk, Gold, 44, said it felt like someone had "taken a hot iron and pressed it against my feet."

[HerbalEd]

I especially enjoy the part about how he still believes Robbins helps people, yada yada yada. A perfect disciple.

So does this incident mean that all Robbins work is worthless past, present and future? Must be nice to lead of life of no mistakes.

Meanwhile ... although I've never done it myself, I've seen many people walk over a bed of red-hot coals without any injury.

[shamrock09]

Yes, I have done the same thing back in 2001. I received the training as a present, and thoroughly enjoyed. Was a little disappointed, though, the firewalk , caused a frisson of anxiety amongst many of the attendees, but we spent the whole evening preparing and when it came to the actual event it was a great anti-climax as it was so easy.The previous week-end I attended a spoon bending class in Switzerland, I was utterly amazed when the spoon actually became plastic and bendable for the space of a few seconds. Now that was really exciting!

[Thaddeus]

Strapping their wallets to the soles of their feet would have been a better use of their money.

[nahkit]

After you've walked across burning coals, 'unleased the power within' and 'unlocked your full potential,' what happens next?

Besides sitting in a burns ward, salivating over an autographed picture of Tony Robbins (complete with a motivational passage extolling how much money HE has made), what is your next tender step?

What happens next?

Well, if you're anything like the guy in the op, you sign up for another one a few months later.

Pity the reporter didn't ask him why the first event he attended in Florida didn't "unleash the power".

[Buzzz]

Strapping their wallets to the soles of their feet would have been a better use of their money.

You pay big money so you are naturally gonna think you got something out of it.

People I know came out of Tony Robbins workshops were temporarily motivated but usually fell back into their routine.

[Guest]

I'd like to try fire walking someday. Simply to feel it myself.

Here is a bit of science behind fire walking. Low thermal conductivity of the hot coal is one big part of it.

[Ulic]

It is all part of the smoke and mirrors show. When set up correctly it looks

spectacular but is safe and harmless. Like walking on the glass floor of a

skyscraper/bridge looking down a thousand feet. Of course it is safe but

stepping out onto the glass is unnerving. Your first parachute jump etc...etc...

.All safe unless something goes wrong. Then you get burnt feet, or worse.

Edited June 25, 2016 by Ulic

[Oxx]

He is a particularly nasty "Self Improvement Expert" ... was caught molesting his daughter, arrested for tax fraud then disappeared.

Is any of that actually true?

Erhart's daughter accused him of molestation to get an advance on a book she'd written. She subsequently admitted lying. See http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/fashion/the-return-of-werner-erhard-father-of-self-help.html

He was (as far as I know) never arrested for tax fraud, though was falsely accused of it. He subsequently got $200,000 compensation from the IRS for the allegation.

He briefly "disappeared" to avoid the fallout of a malicious CBS documentary which was packed full of lies about him. CBS withdrew the documentary once they realised it was wildly inaccurate and libellous.

Still, don't let a little matter of "facts" get in the way of your hatred.

[halloween]

I am no fan of Tony----LannaGuy,

But I have paid him to walk across hot coals ---and been to his seminars ....... ..........every thought about a job in politics LannaGuy, your double speak is quite good.

well you are making tons of ASSUMPTIONS Einstein

1. I did not pay my blue chip employer in London paid
2. I don't like Tony's style nor his books
3. You don't pay to 'walk across hot coals'
4. I went to one seminar - that's ONE more than YOU right?
5. I have pointed out that 7,000 people were there and 5 complained?
6. I have pointed out that 100,000s have been through those seminars and, I'm sure, many have gained from it

is it wrong to defend these seminars, that I have attended, against vicious TVF arm chair pundits who have never been? yea I think so Einstein don't you?

Are you attempting to mislead this forum? Your statement "I didn't pay anywhere near 1000$" without mentioning your employer did would seem to.

Your admission of attending, and defence of what most realise is nothing but a con, leads me to think that Einstein and I both got it dead right.

[Oxx]

• I have pointed out that 7,000 people were there and 5 complained?

Where do you get that snippet of information from? The article (as far as I can see) doesn't say how many complained, but 5 people were taken to hospital.

Edited June 25, 2016 by Oxx