I’m writing this on a flight traveling from Los Angeles to New York City. My whole body is overflowing with joy because not only did I just spend 4 days with Tony Robbins, but now I’m headed to my favourite city on the planet. This is a moment where I can’t believe how freaking awesome my life feels! Plus Make It Edmonton is exactly one month away and I know it’s going to be our best show to date. Just thinking about the beautiful new venue makes me pumped!
Tony Robbins, Unleash the Power Within was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I’m super excited to share it, but I also highly recommend checking out his videos online because I believe they will change your life. Tony wasn’t someone I knew that much about. I had watched some interviews and especially remember the one Oprah did a few years ago. Plus I recall my dad playing his cassette tapes in the car when he drove my brother and I to school. At the time I thought they were weird, but maybe I got more out of them than I realized.
About a month ago a friend of my, sent me a Facebook message asking me if I would be interested in going to Tony Robbins with her in LA. The next day another friend asked me the same. I took this as a sign that I should go, and asked my brother Chandler if he wanted to check it out as well. I quickly booked a flight and an Airbnb and I was off to see big Tony!
Walking into the LA Conference Centre, I had no idea what to expect. I knew Tony would be highly motivating and energetic, but what I experienced was WAY beyond anything I could have ever imagined.
First off, there was 10,000 people, which is the biggest Tony Robbins event ever in the US. The energy in the room was palpable. To keep the vibe high, there were full on dance parties every half an hour or so. The Conference Centre was instantly turned into a night club with heart pounding base, light shows and people dancing their asses off! To see video and photos of this check out my Instagram.
Tony Robbins is a beast. He is energy, love, passion, enthusiasm, creativity in human form. Plus he is freaking hilarious and swears like a sailor! It’s magnificent to see someone doing exactly what they are meant to do with their life. His gift is extraordinary, and I felt so grateful to have said yes to the opportunity of witnessing it.
One first night, after 12 hours straight (no breaks!) with Tony we did something called a firewalk, which is exactly what it sounds like. We were coached to get into a state of mind where we believed anything was possible. Then we visualized walking over hot coals (1200 degrees!) for about 10 steps. At first I thought there was no way I wanted to do this, and planned to duck out to our Airbnb early. Walking on fire just was too crazy for me, plus I was exhausted.
But then something inside of me changed. I knew if I chickened out of the firewalk it would be something that I would regret for a long time. The start of mind you have to get to walk on fire feels insane. We chanted, visualized and danced harder than I ever had in my life. At times it was so intense I thought I was going to pass out!
An hour before the walk, we were partnered up with a stranger. My partner was Debbie Ann from the Bronx, who was with 50 teenagers that are part of a youth leadership group. Debbie Ann had done the firewalk 38 or 39 times (she lost track). I told myself that if Junior High kids could do it, I could too.
Since I was with Debbie Ann and the youth leadership group, we were the first to be lead out to do the firewalk. My heart was beating so hard in my chest but I knew I had to face my fear and do it. As we marched toward the burning coals, all 10,000 of us chanted in unison ‘yes, yes, yes.’ It was so unbelievably powerful and strengthen our belief that it was possible to do something perceived as impossible.
There were 35 lanes of flaming coals and we took turns marching over them saying ‘cool moss’ repetitively as a way to trick our brain and nervous system. At the end of the 10 steps there was a puddle of water to make sure none of the coal stayed on our feet. Plus there were tons of staff and ambulances around to make sure no one tripped or got seriously injured.
The firewalk is legit and if you don’t change your state of mind, it’s very possible to burn the shit out of your feet. Even Tony mentioned that he has been badly burnt because a coal stuck to his ankle. Leading up to my walk, part of me thought that it was a hoax and the coals weren’t actually that hot. But as it was my turn and I felt the extreme heat, it was very apparent that it was 100% real.
To get into a state of mind so you are able to walk on fire happens in an instant, but it a conscious switch in your physiology. As I walked up to the coal, it felt like I was no longer in my body. I took my 10 determined, precise, even steps to the beat of congo drums and didn’t feel a thing. As I stepped into the puddle at the end and received a massive hug from Debbie Ann, elation filled my body. I fucking did it!
As Tony explained, walking on fire is a metaphor. You can do anything perceived as impossible by changing your state of mind. By getting yourself into a state of extreme certainty, your body will adapt so you don’t feel what you normally would feel. It’s such an extraordinary experience and I highly recommend trying it. You will be scared out of your mind, but the feeling after is SO worth it.
I have been typing like a maniac and just realized this post is over 1000 words. There’s so much more I could tell you about my experience at Unleash the Power Within, but that would take a much longer flight. The biggest lesson I learned from the firewalk is there’s so much I don’t do because I’m scared. But, in reality not even walking on flaming coals is as scary as it seems. In fact, it was like a walk in the park. Only the buildup made it freaky.
The power of our minds is truly insane. Changing your state will change everything. This is done by moving your body, visualization and celebrating. It’s ironic because my last post about creating magic, was very similar to what Tony taught us about getting what you want in life.
If you can go see Tony Robbins, do it! Or at least check him out online and read his books. As someone who has done a ton of self development, I can honestly say it was one of the most transformational experiences of my life. I’m more determined than ever to step up and live to my fullest potential. If I can walk on fire, I can do anything…and most importantly so can you!
Have you made any significant changes to your life because of Tony Robbins? If so I would love for you to share them below.
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