Tony Robbins, Here’s the Right Way to Walk on Hot Coals

During Tony Robbins' "Unleash the Power Within" event last week, as feet began to burn, some attendees claimed they were distracted ... by others in line snapping selfies.

Whether you're "transforming fear into power" as a "symbolic gesture to show you can overcome anything," one rule remains: when walking on coals, you never stop. Despite having paramedics on standby, 30-40 people required treatment for burns, and five others needed hospitalization.

Some argue it's insignificant, since the injured made up less than 1% of the 7,000 attendees. Were they the fortunate ones who successfully "turned fear into power," while the injured failed to prove their resilience? And what about the two dozen injured at a similar Robbins event in 2012? Did their ability to transform fear also fail them?

If you're considering attending such an event or attempting to walk on coals, here’s some useful information. Coal walking is rooted in science, particularly principles like heat conduction and insulation. With proper preparation, a trained individual can safely traverse embers reaching over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees C). This is due to coal's lightweight carbon structure, which is a poor heat conductor. Heat transfers more slowly from coal to skin compared to a good conductor, such as a metal pan.

Experienced coal walkers allow the wood to burn down first, ensuring the embers don’t retain moisture, as water has a high thermal capacity. Additionally, certain types of burnt wood, like cherry or maple, glow as embers but don’t burn as intensely as olive or locust wood, making them better insulated for walking.

It’s also crucial to pat down and spread the coals evenly, creating a flat surface to prevent your feet from sinking into hotter embers below. This is why continuous movement is essential—each step absorbs minimal heat. Walking reduces contact time with individual coals. If the goal were to stand still, it would be called "coal standing," not "coal walking."

Another key tip: most coal walking occurs at night, allowing walkers to cover their path with a layer of ash, which is also a poor heat conductor. Ash transfers heat even more slowly to your feet. At night, the glow of embers remains visible through the ash, but in daylight, this protective layer would be obvious.

Despite these precautions, coal walking remains risky. It’s not entirely your fault, Tony Robbins. A hot coal might stick to someone’s foot, or hidden metal fragments or steam pockets could cause unexpected burns. Tripping and falling could even be fatal. How much "power" would you have then?

However, it’s important to note that there’s a significant amount of misinformation circulating about the scientific principles underlying this activity. Even if event organizers assure you they’ve obtained all required permits for a coal walk ...   even if fire safety officials are present ... and yes, even if paramedics and emergency teams are on standby ... we urge you to exercise caution.