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Summer Savings Sear Sizzling Seminars
from the desk of Charles Horton
It's so hot, our prices have melted! Act now to realize significant savings on some of our most popular and sizzling seminars.
Albuquerque is the location for Ignite the Secret - one of our favorite entry-level workshops. You will leave this seminar with positive beliefs about your future and with the tools to take maximum advantage of today's challenging world financial situation.
Register today and hold on to some cool cash. Grab the early bird price by July 11 to save $150. The program takes place July 25.
Dallas is the site of our next Empowerment Intensive with Firewalking Instructor Training (FIT). This hands-on, four day course, August 6-9, will give you the skills you need to become certified to run firewalking events.
Between us, most of the people who attend the FIT have no intention of becoming instructors. Half attend just for the terrific empowerment seminar. Ed Dowling, featured in this edition, was one of them. Read his testimony!
 As a special treat, Tolly Burkan, the father of modern firewalking, author and founder of F.I.R.E., will join us by video conference for a special question and answer session we call Tollyvision.
Join the ranks of exceptional speakers like: Tony Robbins, Edwene Gains and T. Harv Eker - all graduates of F.I.R.E.
For the first time ever, this program is being offered for $1750, a savings of over 50%! Group discounts available. See details at the end of this newsletter.
Save $150! Register by July 11
Ignite the Secret in Albuquerque, July 25
Save $1750! Become certified at our lowest price ever
Firewalking Instructor Training in Dallas, Aug 6-9
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Even His Wife is More Receptive 
by Chucky Pizzo
A Canadian real estate investor says he's found the secret to gaining more personal power, confidence and success. He also notices that people at the local doughnut shop are more friendly nowadays, and that his wife seems more receptive.
These are the benefits attributed to firewalking by Ed Dowling of British Columbia.
"One of the main things I am very aware of now is how important it is to focus," he says. "Now I realize how futile it is to say I will try to do something. That's a half-hearted intention." Dowling now believes it is important to think, "I will do something."
Dowling arrived at this conclusion after becoming a certified firewalking instructor. As part of the process, students walk over hot coals more than 100 times in a single session. "You have to be totally convinced that you can do it, and be totally focused - or you will get burned," he said.
He described the training as a very significant event in his life. "Now, when I intend to do something, I take a moment to really examine myself," explains Dowling. "To be successful, you have to believe 100 percent. As I think about things I want to do, I examine my thoughts - and I have come to realize that I hold some negative beliefs."
This type of introspection can produce tangible results. Dowling says that thoughts such as "I won't find a partner" creep into his head when he is considering various projects. "Then, I snap away those thoughts and stop worrying, and lo and behold, I find a partner (or they find me) and agree to get involved," he exclaims.
Dowling attributes some concrete successes to the change in his thinking. He now reports having a couple of interested partners. "We are starting to move ahead with projects and make them work," he offers.
Note that he did not say try to make them work.
The changes that Ed Dowling has experienced spill over to his local coffee shop, Tim Hortons, a casual food institution in Canada. "I make more eye contact, smile more, and am open towards more people. They in turn seem more friendly to me," he observes.
Ditto that in his car: he is meeting less angry drivers on the road.
Firewalking changed his attitude. Dowling now expects to meet friendly people and drivers - and that is exactly what is happening in his real life.
"By changing my approach, it has changed the response I get," he notes.
Yes, it's even helped his relationship with his wife. "So often in the past, I would think 'this isn't going to work,' and I ended up right unfortunately," he chuckled. Now he gets more focused and positive about his approach - and things have clicked.
Dowling says stop thinking and start focusing if you want more personal power, confidence and success. "Whatever it is you want to do in life, break it down into smaller, more manageable steps, and just do it. That's the insight I gained."
The next firewalking instructor training (FIT) will be held August 6-9, 2009, in Dallas, Texas. For more information, click here.
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Tired of Sitting on the Sidelines 
by Judith Cassis, C,Ht.
I've always found ways to further my education. In 1992, I'd heard about a leadership program that culminated with an optional firewalk. Sounds intriguing, I thought. I'd heard about firewalking years before, but never really considered it. But it was optional, right? So I signed up for the program, prepared to watch from the sidelines.
The leadership program was 10 days long. Every day brought with it new challenges and enlightenment. With each experience I hungered to know more about who I was and what I was capable of.
Finally the last day of the program arrived, and with it the firewalk. I still had no intention to walk, but curiously, my cool disinterest had turned to red-hot fear. I calmed myself, remembering that just watching someone walk would be all I needed to know what was possible. And I believed myself.
As we prepared for the firewalk, our instructor asked who planned to walk. About half of the group raised their hands. I was not one of them. No way, I thought.
We built the fire and experienced a magnificent seminar about moving through fear. I planned to take all of this home with me and use it first chance I got.
Time passed and soon the fire was ready. Our instructor asked everyone - whether we intended to walk or not - to remove our shoes. I felt a pit in my stomach. A wave of nausea washed over me and I thought I was going to faint. What do you mean, take off my shoes anyway? No one was going to force or coerce me to walk, I knew that, and yet I was possessed to the core by fear.
I think that somewhere inside of me I knew that after that night, life would never be the same. I took off my shoes, reassuring myself that I was only going to watch. That was all I needed. That would be enough.
Barefoot, I walked out to the pile of glowing embers with my classmates. One big group - we were all together, but I'd never felt so alone in my life. Funny, how fear narrows your focus. Suddenly, it was all about me.
I loved the smell of burning wood, and for a moment, I felt comforted. The heat from the fire warmed me and reminded me of how much I enjoyed bonfires. I watched as the fire-tenders raked the coals into a path. Our instructor said a few words and before I knew what was happening, I saw a woman stroll right up to the path and walk across. She didn't pause. She didn't hesitate. She strode confidently and proudly and when she reached the end, she jumped up in the air and shouted for joy.
Just having witnessed this, I was a changed person. My mind had expanded. I had seen the impossible.
I continued to watch as one by one my classmates lined up, walking once, twice even three times over the orange coals. I watched and marveled and feared, reminding myself that it was enough for me just to watch. And then all of a sudden, it wasn't.
Years of sitting on the sidelines while others succeeded, while others experienced the fullness of life flashed through my memory. The moments rolled together and spoke in one voice. It was not okay any more.
The more I thought, the more I feared. The more I feared, the more painful it became to remain stuck. I wanted more than anything to cross that coal bed.
"Three minutes," shouted the instructor, signaling the nearing of the end of the firewalk. "One minute!" It's now or never, I thought.
God, I said, Please! I am so tired of sitting on the sidelines. I would rather die than to live the rest of my life this way. I really want to do this but I'm so afraid.
And then I put it on God. God, If you want me to do this, you're going to have to carry me to the coals because I can't move my feet.
Well, that night, I learned that when you test God, he shows up. I immediately began to experience a feeling inside of me - one that I had never before nor since felt. It was a stirring. I felt myself moving forward - toward the head of the fire.
I could have sworn my feet didn't move. But there I was. The moment of truth. I was very clear. I would rather die than sit on the sidelines of life any longer. And so I walked. One foot before the other, I walked across that fire.
When I reached the end of the path, someone held my shoulders and said, "Turn around and see what you just did!" I turned, I saw, and I was overjoyed.
You don't go backward from something like this. You can only move forward, and that I did. The next year I was trained as a firewalk instructor. Today I lead others through this transformative experience. It's both an honor and a privilege, and nothing brings me greater joy.
Ready to firewalk? Events are scheduled in Albuquerque NM & Dallas TX, USA, and Scania, Sweden, in July & August. Click here for info.
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New Instructor Stages Successful Event 
by Chucky Pizzo
Newly certified firewalking instructor Chris Livingston dares to challenge himself. After attending firewalking instructor training (FIT) in April of this year, he mounted his first public firewalking event a mere two months later. The man people always came to for help with problems and inspiration has big aspirations himself: to grow and become more successful as a life coach and motivational speaker.
"My personality type is ready, aim, fire," explains Livingston. "I always wanted to do this, so I scouted for a location and lit a fire under myself." He found a suitable retreat space near his base in Winchester, Virginia, and began developing advertising to promote the event. As co-owner of The Book of Knowledge, a bookstore and holistic center, he talked it up to the regular clientele, worked his e-mail contacts, and staged a seminar to get the word out and to demonstrate his knowledge of the Law of Attraction.
One person's help whom he attracted was a friend in the tree business. "The wood needed for the firewalk is considered junk wood - and they were excited to get rid of it," said Livingston, who received a truckload of fast and soft maple for free. He advises certified instructors to visit tree companies and specify the exact wood you need in advance. "They even split it for me - that was easy!"
For practice, he volunteered to travel to New Jersey to assist executive instructor Mike Agugliaro with an event in May. He used that experience to train volunteer fire tenders before his June 27 function. Recruiting helpers and using checklists helped Livingston feel certain that everything would be ready on time for paying participants.
Logistics Matter
One issue he did not have to check off his list was a burn permit. Often required in most locales (check with your fire department), it was not a requirement in his area. "We still went by the book," adds Livingston. "Safety has to be your first concern. We had a plan for water hoses, fire extinguishers and first aid at the site. We checked our kerosene tanks, planned for housekeeping so no one would step on tools, and thought through as much as we could prepare for in advance. Firewalking is safe if done right."
He also mapped out his course work, an amalgam of The Law of Attraction, The Secret, and goal-setting that he fashioned himself as a certified Habit of Attraction coach. Drawing from his passion, he came up with a plan for an exciting, life changing 10-hour day culminating in the firewalk.
Days prior to the event, he assembled his volunteer crew to ensure everything was in order. "Release forms - check. Photographer - check. Books for sale - check," he rattled off confidently. Using lists supplied by F.I.R.E. and amended for his event, he felt everything was ready.
Basking in the Afterglow
"It was a total success," Livingston crowed after the event - his voice rich with the pride of accomplishment. "Everyone was ecstatic with the gathering - we poured a lot of heart and soul into it. People were crying with excitement, several had personal epiphanies... the testimonials are flying in and they're great."
Aiding him with fire tending, one of the most important tasks aside from instructing participants, was executive instructor Prashant Khergaonker. Firewalking events are team efforts, and the instructor community is a resource from which you can draw.
Livingston says he learned a few things too. Check the almanac for sundown. "It was not dark here until 9:30 p.m. that night - which made for a long day," he confided. "We had to start firewalking in partial light. And the caterer was late, though we were specific about the serving time." Consider putting deadlines with penalties in contracts. A checklist for the program is a good idea too.
While he nailed most logistics, Livingston plans to work on his marketing plan. "You have to sell yourself as the expert," he advises. "You must infect others with your personal enthusiasm, sell aggressively and build awareness for firewalking."
Reflecting on the process, Livingston shared that the best part was listening to participants afterward. "To see that transformation at the end, to witness it happen, to know you've touched someone's life - no one can ever take that from you."
Want to live like Livingston? The next firewalking instructor training (FIT) will be held August 6-9, 2009, in Dallas, Texas. For more information, click here.
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Dare to Dream and Make It Happen 
by Brian Moreland, author
Shadows in the Mist
Working your dream job takes courage, commitment, and tenacity. When that dream doesn't earn you money right away, it's easy to get discouraged. You might question whether following this career is worth the effort. It seems like a huge mountain to climb. And there are no immediate rewards in sight. I say start climbing anyway. Just go for it. There are rewards at every level. Start doing what you love now and the money will one day follow.
Since beginning my path as a novelist, I faced a lot of hurdles. It took eighteen years before I began earning money as a fiction author. I could have been successful much earlier, but several times I gave up on myself. I took advice from people who only looked at the practical side of life. They didn't strive beyond their comfort zones. They didn't see the point of me writing manuscript after manuscript and not getting paid for all the hours I spent typing at a computer, alone by myself. So those people became voices in my head that slowly, over time sapped my passion to continue. I quit climbing the mountain to my dream. I focused on working other jobs that actually paid a salary. I was making money, but inside a part of me felt empty, and it was only when I got back into writing in my mid thirties and pursued my real dream - being a published author - that I was happy again. My dream stood before me like a giant mountain, so daunting I feared I could never reach the summit, but I started climbing anyway.
I had the fortune of meeting bestselling author Robert Crais at a book signing. He had just landed a huge Hollywood movie deal for his novel Hostage, to star Bruce Willis. I told Robert Crais that I was writing a novel and I wanted to be sitting where he was one day. He looked up from autographing a book and told me, "Then I'll give you some advice. Never give up." Those words stuck with me. I have since rephrased the motto to: "Never give up. Keep climbing until you reach your goal. No matter what, stay persistent." We can spend our whole lives making excuses, or we can start taking action now and just make it happen.
So I had a dream fueled by plenty of desire, but I still needed direction. I first listed my values. I asked myself, "What do I want most? What is most important to me about my dream career?" I listed my values in simple words like: achievement, fun, seeing my books on bookstore shelves, sharing my writing with readers, receiving advances and royalty checks, hanging out with other writers, writing a bestselling novel, etc. And then I listed those values in order of importance. Prioritizing your values is key, because it causes your mind to focus on what's most important to you. You feel an emotional boost. It empowers you and stokes your inner fire. Then as you begin taking steps toward doing what you love, you take the most important steps first.
Once I had my values listed, I had a new sense of purpose; a vision I could work toward. It was like filling my engine with rocket fuel. I was ready to blast off to a career that was more aligned with my truth. I posted my values on a wall so I'd see them every day. Then I wrote out specific goals, and chunked them down into small daily "action steps" I could accomplish easily. I continued writing, pushing myself daily, weekly, monthly to complete my manuscript. I read books on my craft and took classes so I could get better at it. I read books about other people's success stories so I could believe that I could accomplish my goals, too. And I read about the publishing business. As a writer seeking to publish my novel with a major New York publisher, I needed a literary agent. I submitted query letters to countless agents over the span of ten years and received only rejection letters.hh At the time I felt like a failure, but I wasn't. "Rejection," as I later learned, is just a guiding post. Rejection guided me away from the wrong paths - the wrong people to do business with. In my vision, my literary agent was passionate about representing me and my books. Rejection is where a lot of people give up. I say, "Never give up. Keep climbing until you reach your goal. No matter what, stay persistent."
I eventually self-published my first novel, just to get it out there on the market and more importantly, to make being an author more real for me. Being your own publisher can be a very time-consuming venture. It was also a huge financial investment. It's not necessarily the path for all writers, because it requires a business sense and entrepreneurial spirit. It's also a very high risk of ever seeing a profit. If you don't mind taking risks and hard work, then I recommend self-publishing as an alternative to getting a book to the market. For me, self-publishing is how I jump-started my career.
Within nine months my novel went from polished manuscript to a soft-cover book I could hold in my hands. Through great marketing efforts in tandem with a publicist I hired, the book sold relatively well. I began to do book signings and realized I had achieved one of my goals: to be like Robert Crais, the author autographing books. It was an awesome feeling.
When you pursue your dream 100%, there can be wonderful surprises that happen along the way. My WWII novel Shadows in the Mist hit number one on Amazon.com's bestselling Mystery and Thrillers list, stayed there a couple hours, beating out Dan Brown's DaVinci Code. That was very surreal, let me tell you, and a victory I would have never experienced had I given up.
Self-publishing turned out to be a great way to launch my career, but it was always just a path toward my bigger dream of landing a book deal with a major publisher. I continued to pursue literary agents and eventually found an agent who catapulted my career to the next level. She sold Shadows in the Mist to Berkley/Penguin in New York for a mass paperback deal, as well as to a publisher in Germany. In 2010, a German version of my novel will release in Europe. Within two years of self-publishing I became an international author. What was once a passionate hobby has finally become a career I take seriously. When you focus on your dream daily, you get there little by little. In fact, that has become a mantra in my head: "Little by little, little by little, little by little..."
We all have a calling. A life purpose. A reason we came onto this planet. What brings you joy? What do you dream of doing as your career? We can spend our days living mundane lives or we can do what gives us joy. My calling is novel writing and inspiring others to pursue their dreams. Life can be so joyful when you are doing what you love.
So if you're pursuing a dream that isn't paying you the big bucks just yet, keep going for it. Even if it's just a hobby on the side. You may not see the top of the mountain right now, but keep climbing. Little by little. Focus a few hours each week on your dream career. Commit your weekends to it. You can accomplish anything with time and being persistent. And when you reach the summit you can just smile to yourself and say, "I went for it, and I made it happen, and now I can do anything." Whatever your dream is, start climbing now and make it happen.
Brian Moreland is the bestselling author of Shadows in the Mist, a supernatural thriller set during World War II. He also coaches writers to be successful, and is available for one-on-one personal coaching. Visit www.BrianMoreland.com. On Facebook, search for "Author Brian Moreland" and join his two groups, "Horror Shadows in the Mist" and "Coaching for Writers."
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The Law of Attracting Media Coverage
by Chucky Pizzo
Seasoned media relations pros say it's easy to attract news coverage for firewalking events.
"Television loves visual events, which makes it almost effortless to pitch this activity," says Jeff Crilley, an Emmy-award winning television reporter. "The combination of fire and people walking across hot coals is a surefire human interest story."
"Props add to the visual interest," adds Tonzy Zazza, a radio personality. "Broadcasters like equipment such as the thermometer gun - it gives them an additional photo opportunity and proves that the coals are hot... that no trickery is involved."
These - and scores of other valuable insights - were shared by the two professionals during a Webinar staged jointly by F.I.R.E. and Sundoor on June 9, 2009. The two schools came together to help instructors promote a series of firewalking benefits.
"An event for a cause is even more compelling," explains Crilley. "It gives the media a feel good story that translates perfectly on television." A non-profit angle is not a requirement to attract media coverage; many commercial firewalks have been featured prominently on television. But if your event does benefit a cause, do mention that early.
Zazza says your enthusiasm must be as hot as the fire. "If you're excited, then you will excite the reporter and, in turn, the audience," he counsels. "The main thing is to catch their attention. Focus on what they will see... help them imagine the event. Be descriptive."
The pair says that the typical news story is worth about $30-45 thousand dollars in equivalent advertising, depending upon the media market. It all starts with that first phone call to grab the interest of a journalist - which is free if you do it yourself. In the webinar, the duo shares their tips and tricks.
Topics covered in the 70-minute audio conference include:
- Identifying media outlets and who to contact
- Researching the personality behind the camera
- Perfecting your pitch and pointing to existing video
- Setting expectations, including about burns
- Questions you can expect from reporters
- Advice for talking in sound bites
Private media relations counsel would cost you several hundreds of dollars in professional time. F.I.R.E. recorded the Webinar onto DVD (all regions). A copy can be yours for free - just pay the media and shipping costs - $10 (shipment in the USA) or USD $20 (international destinations) by calling (800) 218-0055 or by ordering online using PayPal (credit cards accepted).
 Shipment in the USA Shipment internationally
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August is Ablaze!
 Next month:
A leading chiropractor shares the lessons he's learned about firewalking event promotion.
Martial artists contemplate breaking barriers, not just boards. These tough but tender guys are up for the challenge.
C'mon baby, light my fire. We discuss fire performance art with two of the best. Hint: it helps to be a pyromaniac.
Our self-appointed, self-described evangelist contributes more reports to our hot little publication. Who?
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Upcoming Events
Ignite the Secret
July 25, 2009
Albuquerque NM
Charles Horton
Firewalking
Instructor Training
31 July - 3 Aug, 2009
Scania, Sweden
Rolf and Owsa Beckman
Firewalking Instructor
Training (FIT)
Aug 6-9, 2009
Dallas TX
Charles Horton
Firewalking Instructor
Training (FIT)
Dec 3-6, 2009
Dallas TX
Charles Horton
Rites of Passage (NEW)
Financial Empowerment
Save the dates Dec 11-13, 2009
Dallas TX
Charles Horton
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In the News
VIDEO: Benefit Firewalkers Take Steps Toward Success By Overcoming Mental Barriers In Flower Mound!
DFWReporting.com
Martyn Helliwell, founder of leading fire walking and glass walking company Survivorbility, was interviewed live on national television following the dramatic appearance of Martyn and the Survivorbility team in the Big Brother house.
PR-USA.net
On the Big Brother television show, millions of viewers watched the aspiring housemates Saffia and Charlie accept a task to earn full housemate status, only to discover that they would have to walk across several feet of broken glass to win the challenge.
free-press-release.com
Firewalking To Embrace Fear: If you were told under hypnosis a piece of ice was a hot iron, a blister would form because you believed it would.
Engineering 2 Mind
MTV Roadies: The contestants will face challenges that include but not limited to bungee jumping, fire walking, some times even banana gulping or ice cream slurping etc.
The Morung Express
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Burn These Books!
Let it Be Easy
by Tolly Burkan
Whether it's heaven or hell, we create our own lives. For those who are constantly struggling with finances, relationships, health, school or career, life is hell. But life was never meant to be a struggle.
A pioneer in the human potential movement, Tolly Burkan shows how easy it is to create an extraordinary life, beginning exactly where you are today. Instead of struggling to make things happen, he shows how you can master the art of letting things happen.
Designate today as the beginning of a new phase in your life. This profound little book will show you how easy it can be.
Only $14.95 + S/H, In Stock. Ships same day. Shipping quoted for domestic only. E-mail for international rate.
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Extreme Spirituality
by Tolly Burkan
"A must treasure for every serious seeker's library. It's powerful message of courage, wisdom, love and joy transforms you even as you read. Tolly's insights are simple and profound and have the energy of alchemy in them. As he shares his visionary concepts, he touches our hearts."
--- Rev. Edwene Gaines
Only 14.95 + S/H In Stock.
Ships same day. Shipping quoted for domestic only. E-mail for international rate.
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Become a Hottie!
Do you have a desire to help change other people's lives? Do you have a special skill?
F.I.R.E. needs volunteers: writers, graphic designers and Web site professionals are encouraged to contact us.
We also need bloggers, Facebook users, and Twitter tweeters to help spread our message of empowerment.
We probably need more volunteers than we know. Are you special? Let us know!
info@firewalking.com
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