Motivational Speaker Tony Robbins Burns Supporters, Literally

An estimated 40 people were burned while attempting to walk across hot coals at Dallas event

tony robbins joe berlinger netflix
Getty Images

Dozens of Tony Robbins supporters suffered minor burn injuries Thursday after walking across hot coals during a motivational event in Dallas, Texas, according to local ABC affiliate WFAA.

Trainers for Robbins’ “Unleash the Power Within” seminar told the station that walking on coals is a very emotional experience for people, and that participants were doing something they didn’t think was possible.

The fire-walking turned out not to be possible to do (safely at least) for some participants.

Paramedics treated dozens of people from the sold-out program for burns to their feet and legs, while five people were taken via ambulance to the Parkland Hospital Burn Center.

The event, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, ended with several ambulances parked outside as roughly 7,000 people walked across the coals Thursday night.

“From my observation, there was someone in front of us and someone behind us on their cellphone, taking selfies and taking pictures,” Jacqueline Luxemberg, who completed the fire walk, told WFAA. “[She asked others] to video record for her, so I think that that has a lot to do with it.”

Dallas Fire and Rescue issued the following statement:

“On Thursday, just after 23:00 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas Fire-Rescue assigned multiple resources to an event which resulted in an unknown number of “burn victims”.

Apparently, as part of a motivational event being held at the location, several people attempted to walk across hot coals. As a result, a large number of these people sustained burn injuries to their feet and lower extremities.

As many as 5 additional rescue units and two EMS Supervisors, among other resources, we’re assigned to help manage the situation. In addition, a DART bus was requested to help at least hold some of the, approximate 30-40, patients who were being evaluated. The severity of the injuries were unknown, but most people elected not to be taken to the hospital. However, 5 people were taken to a local hospital, by DFR, for evaluation of their injuries.”

Comments