Man Walks of Fire with Scott Goodknight 2008

Some people have done it for religious reasons, others to celebrate certain rites of passage or initiation into manhood. Others have done it to prove to themselves and others that the impossible is possible when you get into the right mindset and take fearless action.

Whatever the reasons, one thing is for sure: Firewalking is an extreme activity which can result in serious injury if not done properly. And its an excellent metaphor for success and failure in life.

What is the main factor that makes a successful firewalk and can it be translated into real life benefits?

Some people believe its simple physics, that the foot doesn’t touch the surface of the hot coals long enough to conduct heat and cause burns.

Others say its some sort of biochemical phenomenon that happens in the body milliseconds before the foot touches the hot coals. They believe the body somehow creates a barrier or circulates heat at a super rapid rate which prevents injury.

Others believe that some sort of supernatural force comes to aid them (from within or without) and this “force” provides a protective barrier between the feet and the coals.

Whats my belief?

I have been firwalking since 1996 and teaching others (hundreds of people) for almost 5 years professionally and I can tell you without a doubt that….

All of them are right!

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t…you’re right.” ~Henry Ford

Think about it, did you catch the common factor in ALL of the explanations? Its BELIEF.

No one in their right mind would dare step on a hot bed of coals if they actually BELIEVED they would be seriously injured!

So, the real magic is belief or faith.

When we believe we free our mind and body to take the action we need to take. Whether its walking on hot coals, jumping out of an airplane at 15,000 feet or making a sales call or starting a business.

Whats the enemy?

You know what it is…. IT IS FEAR.

Fear causes us to hesitate, doubt, miscalculate and this can be very dangerous on a hot bed of coals. You can easily burn yourself if you step too hard or move the wrong way. Fear causes people to do this. I have seen it dozens of times!

I have also seen a complete novice who jumped out of a crowd with no training walk safely across a bed of coals because they didn’t know any better. They had faith and they walked confidently. I have seen experienced firewalkers burn themselves when they got too cocky OR they started “over thinking” the process. (I know you NEVER do that right? lol)

Its simple. The common element of a successful firewalking experience is belief, the common element in an unsuccessful firewalk is Fear.

How is that like life? It doesn’t take a genius to figure out how hesitating, procrastinating or becoming frozen with fear will KILL your chances of success in sales, business, relationships, health and fitness. Fear is the root of all negative emotions including pride, anger, jealousy, apathy, depression and shame. Fear is the Mind Killer.

The interesting thing about Firewalking and other extreme activities is that they are directly linked with what the world renown psychologist Abraham Maslow called “Peak Experiences”

Maslow studied the most successful people in the world, people he called “Self Actualized” and he found that they had 15 common traits. One of them was that they consistently sought out these “Peak Experiences”

It seems the smartest people on the planet instinctively KNOW that Fear breeds mediocrity and faith or belief fosters success.

If you would like to experience the Firewalk or other “Peak Experiences” I would like to invite you to join our adventure club at www.breakyourfear.com or join us at the next firewalk on Feb 25th 2012.

To reserve your spot now click here:

Feb 25th Firewalk $99.00

Did you know that numerous studies have proven that people who work out at least 3 times a week for a year will develop a lifetime habit. And no matter HOW LONG they “lay off” or break their diet….they will ALWAYS come back to their exercise program.

So….all you need to do is just decide to work out for the rest of the year 3-5 times a week and it will be “wired in” for LIFE.

This is me on an obstacle course back in 1991 after a 3 day non-stop endurance competition. 20 Years later it is literally HARDER for me NOT to go to the gym than it is to just DO IT!

Come join me and the Breakthru Crew every week for our Nature Trail exercise program to get started wiring in your new habit!

This is a mini expedition/fitness hike, cross country approximately 3 miles.

You will walk down a nature trail (which is pretty easy at first) then begin modest rock climbing and hill climbing. I will guide you thru a basic warm-up and stretching routine as well. The inclines and declines are super-steep and somewhat risky. So, do this adventure at your own risk!

I do this every week and would love to start guiding more people on this route. Its a hell of a good workout on your thighs, glutes and calves. So, if you are bored with the gym and want to get out in nature more (like me) come join me and see if you like it.

Also, if you are training for one of these “adventure races” like the Tough Mudder or Spartan Race this is going to help you BREEZE past the competition. In 1992 I placed 5th in the toughest endurance competition in the WORLD. 3 days with no sleep, over 60 miles carrying 75 lbs. So I am expertly qualified to safely guide you to a challenging yet safe level of exertion. These modern day adventure races seek to duplicate extreme adventure races on a much easier scale for beginners. That is what this training will be like: for beginners.

NOTE: Even though this is for beginners, this is a potentially dangerous experience. The leaves this time of year make it slippery and the rocks can be unforgiving. Enter at your won risk. Everyone WILL sign a waiver before going on this hike. IMPORTANT: If you have any history or even a suspicion of heart related problems, I will need you to sign a release and see a signed doctors note. I want you to be safe and have a good time.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Live on the Edge!

Scott Goodknight

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Scott Goodknight on last obstacle of the Darby Queen after 3 days of no sleep and moving over 60 miles on foot carrying 75 lbs of gear.

As many of you know, I am a former US Army Ranger and I competed in the TOUGHEST endurance competitions on the planet in my day. I even placed 5th in the 1992 Best Ranger (video here) where the best of the best Special Forces units send their top soldiers to compete in a grueling 3 day no-sleep extreme, combat simulation scenario. Over these three days you move over 60 miles over extremely  rugged terrain, thru water, jumping from airplanes, canoeing, working with dangerous equipment and weapons under the most stressful of circumstances.

During the competition you traverse some of the most difficult obstacles courses in the world and all the time you are carrying your weapon and upwards of 75 lbs of gear. Its a nightmare and only the toughest solders on the planet enter. Only the baddest even finish. See my photo album here: BEST RANGER COMPETITION <— CLICK HERE.

Over the years I have kept in shape and I love to do some different types of extreme exercise,. (I get bored easy) I know…imagine that. I found some cool trail routes in Atlanta in the Chattahoochee national Forest and I have taken a few friends and clients on them. The result? They LOVED it and want to do more!

So I decided to begin a mini-adventure fitness course. These are mini expedition/fitness hikes, cross country approximately 3 miles for starters. Once you get to a higher fitness level, I can take you on longer more strenuous hikes. Some of the more extreme ones require you to RUN most of the way!

Back to the beginner course: (see sample video here)

You will walk down a nature trail (which is pretty easy at first) then begin modest rock climbing and hill climbing. I will guide you thru a basic warm-up and stretching routine as well. The inclines and declines are super-steep and somewhat risky. So, do this adventure at your own risk!

For now, I just wanted to get an official schedule on the books because so many people have been asking me to star this. (see calendar HERE) I do these types of trainings several times a week and would love to start guiding more people on this particular route. Its a hell of a good workout on your thighs, glutes and calves. So, if you are bored with the gym and want to get out in nature more (like me) come join me and see if you like it.

TRAINING FOR A TOUGH MUDDER OR SPARTAN RACE? Also, if you are training for one of these “adventure races” like the Tough Mudder or Spartan Race this is going to help you BREEZE past the competition. I will safely guide you to a challenging yet safe level of exertion. These modern day adventure races seek to duplicate extreme adventure races on a much easier scale for beginners. That is what this training will be like: for beginners.

NOTE: Even though this is for beginners, this is a potentially dangerous experience. The leaves this time of year make it slippery and the rocks can be unforgiving. Enter at your own risk. Everyone WILL sign a waiver before going on this hike. IMPORTANT: If you have any history or even a suspicion of heart related problems, I will need you to sign a release and see a signed doctors note. I want you to be safe and have a good time.

Let me know if you have any questions!

If you want to sign up go here: BYF ADVENTURE CLUB <– Sign up here

Scott standing beneath rocks on adventure fitness route in Chattahoochee national forest

Live on the Edge!

Scott Goodknight

Founder

Nothing stops people from living the life of their dreams more than fear.

People have all sorts of irrational fears. But we are only born with two: The fear of falling and the fear of loud noise. Every other fear is learned.

In this episode we will explore one of those basic fears, the fear of falling.

Watch and listen to 5 people who have never been skydiving before and follow them thru the process of jumping “tandem style” from a perfectly good airplane at over 12,000 feet in the air!

The ending may surprise you!!

That was pretty exciting huh? Well wait till you see what happens in the next episode! I will begin my Advanced Free Fall training after 20 years in “retirement”. I will have to jump SOLO from 15,000 feet and pull my own parachute.!! Do I have a little fear? You know it. Will it stop me? Stay tuned to find out!

See you in the air!

Scott Goodknight

Special thanks to Skydive Georgia and General Manager Rick Bray

First time skydivers:
Mike D’Errico, Jeffrey Norris, Valerie Taylor, Laila Scott, Dennis Sturtz

Instructors:
Mike Stone, Aaron Kiser, Scott Kasmar, Johan Meurer, Aaron Kiser

Pilot: Carl Meurer
Head Jump Coordinator: Bea Jaye Smith

For more information on how you can participate in THIS and many more adventures go to www.breakyourfear.com

COMING SOON: In video two you will see: BYFAC founder Scott Goodknight in the process of getting re-certified to do solo free-fall skydives and hear commentary from co-founder Stephanie Kusic. You will also get to meet World Record Holder AFF Jump Instructor: Fast Eddie Grantland, Expert In-Air Jump Instructors Frank Avila and Leslie Avila, Junior Ludvik and Ashton Lane. Its INTENSE!!!! Its a real free-for-all!!

For more information, sign up on our MeetUp page HERE —> DIVE IN

Description: This is an orientation to diving that allows non-divers to experience diving in their pool under the direct supervision of a dive leader, with a minimal amount of instruction and classroom time.

Knowledge. The academic session focuses on the immediate needs of divers such as equipment adjustment, equalizing pressure, breathing, moving through the water and orientation.

Skills. So you can start diving as soon as possible, you’ll practice a reduced skill set with one of our Professional Scuba Instructors in a pool water session.

Equipment. With the goal being to develop a working knowledge of scuba equipment, divers will receive an introduction to basic scuba equipment with an emphasis on equipment handling.

It’s only $15 and includes equipment and training.

Were also planning a trip to dive in open waters soon. So if you want to learn….now is the time to start and the price is right on!!