Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Firewalking; Answered by a Master Trainer
Firewalking. It sounds terrifying, right? Hot coals, bare feet, and the question everyone asks first: Does it hurt? But there’s so much more to firewalking than just the flames.
I’m Lisa Clifford, a Master Trainer of Firewalking and Empowerment Instructors. Since 2008, I’ve trained thousands to safely lead this transformational experience. In this blog, I’m answering the most common questions I get asked and the ones you didn’t even know to ask. If you’re curious about firewalking instructor training, or just want to know if this is for you, this is a great place to begin.
Does Firewalking Hurt?
Short answer: No, it doesn’t.
Firewalking doesn’t feel the way you’d imagine. There is a warmth and a tingling, but if you follow your instructor’s teachings, you will glide over the coals with ease. The sensation is less about pain and more about presence. It’s not a punishment it’s a practice in intentional movement and self-trust.
What Does It Feel Like?
The closest sensation? Walking on hot gravel. There’s warmth, a sense of connection, and a flicker of surprise that you’re doing it. What you think will be agony becomes alignment. It’s not about pain it’s about what you believe is possible for you.
What’s the Secret to Firewalking?
Focus. Intention. Attention.
The secret isn’t magic it’s mindset. When you’re fully present and intentional, you glide across the coals. When you’re distracted, uncertain, or scattered, that’s when you feel it. Just like in life. Firewalking trains you to move forward with clear intention and conscious action.
Why Don’t You Get Burned?
The science is fascinating. A layer of ash on the coals reduces the transfer of heat. Your feet don’t rest long enough on the surface to absorb the full intensity. But science alone doesn’t guarantee safety mindset matters most. I’ve seen people walk unscathed when they’re focused, and get a “fire kiss” when they’re not. Your belief and your attention walk with you.
Is Firewalking Healthy?
Absolutely. Firewalking is deeply healing. It dissolves old fears, reprograms limiting beliefs, and shows you a version of yourself that is courageous and free. It’s good for your mind, your nervous system, your identity. It recalibrates your sense of what you’re capable of. You walk away lighter, clearer, braver.
What’s the Purpose of Firewalking?
It depends who you ask. For some, it’s about reclaiming confidence buried by life’s setbacks. For others, it’s a sacred, soul-awakening ritual. For me, it’s a practice of energetic alignment. The fire demands that you rise. It teaches you to meet your goal with the full force of your being.
Firewalking is a conversation between your intention and your action. It’s a powerful reminder that we don’t lower our standards to meet life we raise our vibration to meet it.
What Should I Wear to a Firewalk?
Think practical and smoke-friendly. Avoid floaty clothing, long scarves, maxi skirts, or thin plastic jackets that could melt. Wear trousers or jeans (they provide some protection), and bring slip-on shoes that are easy to remove before the walk. Wet wipes are handy for cleaning your feet after.
And yes, maybe avoid walking barefoot over your cream carpet when you get home!
How Hot Is the Fire?
Typically between 1200°F and 1600°F. That’s hot enough to melt aluminium. But with the right preparation, pace, and mindset, it becomes a mirror instead of something to fear. The fire isn’t there to burn you it’s there to sharpen your focus and awaken your intention.
Can Anyone Walk on Fire?
Yes. Firewalking is not about physical fitness, it’s about mental and emotional readiness. If you arrive with an open heart, a curious mind, and a willingness to focus, you can walk. I’ve seen people in their 70s do it, and people who once thought they’d never be brave enough. Belief walks first.
What Are the Real Risks?
The fire is real. But the greater risk is not believing in yourself. That self-doubt will burn more deeply than the coals ever could. Firewalking reveals who you are beneath your stories. It frees the part of you that has been hiding. And that kind of courage? That kind of risk? That’s where life begins.
Do You Need Training to Firewalk?
You don’t need any prior training to participate in a firewalk event. Your firewalking instructor will guide you through everything you need to know on the day. All you need to do is show up, pay attention, and stay open. The fire does the rest.
What Actually Is a Firewalk?
It’s a path of hot coals, burned down from a roaring fire. But more than that, it’s a ceremony. A transformational workshop. A rite of passage. You don’t just walk over embers. You walk into a version of yourself that’s been waiting to rise.
Before the walk, you’ll be guided through teachings that help you shift your energy and connect to a powerful intention. This is not about bravado. It’s about breakthrough.
Can Charities Use Firewalking to Raise Money?
Absolutely. In fact, it’s one of the most memorable and effective fundraising tools available. Charities across the UK have raised tens of thousands through firewalk events. Participants get a meaningful, life-changing experience, and supporters rally behind a bold, symbolic act. Everyone wins.
Can Firewalking Help Teams?
Without question. Firewalking cuts through status, job titles, and office politics. It creates genuine connection. Teams bond through courage, compassion, and shared growth. It isn’t just a corporate activity it’s a humanising, equalising, unforgettable experience that strengthens how people show up at work.
What If a Company Doesn’t Want Firewalking?
No problem. I also teach:
- Arrow breaks break through fear and resistance.
- Rebar bending shatter limiting beliefs.
- Board breaking align purpose with action.
- Glasswalking become present with discomfort.
Each experience teaches clarity, courage, mindfulness, and possibility. They’re ideal for teams, retreats, and leadership development.
What Should You Look for in a Firewalking Company?
Choose a trainer who understands the transformation, not just the technique. Look for someone with deep experience, solid insurance, and a strong support team. Ask how they weave purpose into the event. Because when done well, firewalking isn’t a stunt it’s a sacred invitation to become someone new.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re a coach, trainer, therapist, or speaker who wants to lead unforgettable events that change lives, Firewalking Instructor Training might be your calling. It’s not just a certification it’s a rite of passage that equips you to lead with fire, focus, and heart. You’ll learn how to safely run your own firewalks, empower others, and become a transformational guide.
Want to know more? Explore the full video series Everything You Need to Know About Being a Firewalk Instructor. Got a question I haven’t answered yet? Leave a comment and I’ll create a video just for you.
