Firewalker Cobus believes in pushing limits
Cobus Visser, the only Master Fire-walk Instructor in Africa recently held a seminar at Boabab Game Lodge. He shared his story with Bosveld
MOKOPANE – Why would anyone walk barefoot over 1 200-degree C coals?
According to Cobus Visser, the only Master Fire-walk Instructor in Africa the answer is easy. “You walk for whatever reason compels you. For some, it is to overcome fears and limiting beliefs. For others, it is the metaphor of what is standing in the way of the life that they want.”
Cobus, a lifestyle coach, author, speaker, trainer and a hemophiliac, said that some see it as pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Although anyone can walk across the coals, it is the fear of turning their feet into burnt toast that keeps them from walking.
“We all have a bed of hot coals we must cross to get to where we want to be. Although there isn’t a bed of hot coals in front of you, you may have a hypothetical bed of coals standing in the way of what you really want. Perhaps you want to start your business, but you’re scared to jump in; or maybe you need to tell someone you love exactly what you are feeling, but you are afraid of rejection. Maybe it is the fact that you must get healthy, but you are afraid to fail again. The question is, do you stay stuck, or will you walk?”
During a seminar recently held at Boabab Game Lodge, the attendees learned to overcome obstacles with three important skills (keys) that will have a huge impact on their future.
A few messages from attendees below:
Cobus qualified in October 2014 as the only Master Fire-walk instructor in Africa and is only one of nine worldwide.
“I have personally fire-walked over 600 times, in the US, Spain, Uganda, Kenya, Lesotho and South Africa and has taught almost 100 fire-walking instructors how to fire-walk using the safe, safer, safest methods taught by the fire-walking institute of research and education in all of these countries.”
According to Cobus his son, Wihan (2), is the youngest person in the world to do fire walking.
“I brought the training of the Fire Institute to the continent of Africa with the dream to transform the lives of the people and to give them hope in this beautiful continent. The people that are against fire walking, must read Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. At the end of the day, it’s everybody’s own choice what he want to believe and do.”
Despite the fact that he is a hemophiliac his career choice in fire-walking is even more remarkable. Cobus had to fight for survival and learned to live with the disease from childhood. “Perseverance to survive hemophilia and pain every day and a lifetime of personal challenges have given me the skills and energy to help thousands of people change their lives for the better. I went from a future in a wheelchair to walking again and surviving pain everyday.”
Hemophilia is an inherited genetic disorder that impairs the body’s ability to make blood clots, a process needed to stop bleeding. This results in people bleeding longer after an injury, easy bruising, and an increased risk of bleeding inside joints or the brain. Bleeding into a joint can result in permanent damage while bleeding in the brain can result in long term headaches, seizures, or a decreased level of consciousness.
There are two main types of hemophilia. “I’m diagnosed with hemophilia B, they are typically inherited from one’s parents through an X chromosome with a non-functional gene. The hemophilia gene is transferred by the mother and our family is a carrier of hemophilia, my parents knew to test us immediately with birth. There are eight hemophiliacs in our family. Hemophilia B affects about 1 in 40 000 males at birth.
Cobus is also the motivational speaker for the Southern Kings rugby team and has touched the lives of people all over the globe. He is dedicated to helping individuals, business leaders and people with disabilities. “I am here for a purpose. I want to grow into the highest mountain and not shrink into a grain of sand. I will apply all my efforts and will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.”
redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
