I am a hugger. A full-blown, no-holds-barred, bring-it-in-and-squeeze hugger. I love giving them. I love receiving them. If hugs were currency, I’d be a billionaire.
But before my first trip to Dubai, our HR manager called me into her office and hit me with an official no-hugging mandate.
Why? Because I am a woman heading to an Arab country where the majority of my workshop colleagues would be male. In their culture, it’s frowned upon for a strange woman to touch-let alone hug-a man. Cue the dramatic music.
This was my worst nightmare. I had been working with these people for years, and now, finally meeting them in person, I had to keep my arms stiffly at my sides like a malfunctioning robot.
Fast forward: I survived a whole week. No hugs. Not even a sneaky shoulder pat. I deserve a medal.
Then, on the final evening, we had a celebration at one of the hotels. The energy was high, people were laughing, and goodbyes were starting. I cracked.
I approached our training lead-male, Saudi, shorter than me-and told him, “This week meant so much to me. I want to show my appreciation and give something back.”
When I explained the Firewalk Hug, his eyes lit up. If you’ve never experienced a Firewalk Hug, let me walk you through it:
1. Eye contact first. Connection starts before touch.
2. Come in heart-to-heart. Most people hug the other way because heart-to-heart is vulnerable. But vulnerability is the point.
3. Breathe in as you hug tighter. Feel the energy. Hold it.
4. Let go only when ready. Breathe out and release.
It’s an experience, not just a hug.
Right there, on the hotel rooftop, in front of everyone, we Firewalk Hugged. And he loved it.
So much so that suddenly, it was like a hug domino effect-one after the other, everyone in the group wanted one. My HR manager would have had a meltdown.
But the real magic happened two weeks later. I was walking through the office when the elevator doors dinged open, and out stepped the Dubai training lead.
He spotted me, paused, walked straight over, and-wait for it-hugged me. The Firewalk way.
Then he beamed and said, “I’ve taught my whole family. This is the only way we hug now.”
Boom. Mission accomplished.
Why does this matter?
Because human connection matters. With AI taking over everything from emails to grocery orders to (gulp) human conversations, warmth is becoming a rare commodity. A hug-a real, intentional, heart-to-heart moment-is something technology will never replicate.
So, go forth and hug. And if you’re feeling brave, try the Firewalk Hug. Who knows? You might just start a movement.