Happy October my friends! I received a lot of questions about my recent decision to stay in a coffin for a day and a half, so I thought I’d make a post to shed some light on this experience.
Six Flags Great America recently started a “30 Hour Coffin Challenge” where selected participants were challenged to stay in a closed coffin – with NO phone/books/electronics – for 30 hours.
1,600+ applications were received, and I was ecstatic to be selected as one of the 4 to attempt this strange feat. Although my mom really really didn’t want me to do this, she knows that I am the first person to say yes to strange situations and challenges, so there was so no stopping me from deciding to go for it.
It was definitely one of the most challenging experiences of my life! Our coffins were completely closed except for a tiny slit near the top so that we could breathe. Unfortunately, the evening of the challenge it started to rain and eventually down poured for several hours, soaking myself and my blanket inside the coffin. Then as it became nighttime, the temperature dropped, the costumed monsters came to scare us relentlessly, and all the guests and staff went home, except for two Six Flags team members who stayed in a heated mini van nearby to make sure we didn’t cheat. We started running through the different odd challenges, including one where we had to run through a haunted house one at a time, at 3:00am! Around this time I remember truly thinking about quitting and dreaming of my warm bed at home.
But as the night went on, so did I. Soon morning came and the park re-opened, which meant several of my family and friends came to cheer me on, their encouragement meant the world to me. My three fellow coffin dwellers and I successfully survived the challenge and we got to leave the coffin during the “Rising Ceremony”.
I entered this contest to experience something totally unique. In society today, we rarely go even a full day without technology, books, or constant entertainment. By participating in this, I challenged myself to stay distraction free for 30 hours and focus on the present moment, even through the extreme discomfort. As Bryant McGill once said, “Whatever makes you uncomfortable is your biggest opportunity for growth.” I will never forget this experience and I challenge everyone to go after even the craziest opportunities that present themselves. You never know what wild life story will occur!
Thank you for reading! If you are interested in competing in the challenge next year – feel free to message me and I can share what my application looked like or further details of the challenge! It was such an interesting experience and I have loved getting to share this wild story with you all.
And yes – I got to keep the coffin!!! It is currently at my best friend’s house to serve as the coolest Halloween party prop next week.
Cheers,
Isha Jog
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