I was recruited to the Impact Trainings through someone who works with my best friend. We went to the first training (500$ each), and were led to believe that we were attending a professional career/communication conference (I know now that the cult members are forced to "recruit" a quota of members, or they are kicked out). I'm a teacher in California, so I thought this sounded great and worthwhile.
I knew right away that it wasn't what we were led to believe. The "leaders" right away yelled at everyone and made seemingly emotionally weak people break-down and cry. We were not allowed to eat, and on day 1, we were forced to turn in all prescribed medications (which I did not). We were told that we were not allowed to talk to outside people about anything that happened within the cult. They yelled and ridiculed many... We were forced to kneel in front of a chair and beat it, pretending it was one of our family members. When I refused, two leaders approached me and yelled at me. They threatened me and said that I wasn't "going the distance". I still refused to beat the chair. On another occasion, we were all forced to lay down and imagine being burried in a casket during our funeral. They told us that this was how our life would end, with our family members knowing that we weren't worthy of living. I saw even after one day, how very weak people instantly became dependent on the power hans had over them.
On the third day, my friend had to leave for a funeral. After the following day, I was so offended and disturbed by the activities that I told my "angel" (what they call the person in the cult who recruited you) that while respecting her own opionions and involvement within the organization, it was not for me and that I was leaving the next morning. I was verbally attacked by two cult members in a car. I was told that if I really decided to leave the cult, my life would amount to nothing and that "I would die." One of the members in the car was turned all the way around from the front seat, screaming at me and pointing her finger in my face. I was hoping these two individuals were taking me to a hotel, but didn't really know WHERE they were taking me/what would happen. I was scared for my life, but am grateful now that I made it out safe and sound.
I'm sharing this because I want people to be informed and stay away from this organization. My friend and I got out, and are so grateful we were strong enough to see through everything. FYI this cult member is a 50 year old VOLUNTEER coach at CAL BERKELEY. Coaching staff is aware of everything and this person will be removed from staff at the end of the year, however, this is serious. I have family members who work on the utah sate legislature, and it is only a matter of time before the government disasembles this cult. Stay away
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