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Video: How to overcome globophobia (fear of balloons)

By Rachel Swatman
Published

Kids' parties must have been terrible for Hunter Ewen (USA) because he suffered from globophobia - a fear of balloons - for many years.

Yet he has managed to break the record for the Most balloons blown up in one hour and enter the Guinness World Records book.

"Part of the reason I wanted to attempt this record comes from my childhood fear of balloons," he said. "I didn't blow up a balloon for 15 years and I thought this might be a fun way to get over that fear."

We recently visited Hunter in his hometown of Boulder, Colorado, USA, to ask him how he managed to overcome his fears:

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Hunter has trained himself to blow up balloons for longer spans of time without getting light-headed.

After researching more information about the human body and talking to a doctor, he learned that people do not get lightheaded from lack of oxygen but rather from having too much.


Hunter trained himself to grab balloons and tie them with empty lungs. This proved to be more efficient than grabbing balloons and tying them with a lungful of air.

Once the balloon enthusiast had absorbed the advice he'd received, he put it into practice... and achieved an outstanding new record of 910!


As someone who grew up loving Guinness World Records, Hunter thinks it is an incredible treat to be part of the Guinness World Records family. 

"Like a lot of people, I remember the anticipation of waiting for the new book each year," he revealed. "I would fantasise about the records, the kind of people that broke them, and what kinds of sacrifices people make to accomplish their dreams."