Wim Hof 20/04/1959 Extreme Cold Endurance Athlete & Author
“THE COLD IS MY TEACHER. IT IS MERCILESS BUT RIGHTEOUS”.
Bad-Ass Qualifications
- Previous record holder for longest time in direct full-body contact with ice.
- Climbed to an altitude of 7200m on Mt. Everest wearing nothing but shorts and shoes.
- Previous record holder for farthest swim under ice with a distance of 57.5m.
- Ran a marathon in the Namib Desert without water.
- Author of several books including “Becoming the Iceman” and “The Wim Hof Method”.
From his home in the Netherlands, Hof has developed his cold endurance to truly astonishing levels. From setting records for swimming underwater in frozen lakes to climbing Everest and Kilimanjaro in just shorts and shoes, Hof does not only push himself beyond his limits, but also teaches others his methods, wishing to spread his message of wellness and vitality achieved through cold exposure.
As a deeply philosophical and thoughtful individual, Hof had been searching for a way to connect more fully to the world around him. Early on a cold Sunday morning in Amsterdam, Hof found himself in Beatrixpark and was drawn to the frozen water. Cutting a hole in the ice, Hof submerged himself in the cold. What Hof found was that while his body responded by hyper-ventilating, he was able to control his response, and on subsequent daily visits, he became more and more accustomed to the cold, being able to control his breathing more effectively, feeling more and more powerful.
On the 16th March 2000, at a lake in Pello, Finland, Hof put his endurance to a potentially fatal test. Having submerged his body in freezing water for years, Hof would attempt to swim the furthest distance underwater in an ice covered lake. Having cut holes in the ice at regular intervals and running a rope along the underside of the ice as a safety precaution, Wim entered the water to begin his deep breathing before his attempt.
This would not be Hof's first attempt at such a feat. His previous attempt almost resulting in disaster. Swimming breaststroke, wearing only shorts and no goggles, the corneas of Hof's eyes started to freeze. Hof was blind. He continued to swim on, unable to see neither the safety rope or the holes to the surface. Soon enough, he lost consciousness, sinking below the ice. It was only due to the rescue divers present that Hof survived this attempt at all. Fortunately, in his March 2000 attempt, wearing goggles this time, Hof swam a total of 57.5m on a single breath.
Today, Hof still keeps to his daily routine of cold showers, ice baths and connecting with nature through the cold. He also travels the world, promoting his method, an advocate for the astoundingly positive effects of cold exposure on chronic illness, physical and mental health. The “Wim Hof Method” book bringing a new perspective to health care and mindfulness to people across the world.
What Hof enjoys most of all is spreading his message in person, often hosting classes in his method where he encourages students to strip down, join him in the snow and become one with nature. While the majority of people may still Hof and his students as crazy, each of Hof's students come away from his classes feeling empowered, rejuvenated and feeling alive.
Hof has brought his theories, experience and expertise of the cold to science, challenging himself under laboratory conditions to resist illness and control his body in unprecedented ways. While there is debate surrounding his method, it is clear that there is much to learn about his practices, as more and more people around the world have been inspired to take their first cold plunge.
“IF WE ALWAYS CHOOSE COMFORT, WE NEVER LEARN THE DEEPEST CAPABILITIES OF OUR MIND OR BODY”
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