To explore the human potential is the driving force behind Wim Hof (aka: The Iceman). Though not alone in his quest to master the mind and body, Wim’s approach to tapping into our ability is breaking new scientific ground. Thermoregulation and the effects of extreme cold on our immune system, cellular health and longevity are being investigated with exciting results, thank’s to one Dutch man and his ice endeavours.
“We Can Do More Than We Think We Can”, says Hof. And if his 21 Guinness World Records are anything to go by—he is right, the limits of human potential are unwritten.
I interviewed The Iceman on his method, discussing how a deeper connection to nature can unlock the human potential and where he hopes the discoveries will lead.
What drew you to the cold and is it the temperature or the wilderness that fortifies you?
My curiosity drew me to the cold, like many other disciplines. Subconsciously, I was looking for a deeper understanding. Only when I came in contact with the cold, did I begin to feel this. It is such a direct, deep sensation that it goes beyond imagination. Both the wilderness and the cold are elements of nature—we are nature we just need to get back to that sense of being.
Who seeks out your methods—and how diverse are there reasons?
People from all walks of life from doctors to carpenters, phycologists and postmen. People who seek more energy, fight burnouts, treat auto immune diseases, enhance sports performance, improve mood disorders.
How does your workshop expand on your online course?
It is like listening to music via record vs a live concert. The online video course has been composed to enable the practitioner to master the techniques however the workshop is an experience with many people sharing deep sensations—a unique and life changing event!
How do you teach people in hot climates about the benefits of ice/cold immersion?
People in hot climates benefit most from the breathing techniques as well as the mindset created by insights derived from scientific non-speculative research.
Can conditioning in hot environments produce efficacious results to the body and mind—or is this a unique virtue of the cold?
In both hot and cold conditions the body needs to work in its physiology to maintain core body temperature. I did a marathon without drinking in the desert and still maintained core body temperature. Learned by going into the cold, thermoregulation done by both the hypothalamus (brainstem) and the vascular system.
You have established a method for universal application but are there any caveats to this (don’t try this if you….)?
In general there are no conditions to not do this method, what we clearly communicate or want to communicate is to not force but to follow the feeling.
What science are you currently focused on exploring (the next experiment/challenge to expand our knowledge of human potential)?
We are currently doing research on the brainstem, inflammation, pain, depression and anxiety with multiple universities. The scientific community is embracing this method more and more and we love to go past scientific scrutiny as to get rid of any speculation. We believe and see it works with thousands of people and therefore want to prove it scientifically.
If you could advise people on one technique or action that they can do today for better health and performance, what would that be?
I would recommend the breathing techniques and mindset, realising that we as humans are all capable of connecting with our physiological as well as our mental systems and have the ability to regulate when we feel necessary.
In his new book ‘What Doesn’t Kill Us’, Scott Carney posits that your ability to suppress the immune response and generate heat in extreme cold is achieved through willpower. Do you agree with this, and how would you describe your thoughts when you are testing these parameters (controlling the physiology to resist infection and elevate core temperature)?
One learns to create and/or generate more energy (aerobic dissimilation) enabling a person to stay longer in cold environments. My method has also been proven to suppress inflammatory markers in the blood. Both these results benefit training, health, strength and mood, that is the aim.
What are your hopes for the future of human potential?
I challenge any university to do more research cause there is a lot more for humankind than has been shown with this method.
Photo Credit: © Henny Boogert / boogertfotografie.nl / imagesconnect.org
