For those who have heard of Dutch extreme athlete Wim Hof’s incredible freezing feats, you might expect that, in person, he’d be a gruff hard-ass after spending the last 46 years plunging himself in ice-cold waters.
But you really get an infectiously happy, loud, even cheeky man with absolute rock star energy.
We met Wim at Sydney’s Luna Park on a fine 30-degree March day at Luna Park.
Hof was at the iconic theme park in Sydney for Human Kind, a three-day summit that brings together thought leaders, artists and creatives, from March 16-18. Guests were given the extremely-rare opportunity to experience Wim’s famous Wim Hof Method hosted by the man himself.
As he walked down the park alley through the crown, you’d be mistaken for thinking Harry Styles was back in town as the masses yelled and scrambled for selfies.
The Wim Hof Method is a set of techniques developed by the Dutchman that involves breathing exercises, meditation, and exposure to cold temperatures.
The method improves physical and mental health, increases energy levels, reduces stress, and boosts the immune system.
The breathing exercises involve a specific pattern of deep, controlled breaths followed by periods of holding the breath. This is supposed to increase oxygen levels in the body and decrease the level of carbon dioxide.
The method also involves exposure to cold temperatures through cold showers, ice baths, or outdoor exposure, which is believed to strengthen the immune system and improve circulation, among other benefits.
Hof says these techniques have allowed him to do the unthinkable, like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and almost summiting Mt Everest in shorts, running a half marathon above the Arctic Circle barefoot, and standing in a container while covered with ice cubes for almost two hours.
Some, if not all, of his methods have been incorporated into the daily lives of a broad church of millions worldwide.
Full disclosure: I have done ice baths before, at the behest of a Hof-admiring former footy coach of mine so I put my hand up to give one of Wim’s cold therapy sessions in Sydney a go.
Hof says: “Cold is your warm friend.”
Jack says: “Pfffff f**k!”
I’d been told a few minutes, no more than ten was optimal. So I grit my teeth, close my eyes and settle into what first felt like it would be my icy end as we aimed for two minutes.
We hopped in and sat down.
“Down to your neck,” he yelled.
I was not, so I followed his orders and shuffled down.
The water was freezing – duh – and a thick layer of ice blocks had formed at the top of the pool.
“Long breaths out,” Wim yelled as I took involuntarily short sharp breaths.
Something happens to time when you’re in the icy water, we were told two minutes as we jumped in, and a review of some footage shows it ended up closer to five.
I’m the farthest thing from a person who should be telling you what your cells and oxygen levels are doing now, so I won’t.
It’s terror. It’s panic. It’s discomfort.
We got out, and the awful feeling of your body trying to figure out its new, but briefly hostile surroundings ended pretty quickly.
Once out, though, the warm day immediately floods back to the body. So does the feeling in your fingers and toes.
Any aches, pains or niggles I had were gone, and I felt the most energetic I had felt all week.
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At the time of writing this, a few hours later, I’m still feeling 10 feet tall.
Hof told us that through the regular practice of this method and breathwork exercises, we could expect to gain better control over their autonomic nervous system and immune response, leading to increased overall health and wellbeing.
“This is the future. We need to bring this to the world,” Wim gleefully yelled.
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