Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof saw a group of celebrities face their most daunting challenge yet, in the form of the Ice Ladder.
Wim Hof, of course, is famous for his self-devised Wim Hof Method, for which he claims a wide range of mental and physical health benefits. The charismatic Dutchman, who is 62, is particularly renowned for his ability to withstand freezing cold temperatures.
This has earned him the nickname of ‘Iceman’ and he attributes his abilities - which have earned him several world records over the years - to his unique fitness routine. But what exactly is the Wim Hof Method?
Read more: Cold water swimming - the risks and benefits
What is the Wim Hof Method?
The Wim Hof Method is the name given to a series of fitness techniques developed by extreme athlete and motivational speaker Wim Hof. It has three main components: cold therapy, breathing exercises and meditation.
Wim Hof’s philosophy is that modern lifestyles have effectively overridden our “age-old survival mechanisms”, throwing our relationship with the natural world out of kilter. As a result, he argues, we have “lost touch with our inner power”.
His Wim Hof Method aims to promote better physical and mental health through various techniques. His breathing exercises are based on deep inhaling and exhaling without force, so as to enhance the body’s immune response.
Another essential “pillar” of the Wim Hof Method is - unsurprisingly - exposure to the cold. He argues that this can help boost endorphins, lead to better sleep and balance the body’s hormones.
He also emphasises the importance of commitment to his techniques and exercises, insisting that only by being fully committed to following the Wim Hof Method can one reap the full health benefits from it.
What does Wim Hof eat?
Wim Hof has reportedly been a vegetarian for many years and is said to eat only a single meal a day. According to the Rich Roll Podcast, he has avoided eating any food before 6pm in the evening for more than 30 years.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
