Resilience Beneath the Ice

Cold exposure benefits begin with presence: breath, sensation, and deliberate stress teach the body to meet grief, fear, and recovery with steadier control.

Wim Hof frames cold exposure and breathwork as practical ways to meet grief, fear, and stress with more steadiness. The article should hold his intensity while grounding the method in resilience, recovery, and embodied control.

Grief As The Origin Point

The cold enters this story through loss. Before the records, before the ice swims, before the image of a man climbing toward Everest in shorts, there is a family broken open by suicide. Hof speaks of losing his wife to mental disorder, of watching her decline, and of being left with four children inside a grief no performance could outrun.

He does not present the pain as an abstraction. He calls it darkness. He remembers being unable to help her then, and that helplessness becomes the origin point of the method rather than a detail beside it. The ice was not a spectacle at first; it was the place he returned to when the emotional wound had nowhere else to go.

Cold gave him a direct encounter with the body when the mind had become unbearable. In the water, sensation was precise. Breath had to be immediate. Attention had to return from the story of suffering to the reality of the next inhale, the next exhale, the next moment held with steadiness.

That is why his language around depression and grief carries such force. He frames mental suffering as the true challenge, not the mountain, not the marathon, not the hour held in ice. The outer extremes became visible symbols for an inner terrain that many people know but few can name with clarity.

We can hear the shift in what began to matter. At one stage, the question was how far the body could go. Later, the question became how a person meets pain without collapsing into it. Records proved capacity; helping people face their own suffering gave that capacity purpose.

This distinction matters for any serious recovery protocol. Cold is not meaningful because it is dramatic. It becomes meaningful when it teaches the nervous body to stay present under pressure, to feel intensity without surrendering agency, and to discover that discomfort can be entered with control.

Hof’s grief also keeps the method from becoming a polished performance of toughness. His work begins where mastery is stripped of vanity. A father meets unbearable loss, finds a way to remain alive to his children, and returns to nature because the body still knows how to begin again.

There is an important restraint in that lesson. Pain does not become useful because we romanticize it. Pain becomes workable when we have a protocol, a place to put attention, and a way to let the body participate in recovery. The cold becomes a sanctuary because it asks for nothing except presence.

In that sanctuary, depression and grief were not denied. They were met through breath, sensation, and repeated exposure to something difficult enough to demand full attention. This is the deeper claim beneath the intensity: resilience is built when the body learns that it can stay open in conditions the mind once feared.

Then I took up the ice again so strongly because it was the only way to heal my emotional wound inside.

View transcript

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Wim Hof. I went on Mount Everest in my shorts. I I went on Mount Everest in my shorts. I lost a way under the ice. I run lost a way under the ice. I run marathons in my shorts beyond the polar marathons in my shorts beyond the polar circle, barefoot in the desert without circle, barefoot in the desert without drinking, hanging by one finger between drinking, hanging by one finger between two hot air balloons in the freezing two hot air balloons in the freezing temperatures. I did it all and more. At temperatures. I did it all and more. At a certain moment, I felt, "What else do a certain moment, I felt, "What else do I have to do?" And then I started with I have to do?" And then I started with people, with people's demons. When in people, with people's demons. When in your life have you felt the most your life have you felt the most hopeless? Oh, yes, when I lost my wife hopeless? Oh, yes, when I lost my wife to a suicide, mental disorder, to a suicide, mental disorder, schizophrenic. It's a darkness. I could schizophrenic. It's a darkness. I could not help her back then. Then I took up not help her back then. Then I took up the ice again so strongly cuz it was the the ice again so strongly cuz it was the only way to heal my emotional wound only way to heal my emotional wound inside. There I beat depression. There I inside. There I beat depression. There I beat grief, emotional grief. I think we beat grief, emotional grief. I think we have demons in our society. They come, have demons in our society. They come, we call them schizophrenic, mental

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we call them schizophrenic, mental disorders, less quality of life, greed, disorders, less quality of life, greed, uh whatever that is. uh whatever that is. It is plaguing our soul. It is plaguing our soul. When have you been the most afraid in When have you been the most afraid in your life? Wim Hof. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you so much for being here. Thanks, Aaron, for having me. Thanks, Aaron, for having me. We know each other already We know each other already I don't know how long, but quite long I don't know how long, but quite long through Aubrey, Aubrey Marcus, too, and through Aubrey, Aubrey Marcus, too, and in Los Angeles, the angels. Tomorrow I in Los Angeles, the angels. Tomorrow I go to the angels, Los Angeles, go to the angels, Los Angeles, and uh continue over there. and uh continue over there. Yes, how to bring sanity back in the Yes, how to bring sanity back in the people. people. It was Professor Friedrich who talked to It was Professor Friedrich who talked to me and said, "Wim, what do we got to do? me and said, "Wim, what do we got to do? The The democracy as it is is in peril

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The The democracy as it is is in peril because the people are getting so weak. because the people are getting so weak. And I said to him directly, "Hey, give And I said to him directly, "Hey, give me those people 1 week and we make them me those people 1 week and we make them strong." strong." And that is this conversation all about. And that is this conversation all about. You are doing the body work, great body You are doing the body work, great body work, do a de-traumatization, work, do a de-traumatization, optimizing the health of people the way optimizing the health of people the way nature meant it to be. nature meant it to be. That's why I'm here to talk with you That's why I'm here to talk with you into the depth. into the depth. And And it's all about love and I love you and I it's all about love and I love you and I love the people watching us, talking love the people watching us, talking sense as men sense as men and bring sanity all over cuz it is and bring sanity all over cuz it is needed. needed. >> And when in your life have you felt the >> And when in your life have you felt the most hopeless? most hopeless? Oh. Oh. Yes, when I lost my wife. Yes, when I lost my wife. Uh Uh to a suicide, mental disorder, to a suicide, mental disorder, schizophrenic. schizophrenic. It's a darkness. It's a darkness. I could not help her back then. Now, I could not help her back then. Now, yes. yes. I'm into psychiatry, neuro science

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I'm into psychiatry, neuro science and uh neuro surgery and all. and uh neuro surgery and all. We are doing the studies right now how We are doing the studies right now how to cleanse the brain of brain waste. to cleanse the brain of brain waste. Back then, I didn't know. Back then, I didn't know. I was practicing it I was practicing it but she didn't. but she didn't. And she deteriorated it. And she went And she deteriorated it. And she went away and I stayed back with four kids. away and I stayed back with four kids. It was a deterioration, declining of It was a deterioration, declining of mental health until she mental health until she fell or jumped from eight stories down fell or jumped from eight stories down to her death. to her death. When I saw her dead body the other day When I saw her dead body the other day I saw that that demon was out of her. I saw that that demon was out of her. Cuz I think we have demons in our Cuz I think we have demons in our society. society. They come and they we call them They come and they we call them schizophrenic, mental disorders. Uh less schizophrenic, mental disorders. Uh less quality of life, greed, whatever that quality of life, greed, whatever that is. is. It is plaguing our soul.

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It is plaguing our soul. And I'm into the soul. And I'm into the soul. I think the soul's characteristics I think the soul's characteristics should be there, sane. And that is should be there, sane. And that is health, happiness, and strength. health, happiness, and strength. And our health is the quality of our And our health is the quality of our control over the immune system. control over the immune system. The happiness is the control over the The happiness is the control over the endo cannabinoid system and the pharmacy endo cannabinoid system and the pharmacy within, that is the endocrine system. within, that is the endocrine system. And then you have the energy. And then you have the energy. If you go into the cold, then energy is If you go into the cold, then energy is going to flow. going to flow. And you learn to direct it. And you learn to direct it. You learn to detraumatize. A river that You learn to detraumatize. A river that runs is sane. runs is sane. If it is stagnant, it becomes sick. If it is stagnant, it becomes sick. So, what we do when we go into So, what we do when we go into the cold is the energy the cold is the energy factories in the cell. We activate them, factories in the cell. We activate them, the mitochondria. the mitochondria. And we bring in more oxygen, aerobic And we bring in more oxygen, aerobic dissimilation. dissimilation. Uh for example, a month ago I was with

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Uh for example, a month ago I was with Eddie Hall, the strongest guy of the Eddie Hall, the strongest guy of the world, 500 kilos lifting. world, 500 kilos lifting. And I said, "I don't care how good you And I said, "I don't care how good you are. I'll make you better." are. I'll make you better." Because are you the best of yourself? Because are you the best of yourself? And there he questioned himself. Yeah, I And there he questioned himself. Yeah, I mean, you can always learn. mean, you can always learn. So, let's uh So, let's uh show the proof in the pudding. show the proof in the pudding. Do your dumbbells. Take some dumbbells, Do your dumbbells. Take some dumbbells, 30 kilos or 60 lb here, 60 lb there, and 30 kilos or 60 lb here, 60 lb there, and lift them. lift them. And you lift them 60 times. And you lift them 60 times. Like that. Like that. And I and he uh 60 Okay, that's enough. Well done. Well done. Well done. Now, let's walk over there, have a Now, let's walk over there, have a drink, drink, some water, some coffee, some tea, some water, some coffee, some tea, whatever. whatever. And we had a talk, and 10 minutes later, And we had a talk, and 10 minutes later, we went back. He still had the soreness we went back. He still had the soreness of that exercise in his body.

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of that exercise in his body. And we went back, and I said, "Now, And we went back, and I said, "Now, I just want you to think one thing. I just want you to think one thing. You give the best, and you get And then You give the best, and you get And then the best is able to come. So, only think the best is able to come. So, only think about what you are going to do. And what about what you are going to do. And what is that? Deep in breathing, what you is that? Deep in breathing, what you just did. just did. And let it go. And let it go. All in, All in, let it go. let it go. All in, let it go. 30 times. All in, let it go. 30 times. And in those 30 times, he went into the And in those 30 times, he went into the breath, into his body. breath, into his body. Without knowing exactly what was going Without knowing exactly what was going to happen. to happen. But then, after 30 times, I said, But then, after 30 times, I said, "Breathe out. Now, take the same "Breathe out. Now, take the same dumbbells, and do it over again what you dumbbells, and do it over again what you did 10 minutes with still the soreness, did 10 minutes with still the soreness, the acidity in his muscles." the acidity in his muscles." And he did it, not 60 times, but 90. And And he did it, not 60 times, but 90. And he was not tired.

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he was not tired. That is the power of the breath. That is the power of the breath. And that power we want to give to And that power we want to give to everybody. everybody. Not to beat somebody else, Not to beat somebody else, but to become the best of yourself. but to become the best of yourself. Which is more than beating somebody Which is more than beating somebody else. else. And that's what we want to bring to And that's what we want to bring to every person in the world. every person in the world. Cuz through the breath, we are able to Cuz through the breath, we are able to master our alchemy, inner insight, master our alchemy, inner insight, and become happy, and become happy, strong, and healthy. Cuz it connects strong, and healthy. Cuz it connects with all the systems. with all the systems. And once that is there, flowing subtly, And once that is there, flowing subtly, uh are able to connect with our will uh are able to connect with our will with that system to the autonomic with that system to the autonomic nervous system level to the level of the nervous system level to the level of the central nervous system. And we are central nervous system. And we are proving this time after time in studies. proving this time after time in studies. And we want to bring this to the world. And we want to bring this to the world. And for that, I thank you to having And for that, I thank you to having brought me here and to answer these

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brought me here and to answer these questions. Thank you. questions. Thank you. Has there been a darkest demon you've Has there been a darkest demon you've faced within yourself? faced within yourself? Yes, of course. When Yes, of course. When and the money day demons. and the money day demons. But I'm also now with the Catholic But I'm also now with the Catholic Church, even talking to exorcists. Church, even talking to exorcists. The real ones. The real ones. Not the films, the real ones. Not the films, the real ones. And the real demons look as much And the real demons look as much as long as there is war in the world, as long as there is war in the world, there is no civilization. there is no civilization. And I'm I'm into the special forces. I And I'm I'm into the special forces. I want to tackle our plaguing murderers in want to tackle our plaguing murderers in our society. our society. Cardiovascular related diseases, for Cardiovascular related diseases, for example. example. That's a big demon. That's a big demon. To get a heart attack, that is a demon. To get a heart attack, that is a demon. And how it sneaks in and how we don't And how it sneaks in and how we don't know how to handle it know how to handle it is also a demonic system that doesn't

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is also a demonic system that doesn't know how to naturally prevent from heart know how to naturally prevent from heart attacks to come. attacks to come. That is greed and money. That is greed and money. So, can we beat those demons? So, can we beat those demons? Yes, Yes, we can. we can. Because I've been challenging my demons Because I've been challenging my demons so much that I'm able to go into science so much that I'm able to go into science as a dropout of school as a dropout of school and teach the professors and doctors and teach the professors and doctors where they don't have answers. where they don't have answers. Cuz I beat it, my demons, in nature. Cuz I beat it, my demons, in nature. I went on Mount Everest in my shorts. I I went on Mount Everest in my shorts. I lost away under the ice. I run marathons lost away under the ice. I run marathons in my shorts beyond the polar circle. in my shorts beyond the polar circle. Barefoot in the desert without drinking, Barefoot in the desert without drinking, hanging by one finger between two hot hanging by one finger between two hot air balloons in the freezing air balloons in the freezing temperatures. temperatures. I did it all I did it all and more. and more. At a certain moment, I felt, "Yeah, what

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At a certain moment, I felt, "Yeah, what else do I have to do? else do I have to do? It is no need anymore. I had no fantasy It is no need anymore. I had no fantasy anymore to come up with more than 26 anymore to come up with more than 26 world records. Now, what more that world records. Now, what more that doesn't make sense. Now, I'm done. I doesn't make sense. Now, I'm done. I filled my cup. filled my cup. Now, I'm ready to face the world. And Now, I'm ready to face the world. And then I started with people, with then I started with people, with people's demons. people's demons. Crohn's disease, cancer, arthritis, Crohn's disease, cancer, arthritis, asthma, uh heart disease. And hey, take asthma, uh heart disease. And hey, take a bunch of people, 26 of them, a bunch of people, 26 of them, and do something that is not able to be and do something that is not able to be done according to the physiologist, done according to the physiologist, climbing Kilimanjaro in a record time. climbing Kilimanjaro in a record time. It mountain that only can be done 5 to 9 It mountain that only can be done 5 to 9 days because you need to acclimatize. days because you need to acclimatize. And especially when you got conditions, And especially when you got conditions, you cannot do that. And those people, you cannot do that. And those people, they took on the challenge because I they took on the challenge because I said, "Let's do something that is never

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said, "Let's do something that is never been done. Let's show humanity that we been done. Let's show humanity that we can do more than we think." can do more than we think." And they took on the challenge. So, And they took on the challenge. So, their superpower was trust. their superpower was trust. Their superpower was that motivation Their superpower was that motivation that comes from trust. that comes from trust. Let's do this. We can do this. Let's do this. We can do this. What's up, y'all? I want to take a What's up, y'all? I want to take a moment and share a word from our moment and share a word from our sponsor. This podcast is brought to you sponsor. This podcast is brought to you by Kaizen. Kaizen is by far the cleanest by Kaizen. Kaizen is by far the cleanest electrolyte company that I have come electrolyte company that I have come across. They care so deeply about every across. They care so deeply about every individual ingredient that goes into individual ingredient that goes into these packets. They use microplastic these packets. They use microplastic free pink Himalayan sea salt. They use free pink Himalayan sea salt. They use organic flavors. Mixed Berry is by far organic flavors. Mixed Berry is by far my favorite. It's insanely delicious. It my favorite. It's insanely delicious. It tastes like you're eating or drinking tastes like you're eating or drinking real food. Sometimes electrolytes, they real food. Sometimes electrolytes, they have like a weird metallic battery esque have like a weird metallic battery esque type taste. This tastes like food. type taste. This tastes like food. Tastes organic. It tastes delicious. Uh Tastes organic. It tastes delicious. Uh in the lemon lime flavor, they actually

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realization of that soul. And it I don't need to do crazy stuff anymore. I want need to do crazy stuff anymore. I want to do crazy stuff with humanity. to do crazy stuff with humanity. And take on the challenges of the And take on the challenges of the problems of humanity, take them in and problems of humanity, take them in and show we can turn it around. show we can turn it around. Make this world a place where there is Make this world a place where there is no war. no war. Where there is no unhappiness. Where Where there is no unhappiness. Where there is health. Where there is there is health. Where there is strength. Where there is realization strength. Where there is realization that every person is unique and the best that every person is unique and the best within himself. within himself. Create a paradise. Was there a day in Create a paradise. Was there a day in your life that you transcended yourself? your life that you transcended yourself? Oh, many times. When? Many times. Oh, Oh, many times. When? Many times. Oh, that started in the day when that started in the day when I got into the cold water when I was 70. I got into the cold water when I was 70. This is it. This is it or I transcended This is it. This is it or I transcended my narrowed consciousness and got my narrowed consciousness and got connection with the depth of myself. connection with the depth of myself. Cuz that it is. And now we are showing Cuz that it is. And now we are showing this in brain scans how to this in brain scans how to activate 100% of the brain.

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activate 100% of the brain. And how to get the corona radiata, that And how to get the corona radiata, that is the crown chakra. That was about is the crown chakra. That was about enlightenment. To go beyond the thinking enlightenment. To go beyond the thinking brain. brain. That is what the yogis all about. I say, That is what the yogis all about. I say, "Yeah, just do that in within a half "Yeah, just do that in within a half hour." hour." What's the greatest lie people tell What's the greatest lie people tell themselves in modern culture that keeps themselves in modern culture that keeps them sick? The trickery of the mind. them sick? The trickery of the mind. Don't be in the trickery of the mind. Don't be in the trickery of the mind. Yeah, make yourself happy, strong, and Yeah, make yourself happy, strong, and healthy. You are built to be so. healthy. You are built to be so. And the tools are very simple. If you And the tools are very simple. If you take a cold bath, then you train your take a cold bath, then you train your cardiovascular system. And at the same cardiovascular system. And at the same time you are tackling killer number one time you are tackling killer number one in our modern society. That is in our modern society. That is cardiovascular related diseases. You cardiovascular related diseases. You make your heart strong. Cuz they did the make your heart strong. Cuz they did the test on me. Just what you did, I did too test on me. Just what you did, I did too 2 days ago with a cardiologist. And he 2 days ago with a cardiologist. And he took took tested me with a WhatsApp

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tested me with a WhatsApp not not a WhatsApp. What is a app? A not not a WhatsApp. What is a app? A app. And on the telephone. And then they app. And on the telephone. And then they saw I got a biological age of of my saw I got a biological age of of my heart, which is of a 18 year old. I'm heart, which is of a 18 year old. I'm 66. So, that is the way we are going to 66. So, that is the way we are going to tackle that sneaky serial killer tackle that sneaky serial killer cardiovascular related diseases. Because cardiovascular related diseases. Because if we go regularly in the cold, cold is if we go regularly in the cold, cold is not our enemy, it's our friend. not our enemy, it's our friend. Uh when we go regularly in the cold, Uh when we go regularly in the cold, then then uh we are able to improve the biological uh we are able to improve the biological age of our heart and prevent heart age of our heart and prevent heart attacks. Ooh, I cannot say that, huh? We attacks. Ooh, I cannot say that, huh? We cannot say that. Oh, no, because they cannot say that. Oh, no, because they want us weak. want us weak. And you cannot say that. No, I can say And you cannot say that. No, I can say that. It was It's common sense. And now that. It was It's common sense. And now we can measure it. So, it is beyond we can measure it. So, it is beyond speculation. speculation. Uh that that that that is enlightenment Uh that that that that is enlightenment for those who are going to are bound to

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for those who are going to are bound to get in heart attack. get in heart attack. >> Is there a they that wants us weak, or >> Is there a they that wants us weak, or is there a part of us that wants us is there a part of us that wants us weak? weak? Or is it both? Do we want to stay weak Or is it both? Do we want to stay weak ourselves? ourselves? >> We live too much comfort, too much uh >> We live too much comfort, too much uh thinking brain. And we got extension thinking brain. And we got extension tools, we got cars, we got eat eaters, tools, we got cars, we got eat eaters, we got air conditioning, we can cool it we got air conditioning, we can cool it out. It's always a comfortable state. We out. It's always a comfortable state. We never go into the uncomfortable state. never go into the uncomfortable state. And I say, if you don't go to the cold, And I say, if you don't go to the cold, then the cold will come to you. If you then the cold will come to you. If you don't go to the stress, then the stress don't go to the stress, then the stress will come to you. It's bound to happen, will come to you. It's bound to happen, and we got perfect systems to deal with and we got perfect systems to deal with that stress. But we have to learn to that stress. But we have to learn to uh to exercise those stress mechanisms. uh to exercise those stress mechanisms. Going into the cold, doing the breathing Going into the cold, doing the breathing you just did, you just did, is exactly the way to bio hack into is exactly the way to bio hack into those stress mechanisms, into the depth those stress mechanisms, into the depth of the brain, and to realign because of the brain, and to realign because consciously we do that, and we make a

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consciously we do that, and we make a neural pathway to the depth of the neural pathway to the depth of the brain. And then I say, if we are able to brain. And then I say, if we are able to go into the depth of the brain, then go into the depth of the brain, then where else can we not go in our society, where else can we not go in our society, our brain? They thought you only can uh our brain? They thought you only can uh uh control 16% of the brain according to uh control 16% of the brain according to neuro science. No, it's 100. neuro science. No, it's 100. 100%. This is our temple. It's connected 100%. This is our temple. It's connected to all the wires in the body, the to all the wires in the body, the central nervous system. It's all there central nervous system. It's all there and we should be able to go in our and we should be able to go in our temple into any place when there's temple into any place when there's something going on. Not simultaneous all something going on. Not simultaneous all the time everywhere. That is for an the time everywhere. That is for an addict. addict. No, that way sometimes you're in your No, that way sometimes you're in your living room, sometimes in the cellar, living room, sometimes in the cellar, sometimes in the bedroom, in the sometimes in the bedroom, in the bathroom. It's your time. Any place in bathroom. It's your time. Any place in your side, your own brain, you should be your side, your own brain, you should be able to access into. able to access into. And that is done by breathing. And that is done by breathing. Because it showed in brain scans that

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Because it showed in brain scans that suddenly 100% of the brain is at work. suddenly 100% of the brain is at work. And I showed this in brain scans too And I showed this in brain scans too that I'm able to go in parts of the that I'm able to go in parts of the brain they thought of is impossible to brain they thought of is impossible to go into. go into. And then And then we bring solutions where neuroscientists we bring solutions where neuroscientists have no solutions. have no solutions. Because it's not in the books, it's in Because it's not in the books, it's in the breath. You have climbed Mount the breath. You have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in shorts. You've been in Kilimanjaro in shorts. You've been in ice water for an hour and 52 minutes. ice water for an hour and 52 minutes. Yes. 52 minutes? 54, I think. 54 Yes. 52 minutes? 54, I think. 54 minutes. I think you swam under ice minutes. I think you swam under ice water for Is it 66 m? water for Is it 66 m? >> Yes. >> Yes. Um where does your mind go Um where does your mind go in those times that someone that has not in those times that someone that has not done something like that wouldn't done something like that wouldn't understand? Yeah. This is me. I was a understand? Yeah. This is me. I was a seeker seeker and trying to fight. And then television and trying to fight. And then television found me. found me. Television because I was already doing

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Television because I was already doing crazy stuff, crazy stuff, what normally is not done. what normally is not done. And they started to challenge me. And And they started to challenge me. And apparently I had created a foundation apparently I had created a foundation through my discipline that were enabled through my discipline that were enabled me me to do even more crazy stuff. So, they to do even more crazy stuff. So, they came up with 50 m and then 100 m and came up with 50 m and then 100 m and then climb climb a Mount Kilimanjaro, then climb climb a Mount Kilimanjaro, climb a Mount Everest. Can you walk climb a Mount Everest. Can you walk run a barefoot marathon beyond the polar run a barefoot marathon beyond the polar circle? Can you do the same in the circle? Can you do the same in the Sahara? Sahara? Anything. Television is crazy, not me. Anything. Television is crazy, not me. I'm just a seeker. I'm just a seeker. I want to find where are the limits, I want to find where are the limits, what is the soul all about. what is the soul all about. I didn't knew until I got this I didn't knew until I got this connection within me. So, every time I connection within me. So, every time I go into a record attempt, I just give it go into a record attempt, I just give it all I got. all I got. That is my philosophy. If you give all That is my philosophy. If you give all you got, then all is able to come. It you got, then all is able to come. It knows the subconsciousness knows what is

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knows the subconsciousness knows what is going to happen. going to happen. I've been climbing walls I've been climbing walls like like free climbing, free soloing. Been under free climbing, free soloing. Been under the ice. It's always there. You give it the ice. It's always there. You give it all, all, you get it all. Or in other words, your you get it all. Or in other words, your instincts are able to calculate instincts are able to calculate subconsciously what is going to happen. subconsciously what is going to happen. And if I feel good, I know it's going to And if I feel good, I know it's going to succeed. succeed. I trust that. What's happening in your I trust that. What's happening in your mind? Do you experience fear in those mind? Do you experience fear in those situations? Do you experience doubt in situations? Do you experience doubt in those situations? How do you navigate those situations? How do you navigate those situations? those situations? >> Yeah, doubt and fear, both. >> Yeah, doubt and fear, both. They are all there until they subside. They are all there until they subside. How do you navigate it? How do you navigate it? Oh, very simple. You follow your breath. Oh, very simple. You follow your breath. And you feel. And you feel. Your feeling already knows. Your feeling already knows. You don't need to think about this. Your You don't need to think about this. Your feeling knows. Feeling is the feeling knows. Feeling is the understanding. And if it stays cool, I understanding. And if it stays cool, I just trust it. just trust it. And it knows that you're going to swim

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And it knows that you're going to swim 66 m. It knows that you're going to run 66 m. It knows that you're going to run in marathon. It knows that you It knows in marathon. It knows that you It knows things in time. things in time. Not to happen Not to happen happen any accident or the many times in happen any accident or the many times in the mountains the mountains I got these moments. I just don't go I got these moments. I just don't go that way. I go just 1 m that way or 1 YD that way. I go just 1 m that way or 1 YD THAT WAY. BOOM! THAT WAY. BOOM! ROCK. ROCK. I FOLLOW THAT FEELING. I FOLLOW THAT FEELING. I trust that feeling. I trust that feeling. While climbing without gear While climbing without gear steep rocks steep rocks and and there comes. I saw this too many and and there comes. I saw this too many times. I trust times. I trust my God. my God. To me, that is God. To me, that is God. When have you been the most afraid in When have you been the most afraid in your life? Most afraid? I mean, when you get lost under the ice I mean, when you get lost under the ice you think you're going to be afraid.

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you think you're going to be afraid. But I wasn't. But I wasn't. There was no agony. There was no agony. There was no claustrophobia. There was no claustrophobia. There was no lack of air. I was There was no lack of air. I was peaceful. peaceful. There is always this power There is always this power inside that is stronger than any fear. inside that is stronger than any fear. When your brain is opening up 100% that When your brain is opening up 100% that is done by the breathing is done by the breathing then fear is only saying, "Hey, you are then fear is only saying, "Hey, you are not ready for the moment that is going not ready for the moment that is going to come." to come." So, before I do record attempts, I get So, before I do record attempts, I get not fears, I get messages. not fears, I get messages. Messages. And it's like fear. Hey, if Messages. And it's like fear. Hey, if you're not ready, then this is no good you're not ready, then this is no good for what you are going to do. So, get for what you are going to do. So, get ready. ready. At that moment I I take the message At that moment I I take the message serious or the fear. serious or the fear. And And when I'm into into the record attempt, when I'm into into the record attempt, I'm cleansed. I'm ready. I know it knows I'm cleansed. I'm ready. I know it knows in time what is going to happen and then

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in time what is going to happen and then it's just unfolding. it's just unfolding. Why do you think people are afraid of Why do you think people are afraid of death? death? Because they don't know it's not the Because they don't know it's not the end. end. They think it is the end. They think it is the end. Because we are too hedonistic. Because we are too hedonistic. We are too materialistic. We are too materialistic. We are never been schooled that the soul We are never been schooled that the soul is is indestructible, indestructible, everlasting. everlasting. That there is metaphysically a life That there is metaphysically a life before and after death. before and after death. That we never die. That we never die. That it is beyond our comprehension. That it is beyond our comprehension. If we stay in that narrow consciousness If we stay in that narrow consciousness of that comprehension, we of course we of that comprehension, we of course we are afraid of dying because we think we are afraid of dying because we think we this is the end. It is not the end. this is the end. It is not the end. It is It is It What was it? It What was it? It is like It is like what you said this morning. what you said this morning. We met. It's like We met. It's like Ram Dass who say That is like taking off Ram Dass who say That is like taking off tight shoes. tight shoes. Death is taking off tight shoes.

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Death is taking off tight shoes. There it is. And it's not for nothing. There it is. And it's not for nothing. These people have a different These people have a different consciousness. consciousness. And And I see it that way. I'm not And And I see it that way. I'm not afraid of death. I'm afraid not to live. afraid of death. I'm afraid not to live. How could someone How could someone learn learn or or integrate integrate that lesson of that lesson of relieving themselves of the fear of relieving themselves of the fear of death now? death now? By going with the breath, the life By going with the breath, the life force. Life is stronger than death. force. Life is stronger than death. Go with life. Life is miraculous. Go to Go with life. Life is miraculous. Go to life. life. And miraculously, you will free yourself And miraculously, you will free yourself of death. of death. Of the fear of death. Of the fear of death. Cuz you will be one with the soul. Cuz you will be one with the soul. And once you get into the purpose of And once you get into the purpose of realizing that soul, realizing that soul, you will realize perfectly that you are you will realize perfectly that you are not going to die ever anymore. That you

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not going to die ever anymore. That you are here to be everlasting. are here to be everlasting. There is no fear in the brain that is There is no fear in the brain that is fully opened up because you are ready fully opened up because you are ready for anything. for anything. What were your parents like? Poor. Industrial. Industrial. Uh Uh father was not able to work even because father was not able to work even because he had like 10 hernias operations had he had like 10 hernias operations had done. He was always at home. My mother done. He was always at home. My mother was God-fearing. was God-fearing. Taking care of us. Nine children. Taking care of us. Nine children. I was exactly in the middle. I was exactly in the middle. I loved my mother. I loved my mother. It was my mother actually. It was my mother actually. As me being the twins. As me being the twins. Uh identical and all. They never knew Uh identical and all. They never knew there was a second one and it was me. there was a second one and it was me. At birth and I almost came to At birth and I almost came to the light to the life here on Earth the light to the life here on Earth too late. Suffocated. Purple.

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too late. Suffocated. Purple. But before coming But before coming my mother was praying that she was my mother was praying that she was uh uh in fear. Not only God-fearing, but also in fear. Not only God-fearing, but also in fear to lose the life of this baby in fear to lose the life of this baby back then. A little nothing back then. A little nothing in her. in her. And she prayed, "Oh God, And she prayed, "Oh God, let this child live. I will make him a let this child live. I will make him a missionary." missionary." Here I am right now. Here I am right now. So, So, back then back then those words invoked like a tattoo those words invoked like a tattoo on my soul. on my soul. Into my cells. Into my genetics. Into my cells. Into my genetics. Epigenetics. Call it whatever it is. Epigenetics. Call it whatever it is. A A power of a mother who is in love A A power of a mother who is in love with the baby to come. with the baby to come. God-fearing. God-fearing. Is enormous. Is a spell. Is enormous. Is a spell. And I got it. And I got it. And I grew up. And I grew up. And when I was 12, I started

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And when I was 12, I started subconsciously subconsciously telling my friends telling my friends the world is thinking the world is thinking that death, that the fear of death, that that death, that the fear of death, that the darkness, that wars, that disease, the darkness, that wars, that disease, depression, pollution is normal. I think depression, pollution is normal. I think it is sick. That was part of the it is sick. That was part of the mission. The missionary, of course. But mission. The missionary, of course. But I wasn't aware. I was just driven by my I wasn't aware. I was just driven by my gut, by my subconscious. When I was 17, gut, by my subconscious. When I was 17, I came to the realization cold, the I came to the realization cold, the stress, because I was born in the cold stress, because I was born in the cold of the hall, almost suffocated. When you of the hall, almost suffocated. When you almost suffocated, you feel you become almost suffocated, you feel you become hypersensitive. hypersensitive. And you feel the cold even more. And you feel the cold even more. So, when I got into the cold, I So, when I got into the cold, I remembered, I recognized a power. This remembered, I recognized a power. This is it. I'm looking for. But I was on the is it. I'm looking for. But I was on the way to build up my state of being a way to build up my state of being a missionary. missionary. And I went on doing all kinds of crazy

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And I went on doing all kinds of crazy stuff, going into the extremes, learning stuff, going into the extremes, learning Sanskrit, learning Japanese, all kinds Sanskrit, learning Japanese, all kinds of more languages and traditions and of more languages and traditions and esoteric disciplines. And when I came esoteric disciplines. And when I came or or when I lost my wife when I lost my wife in '95, in '95, it's uh it's uh what is it? 30 31 years ago. what is it? 30 31 years ago. I was left alone with four kids children I was left alone with four kids children alone. alone. Then I took up the ice again so strongly Then I took up the ice again so strongly because it was the only way to heal my because it was the only way to heal my emotional wound emotional wound inside and to serve non-sentimentally inside and to serve non-sentimentally my kids, my kids, my little babies, and to create a warm my little babies, and to create a warm nest. There I beat depression. There I nest. There I beat depression. There I beat grief, emotional grief. I got a beat grief, emotional grief. I got a hold over all that. hold over all that. Then Then fast forward in 2007 in New York fast forward in 2007 in New York at Being and Manhasset, New York

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at Being and Manhasset, New York Biochemical Institute with Dr. Kevin Biochemical Institute with Dr. Kevin Tracy, New York State Tracy, New York State healthcare man number one. Under his healthcare man number one. Under his supervision, I got to be tested for supervision, I got to be tested for seeing if I after the day before doing a seeing if I after the day before doing a world record in New York in the streets world record in New York in the streets in front of the Rubin Museum of Art, I in front of the Rubin Museum of Art, I was to do a experiment to see if I was was to do a experiment to see if I was able to intervene to influence deeply able to intervene to influence deeply into the vagus nerve. into the vagus nerve. And there I was And there I was not knowing what this experiment was all not knowing what this experiment was all about. But about. But hey, I got a chance to show that we can hey, I got a chance to show that we can do more than we think. Here the blood do more than we think. Here the blood was taken and here I was connected to was taken and here I was connected to the heart and lung meter. the heart and lung meter. So I started to do my breathing cuz So I started to do my breathing cuz that's what I always do. Then they took out beep beep beep beep the

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the machine said the long and heart beat cuz machine said the long and heart beat cuz I was longer than 2 minutes without I was longer than 2 minutes without breathing. breathing. It thinks the person is dead, flatline. It thinks the person is dead, flatline. And they took it out. They took And they took it out. They took brought in another machine. And a few brought in another machine. And a few minutes later beep beep beep again. And minutes later beep beep beep again. And then another machine. And then the third then another machine. And then the third one I was really hot. So I gave it all I one I was really hot. So I gave it all I got. got. And there and a week later I got the And there and a week later I got the results. results. Nobody else has shown how to influence Nobody else has shown how to influence deeply into the vagus nerve. deeply into the vagus nerve. But I did. But I did. And not a little bit. And not a little bit. There here I got Dr. Ken Kamler on the There here I got Dr. Ken Kamler on the line. So I look over the Central Park line. So I look over the Central Park from the ninth floor in a hotel there from the ninth floor in a hotel there and he tells me Wim, if you are able to and he tells me Wim, if you are able to reproduce this, reproduce this, that means huge consequences for human that means huge consequences for human mankind. mankind. And there the missionary And there the missionary started to be started to be consciously, of course I can do this.

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consciously, of course I can do this. Cuz it is breathing. Cuz it is breathing. Anybody can do this. Anybody can do this. We can beat inflammation We can beat inflammation by just using the breath. That is my by just using the breath. That is my mission. mission. To bring this now. To bring this now. The mission partially is done cuz the The mission partially is done cuz the cold now is being done by hundreds and cold now is being done by hundreds and millions of people. It's mainstream now. millions of people. It's mainstream now. Now the breathing. Now the breathing. Because it will be able to show how to Because it will be able to show how to de-traumatize de-traumatize even ancestral even ancestral by which we can stop the difference by which we can stop the difference between populations with that the war. between populations with that the war. Cuz a happy man doesn't go to war. A Cuz a happy man doesn't go to war. A happy man is not into greed. happy man is not into greed. So at that moment the missionary was So at that moment the missionary was had begun. It had triggered me. had begun. It had triggered me. And half hour later I got a phone call And half hour later I got a phone call from my family that my mother had died. from my family that my mother had died. You see how it links You see how it links with my birth

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with my birth and 52 years later I get that message. and 52 years later I get that message. There was the missionary. There was the missionary. She invoked it. There I am. She invoked it. There I am. Here I am Here I am to spread a message coming to spread a message coming from the innocence of a mother in love from the innocence of a mother in love and fear. and fear. God-fearing. God-fearing. Let's take a moment and share a word Let's take a moment and share a word from our sponsor. This podcast is from our sponsor. This podcast is brought to you by AX3 BioPure brought to you by AX3 BioPure Astaxanthin. I am personally very Astaxanthin. I am personally very excited about Astaxanthin from AX3 excited about Astaxanthin from AX3 because Astaxanthin is hands-down one of because Astaxanthin is hands-down one of the strongest natural compounds on the the strongest natural compounds on the face of the planet to support in face of the planet to support in longevity by reducing chronic longevity by reducing chronic inflammation in body and also reducing inflammation in body and also reducing oxidative stress on the body. So, it's oxidative stress on the body. So, it's very helpful for the health and the very helpful for the health and the youthfulness of your skin. So, it youthfulness of your skin. So, it supports your skin in being more elastic supports your skin in being more elastic and hydrated and plump and healthy. It's and hydrated and plump and healthy. It's also supportive with reducing also supportive with reducing inflammation, not just the joints and inflammation, not just the joints and the muscles,

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Was Wim Hof in 1995 when he was going into when he was going into cold water to cold water to Why was he doing that? What brought you Why was he doing that? What brought you to cold and did you feel strong at that to cold and did you feel strong at that time? time? I was a mountain guide. I was a mountain guide. I was strong like you know, like a I was strong like you know, like a mountain goat. mountain goat. Yeah, really. I I I remember climbing a Yeah, really. I I I remember climbing a mountain mountain climbing a mountain and climbing a mountain and I was so fast I was so fast that on the way back running down from that on the way back running down from the mountain in the Pyrenees from 3,500 the mountain in the Pyrenees from 3,500 m. What is that in feet? m. What is that in feet? 10,000 ft, something like that. I did it 10,000 ft, something like that. I did it in 1 hour go back from the in 1 hour go back from the refuge from 2,000 to from 6,600 refuge from 2,000 to from 6,600 ft to 10,000 ft and back in 1 hour and 1 ft to 10,000 ft and back in 1 hour and 1 quarter. quarter. I run up the mountain and I run back and I run up the mountain and I run back and I remember this moment where I run I remember this moment where I run around a rock and there was a mountain

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around a rock and there was a mountain goat and the mountain goat was goat and the mountain goat was and I run past. and I run past. Yeah? Yeah? Yeah, really is so. That makes me the Yeah, really is so. That makes me the goat, man. You're the goat. Yeah, yeah, goat, man. You're the goat. Yeah, yeah, yeah. yeah. I'm the goat. That thing was back then I I'm the goat. That thing was back then I was strong. was strong. I was fast. I was fast. And I And I every day you could find me in the every day you could find me in the mountains with people. mountains with people. I brought the people into canyoning, I brought the people into canyoning, mountaineering, mountaineering, uh all that hiking, uh all that hiking, doing pointing like bungee jumps and all doing pointing like bungee jumps and all that I did all the time. Thousands of that I did all the time. Thousands of people. So, I was working in the in the people. So, I was working in the in the in the mountains when the accident or in the mountains when the accident or the suicide happened 250 km away. What the suicide happened 250 km away. What was the emotional pain like for you? was the emotional pain like for you? Yeah. Yeah. Emptiness. Emptiness. Um Um emptiness. Cuz I I I

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emptiness. Cuz I I I sort of subconsciously I had it seen sort of subconsciously I had it seen coming coming but without being able to intervene. but without being able to intervene. But I had to take also care of four But I had to take also care of four kids. kids. So, it doesn't permit you to grief. You So, it doesn't permit you to grief. You have got to be there for the kids. have got to be there for the kids. And I I was there for the kids and of And I I was there for the kids and of course we have been grieving and she is course we have been grieving and she is here right now. here right now. She has made us strong as a family. She has made us strong as a family. I work with those kids who are adults I work with those kids who are adults now. Uh we I got a company. We work all now. Uh we I got a company. We work all over the world and we bring goodness. over the world and we bring goodness. And she looks over our shoulders. There And she looks over our shoulders. There is contact with the afterlife. Yeah. is contact with the afterlife. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. If we understand it not through this If we understand it not through this language and thoughts, but it is there. language and thoughts, but it is there. Absolutely there. Absolutely there. And we are simply about to what we feel And we are simply about to what we feel is right. is right. And she is with us. And she is with us. So, back then

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So, back then uh uh we had to grieve and we grieved we had to grieve and we grieved together. We sticked together. We together. We sticked together. We created a warmth a warm nest. And they created a warmth a warm nest. And they trusted. They trusted me. trusted. They trusted me. And now we are working together and we And now we are working together and we and all is great. and all is great. But But this is the way it went. And we Yeah, it this is the way it went. And we Yeah, it it had a big impact in our lives. it had a big impact in our lives. It It it it My my children didn't want to have My my children didn't want to have children because they suffered the death children because they suffered the death of their mother in their lives. of their mother in their lives. And they subconsciously they had the And they subconsciously they had the fear uh if I have a kid, I can fear uh if I have a kid, I can one of them can lose their lives and one of them can lose their lives and then the kid is without then the kid is without a mother or a father. So, it took them a mother or a father. So, it took them almost 40 years to become fathers and almost 40 years to become fathers and mothers. Well, I started when I was 23 mothers. Well, I started when I was 23 to have kids with my wife back then.

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to have kids with my wife back then. When you felt empty, When you felt empty, how did you become how did you become full? Uh going into the cold water. Cold water Cold water uh healed me. My children made me uh healed me. My children made me survive. The cold water healed me. How? survive. The cold water healed me. How? How? How? When you go into the cold water, you When you go into the cold water, you don't think. don't think. When you are into grief, you keep on When you are into grief, you keep on ruminating. Why? How? Why? Why? Why? ruminating. Why? How? Why? Why? Why? Why? It's painful. Cuz a broken heart is Why? It's painful. Cuz a broken heart is painful. painful. It's neurotoxic. It's real pain. Broken It's neurotoxic. It's real pain. Broken heart syndrome. Yes. heart syndrome. Yes. Broken heart syndrome is physical. Broken heart syndrome is physical. So, that physicality can be overcome by So, that physicality can be overcome by going into the cold because then you get going into the cold because then you get into the endocannabinoid system. You get into the endocannabinoid system. You get the opioids. You get the cannabinoids. the opioids. You get the cannabinoids. And you get past this rumination cuz you And you get past this rumination cuz you are no longer thinking. You are in this

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are no longer thinking. You are in this non-thinking part of the brain where the non-thinking part of the brain where the healing starts. So, I opened the door a healing starts. So, I opened the door a little bit for not ruminating, for not little bit for not ruminating, for not have a to indulge into that pain. have a to indulge into that pain. And that opened the door for healing. And that opened the door for healing. It were my children who made me survive. It were my children who made me survive. But the cold healed me. So, it can heal But the cold healed me. So, it can heal anybody else. anybody else. When you How long have you held your When you How long have you held your breath? I got a friend from Croatia. from Croatia. He's the current world record holder. 29 He's the current world record holder. 29 minutes? minutes? >> 29 minutes and I don't know some >> 29 minutes and I don't know some seconds. seconds. >> Yeah. And he was driven by his daughter >> Yeah. And he was driven by his daughter by his daughter by his daughter who is autistic. who is autistic. And he still when I we met when we met, And he still when I we met when we met, he cried with me. he cried with me. Cuz in the end we want to be men taking Cuz in the end we want to be men taking care of our children.

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care of our children. Not to beat somebody else or to be a Not to beat somebody else or to be a world record holder. Yeah. It is time world record holder. Yeah. It is time that we learn to protect our children. that we learn to protect our children. And how it is best done not by competing And how it is best done not by competing but by becoming the best within but by becoming the best within ourselves by emotional regulation. ourselves by emotional regulation. and passing it on. and passing it on. Cuz a lot of children, Cuz a lot of children, young and old, they have cancer. How young and old, they have cancer. How come? come? Because it is stressed past genetically. Because it is stressed past genetically. Because we didn't work out in our past Because we didn't work out in our past generations how to solve traumas. generations how to solve traumas. I think it is time now. I think it is time now. Time for the soul to take care of the Time for the soul to take care of the soul. To detraumatize. soul. To detraumatize. To free the world of wars. To free the To free the world of wars. To free the children of disease. To free the children of disease. To free the generations of those impediments. generations of those impediments. And now we got all the the the And now we got all the the the measurement devices, the brain scans, measurement devices, the brain scans, the fMRI's. We can look with apps how we

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the fMRI's. We can look with apps how we do and all. do and all. We are able to the cell We are able to the cell uh to measure how to free ourselves and uh to measure how to free ourselves and to help the condition of the cell to the to help the condition of the cell to the primordial depth. primordial depth. How to be sane. How to be sane. To be free. To be free. To be enlightened. To be enlightened. But But practically, if a person is holding practically, if a person is holding their breath for, you know, if they want their breath for, you know, if they want to hold their breath for 5 minutes or to hold their breath for 5 minutes or so. so. What is How would you coach a person on What is How would you coach a person on a breath hold? Because inevitably a breath hold? Because inevitably tension builds up. You start squeezing tension builds up. You start squeezing your neck. You start squeezing your your neck. You start squeezing your shoulders. Maybe you start trying to shoulders. Maybe you start trying to resist it. You feel like you're falling resist it. You feel like you're falling apart. You're freaking out. How do you apart. You're freaking out. How do you coach a person through a hard situation coach a person through a hard situation like that to be able to do what seems like that to be able to do what seems impossible? impossible? We all have a different conditioning. We all have a different conditioning. And I use the breath And I use the breath to biohack into that conditioning to go to biohack into that conditioning to go past that conditioned state.

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past that conditioned state. Is it 3 minutes you need? Is it 2 Is it 3 minutes you need? Is it 2 minutes? Is it 5 minutes? Is it 7 minutes? Is it 5 minutes? Is it 7 minutes? It doesn't matter. minutes? It doesn't matter. You have the power to overcome your You have the power to overcome your conditioned state. conditioned state. The entrapment inside The entrapment inside and to expand your consciousness and to expand your consciousness using the breath. using the breath. It will show how many minutes. You will It will show how many minutes. You will just follow your feeling and your just follow your feeling and your feeling knows feeling knows how to go and how long to go and how far how to go and how long to go and how far to go. And you Everybody has got the to go. And you Everybody has got the power to use the breath power to use the breath 2 minutes, 1 minute, 6 minutes, 12 2 minutes, 1 minute, 6 minutes, 12 minutes, doesn't matter. minutes, doesn't matter. Follow your feeling. Don't force Follow your feeling. Don't force yourself. You have the power and the yourself. You have the power and the right to go past your narrow right to go past your narrow consciousness or your conditioned state consciousness or your conditioned state where you are entrapped where you are entrapped to become enlightened. to become enlightened. You were injected with E. coli and you You were injected with E. coli and you were able to were able to fight that infection off in a in a

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fight that infection off in a in a pretty short amount of time. pretty short amount of time. Uh Uh what are are you doing within your mind what are are you doing within your mind while that's happening without while that's happening without I know breath. Yes. But the mind I would I know breath. Yes. But the mind I would imagine is guiding the breath. Like imagine is guiding the breath. Like where is your mind in that situation? where is your mind in that situation? The The The mindset is you give you give The The The mindset is you give you give what you got. what you got. Don't mind about nothing, just a breath. Don't mind about nothing, just a breath. Fully in. Fully in. Let it go. Let it go. Fully in. Let it go. Get in trance. Fully in. Let it go. Get in trance. Trance is when you leave the thinking Trance is when you leave the thinking brain and you get into the mammalian brain and you get into the mammalian brain. brain. It's just following the breath. It's It's just following the breath. It's like singing. like singing. When you sing, you are no longer in the When you sing, you are no longer in the human mind. You are singing in the human mind. You are singing in the mammalian. You get into the vagus nerve. mammalian. You get into the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is there to regenerate, The vagus nerve is there to regenerate, rehabilitate, to take care of the rehabilitate, to take care of the inflammation. inflammation. And we found it now. And we found it now. So, back then I didn't know that.

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So, back then I didn't know that. But I just followed Hey, you give all But I just followed Hey, you give all you got. you got. That's what I got. That's what I got. Then God will come Then God will come cuz you are no longer there. No ego, we cuz you are no longer there. No ego, we go. There's no visualization. There is go. There's no visualization. There is no visualization. no visualization. >> auto pilot >> auto pilot >> belief, the faith. I feel I feel I can >> belief, the faith. I feel I feel I can do more than we think is possible with do more than we think is possible with the immune system. That was my challenge the immune system. That was my challenge back then. back then. And they said that it's not possible to And they said that it's not possible to bring down the E. coli bacteria bring down the E. coli bacteria injected. We got this in 16,134 times. Everybody became sick for 3 to 6 times. Everybody became sick for 3 to 6 hours. Controlled experiment. hours. Controlled experiment. So you, what you say, yeah, I'm I'm so So you, what you say, yeah, I'm I'm so sorry, but we cannot really believe what sorry, but we cannot really believe what you say is true. you say is true. No, but let's try because you are a No, but let's try because you are a guy who's doing strange stuff. Okay, guy who's doing strange stuff. Okay, let's go. let's go. Injected me and at the moment

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Injected me and at the moment uh when the professor came there, yeah, uh when the professor came there, yeah, you can wait 1 to 1 and 1/2 hour, then you can wait 1 to 1 and 1/2 hour, then it will be it will be then you're going to know notice for then you're going to know notice for real real what the E. coli bacteria is doing. So what the E. coli bacteria is doing. So you don't need to do anything. No, I you don't need to do anything. No, I said, you are injecting me now. I will said, you are injecting me now. I will bring in the life force, the breath bring in the life force, the breath right here, right now and change my right here, right now and change my blood's chemistry. blood's chemistry. And what I did is preventing And what I did is preventing uh uh or I activated the adrenal axis so or I activated the adrenal axis so that the bacteria never had a chance to that the bacteria never had a chance to grow into grow into into inflammation. into inflammation. I prevented the E. coli bacteria which I prevented the E. coli bacteria which normally makes the people sick. We can't normally makes the people sick. We can't do anything. We stopped it at the like a do anything. We stopped it at the like a bouncer outside the door. No, you are bouncer outside the door. No, you are not going to go in. There's space enough not going to go in. There's space enough over there, but not here. over there, but not here. Inside my body. Is there inner

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Inside my body. Is there inner self-talk? self-talk? No, just follow the breath. No, just follow the breath. You're just bringing your awareness into You're just bringing your awareness into your breath, nothing else. your breath, nothing else. >> Yes. You're not driving energy through >> Yes. You're not driving energy through visualization or bringing visualization or bringing more awareness to breath. The more awareness to breath. The you know chi, the chi gong, the you know chi, the chi gong, the vipassanas that uh vipassanas that uh we got that all done. we got that all done. Uh even the Catholic churches come and Uh even the Catholic churches come and they say uh this is a highly esoteric they say uh this is a highly esoteric and mystical discipline. and mystical discipline. You don't need 20 years of teaching and You don't need 20 years of teaching and learning about the trickery of the mind, learning about the trickery of the mind, how to stop it. Just breathe. That's why how to stop it. Just breathe. That's why I call it it's French, breathe, I call it it's French, breathe, [ __ ] [ __ ] You know, yeah, You know, yeah, just do it. And and was a woman asking just do it. And and was a woman asking me is it me is it I don't want to be vulgar, but I cannot I don't want to be vulgar, but I cannot say that, no? say that, no? But I said it so anyway. So I said, "How But I said it so anyway. So I said, "How do I have to breathe through one day's

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do I have to breathe through one day's nostril or diaphragmatic or through the nostril or diaphragmatic or through the mouth or the the lungs or or mouth or the the lungs or or simultaneous or or what?" I said, "Babe, simultaneous or or what?" I said, "Babe, doesn't matter what kind of hole you doesn't matter what kind of hole you use, just get it in." use, just get it in." You know, make fun out of it because we You know, make fun out of it because we make it too difficult. We tend to make make it too difficult. We tend to make things complicated while it is not. things complicated while it is not. We are here with the breath, with the We are here with the breath, with the life force, with the right life force, with the right to become the masters of our mind and to become the masters of our mind and the captains of our soul. the captains of our soul. Is life serious? Is life serious? Seriously not. Seriously not. Make jokes, but get the First get the Make jokes, but get the First get the job done and then have fun. job done and then have fun. That's the way I go. So I got That's the way I go. So I got I I was talking to I I was talking to a surgeon, one of the authorities in the a surgeon, one of the authorities in the world in neurosurgery in Germany in world in neurosurgery in Germany in Hanover. He's got a building that looks Hanover. He's got a building that looks like a head. like a head. Like a brain. Like a brain. And uh And uh on top of the uh there in the in the

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on top of the uh there in the in the building talking 3 hours long. He tried building talking 3 hours long. He tried to trap me in this scientific knowledge, to trap me in this scientific knowledge, etc. He could not. And I made sense, and etc. He could not. And I made sense, and he knew it. And then he was talking he knew it. And then he was talking about his dog. Oh, yeah, you are right about his dog. Oh, yeah, you are right about the adrenal axis. That is the way about the adrenal axis. That is the way we can learn to cleanse ourselves we can learn to cleanse ourselves through the breath. Oh, yeah, makes through the breath. Oh, yeah, makes sense because I got this big Afghan dog. sense because I got this big Afghan dog. And every Sunday I go out and And every Sunday I go out and and she is beautiful. She's sensitive as and she is beautiful. She's sensitive as a horse. a horse. What a lining, what a beautiful face and What a lining, what a beautiful face and all. And she's a lady. So, all. And she's a lady. So, we go out to the lake. It's a big fence we go out to the lake. It's a big fence there. And and she goes behind the there. And and she goes behind the bushes, does her droppings, comes back, bushes, does her droppings, comes back, and she is fast as the wind suddenly. and she is fast as the wind suddenly. Because she activated the adrenal axis. Because she activated the adrenal axis. She flies over the fence. And she comes She flies over the fence. And she comes to her, and she there she is. Yeah, that that's the way he was convinced that what I was saying was

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convinced that what I was saying was true. true. And then he he came with a dilemma, And then he he came with a dilemma, which is a real right now in our modern which is a real right now in our modern lives with a for our the new generation, lives with a for our the new generation, iPads iPads and telephones. and telephones. Children tend to go like 8 hours and Children tend to go like 8 hours and more on iPads more on iPads and all that. and all that. Even in the schools we use iPads now and Even in the schools we use iPads now and all. all. So, but our brain is built to have So, but our brain is built to have stimulation all the time from all sides. stimulation all the time from all sides. It's our central nervous system. It's our central nervous system. So, what they saw in brains of children So, what they saw in brains of children is that the brains are shrinking. is that the brains are shrinking. That is going to be a real problem. Then That is going to be a real problem. Then I said, "I know how to solve that. I said, "I know how to solve that. Breathing. Breathing. Because we are able by Because we are able by pressing the spinal fluid to the head to pressing the spinal fluid to the head to activate 100% of the brain, to alkalize activate 100% of the brain, to alkalize it and to get rid of brain waste. it and to get rid of brain waste. So, anything you don't used you don't

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So, anything you don't used you don't use, it get gets optimized again with use, it get gets optimized again with the right blood flow. That's the way to the right blood flow. That's the way to deal with this. deal with this. Okay, and then he started with jokes. Okay, and then he started with jokes. He came up with this joke. He said yeah, He came up with this joke. He said yeah, sorry, I'm talking about the president sorry, I'm talking about the president of America, of America, not Trump but Biden. not Trump but Biden. And And he said this joke, he said this joke, take your life serious. Hey, jokes are take your life serious. Hey, jokes are also there. also there. So, take it lightly. So, take it lightly. He said Mr. Mr. Mr. Biden He said Mr. Mr. Mr. Biden that you have a brain and it that you have a brain and it works funny lately. works funny lately. That was in the time of Biden, President That was in the time of Biden, President Biden. It works funny. That we have Biden. It works funny. That we have examined your brain. You got two parts examined your brain. You got two parts in your brain. in your brain. That's the results of our examination. That's the results of our examination. Thorough examination. Thorough examination. And there's a left side and there's a And there's a left side and there's a right side. right side. In the right side in the left side, In the right side in the left side, nothing is right and in the

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nothing is right and in the right side, there is nothing left. right side, there is nothing left. That was a joke in the neurosurgery, That was a joke in the neurosurgery, yeah. This is the top, huh. yeah. This is the top, huh. And then I said, I got a joke, too. And then I said, I got a joke, too. Hey man, Hey man, it's not a joke, maybe it's real. There it's not a joke, maybe it's real. There was a 100 was a 100 woman, 102 years old in her birthday. woman, 102 years old in her birthday. And but she looks hot. And but she looks hot. IT'S AMAZING. 102 AND YOU LOOK HOT. THAT IT'S AMAZING. 102 AND YOU LOOK HOT. THAT ALREADY IS A MIRACLE. SO, THERE SHE is ALREADY IS A MIRACLE. SO, THERE SHE is and she is talking to this journalist and she is talking to this journalist and the journalist is saying, how come and the journalist is saying, how come you look so you look so you look so also hardly YOU COULD GET you look so also hardly YOU COULD GET OUT OF his words. I said OUT OF his words. I said so hot. so hot. And she's saying, sex and rock and And she's saying, sex and rock and roll." And they answer, "Oh, yeah. roll." And they answer, "Oh, yeah. What what what When was the What What What what what When was the What What was the last time you had sex?" They was the last time you had sex?" They say, "1945." say, "1945." "Oh, but that is a long time ago."

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"Oh, but that is a long time ago." "Yeah, it's 2015 now." "Yeah, it's 2015 now." You see? You see? We joke, We joke, but we first we get the job done. but we first we get the job done. If the new generation is going to suffer If the new generation is going to suffer from brain shrinkage, from brain shrinkage, deterioration of neural activity in the deterioration of neural activity in the brain resulting in very bad new kinds of brain resulting in very bad new kinds of diseases, diseases, then we are here to take care of our then we are here to take care of our children, ain't we? children, ain't we? There we are. There we are. We are men, we get the job done, and We are men, we get the job done, and then we have fun. then we have fun. Amen. Yes. Amen. Yes. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Thank you, Aaron. Thank you, Aaron. Thank you Thank you so much for bringing Thank you Thank you so much for bringing me here and letting me talk almost me here and letting me talk almost monologuing, but that is because you can monologuing, but that is because you can listen. listen. Thank you very much. Yeah, brother. Thank you very much. Yeah, brother. Thank you. I bow to you. Thank you, Thank you. I bow to you. Thank you, brother. Appreciate you. Yes. Thank you guys so much for watching. If you enjoyed that much for watching. If you enjoyed that episode, you might also enjoy this episode, you might also enjoy this episode over here, as well as this one

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episode over here, as well as this one over here. Thanks for subscribing. over here. Thanks for subscribing. Appreciate you. I'll see you in the next Appreciate you. I'll see you in the next video.

Transcript auto-generated by YouTube. Verbatim — duplicates intentionally preserved.

The Protocol Of Cold, Breath, And Control

Hof reduces the work to three qualities: health, happiness, and strength. The simplicity is deliberate. Health means the body can respond. Happiness means the inner chemistry can move toward balance. Strength means energy can be directed instead of wasted in resistance.

He speaks of the immune system, the endocrine system, and the pharmacy within, but the promise is not hidden in terminology. The promise is felt as vitality, steadier mood, and a clearer sense of command. You are not a passive passenger inside stress; you can train the systems that meet it.

Cold exposure is the first doorway. When you enter cold deliberately, the body wakes up. Hof describes energy beginning to flow, the cardiovascular system receiving a direct challenge, and the cells being asked to work with more oxygen. In plain terms, the practice can leave you more alert, more capable, and more connected to your own physical presence.

He also names the mitochondria, the energy factories of the cell, as part of this response. That mechanism matters because energy is not an idea; it is the felt capacity to stand upright, breathe fully, and recover from demand. Cold becomes a precise stress that teaches the body to generate steadiness under pressure.

Cold is not our enemy, it's our friend.

Breathwork is the second doorway. Hof presents the breath as access to deeper regulation, including the autonomic nervous system and central nervous system. These are source terms, but their lived outcome is simple: you gain a route toward calm, focus, and embodied control when intensity rises.

The Eddie Hall example makes the claim tangible. Hall, known for lifting 500 kilos, first performed dumbbell repetitions until Hof stopped him at 60. After a pause, Hof asked him to breathe deeply 30 times, go into the body, and return to the same movement while soreness was still present.

Hall then reached 90 repetitions and, according to Hof, did not appear tired in the same way. The point is not that breath turns effort into magic. The point is that perception, oxygen, attention, and intent can change how performance feels and how much capacity a person can access.

This is where the method becomes more than cold tolerance. Cold gives the signal. Breath gives the steering. Together, they create a protocol for meeting stress before stress arrives on its own terms.

The language is intense, but the architecture is grounded. Enter discomfort on purpose. Breathe with precision. Stay present long enough for the body to learn that stress does not have to become panic. That is a practical education in resilience.

For us, the value sits in that repeatability. A ritual becomes powerful when it can be practiced, refined, and brought back into ordinary life. You do not need a mountain to train control; you need a deliberate threshold and the willingness to meet it with attention.

From World Records To Human Limits

The world records made Hof visible because they appeared to contradict ordinary limits. He describes going onto Mount Everest in shorts, running marathons beyond the polar circle, swimming under ice, moving barefoot through the desert without drinking, and hanging by one finger between two hot air balloons in freezing temperatures. The list is extreme, but he treats it as a passage rather than a destination.

After more than 26 world records, the records began to lose meaning for him. The cup was full. More feats would not answer the deeper question that had been building underneath them. Once the body had shown its range, the work had to turn toward people.

That turn is essential. The purpose was no longer to prove that one man could endure. It was to ask whether others, including people carrying serious health conditions, could meet a challenge they had been told was beyond them. The method moved from exhibition to service.

Kilimanjaro became one of those tests. Hof speaks of taking 26 people, including people with conditions such as Crohn’s disease, cancer, arthritis, asthma, and heart disease, toward a mountain normally approached across five to nine days because of acclimatization. He frames the attempt as a way to show that human capacity often exceeds inherited expectation.

We need to hold that claim with care. The mountain remains real. Altitude remains real. Conditions remain real. Yet the story points to something recovery culture often misses: limitation is not only physical; it is also shaped by trust, guidance, and the story a person has been given about what the body can do.

Hof identifies trust as the group’s superpower. Trust created motivation, and motivation bridged the distance between fear and action. This is not a casual optimism. It is the kind of belief that becomes functional when paired with preparation, breath, and a shared commitment to move with precision.

The same principle applies outside the extreme setting. When you enter a cold plunge with respect, you practice the same sequence in a smaller frame. You meet a boundary, feel the body resist, and use breath to remain available to the moment. Capacity expands through direct contact.

That is why the records are less interesting than what they reveal. Everest in shorts captures attention, but the deeper teaching is not about becoming extraordinary for an audience. It is about removing enough fear, comfort, and inherited doubt to find the next honest edge of your own capacity.

Hof says the work is not about beating somebody else. It is about becoming the best of yourself. In a culture that often confuses comparison with progress, that distinction is a reset. Mastery turns inward, and performance becomes a vehicle for self-knowledge.

Human limits are rarely clean lines. They shift with preparation, physiology, attention, environment, and the people beside you. A serious protocol respects all of these forces. It does not deny risk; it builds enough awareness to meet risk with steadier intelligence.

Fear, Death, And The Inner Signal

Fear is not treated as the enemy in Hof’s account. It is treated as information. Before a record attempt, fear arrives as a message that the body and mind need to prepare more completely. Once preparation is complete, the message settles, and action can unfold with greater clarity.

His navigation system is direct: follow the breath and feel. He trusts the body’s inner signal more than overthinking. In the mountains, under ice, or on a wall without gear, he describes feeling as a form of understanding, a quiet intelligence that can guide the next step when the mind is too narrow.

This does not make fear disappear. Doubt and fear are present until they subside. The difference is relationship. Fear becomes a signal to listen to, not a wall to worship. Breath creates the pause where response can replace reflex.

His under-ice story sharpens that point. Lost beneath the ice, a person would expect panic, claustrophobia, and the agony of no air. Hof describes peace instead. He speaks of an inner power stronger than fear and of readiness created before the critical moment arrived.

This is one of the most practical messages in the conversation. You do not wait for stress to train your stress response. You meet controlled discomfort first, in cold and breath, so the body has a memory of steadiness when life becomes less controlled.

Hof links fear of death to narrow material thinking. His spiritual language is his own, and we do not need to adopt every metaphysical claim to understand the human need beneath it. When life is reduced to possession, status, and surface control, death becomes the ultimate interruption. A wider sense of purpose changes the relationship to fear.

He says he is not afraid of death; he is afraid not to live. That sentence carries the force of his entire method. Cold, breath, and challenge become ways to return to life while there is still time to inhabit it fully.

I'm not afraid of death. I'm afraid not to live.

His family story gives that mission an early frame. He describes being one of nine children, exactly in the middle, born as an unexpected twin after his mother feared losing him. Before his birth, she prayed that if the child lived, she would make him a missionary.

Hof presents that prayer as something marked into him. Whether heard as faith, family mythology, or deep imprint, it helps explain the scale of his drive. As a child, he already sensed that war, disease, depression, pollution, and fear of death should not be accepted as normal.

At 17, cold gave that mission a physical language. He recognized something in it: stress, clarity, memory, and power brought into one immediate sensation. From there, the path moved through extremes, science, public challenge, and teaching. The original signal remained the same.

The final lesson is not to imitate the extremes. It is to become more intimate with your own response to discomfort, grief, fear, and uncertainty. Breath by breath, exposure by exposure, you build a relationship with the body that is deliberate, grounded, and alive.