Win Hof: The Iceman

Many extreme athletes often repeat a phrase every time they achieve an important feat: "The power is in the mind." While it is true that the mind and body work together, the legendary Win Hof demonstrates that mental power goes far beyond imagined limits.

Photo: Red Bull

Win Hof, also known as the Iceman, has an immense mental control, can regulate his body temperature with total skill, and has managed to run a half marathon barefoot on snow in Finland, immerse himself in an ice bath for almost 2 hours, and climb Everest in shorts and boots only.

Photo: Red Bull

Hof was born on April 20, 1959, in the Netherlands and to date holds 20 "Guinness World Records" for enduring extreme temperatures. According to him, it all started at 17 when he became interested in cold water. Since then, he changed his breathing pattern, managing to hold his breath for 5 to 7 minutes under ice after months of training.

Photo: Locosdeldeporte

'The Iceman' claims to feel heat through the mind and breathing. His mind causes his cells to produce up to 300% more metabolic activity, without any movement. Thus, Hof uses mental control as the only tool to achieve his feats.

Photo: nrc.nl

Cold has not been the only barrier Wim has overcome with his mental power. In Namibia, he ran a marathon without training and without drinking a single drop of water during the race. But most surprisingly, his body maintained a temperature of 37 degrees.

Photo: Dailymotion

How does Hof explain all this? "If you have control of the nervous system, it will produce a large amount of dopamine that will reduce the sensation of pain. The body is prepared to reach extremes, but you have to learn to control it."

We imagine that many adventurers will want to try Wim's method, for all of them, Hof recommends starting by taking a cold shower after a hot one, as well as breathing more than you feel is necessary.

Photo: Red Bull

And adventure athletes? All adrenaline lovers seek deeper control. Many do not know it, but they are doing it, controlling their minds while they act. Action sports specialists are people who seek their deepest inner or spiritual depth through extreme activities.