It isn’t often that someone actually possesses superhuman abilities, yet we generally give it little attention. Who has heard of Stephen Wiltshire and his extraordinary ability to recreate detailed, panoramic, city landscapes after a split-second glance? Or how about Ben Underwood, a child blinded by retinal cancer who utilized echolocation in lieu of vision? The point is that incredible talents exist, and though it’s fun to see Hugh Jackman rip apart villains with Adamantium-reinforced claws, we don’t have to turn to fiction to witness superhuman performances. The extraordinary can be found in reality.
Who Is Wim Hof?
One superhuman that has caught my attention is Wim “Iceman” Hof. Wim has garnered global fame for his ability to embrace freezing temperatures that routinely send victims into hypothermia. He has run bareback marathons in subzero temperatures, climbed the highest mountains on the planet shirtless, and proven to science that he can control his autonomic nervous system with his mind. Interested yet? We are just getting started.
9 Facts About Wim Hof
Anyone Can Do It
Perhaps the craziest of the facts about Wim Hof is it that he swears that anyone can experience life as he does — if they have the determination to learn. Wim first realized his tremendous tolerance to extreme temperatures when he was 17. According to him, he was “attracted” to jump into a freezing cold pond where he experienced an awakening. Since then, Wim has taught himself how to harness physiological control over his body in order to coexist in hostile environments. For years, he accomplished incredible feats in frigid climates, and for years science eschewed him as another crackpot who liked to boast. It wasn’t until researchers brought him into the lab that his claims were scientifically confirmed. When Wim isn’t breaking records, he dedicates his energy towards teaching anyone who’s willing to listen how they can eschew their learnt conceptions of the cold and experience an awakening through the breath. And at 56, it doesn’t seem like he is slowing down anytime soon. He offers retreats in various mountain ranges across Western Europe and shares his experiences online for those unable to travel. I have been practicing his techniques and the results have been literally breathtaking (no pun intended). By just practicing his guided meditation technique (known as the Wim Hof Method) twice a day, I have noticed an intense transformation in my perception. Cold showers have become a vital event to my daily life. So what is Wim’s advice for all that are eager to learn? Seems simple enough. Featured photo credit: Iceman Wim Hof via icemanwimhof.com
