For those who have been following my journey for some time now you might be aware that I recently became a Wim Hof Certified Instructor after going on a journey into the areas of breathwork.
So who is Wim Hof? What is the Wim Hof Method? And why should you care?
This is Wim Hof
A man with 26 World Records, known as ‘The Iceman’ for his incredible feats including a number of records related to cold exposure including: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in shorts, running a half marathon above the Arctic Circle barefoot, and standing in a container while covered with ice cubes for more than 112 minutes.
Using 'cold, hard nature' as his teacher, his extensive training has enabled him to learn to control his breathing, heartrate, and blood circulation and to withstand extreme temperatures.
Armed with his motto 'what I am capable of, everybody can learn', Wim Hof is convinced that everyone can tap into their inner potential without having to invest the same decades worth of study, travel and daring.
Wim has made it his mission to share what he’s learned with the rest of the world. And so he developed the Wim Hof Method: a combination of breathing, cold therapy and commitment that offers a range of benefits.
The Wim Hof Method
With his Wim Hof Method, he teaches people from all over the world, from celebrities and professional athletes, to people of all ages, to control their body & mind and achieve extraordinary things.
But the Wim Hof Method is so much more than that. It is backed by science, and over the years, scientists have subjected Wim Hof (and even some of his students) to various experiments, with the goal of unravelling the secret behind his method.
A 2014 study injecting Wim Hof Method practitioners with an endotoxin, showed they were able to control their sympathetic nervous system and immune response. This could mean that the Wim Hof Method is an effective tool to battle symptoms of various autoimmune diseases.
While a 2018 study showed that the method activated regions in the brain responsible for pain suppression, which could lead to a potential role for the Wim Hof Method as an endogenous painkiller.
Wim and his team continue to work with research institutions to explore the potential of the Wim Hof Method and there are several exciting studies underway.
A full timeline of the science can be found here - https://www.wimhofmethod.com/science
Why Should You Care?
I have been journeying into the WHM for almost 3 years now and it’s been a gamechanger for me.
It has had a profound impact in my life across the following areas:
Physically
Through years of sport (basketball, boxing, MMA, martial arts, running, gym) and countless physical injuries including a shoulder reconstruction, replacement disc in my neck, 4 knee surgeries and broken bones, there were days where it was hard to function without the assistance of medication.
After my shoulder injury, doctors said I would never be pain free again and would need at least two shoulder replacements before the age of 60……. but after discovering the Wim Hof Method, this all changed!
Here I am today pain free (literally zero!) and medication free doing all the sports and training I love.
Mentally
As an Executive Leader & Coach to others the Wim Hof Method has provided me with clarity of focus, reduction of stress, overall calmness and quiets the noise that comes with a high stress environments and roles.
Mindset
The Wim Hof Method has helped me set my intention and mindset to conquer challenges in my life including Ultramarathon and endurance events, stepping into the MMA cage and allows me to sustain peak performance as an Executive in my fields of expertise. I love to get uncomfortable, and the Wim Hof Method has allowed me to take this from big, key events to a daily practice. It has helped me to apply my intention as a consistent habit.
The Wim Hof Method is a unique process that helps me reflect, get into the depths of my mindset, intentionally go within, to let go of my ego and connect with my power!
As a Wim Hof Method Instructor, I have guided people from all walks of life to shift their mindset, break through mental barriers, awaken their potential and shown the path to excellence lies within the mastery of the breath, embrace of discomfort in the cold and discovery of your innate strength and resilience. The method improves the daily lives of all who implement it.
We have the science and stories to prove it!
At a Wim Hof Fundamentals Workshop you can expect the following:
Overview/Background on Wim Hof and the Wim Hof Method
The science of the Wim Hof Method – breakthroughs and stories
My personal experience with WHM
Cover the 3 pillars of WHM - breath, cold, mindset
Learn the WHM Breathing Technique - you will be able to apply this to your daily routine
Icebath – Each person has the opportunity to go through an icebath experience, I teach them how to breath, and set their intention in the ice. They will be able to use this in their own practice moving forward, either cold showers, cold plunges or icebaths.
Warmup techniques - horse stance
Q&A on all of the above
Here are some pictures from my most recent workshops.
If you are interested you can view monthly public workshops here - https://www.wimhofmethod.com/instructors/matthew-cossens-1 (the next session is on Saturday March 23rd) or feel free to contact me directly for a corporate or private session.
So what is next for my breathwork journey? I am currently completing training with Oxygen Advantage to look into everyday breathing and sports performance as this is complimentary to the Wim Hof Method. Watch this space for more updates!