Wim Hof’s unique fitness and diet regime - the Wim Hof Method - has made him an international sensation. He is currently the star of the hit BBC One show, Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof, the latest episode of which airs tonight (May 3).
The Dutchman - an extreme athlete who has claimed several world records over the years - claims a wide range of physical and mental health benefits for his Wim Hof Method. He is especially renowned for his ability to withstand intense sub-zero temperatures.
According to Wim Hof, this highly unorthodox fitness routine has helped make him the athlete he is today. But what is the Wim Hof Method - and what does Wim Hof himself eat?
What is the Wim Hof method?
Wim Hof’s self-developed fitness regime - the Wim Hof Method - has three main aspects: breathing exercises, cold therapy and meditation. It is based on a philosophy that argues modern life has disrupted our traditional relationship with the natural environment.
In Wim Hof’s view, our bustling, technologically-driven modern lifestyles have deprived us of our “age-old survival mechanisms” and as a result, he argues, we have “lost touch with our inner power”.
The Wim Hof Method uses breathing exercises based on deep inhaling and exhaling without force, intended to strengthen the body’s immune response. Another crucial aspect is cold exposure, which Wim Hof says can boost endorphins, balance hormones and improve sleep.
But Wim Hof insists that one can only reap the full health benefits of his method by being completely committed to it. Commitment is, therefore, another one of the central “pillars” of the Wim Hof Method.
What does Wim Hof eat?
Wim Hof is understood to be a vegetarian; he has been one for many years and is said to eat only one meal a day. The Rich Roll Podcast states that for more than 30 years, the Dutchman has avoided eating any food before 6pm.
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