TV iceman Wim Hof has provided the inspiration for a man suffering from terminal liver cancer. Marcos Jarvis, 47, started having ice baths, went vegan and took up tai chi to give himself the best possible chance of survival.
And it worked as Marcos is now back in good health and due to tackle a mega run in South Africa, reports The Mirror. The builder was diagnosed with terminal stage four cancer in 2019 after suffering pain while running a marathon.
He needed chemotherapy after doctors found 12 tumours on his liver. But he refused to give in to the disease and, after being inspired by extreme athlete Wim, made drastic changes to his lifestyle.
Dutchman Wim, 63, is famed for his ability to deal with freezing temperatures with his breathing techniques, which have proved to be beneficial to health. He is currently giving celebs such as Gabby Logan, Alfie Boe and Tamzin Outhwaite a crash course in his techniques on the BBC One show Freeze The Fear.
Marcos said: “I read up on cancer treatment and decided to cut alcohol, meat, sugar and stress from my life. After learning the Wim Hof method, I started having cold showers, taking daily ice baths and running bare-chested too.
“I messaged Wim to thank him for helping me beat cancer and was amazed when he got back to me. He was really pleased I contacted him and really happy with my progress.
“He asked me to keep him updated, which I have been doing. I hope to meet him one day.”
Dad-of-one Marcos, from Hailsham, East Sussex, said the new mindset and his family’s support were key to his recovery. He added: “The last thing I heard from my oncologist was I am cancer-free."
Marcos now plans to run 100 miles over five days in South Africa to raise money for the cancer family charity We Only Live Once (Wolo) in October. Marcos, his wife Hannah, and son Archie, six, were supported during his cancer journey by Sussex-based Wolo.
Co-founder Justin Wright said: “Marcos is an inspiration.” The Wolo 100 will also focus on conservation, backed by Eastbourne-based trek experts Africa Wild Trails.
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