Publishers Weekly
08/17/2020
Dutch endurance athlete Hof (The Way of the Iceman) explains his method for surviving extreme conditions in this stimulating guide. To fight disease, pain, and trauma—and also improve personal health and athletic performance—humans, Hof writes, must “get back to our innermost needs.” He structures his program around “three simple, natural pillars: cold exposure, conscious breathing, and the power of the mind,” arguing that high-stress daily routines have disconnected humans from nature and led to any number of illnesses. To recover, he delves into how combining exposure to the cold with breathing exercises can engage the “mind-body connection” and allow one to sustain oneself in extreme conditions. Hof touts the program’s benefits as strengthening vascular, immune, neurological, mental and emotional health, as well as clearing “biochemical residue” (undesirable by-products of chemical reactions in the lymphatic system). Hof also shares his struggles with emotional pain (particularly in the aftermath of his wife’s suicide), and how his method helped him come to terms with that tragedy and endure. This spirited and humane guide will inspire self-help readers who are looking for a challenge. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Wim Hof has inspired millions of people to use just their bodies and breath to heat, then heal, themselves of a laundry list of chronic illnesses. Dubious, you say? I certainly thought so, until I discovered the real scientific research from real scientists around the world proving these ‘impossible’ claims were in fact true. This book is a valuable guide to anyone looking to take better control of the health, heat, and untapped potential locked away within us all.” —James Nestor, New York Times bestselling author of Breath
“Wim Hof is a legend. This book is great. It’s like learning yoga from Thor.” —Russell Brand
“Wim Hof is a man of extraordinary talents who demonstrates great control of involuntary physiological functions, developed by learning to tolerate exposure to cold and by working with the breath. He has taught the Wim Hof Method to many people, and in this book he explains it in detail. Recommended reading for everyone interested in human potentials.” —Andrew Weil, MD, director of the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, author of 8 Weeks to Optimum Health
“Wim Hof’s program has become an essential part of my daily regimen for self-care and grounding. I warmly recommend it.” —Gabor Maté, MD, author of When the Body Says No
“If you had to read one book on how to feel great, this is it. I’m so glad Wim’s techniques have been summarized in such an easy-to-digest way. I’ve been doing his method religiously because it works.” —Jesse Itzler, serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, endurance athlete, and an owner of the Atlanta Hawks
“With the bombastic certainty of a man obsessed, Wim Hof offers scientific curiosities worthy of further investigation, as well as groundbreaking self-healing tools worth experimenting with yourself, especially if conventional medicine has failed to help you.” —Lissa Rankin, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Mind Over Medicine
“The Wim Hof Method allows us to cultivate our body and mind in ways that release our potential for greater health and vitality. When provided with low levels of healthy stress, our body becomes more resilient and more alive. My days are better when I begin them with the Wim Hof Method.” —Doug Abrams, coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The Book of Joy
“Wim Hof is a wild-crafted yogi, sharing instantly accessible tools of cold exposure and breath work to return us to wholeness and health.” —Elena Brower, bestselling author of Practice You
“Wim is a force of nature and love! I have been lucky enough to spend intimate time training with him in person. This book is the next best thing. Take the journey with Wim through his stories, the science, and the method to discover that you are capable of more than you thought possible.” —Lewis Howes, New York Times bestselling author and host of The School of Greatness
“I enjoyed this book immensely! Get inside the mind of Wim Hof and learn why millions of people worldwide feel the freeze and do it anyway. Breathe in, chill out, and enjoy the ride.” —Patrick McKeown, author of The Oxygen Advantage
“I’ve never felt so alive.” – Joe Wicks, “The Body Coach”
“This book fortifies that the mind is the most powerful tool we possess; however, very few use it like Mr. Wim Hof. A positive and persuasive read.” —Ant Middleton, British adventurer
“This book will change your life.” —Ben Fogle, travel writer and broadcaster
“A fascinating look at Wim's incredible life and method.” —Fearne Cotton, English television presenter