Feeling is Understanding — WHM Masters Module
I am now a Certified Wim Hof Method Instructor.
Ok. What does this mean? This means I have…
Practiced the three pillars of the method — ༄ Conscious Breathing, ❄️ Cold Exposure and 🧘🏻♂️ Mindset/Focus, long enough to be able to “officially” share this knowledge to the world around me, in a relatively safe and secure way.
Gone a bit deeper into understanding the science and physiology of why these simple practices have such a profound impact in connecting us to ourselves.
Completed five intense yet rewarding days at WHM Academy training led by Michelle, Emma and Sharon — true radiant ambassadors of the method.
I have shared my journey of getting introduced to WHM here and my first experience with teaching here. I was not really sure how to express and document this final stage of being an instructor. But then three things stood out: we are One, the Cold is a merciless teacher and a clarity on Why?
🌍 1. We are One — The Community at it’s best.
Forty-three candidates from across the globe, united by a shared mission: to delve deeper into the Wim Hof Method and bring it back to their communities. At first glance, they couldn’t have seemed more different. They came from diverse corners of the world — Argentina, India, France, Germany, Vietnam, USA, UK, Slovakia, Poland, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and beyond. Their ages ranged from 22 to 57, and their roles in life were just as varied: students, navy personnel, chefs, lawyers, entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, health professionals, and retirees.
Yet, over five transformative days, it became evident that beneath these surface differences, we were all the same at our core.
Each person carried a story. Each bore their share of scars, life experiences etched into their being. And yet, everyone showed up with an openness to share those stories, to be vulnerable, to set aside their masks and let others see their true selves. In this shared vulnerability, we found connection — comfort in the presence of like-minded individuals. Each one of us had experienced some form of loneliness at some point in life. And for all of us, the cold and the breath had become more than tools — they were bridges. Bridges to connect with others, and perhaps most importantly, bridges to reconnect with ourselves.
Personally, I found being surrounded by such a diverse group of individuals incredibly enriching. Beyond the shared training sessions, it was the dinner table conversations that truly expanded my perspective. I listened to stories that were nothing short of extraordinary — a father who walked 500 kilometers with his seven-year-old son; an environmental lawyer who chose to live off-grid for over three years to gain firsthand experience of sustainable living; an adventurer who narrowly escaped death, carried to safety by the kindness of strangers; and tales of resilience from those who clawed their way out of the depths of addiction.
Each story was a testament to the indomitable human spirit, to an innate intelligence beyond our intellect, leaving me inspired and humbled.
🧊 2. The Cold is a Merciless Teacher
Before arriving at the academy, we all had experience with cold exposure. Yet, the instructors weren’t just there to guide us — they were there to push us beyond our comfort zones. Their goal was to teach us how to find comfort in the uncomfortable.
On the very first day, we immersed ourselves in a long ice bath in open, freezing waters. Unlike an ice bath tub, where the body heat forms a thin layer of insulation, flowing water at a constant ~2°C is relentless. It strips away any illusion of warmth and demands complete focus and surrender. We were invited to push our limits and stay as long as we can, while listening to our own bodies. I ended up staying for over 13 minutes.
In a typical fundamentals course, participants are advised not to stay in the cold for more than two minutes. But the academy operated on a different level. Prolonged immersion required a clear intention and unwavering focus. The only way to endure without suffering was to regulate your breathing — calm, extended exhales were key. A lapse in focus, and the cold would begin to take control, overwhelming your body and mind.
On the third day we were invited to push our limits again when we went to the famous Wim Hof Waterfall. This time it was two long dips into the freezing water. This was by far the most intense cold exposure for me. Only when we thought we were done, we were encouraged to get into the water again. Not everyone did, and that was very well respected by the instructors — it is a testament to listening to your own bodies, I but decided to push myself a little and went in for the second time. When I finally emerged, I could feel the cold blood rushing into my warm core, sending a dizzying wave through my head. The sensation left me lightheaded for several minutes. While most of my body warmed up within 15–20 minutes, my fingers remained numb and unusable for nearly an hour. On the fourth day, I decided for do an unofficial 5-minute dip in the morning and two more 2-minute dips during the day.
By the end of the fourth day, I felt something was not right with my ear. It was too sensitive. The noise in the dining room was unbearable, and I had to retreat to the calm solitude of the waterfall for relief.
The next morning I woke up with a disconcerting silence in my left ear. I had lost my hearing.
Hoping that it would improve as the day went on, I attended the morning breathing sessions. However, by afternoon, it was clear that something was not right. I called the GP in London, and in her words, “I think your symptoms are concerning enough to warrant a same day in person clinical assessment as you have had sudden hearing loss and this could be a condition called Sudden Sensorineural (“inner ear”) Hearing Loss (SSHL), commonly known as sudden deafness. SSHL is an unexplained, rapid loss of hearing either all at once or over a few days. The risk of not being seen today are permanent hearing loss.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, I was calm inside.
The possibility of permanent hearing loss didn’t frighten me — I was prepared to accept the consequence. It was not clear if cold had played a direct role in this — the doctor in London said that this is idiopathic and could be due to inflammation, infection or blood circulation issues, but I feel cold would have played a part. Cold is Merciless — it has no regard for life. Cold is a Teacher — two years of cold exposure taught me internal acceptance.
I had to leave the academy a day earlier than planned. But before departing, I wanted to say a proper goodbye. I decided to conduct a 2-minute energizer — a laughter yoga session. I shared my condition with the group, expressed my heartfelt gratitude for the four and a half days of training, connection, and growth, and prepared to leave.
In return, I was given the most beautiful farewell: a warm and collective group hug.
♾️ 3. So Why?
The good news is that my hearing has returned, but it left something behind — a constant ringing in my left ear. Tinnitus, they call it. Instead of silence, I now live with a never-ending hum, a sound that grows louder when I’m alone.
So why?
Depending on how you want to see this, one can choose to believe that such practices have no benefits and potential harm (cold ‘caused’ the hearing loss hypothesis). Or, since the doctors themselves don’t have a clue about why it happened, we just accept the unpredictability of life. But can we?
Every day, we face events that defy our expectations — discord at work, disagreements with loved ones, inner turmoil, failing health, etc. These moments chip away at us bit by bit until we’re forced to confront a tipping point — getting stuck in a spiraling negative thought process. At that moment, everything we’ve done to stay strong, healthy, and resilient must come together to help us overcome. But often we find it difficult. It feels hard to bounce back, hard to cope. So how do we develop strength, from within?. There are countless books that promise the secrets to self-mastery. They offer instructions to transform our lives, to become unshakable in the face of adversity. But how do we truly internalize those lessons?.
How do we ‘suffer’ just a little less when life doesn’t go our way?
I don’t have answers. But over the past two years, I’ve found a small glimmer of hope in two simple practices: intentional breathing and cold exposure. These practices didn’t make me immune — I still get anxious, stressed, irritated, and sick. Life still throws its punches. But I’ve noticed something subtle yet profound — I’m able to step back from my suffering a tad bit more. My body feels a little stronger, my mind a little calmer.
The hurdles that once felt insurmountable now seem just a bit more manageable, one breath, one cold plunge at a time. Breathing exercises help me anchor myself, especially when my thoughts spiral. They remind me to focus on the present, to find stillness in the chaos. Cold exposure — a quick dip in icy water or a cold shower — challenges my body and mind, teaching me resilience through discomfort. It’s not magic, and it doesn’t fix everything. But these practices have helped me cultivate something priceless — Fortitude.
That is why I continue to practice it, and feel like sharing this with people around me.
If you are interested to take the plunge (pun intended), or just stay-tuned then please let me know here .
I will let you know when I take on my official classes. I promise not to send any unsolicited emails!
ps: Thanks to Merijn Baas for the encouragement to write about the academy.
ps: Took help from ChatGPT to make the story more expressive.
Thanks!
