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Wim Hof "Iceman" definitely gives me "cult leader" vibes but cool to see this research get published in a very reputable scientific journal. https://www.youtub

Wim Hof "Iceman" definitely gives me "cult leader" vibes but cool to see this research get published in a very reputable scientific journal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaMjhwFE1Zw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaMjhwFE1Zw

dr_dshiv 6y ago
I get the same vibes! But I think he is almost weirdly legit.
- windexh8er 6y ago
  I've been to a week long expedition in Poland to study with Wim a few years ago. I wouldn't go as far to say that it feels or is cult like at any point. I think the Internet, and some perspectives of those who have written about him, may give that impression. But Wim is about sharing, not bringing you into his fold and sucking resources out of you. Wim has a large personality which can work against him in some regard. I learned a lot from Wim and his instructors and I have better understanding of myself. I would highly recommend his excursions to anyone that has an open mind that's interested in learning about themselves and meeting like-minded people in the process. A couple good resources for you to check out if you're interested. Scott Carney does the best job of dispelling Wim as his original intent was to basically shine the light on Wim's snake oil in "What Doesn't Kill Us" [0] (spoiler: that is not the end result). Scott recently released a new book called "The Wedge" [1] that incorporates some of Wim but a lot of other practices and people that fit into the idea that we have more control than we realize and getting out of our comfort zone has healthful benefits. Being in 100% climate controlled perfect environments doesn't always help us. The other one I'd recommend is James Nestor's new book called "Breath" [2]. [0] https://www.scottcarney.com/what-doesnt-kill-us https://www.scottcarney.com/what-doesnt-kill-us [1] https://www.scottcarney.com/the-wedge https://www.scottcarney.com/the-wedge [2] https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/breath/ https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/breath/
steve_adams_86 6y ago
I think the cult vibe might come from internet sensationalism. He seems fine. He says some weird unscientific stuff, but overall I think he believes in what he’s doing with a good nature about it, and I don’t see how harm can come from what he encourages. He has a very positive message. One thing that compelled me to look into it was how little he seems to want money for his efforts. I mean, he makes money off of his name, but the iOS app for example is well made, helpful, and costs something like $2 CAD for advanced features. Admittedly the features are not exceptionally advanced, but I was expecting a higher price tag. It seemed like a reasonable ‘cover dev costs’ fee. He’s on some podcasts of course, and you can get a decent sense for what he’s like. My creep meter doesn’t go off much with him, personally. For what it’s worth, I’ve been using (and enjoying) wim hof techniques for a while and my assessment is definitely biased.
- jb1991 6y ago
  > I don’t see how harm can come from what he encourages I left this comment earlier because it seems like there are genuine risks to this sort of thing, but I must be wrong since no one is highlighting them: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24809114 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24809114
lpellis 6y ago
Magnus Mitbo (rock climber) had a cool video where they tried the technique for climbing. Results were a bit mixed but still interesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2SLdjmapXs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2SLdjmapXs

dr_dshiv 6y ago

I get the same vibes! But I think he is almost weirdly legit.

windexh8er 6y ago
I've been to a week long expedition in Poland to study with Wim a few years ago. I wouldn't go as far to say that it feels or is cult like at any point. I think the Internet, and some perspectives of those who have written about him, may give that impression. But Wim is about sharing, not bringing you into his fold and sucking resources out of you. Wim has a large personality which can work against him in some regard. I learned a lot from Wim and his instructors and I have better understanding of myself. I would highly recommend his excursions to anyone that has an open mind that's interested in learning about themselves and meeting like-minded people in the process. A couple good resources for you to check out if you're interested. Scott Carney does the best job of dispelling Wim as his original intent was to basically shine the light on Wim's snake oil in "What Doesn't Kill Us" [0] (spoiler: that is not the end result). Scott recently released a new book called "The Wedge" [1] that incorporates some of Wim but a lot of other practices and people that fit into the idea that we have more control than we realize and getting out of our comfort zone has healthful benefits. Being in 100% climate controlled perfect environments doesn't always help us. The other one I'd recommend is James Nestor's new book called "Breath" [2]. [0] https://www.scottcarney.com/what-doesnt-kill-us https://www.scottcarney.com/what-doesnt-kill-us [1] https://www.scottcarney.com/the-wedge https://www.scottcarney.com/the-wedge [2] https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/breath/ https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/breath/

steve_adams_86 6y ago

I think the cult vibe might come from internet sensationalism. He seems fine. He says some weird unscientific stuff, but overall I think he believes in what he’s doing with a good nature about it, and I don’t see how harm can come from what he encourages. He has a very positive message. One thing that compelled me to look into it was how little he seems to want money for his efforts. I mean, he makes money off of his name, but the iOS app for example is well made, helpful, and costs something like $2 CAD for advanced features. Admittedly the features are not exceptionally advanced, but I was expecting a higher price tag. It seemed like a reasonable ‘cover dev costs’ fee. He’s on some podcasts of course, and you can get a decent sense for what he’s like. My creep meter doesn’t go off much with him, personally. For what it’s worth, I’ve been using (and enjoying) wim hof techniques for a while and my assessment is definitely biased.

jb1991 6y ago
> I don’t see how harm can come from what he encourages I left this comment earlier because it seems like there are genuine risks to this sort of thing, but I must be wrong since no one is highlighting them: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24809114 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24809114

lpellis 6y ago

Magnus Mitbo (rock climber) had a cool video where they tried the technique for climbing. Results were a bit mixed but still interesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2SLdjmapXs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2SLdjmapXs