Wim ‘The Iceman’ Hof to Host World’s Largest Guided Breathing Session

Dutch extreme athlete Wim Hof, known as ‘The Iceman’ for his ability to withstand freezing temperatures, is encouraging the world to stop and breathe in a global group breathing event, which was initiated by Australian entrepreneur John Winning and created together with Australian design, animation and visual effects house, Heckler. 

With more than a billion people observing some form of isolation due Covid-19 restrictions, the power of breathing to boost the immune system, improve mental health and relieve stress will be revealed by Hof, during a free global guided breathing session. The session will take place on Sunday 3rd May at 8am AEST on Wim Hof’s Instagram @iceman_hof.

Wim earned his nickname ‘The Iceman’ by breaking a number of world records related to cold exposure. His achievements include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in shorts, running a half marathon above the Arctic Circle on his bare feet, and standing in a container while covered with ice cubes for more than 112 minutes. He attributes these feats to his Wim Hof Method (WHM), a combination of frequent cold exposure, breathing techniques and meditation.

Wim Hof said: “My message is simple. I want everyone to feel happier, stronger and healthier and there is no greater time to focus on this than now and you can do it all from your home. We’re always breathing, yet we’re mostly unaware of its tremendous potential. The global breathing session will follow my Wim Hof Method approach, where I will guide people through the specialised breathing technique which is proven to unearth more energy, reduce stress levels and boost people’s immune system. I encourage you to join me and take a moment to take back control.”

Australian entrepreneur John Winning, a follower of the Wim Hof Method, became friends with Wim and recently approached him with the concept for the global session. As a partner, Heckler, created a video to promote the event to Wim’s more than one million Instagram followers.

Will Alexander, co-founder and executive producer at Heckler said: “The world needs to stop and take a breath more than ever right now as we deal with the impacts of isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Who better to tell us how to do it than Wim ‘The Iceman’ Hof who has proven that breathing can help boost immunity and reduce stress levels. We’re delighted to be working with him and John Winning to bring this special event to people around the globe.”

John Winning explained: “I reached out to Wim with the concept of the breathing session in early March when Covid-19 social distancing measures were enforced. My intention was to provide as many people as possible with the tools and techniques that Wim had provided me, to assist with the emotional, mental and physical impacts of being in isolation and in response to Covid-19, as well as helping to build people’s immunity. I hope that Australians and people from around the world take the opportunity to tune in and to be guided through techniques that can not only be used during these uncertain times, but for the rest of their lives. I want to thank Wim and also Heckler, who became a partner on this project and created the video to promote the global session.”

To join the world’s largest guided breathing event on Sunday 3rd May at 8am AEST, follow Wim on Instagram @iceman_hof