Wim Hof Method: Exertion As Relaxation | Professional Canoeist

My name is Maarten Hermans

I am 23 years old and I’m a professional slalom canoeist

I train 2 to 3 times per day

I actually use the Wim Hof Method to relax

There’s a strong focus in professional sports on exertion; how to get better, faster

But when I talked to Wim it quickly dawned on me that exertion is in fact relaxation

As you improve your ability to relax, you raise your limit of exertion

This became a focal point of my training

I see it as meditation

When I do the breathing exercises, I force my body to relax completely

If I don’t do them, I quickly run out of oxygen

When I’m in a race, and I have 10 seconds before the buzzer sounds...

I have to attain a certain calm, while also maintaining a certain level of alertness

The trick is to walk that line

To be able to relax during exertion

I have done cold-shock training as well

This is gaining popularity in professional sports

When you deal quick, measured blows to your body, over time it recovers more speedily

Athletes monitor their food, their training, their nutrition, but not their breathing

You can go a week without food; 3 days without water

But how long can you go without air? 30 seconds, untrained?

I’ve already pushed that to 7 minutes

I’m showing that things do change

Some people who don’t really think outside the box will think it’s nonsense; it’s impossible

But it is possible

The Wim Hof Method is really a tool

Teaching people this tool is worthwhile in and of itself

But the philosophy behind it is to push your boundaries; see no boundaries

I believe this is a really important message that Wim Hof imparts

And that is helpful to a lot of people

Which is why I recommend it to everyone