Wim Hof: ‘Govern yourself and regulate your own emotions’

Wim Hof: ‘Govern yourself and regulate your own emotions’

Dutch extreme athlete and motivational speaker Wim Hof, widely recognized as “The Iceman” for his remarkable endurance in extreme cold, recently emphasized the importance of emotional self-regulation.

“In schools, we don’t learn how to emotionally regulate ourselves, and thus, we become victim to emotions like rage,” Hof posted on X. “When something has gone too far and we cannot control it, it will control us.”

“You need to govern yourself and regulate your own emotions and do what is possible without losing your emotional well-being to fulfill your purpose here on Earth,” said Hof.

The Wim Hof Method combines controlled breathing, cold exposure, and mindset training to help people increase energy, reduce stress, and strengthen their immune response. Practitioners often report improved focus, resilience, and emotional balance. The method is detailed on wimhofmethod.com, which also offers courses, workshops, and resources for beginners.

Wim Hof, also known as “The Iceman,” is a Dutch extreme athlete known for his record-breaking feats in freezing conditions. He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in shorts, run a half marathon above the Arctic Circle barefoot, and submerged himself in ice for nearly two hours — all as part of his mission to show that the body and mind are capable of more than we believe. Learn more about Hof’s background and scientific studies on his method at Wikipedia, or try his guided breathing exercises on YouTube.