Scott Carney on the Surprising Benefits of Cold Exposure

In this episode, I interview the investigative journalist Scott Carney about something gaining more and more popularity these days: cold exposure. You know, taking cold showers and ice baths, running around outside in your underwear during the winter, and so forth. This “biohacking” craze started with one man, Wim Hof, who has done some pretty mind-boggling things with his body like climbing Mount Everest in just a pair of shorts, and even better, has taught others to do the same. Scott’s latest book, What Doesn’t Kill Us, which I highly recommend you read, started as a mission to debunk Wim’s claims. After four years of research and personal experimentation, he realized that they’re not only true, but they raise bigger questions about what we’re really capable of physically, mentally, and, spiritually. That, of course, is what this interview is all about. Scott shares with us the details of his almost surreal journey with Wim, and how he learned to use cold exposure and simple breathing techniques to boost his physical health and performance and, like Wim, climb a mountain in just his shorts without dying of hypothermia. Scott also breaks down how you and I can benefit from this new and exciting field of research. And speaking to that, I myself have already taken the plunge, pun intended, by doing 3 to 5 minute cold showers every morning, and I’ve come to really enjoy them because of how I feel after - awake, energized, alert, and ready to get to the gym. So, here’s the interview... 5:29 How has your life changed after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro? 10:06 What benefits have you noticed after achieving the physically impossible? 13:52 What are some of the things you can accomplish when the body, mind, and soul work together? 23:10 In comparison to our ancestors, what are some physical abilities we have lost as we have evolved? 27:07 Is technology ruining our biology? 29:14 What are the benefits from breathing exercises and cold showers? 32:40 What are the most recent scientific findings on the Wim Hof Method? 35:07 What are some breathing exercises our listeners can start doing and what are the benefits? 42:20 How can people connect with you and find your work? Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter! Click here: https://www.muscleforlife.com/signup/